The Brand New 2022 Santa Cruz Chameleon MX - 25 Years In The Making - World Premiere/First Look
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- čas přidán 4. 10. 2021
- The 2022 Santa Cruz Chameleon MX is here. In this video we take a first look at Santa Cruz's modern take on the trail hardtail. 25 years in the making, this chameleon has some up-to-date touches: 65* hta, adjustable dropouts to be run singlespeed or geared, 29er or MX wheelsize, threaded bb, ISCG tabs, 130mm travel with a Fox 34, SRAM UDH, bottle bosses on the top and bottom of the downtube, and the trusty aluminum frame we've all come to love.
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I like seeing some colors again. That trend with washed out and pale matte frames never sat well with me. Even the 5010 got some flair to it with the mustard yellow. Love it.
I'm with you on this. Love flashy colors for bikes.
@@buckroger6456 Agreed. WE WANT BRIGHT COLORS! :)
@@hardtailparty Specially if you have painted your background wall in dark grey...That chameleon is paradoxically popping out a lot!
i love the matte frames
@@marseille5488 ya probably
Your grin reveals your love to it. Actually, your two reviews of the Chameleon on your channel are what caused me to be a fan of yours. Waiting for your ride review.
A few more thoughts:
Thanks to all the great people commenting, I've learned the front axle can be adjusted by putting an Allen key on the lever side. Glad to hear it, that's even easier than the old one.
Also, I'm told the yellow ones are shipping to your dealers now, so they should hit bike shop floors soon. Blue ones won't be far behind.
Yes, it's expensive. You can find other hardtails with better parts for cheaper. However, the previous chameleon was more expensive than it's competition, but it blew those bikes away. A special frame is worth an extra $500-1000 to me. The jury is still out on whether this is a special frame or not, but don't write it off yet just based on price.
I feel like this video is more relevant than ever: czcams.com/video/8iDEG6ibAg8/video.html&ab_channel=hardtailparty
Thanks for all the comments, i can see that many if you are as excited as I am for this one.
It says a lot about your thorough honest reviews that SC gave you a bike to review before release. Congratulations Steve. I hope more brands do that.
Thanks David, I'm thrilled they thought of me
Agreed! I got the email from Santa Cruz, dropped my kids at school, came home and saw Steve's new video up about the bike. Two surprise releases on the same day! Lovin it!
I hope more and more brands prioritize getting demos to you Steve. You have a great and unique channel that speaks to most riders out there!
@@SCnative64 thank you so much Daryl, that means a lot.
As a 29er Chameleon owner I'm looking forward to your ride review. Also, great job SC for making a solid trail hardtail instead of jumping on the hardcore enduro trend. I have no plans on retiring my Lizard any time soon, but it's great to see SC moving forward while still keeping it in the same genre.
100% agree.
Thanks Santa Cruz for having Steve show us the new chameleon.. best channel for Hardtail action!
Can’t wait for the review 🤙🏼
The Medium is basically what I ride since 2019
Yep ....65* head angle👍 I’m pretty sure I’ll be needing one of these !!
The best mtb channel on CZcams. You are awesome Steve, can't wait for the review!
New shop looks great. I was a tad worried the grey would lose the tires rims in video but it still pops. Speaking of pops, that yellow frame! Great job
I have one on order already. Can’t wait.
Oh my this is a tempting bike. Can't wait for the review.
Love the colors! Can’t wait to see your full review. I’m with you on stack and bar width. Party on! 🤙
Can’t wait for the ride review! Seems like a sweet bike!!!!!
Oh wow. This model looks incredible. Excited to hear what you think of rear end stiffness. This might be my next frame after my honzo. I feel like I’ve spent a lot of time trying to make my honzo feel like what this chameleon will feel like out of the box.
