[Rollin'in'Zona]

Howdy all,

Last spring I had to sacrifice my HT to build a FS bike - and miss my hardtail. So I recently picked up an almost new 2002 Stumpjumper M4 (HT) frame from an acquaintance "in the biz" for $200.

I now have an opportunity to pick up a nice 2002 Santa Cruz Chameleon from someone else. I have a friend who really wants to buy the Stumpy, so I could essentially swap them.

I'm thinking of trying single speed, but if I'm not strong enough, I'll add the evils to it. My favorite trails are definitely on the aggressive rocky dropy jumpy light FR / DH side, so I believe the SC will be better for me.

I hesitate only because I know the Stumpy frame when new was around $1000. The Chameleon new is $450ish. I just want the best frame for me!

Having lost every penny over that past few years and back in school, the budget is very limited.

Thanks for any input!

 

[NCBigHit]

Go with the Cham...

For the trails you describe, the Chameleon will be nearly perfect. The stumpjumper is an XC hardtail which means the geometry will be all wrong for anything FRish, not to mention you'd prob break it. I have a chameleon and I've done a lot of trails and hucking with it and love love love it. It really is a great do-all bike.

The best part is that doing stuff on a HT does such wonders for the smoothness and skillz...

enjoy and feel free to ask any more specific questions.