Submitted by
christian
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Clara, CA
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2001
Strengths: VERY efficient when climbing, excellent rider position for xc and freeriding, nice clean lines, reasonable price, versatility.
Weaknesses: VERY unforgiving in terms of shock, but what the hell, it climbs like a mother.
Bottom Line:
I have several bikes, most are long travel fs. It has been years since I have ridden a hardtail. I thought it would be great to have a light xc hardtail for overall xc riding, as fs is sooo much harder overall to climb with...at least with a 40lb RM6 with 2.35 tires...anyhoo, I though the Chameleon would be an excellent choice. It was reasonably priced, simple in looks and design, and looked burley enough to withstand abuse.
Even though I may never convert it to a singlespeed, I did think that was a cool option. I did get the disc brake adapter separately...kinda bummed it wasn't already part of the frame somehow as it's another $35. Add on the deraileur hanger for $50, and that's quite a bit extra just for some basic features most frames have anyway.
But regardless of these minor gripes, the frame absolutely made a difference for me. Even with my short travel FS xc bikes, this frame was a nice reminder of just how great HT's still are when it comes to XC riding. I was sooo less tired to ride on this bike. Climbs that absolutely killed me on my fs bikes I absolutely ripped on with the Chameleon. I thought I was a bad climber...maybe I am, but I did a hell of a lot better on the Chameleon, so I now know it's not all my fault as i was able to stay with my friends who usually have to wait for me on climbs. I suprised them too! Anyway, the bike is SUPER stiff...those box chainstays are there for stiffness, but DAMN, this frame is stiff. The first 30 minutes was an adjustment as I had to relearn how to bunnyhop and pick clean lines as it definitely hurts to ride a HT unless you are careful. I still don't know how some people ride super rough trails with them. But then again I guess FS has made me a sloppier rider as it is more forgiving.
Looks like this HT is gonna be a blast. It will also force me to become a more delicate rider too. I definitely love it so far!
And the price for the frame, you really can't beat it :)
Similar Products Used: Marin Team Aluminum, Specialized M2 Team
Bike Setup: Customer painted maroon to blue metallic fade, XT/XTR mix, Avid mech discs, easton monkeylite risers, azonic shorty stem, titec laidback seatpost, flite gel saddle, irc kujo 2.3 dh, stealth black judy race
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Submitted by
Vinnie Toaso
a Cross Country Rider
from Ventura, CA USA
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2001
Strengths: Good value. Very versatile geometry. Frame is stiff where it needs to be. Good geometry. Interchangeable rear dropouts; can be a cross or slalom rig.
Weaknesses: None so far. I would prefer a bit more top tube but no serious complaint.
Bottom Line:
Dont let the overstiff 7000 series aluminum scare you; the wishbone seatstays make up for it. I love this thing. I did a lot of research before making the purchase. Geometry was important; I wanted to be placed as far behing the front wheel as possible. Its not Fisher Genisis geometry but its good enough, it will outlive any Fisher. With a long travel fork this can also tolerate freeriding which Ive been attempting recently. It also jumps like a BMX. Very Versatile
If you concerned about weight- Everyone says its heavy, well my setup isnt really "light" but when the frame arrived at the bike shop I felt the frameweight, its VERY light for such oversized tubing, same weight as any other XC frame!
If you have a budget, think that you are serious enough about riding that you will eventually "outgrow" a bike or move up in skill level purchase this bike, invest in a good fork and you will have no limitations; I've outperformed full suspension riders on this in technical and downhill.
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher Genisis Technology.
Bike Setup: Psylo SL fork, XT components, Grimeca front disk and Tektro Quartz in the back. Set up for the trip down but the 90mm stem gets me up the hills just fine.
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Submitted by
franco argento
a Weekend Warrior
from milano italy
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2001
Strengths: enough for do somethings.
Weaknesses: at the moment none.
Bottom Line:
the bike look very strong and it is.the rear end can be a little harsh if you are ligther(70k.)but whit bigger tires and low pression I have no more problem.this bike is faster more than you can thing and it's incredible fun in a technical section,climb it easy but downhill this bike it's a joy(somethime more than My Bullit).
Bike Setup: marzocchi cr 130mm,xt-lx,maguralouise front,tomac rear,thompson seatpost,answer pro taper handlebar,sun rynolite,nokkian dual 2.30,sdg bel-air saddle.