Stoked for the Moab footage on this one!!!😀🤙🏽
Very nice. Good on Santa Cruz for seeing the value of your reviews. The new shop looks great and the sound was good on my iPad. Looking forward to the MX review. Thanks Steve.
nice, the Chameleon is truly becoming a true icon, a frame to own for life. and a nother spot on rewiev! Tnx m8 :)
I've never been so excited for a hardtail! I had the old aluminum model and loved it so much.
Agreed. The previous gen is still one of my all-time favorite hardtails
Can't wait for the ride review on this. Nice to see they updated the geo. I lust after Santa Cruz bikes for some reason. Always wanted to get one. If I ever get back on a short travel 29er it would be a Tallboy.
Can't wait for the review on this! Been thinking a Chameleon might be my next bike, now I have to see how this new one is! Also seems.kind of fitting for this to be the first bike vid from the new studio.
Steve, that bike looks sick, love the color, can't wait for the review now.
The Chameleon has been one of the bikes that I hope to own day day, I always liked the blue color.
As far as bar width and reach, I spent some time using graph paper using scale measurements to determine what stem length and bar width I could go to without going too far. I ride a Trek Roscoe 8 and swapped to a 780mm wide bar and a 40mm stem and if my calculations are correct, my reach from the seat to grips only went up 10mm+/-. It definitely made turning those 2.8's much easier in the rough.
Wow, that looks awesome, I definitely want to get one someday. Can't wait for the review, love the content here, thanks!
Love this channel! Looking forward to that review ride! Never ridden a Chameleon but had a 2010 Superlight for a few years. On the topic of hardtail demos: I used to go the the Cotic ones in Sherwood Pines, U.K. back in the day (2006-2010 maybe.) They were a great day out - I rode the Soul, Soda, & Hemlock and loved them all. One time, I even rode someone's customised Rolhoff Soul on a loop of the singletrack. 😀
What a nice bike. Looking forward to the ride review.
That new studio is working great.
This channel is amazing. I’ve been mountain biking for 30 years and find this great to watch but it is also fun for the novice rider. Greetings from The Netherlands!
Thanks for the kind words.
The new studio looks awesome. That yellow frame really pops.
I have a Rhythm 34 as well I got a couple of years ago for a steal of a price. I've been very pleased with it as well
Great advice on bar width... something to consider on my hardtail which feels really stretched, despite being a medium and me being 5’11”. Love this channel. My go to.
Thanks so much for the bar width tip. Your suggestions are simply the best and I'm gonna keep commenting until you reach 1m subs, lol.
With the wait on my allocated 2021 Chameleon R, I recieved notification yesterday if I wanted to switch my order to the new 2022 Chameleon 29er without no added cost. I accepted and first to order one. Should be here next couple weeks.
Some of the best reviews. Honestly answered all of my questions.
Thanks Peter!
I’m so happy to see your channel grow Steve! Keep it up
Thanks Nathan!
LOVE THIS BIKE
AND VIDEO
Turn the 4mm at the end of the front axle to adjust the tension. Do this while open
Thank you, I'll try that.
Yes! I believe Fox went to the Marzocchi method of adjusting the front axle as it generally got better reviews for being simpler to adjust.
Love the jersey idea! Have order one, can’t wait to wear it out around AUS 😊 Thanks for the great videos!
I have a 2018 Chameleon like your original one. Recently replaced the dropper with a 200mm dropper from One up components. It’s a Large frame and the post collar went all the way to the seat clamp 👍🏼
A mullet right out of the box!?! This is going to be good👍👍.
Nice! Can't wait to watch the review.
Just picked up the SC Bronson MX. Now I want that one also🥰
Great looking bike, love the colors. Agree on the seatpost bottle bolts, just fit a 170mm dropper on my ICT and was only possible because of the lack of the bolts. Also agree on the Fox 34 rhythm, I ‘ve had great luck with it. I also have the Raceface AR wheels on my XC hardtail and they have been pretty good. New swap looks great BTW, keep ‘em coming!
The dropper post thing is always a odd one. You would think by now bike manufactures would understand this, it's not like droppers are a new thing like 10+ years ago.
