The new Santa Cruz Chameleon Version 7 hit stores earlier this month because, well, their build crew got a little ahead of themselves. But now it’s official, with a completely redesigned frame that allows it to run geared or singlespeed, with plus-sized 27.5 wheels and tires or racier 29ers. The heart and soul is the same, with trail bike geometry and a 120mm fork, internal dropper post routing and two water bottle mounts. Rip past the break for all the details…
Above, the 29er build, and below with 27.5+. You can buy the bike in complete builds with either wheel size, or as a frameset.
The frame is 6000-series aluminum and uses a threaded 73mm bottom bracket situated under a low-direct front derailleur mount. That keeps it clean looking with a 1x or singlespeed setup.
The wheel and gear swap magic happens thanks to four different swappable dropouts. Clockwise from top left are Boost 27.5+, Boost 29er, 142×12 Singlespeed 29er, and 142×12 Singlespeed 27.5+. This method maintains the same geometry regardless of wheel size, allows single speeders to use their existing SS-specific hubs and adjust chain tension.
Up front is the now-standard tapered headtube. Note the internal cable ports for front shifting should you decide to use it.
The bike comes in Olive Green in four sizes S-XL. Both wheel sizes use the same 120mm fork, and you’ll get two complete built kit options. The “R1” build uses a Race Face Ride cockpit and Aeffect AL cranks, SRAM NX group with Level T brakes, Fox Rhythm fork and Maxxis tires. Claimed weights are 27.7lb (29er) and 28.6lb (27.5+), with a frame weight of 4.6lbs.
The “D” build gets a Rockshox Recon Silver R fork, keeps the Race Face Ride cockpit and SRAM NX 1×11 group with Level brakes, downgrades to a Race Face Aeffect Steel crankset, and a slightly lower end WTB Volt saddle. Claimed weights are 28.9lb (29er) and 29.5lb (27.5+). Complete specs for both models are online.
Pricing is $1,999 USD ($2,749 CAD) for the R1 build and $1,599 ($2,249 CAD) for D build. Frameset is $749 ($1,099 CAD). Available now.