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Submitted by
Steve Boyd
a Weekend Warrior
from Noonan, NB, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2000
Strengths: Stiff, Quick, Agile and Tough!!
Weaknesses: Tire clearance is limited in the rear.
Bottom Line:
After riding my Heckler for 3 years I built this bike to get me through till I bought a new dualie.Forget about it. This thing rocks! My old trails are brand new again. Beat it, crash it and launch till you can't.I truely believe that you won't find a better "DO IT All" bike anywhere.At 6' 200lbs, the LARGE size frame is solid and comfortable. This lizard is made for agressive trail riding.I think I'll take a beer to the garage and go stare at it right now. Nuff said.
Similar Products Used: A couple of nimble hardtails. KHS Alite 4000, Mongoose 7.7
Bike Setup: XT drivetrain, Avid brakes, Z1 Dropoff
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Submitted by
Abe
a Cross Country Rider
from Justin, TX
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2000
Strengths: Light, beefy, short chainstays
Weaknesses: Chainslap until I stopped being stupid, and put a protector on the chainstay
Bottom Line:
Seems like it is really strong, and loves to be in the air! I haven't had this thing for very long so ya'all will be hearing back later (headed to Moab in August...) but it is an incredibly fun bike to ride. I like the versatility of single/lots too. And it was cheap!
Bike Setup: Sid XC, XT/LX drivetrain, WTB tyrannoraptors
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Submitted by
Jared Adams
a Cross Country Rider
from Arlington, VA USA
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2000
Strengths: The bike is stiff, has great geometry (slopping down tube, seat and head tude angle is slack)
Weaknesses: No disk mounts on the frame in case I wanted to upgrade.
Bottom Line:
The former 20-incher in me was looking for a low standover height for manuverability, stiffness,good welds, gussetts, beefy tubing, and a tough chainstay and I found it all on the Santa Cruz. To be honest, I bought the bike and set it up the way I did in order to put it through a lot of jumping and hard riding, drop-offs, etc. However, the Chameleon is so impressive at accelatering up hills, I now find myself riding up them with as much enthusiasm as bombing down. The chameleon has literally changed the way that I ride and I couldn't be any happier.
I haven't ridden three chain rings up front for four years and NOT getting rid of my lower two rings on the stock LX hollow-tech cranks is one of the best decisions I've ever made. Santa Cruz markets this bike as a do all and by all means it does. With a 100mm front fork the bike decends VERY comfortably, and with such beefy construction and short stays, the bike is crisp in the corners and a blast in the air.
The last time that I felt this good about a bike was when I got my first Haro Sport at sixteeen. Now, twenty six and 6'4" the chameleon has rekindled the joy of riding. Thanks Santa Cruz.
Bike Setup: Rock Shox Sid 100, B-52 stem, azonic 2.5 riser bar, Kore platform pedals, Thomson post, LX hollow-tech cranks, Bontrager Valiant rims, Hutchinson Python Lite tires. Everything is black and yes, it's beautiful.
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Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2000
Strengths: This bike is a fun ride, very stiff! People think I'm cool because I have a Santa Cruz(gay reason) Good Durability
Weaknesses: Not as light or as cheap as my brother's new Cannondale f1000sl. I'm sorry to say it because my bike is fun, but his bike just seams better(handling, weight, cost)
Bottom Line:
In all honesty I have a lot of fun on this bike. And I would be totally happy with it if my brother wouldn't have bought a f1000sl a couple of months ago. I think my forks travel does feel better but the handling and traking with the cannondale headshock are better(hate to admit it). Both bike climb very well, like goats. My bike weighs barely under 24lbs with time carbon peddles. My brothers cannondale weighs about 22.25lbs. And he got his for $250 cheaper than I got mine(Dammit). Santa Cruz has a very good name, Cannondale is viewed as more corporate and their new ideas, like the lefty are viewed as weird. But I was very suprised with the headshock versus the sid xc. I actually prefer the headshock. I hate to admit it but I bought the wrong bike.
Bike Setup: Size large super x build sid xc all else stock
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Submitted by
Howard Granat
a Cross Country Rider
from Stow, MA, US
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2000
Strengths: Quick Handling, Stiff and Efficient, Low Standover, Light but Tough
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
An amazing singletrack bike -- not twitchy quick but seems intuitive. Very strong climber, but not brutally stiff. Liked that I could pick my color and fork on the Santa Cruz website and order thru my local dealer. An amazing value at $500 for the frame!!!