OMG! The sound quality in the new place is GREAT Steve!!! Great video as usual!
Thanks, it's getting there. I'd like a few more sound panels one day, but it's a huge improvement over the previous one.
@@hardtailparty have you looked up the DIY towel acoustic panels? It isn’t perfect or pretty, but as long as they aren’t in shot - whatever…
Man good stuff to Santa Cruz for sending this to you for an honest review!
Agreed, it was really cool of them to think of me for this.
New studio looks great!
Can't wait for the long term ride review. I am a bit surprised that it can't accommodate 27.5x3.0 in the back. My 2017 came stock with 3.0 tires, and with the longer chain stays on the 2022 I would think that 3.0 would fit easily.
Simply stunning bike, also love that yellow paint. ❤❤✌✌😁😁
It was awesome seeing you at outerbike looking forward to the review at Moab.
Oh yeah, like the new shop too. That frame color really pops against the gray!
Thanks, I'm loving how it turned out.
Nice bike...agree entirely about your opinion on the current fashion for internal cables. I have even seen reviews for bikes that start with the "hidden" cables as if it is the main feature for buying it.
I was feeling smug about the sliding dropouts on my Pipedream Moxie but I love that SC design, at least mine has external cable routing. Top trumps mountain biking.
Pulled the trigger on a Spot Rocker SS frame. Thanks to your review, and my trust in your opinions. I took the leap. Dream frame for sure. I was at a point(physically) where I needed to go full suspension or find a supple hardtail. I know you’ve said but… What’s the most supple rear wheel? Your passion is obvious. Thank you. Love the drops on the Chameleon!
Man love your show ,santa cruz really know how to make bikes and that color is insane i gotta get one of these.
sound is good. good job on the sound proofing.
waiting for this
good gravy, I've not lusted after a bike this hard in a long long while.
Ya boi, new Chameleon day!!
Really dig the hardtail party jersey.
This is a pretty cool hardtail. Having sliding dropouts is something I like to see on more bikes. I'm with you on keeping the cables external.
Now with the tire sealant you use I might have to switch over since we both know how AZ can dry out sealant.
I hope to have a pretty sweet custom built titanium hardtail next year. Heck even more so now that my fsp rear shock just went out.
I love my 2020 Fuse but man, the hardtails coming out just keep getting better and better. I am going to try and slacken it out a little with a new fork and angleset if I can find it
Welp. Bought my frame and gonna build out a Chameleon because of this review! I was literally seconds away from clicking and buying a Kona Honzo and thought, maybe I'll watch a youtube video or two on it. And yeah, found your Honzo review then ultimately found your Chameleon review...Can't wait until she's done!
Lol. I just did that with my rear non drive end cap when I got new ICAN F945's. There was play, the rotor kept rubbing, etc. The rotor bolts were rubbing the stranglehold dropout. Somebody in the Stache group pointed out that I might be missing an end cap. Luckily, I did not throw that insert away and found it still attached 🤣🤣🤣
Just sold my 2019 Chameleon and actually was waiting for your next review to chose my new Hardtail and watching this makes me want to buy this new model! Hope can get one soon! Thanks Steve!
Also just sold my 2019 Chameleon AL R 27.5+!!! Also hoping to get this new model! Hope it’s even more fun
@@carltonpenaloza1395 I will compare the two in my review.
@@hardtailparty Awesome! Can’t wait! They’re already on sale 🤩. I’m considering just getting a frame and building my first bike. Or getting the R version. We’ll see
Wow that color looks sick on this bike!!
This channel is excellent. pulling things apart to see how they work, testing the limits of components like the 3.0 tire clearance. A+ Also, in Arizona, Sedona, I think, which is a beautiful place to ride. And a giant mitutoyo, ha.
can't wait for your review, ordered the yellow as well 🤙
How did you order? They’re available to order already?
