REVIEW: The 2020 Santa Cruz Carbon Chameleon - Hardtail Party

Trails featured in this video: slim shady, templeton, easy breezy

Gear I use:

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#hardtail #carbonchameleon #chameleon

[letourrr]

Concerning the Geometry, I think it’s spot on for how I’ve seen people use it. I know 4 people with Santa Cruz Chameleons (Alloy) and they all use them for XC racing and sometimes Enduro. For many XC Trails in the south-east, very progressive geo bikes struggle in the tight switchbacks and narrow wooded trails that are relatively low speed. I believe that’s exactly what this geo suits. That said, I’d be all for Santa Cruz offering a long/low/slack model.

[babcockguilbert]

I bought my Alloy Chameleon frame & built it up with the parts I wanted. I absolutely love my Chameleon! Thanks for your reviews especially the ones of your old Chameleon, those videos inspired me to research & ultimately buy my Chameleon. Thank's Steve

[ianfurqueron]

Alrighty... you've definitely made me want to get my AL Chameleon built up when I get home next week.

[hardtailparty]

A few more thoughts.
1) the aluminum frame is better in every way except for stiffness and weight. Even if I could get a carbon chameleon cheaper than an aluminum one, I'd pick the aluminum one every time

2) marketing is strong and it definitely influences us. People feel that carbon inherently makes a bike more desirable because it's more expensive and lighter. There are so many characteristics of a frame that are more important. Carbon is not always better. In some cases, it's worse.

3) I really hope santa Cruz updates this bike one day and has the guts to slacken the head angle out. It could very well be the perfect bike with a 65* hta.

4) stay tuned for my thoughts on my first single speed ride in a future video.

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[cesaramora]

Hola From La Paz MX, I ride the Aluminum 27.5+, and I have my extra set of wheels 29, yes it is overpriced, but the versatility of the bike makes it worth it, 62 miles my longest ride with the 27.5 plus and climbs super fun have to say.

[davidh]

Hi Steve, I've recently discovered this channel and I love it. Your informative and well considered reviews have probably inspired me to consider buying a Fuse. I sold my short-high-steep geo 2014 Trek 29er dually recently and have found lots of fun re-discovering my ancient over-forked Shogun 26er hardtail. There's something simple and great about riding a hardtail that I'm really loving. Keep up the good work !

[doghousehockey]

Steve, thanks for all your reviews on these different hardtails! It’s been years since I’ve purchased a new bike or even been around the industry. So much has changed!
After all the reviews, was set on a Rocky Mountain Growler with a fork upgrade. Went to the local shop and test rode it and was impressed. While waiting to speak with the sales staff to get the details sorted, looked beside me and saw a 2020 Chameleon C S Spec for the price of a 2021 AL R Spec. Long and short of it is I now one a Chameleon C and cannot wait to get out on the trails! Cheers from Alberta!

[danielrgusa]

Steve you were ripping it on the SS. Your cardio and strength never cease to amaze me.

[haydenwynne]

I know I’m a little late here, but I can tell you why I personally bought the carbon build. I am an xc racer, but I tend to do more trail-oriented riding outside of racing. This bike gives me the geo I need to enjoy riding the local trails, along with the lightness and stiffness for races.

[montanagold]

I already have my new bike Santa Cruz Chameleon Carbon 2020 27, 5 + and I am so happy about it 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽 Carbon all time! 🔥

[j.l.]

Holy crap, harsher than the Commencal! Totally agree with a geo refresh on this. Glad I watched this before spending my dough on a carbon build!

[shaunroach]

Great review Steve!! Highly anticipating your video riding a single speed, hearing your thoughts on technique, when to grind or not, pedalling out of the saddle and how to carry your momentum ect!!!

[Sonikot]

Agree with you. Just built mine up. Two rides and both times I've come back feeling absolutely beat up and bruised but it's fun as hell.

[cliffsangelsphotography]

Awesome review. I totally agree with you about bike spec: I had an entry level carbon SC 5010 that handled amazingly well and a comfortable ride, while I tried my friend's higher spec Canyon Spectral that just felt horrendously uncomfortable to ride and difficult to handle.
Keep up the great work. Im hoping you get your hands on a Marin San Quentin 3

[epicTPR]

Not at all surprised with your verdict, I have an alloy chameleon and it is the most comfortable and compliant hardtail I have ridden. Way smoother than other back-breaking carbon and alloy hardtails I have had. Also agree I would love SC to spec the chameleon with a press in headset so you could play with the HA, or at least spec it with a 66 HA as I feel that would be the goldilocks number for this bike.

[jonathansanchez]

Hey dude I love your channel can you review a treck roscoe 8

[mackturtle]

looking forward to your thoughts on singlespeeding in general.

[mikecote]

Last year I rode a Trek Roscoe 8. This year I have the carbon chameleon. Biggest change I've noticed is the carbon chameleon puts so much more power to the ground due to the stiffness and weight reduction I assume. Acceleration is much faster. I am less beat up on this bike after a ride and not sure why as I agree it is super stiff. I have been loving the upgrade from the Roscoe.

My trails are mostly flowy with lots of root sections and punchy climbs. Definitely not the rock of Sedona.

Makes we want to throw a leg over the aluminum chameleon to see the difference.

[bryanthomason]

Thanks for a great review. I just bought a 29er AL Chameleon frame and waiting on it to arrive. Building it with a Fox performance 34 130mm out front and NX Eagle. Raceface next carbon bars and ARC27 wheelset DT Swiss 350 hubs. I think this frame will be a keeper just from the versatility and lifetime warrranty.

[dylan]

I've ridden super gnarly rocky steep trails as well as flowy jump trails on my carbon Chameleon and I absolutely love it. I've never felt like the head angle was an issue