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Santa Cruz Launches New 27.5″ Chameleon Hardtail

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Santa Cruz 27.5 Chameleon Hardtail (2)Buried under all the excitement of new (and more affordable) carbon bikes, was the launch of the updated Santa Cruz Chameleon. A long standing favorite among hardtail junkies, not much has changed, except it’s now rolling on 27.5″ wheels.

More after the break….

Santa Cruz 27.5 Chameleon Hardtail (9)

For this “model year,” the Chameleon will be available in two different color schemes. This Dark Blue and Orange and an equally awesome Metallic Black with Lime Green accents.
Santa Cruz 27.5 Chameleon Hardtail (3)Surprise, a tapered headtube!

The out going chameleon geometry was based around a fork with a lower axle to crown and had a 68° head angle. The new new is only available with a 130mm fork, and has a 67.3° head angle, which gives it a similar static HA as the 150mm travel Bronson (67.3° vs 67°).
Santa Cruz 27.5 Chameleon Hardtail (4)Custom printed fork decals are color matched to the frame accents.
Santa Cruz 27.5 Chameleon Hardtail (8) There are both stealth and external options for dropper post cable routing.Santa Cruz 27.5 Chameleon Hardtail (7)We’re happy to report the bike is spec’d with decently wide 740mm handlebars.
Santa Cruz 27.5 Chameleon Hardtail (6)In a departure from the traditional Santa Cruz High Roller front and rear spec, the Chameleon (and several other more trail oriented models) now have Ardent rear tires. This move helps shed a few grams, will roll faster, and doesn’t sacrifice much in the traction department.

Even with a healthy sized 2.25″ tire, the Chameleon stays have plenty of breathing room. You could almost squeeze a psuedo-fat-tire in there.
Santa Cruz 27.5 Chameleon Hardtail (5)The new 27.5″ model also shares the same interchangeable single and geared dropout system used on the previous model. Somehow, they’ve also managed to keep the same short 16.5″ chainstays.

2015 Santa Cruz Chameleon 27.5 Geometry
Four different frame sizes will be offered: S-XL.Santa Cruz 27.5 Chameleon Hardtail (10)

There are two build kits available. The top of the line R-build will retail for $2,399 and highlights include a Pike RC, SLX drivetrain, Deore Brakes, and Sram 2x Cranks. The entry level D built kit is $1,799, and features a Rockshox Sector Gold RL Fork, SRAM DB1 Brakes, and SLX Derailleur, in order to keep prices reasonable. Santa Cruz Chameleon 27.5More at Santa Cruz Bicycles

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brattercakes
brattercakes
10 years ago

(Slow clap)

Henry
10 years ago

A Pike on a bike with geometry like this that only $2,400 bucks (“only” being extremely relative to the high end bikes I often drool over) deserves more than a slow clap, I think!

Fattylocks
Fattylocks
10 years ago

Neat bike .
Who makes a 3″ wide 27.5 tire ?

R0b0tAt0ms
R0b0tAt0ms
10 years ago

Damn! Add a dropper and a NW 1×10 setup and you have a killer hardtail for the money. Nice build.

Fattylocks
Fattylocks
10 years ago

That is a nice build.
Gotta ask, how heavy is ti?

Jorge
Jorge
10 years ago

Does rock shox offer 130mm travel Pikes?

Mike
Mike
10 years ago

Looks good, although thats a high price for a SLX drivetrain with Deore brakes. That build should retail around $1800.

Rob
Rob
10 years ago

So this has the same dropout setup as the Highball AL?

gerald t.
gerald t.
10 years ago

so, how about this in 29er format?

Seraph
10 years ago

@Jorge – Yes, Rock Shox has a 130mm travel 650b Pike.

drewsey junction
drewsey junction
10 years ago

Fattylocks: Ti has an atomic mass of 47.867, according to a popular search engine.

MulletRacer
MulletRacer
10 years ago

DAMN. The chamelion is known for being a 26er! Its one of the true last AMHT 26ers out there. I mainly ride 29ers with 26 being reserved for dirt jumps, but I would like a AMHT 26… Now this one is out of the equation…

And in the past RS has not offered the Pike in lower travels. Just recently, they are working to design shorter air spring assembly to drop the forks to lower travels.

Mario
Mario
10 years ago

@ drewsey junction. I think fatty locks meant to write it not ti

Tiles
Tiles
10 years ago

@Mullet

I got Chameleon from last year which “looks” identical to this new one. It was hyped as either/or 26/650b then. I’m running 26 on it. it’s a super fun bike. Don’t know if that’s any consolation with this newer model. I found a geo/spec chart for the ’13 model and the changes with the new frame are very VERY subtle. My hunch is you would be okay with 26″ wheels.

Kark
Kark
10 years ago

@ Mullet. you want a Chromag.

Bruce12
Bruce12
10 years ago

Wonder when SC geometry is going to enter this decade? 22, 23, 24, 25″? Maybe when they stop undercutting their dealers with online wholesalers.

ride report
ride report
10 years ago

RIDE REPORT!

HOW DOES IT RIDE?!?!?!?!??!!

JamnBob
JamnBob
9 years ago

I got a 2016 Chameleon R on the way it comes with the 27.5 wheels…I cant wait …This is an awesome Bike

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