@@bearjewmtb4827 at my local mtb store.. I preordered for a 2021 version months before and 2wks ago I was informed I will be getting the 2022 now and have me choose between yellow or blue which I told the store I have to see a sample first.. now its out and chose yellow
OK I'm halfway through the review but I HAVE to stop and get a Hardtail Party T-shirt. I started riding hardtails thanks to this channel, and I just finished building a Hayduke. Steve, I am grateful for the work you do, and it's time for me to show my love out there hahaha.
Right on! Welcome to the party. Thanks for watching.
Awesome sneak peek of the 2022 Chameleon updates! Glad to see the Chameleon remain relevant. Congrats to SC for 25 years of success with these rad little reptiles and for HP scoring the pre-release review. I bought my 2021 Chameleon R in Raspberry Sorbet n Grey, July 2021 and freakin love it!! Like Steve alluded, the Gen. 7 is no obsolete dinosaur quite yet. Such a fun, versatile, and absolutely beautiful bike. Has a unique, pink hue in full light and a deeper red in low light. Gets lots of compliments. Ride it daily on our 700+ miles of trails near Tallahassee and it’s already gotten pretty rowdy in Pisgah and DuPont. Fun on the local pump track. Santos and CO are next. Highly recommend the SC Chameleon. HUGE THANKS to Steve for his first Chameleon review and all of the fun, thorough, and unpretentious content on this channel! Put a sticker up for sale next dude!
Stickers are for sale on Patreon
That raspberry chameleon is one of my all-time favorites. I want one bad.
I'm looking forward to seeing you ride Moab!
Jeez I really want this frame, hope I can get it soon!
As usual, Santa Cruz has ridiculously high pricing compared to similar bikes from other brands.
Yes, but a bike is so much more than the spec for the price. I'd also argue that some companies offer far more features than others. For example, Santa Cruz offers lifetime free bearing replacement on their FS bikes, lifetime warranties, they stock replacement parts for YEARS for each of their models. You definitely pay more for these high-end frames, and I agree that this bike is pricier than its competition, but I'm also a huge believer in buying a bike with the right frame first, not the right groupset. I'd rather have this bike than two commencal meta HT AMs
@@hardtailparty Fair enough. I just don't think I could ever justify spending that much on a hardtail with those specs. Personally, I think I'll stick with bikes such as Kona's Honzo line.
@@newenglandskier13 That's fair. The last chameleon was noticeably overpriced compared to its competition, but it was one of the few cases where I thought it was completely worth it for the price. That bike was special. All that said, there are some incredible bikes at far less money these days.
The thing is they hold their value better than other brands, in my experience. Like, since 2012 I've gone through 3 frames. A new factory blemish 2012 Tallboy 1 CC ($1500, sold for $1070), used 2015 Tallboy 2 CC ($1390, sold for $950), and a 2016 Hightower 1 CC ($900, current bike). That's $1770 I have into SC frames over 9 years, and I could sell the Hightower frame today for that much, so literally 9 years of top-notch carbon frame ownership for free. Maybe I'm just good at buying low and selling high, but the reality is the used market for Santa Cruz frames is and always has been very strong.
I just built up my '22 Chameleon and it cost me $5000 USD, and this is not even a top shelf build. Components are just plain expensive these days..
You can rotate the lever on the front axle by turning the hex end of the axle. Ive got a fox 34 on my bike, which I got early this year, and that was how I had to adjust the axle.
What a great looking bike!
Me and this bike are inevitable. I hope they make available as a frameset soon
That looks sick !
The new shop is looking good!
Thanks, I'm thrilled with how it turned out.
Looking forward to the review on this one, hope you're also going to do some testing with the Chameleon as a full 29er.
I second this!
Knowing Hardtail Party, it's going to be an epic 45 minute review covering everything
@@Theriver56 I don't have 29er dropouts at the moment, but I've reached out to Santa Cruz to get ahold of one. I'll probably end up doing a handful of video reviews of this bike so we can see how it rides in every configuration.
We can get those Fox Rhythm forks eventually here in Argentina. As we have a non-stop inflation and it gets harder to buy stuff, some bike shops usually end up downgrading the forks on their bikes to make them cheaper and then they get the chance to sell Fox Rhythm forks separately for a great price as well. That's how i got my Rhythm 34 for my Santa Cruz Highball custom build. Great win win situation if you ask me...
Question HP or channel viewers, I have that same SRAM 32T front chainring on my Fezzari hardtail and have room for a larger chainring as well. What would I gain from the larger front chainring given the 12 in the cassette? Or is a chain guide the way to go? ? That Santa Cruz is sweet!!
I was reading the SC's website about the Chameleon earlier today, and I got Steve's little voice in my head saying "130mil fork, nice, 65 degree head angle I love it, sliding dropouts and downtube bosses really cool, and what tire size can I fit on this? Ooh this has a short seat tube"
Looking forward for the ride impressions 😁
You know me well!
Maybe I spent too much time watching your reviews... :)
My new Fox axle has an adjuster in the threaded end to use for indexing the lever. You tighten or loosen it to change the index.
Those dropouts look sweet.
Great stuff
Trying to decide between a gravel and mountain bike your videos help
Awesome video as always mate ! I wonder though with those sliding drop outs if sc will bring out different drop outs for different cs lengths? 415 -430 🤔🤔
wow it looks good
hope it rides as good as it looks
Please please please! Drop the full ride review soon! That bike is a piece of art!
I'm working on the review every day.
@@hardtailparty very cool! Take your time, no stress! Just excited to hear your thoughts about it!
Love the jersey I'm getting one🤘
Same adjustable backend identiti have used for a while now
Those are the most thoughtfully designed dropouts I've ever seen. The Snuggy is hilarious.
Steve: I've ridden more modern hardtails than anyone on the planet.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
Extraordinary Evidence: See Steve's YT channel.
I just ordered the AL D MX in this color. Should be here in December! Can't wait!
Awesome, congrats! Such a rad bike.
@@hardtailparty Thanks man! Your videos on it were the final tipping point!
I would love to try this fork on my ragley Marley
And would excited to see the ride review. A dirt jumper with a dropper is my goal and I feel like my ragley is close but want to try a Santa Cruz
Congrats on the scoop, that’s awesome that SC gave it to you so early.
Any chance on something from a smaller manufacturer soon? I’m thinking Kingdom Vendetta or the Nordest Bardino in Ti.
Thanks for the video!
Yes, I will habe smaller manufacturers featured soon, but not form those two. I've reached out to them a handful of times but no luck.
hope I'm rich to buy this bike, super love it, thanks hardtail party
Ignored what seemed like 900 people on Pinkbike calling this bike a rip-off and ordered the MX R in yellow today based off your review !! Fired up to join the Hardtail party
Atta boy
Wow, great video. Speaking of trials, where is your trials video? You've had quite a bitof time since you built your trials bike to showcase your skills, which, by your own account, are considerable. Look forward to seeing them.
I really like your merchandise. I want the the riding jersey.
just saw the Instagram post by SC and figured you "may" have a video discussing the specs... but to my surprise you already got the bike. Well done
I'm fortunate they sent this out a month ago
@@hardtailparty Thats awesome! looking forward to the review videos and some tinkering. Not sure im sold on mullets yet but since i have an existing 29 with Gx groupset i figured i got nothing to lose if i go this direction as i could always swap in my 29ner. Also interested in a hardtail thats fun on a pumptrack. This bike always seems like it would be
On the threaded side of the front axle I believe there a Allen key hole where you can rotate the knob to adjust the location of the lever when tighed...My Marzocchi bomber Z1 has the same set up which I thought why on earth would they do that. Took me awhile to find out. It is actually way easy to adjust then the old style...
Great looking frame. Hope it has the sauce.