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Santa Cruz Bicycles
Chameleon 27.5+ R Complete Mountain Bike - 2018

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The evolution continues.

The Chameleon has been a staple in the Santa Cruz lineup for over 20 years. The model has endured, with a legion of fans, because of the bike's ability to adapt to rider's needs all the while coming in at a price that makes n+1 a reality—traits that surface again in the Chameleon 27.5+ R Complete Mountain Bike. The frame caters to those that favor a heavy-duty hardtail that can handle laps at the bike park, black diamond singletrack, and camping trips alike.


As proponents of all of the above, we appreciate the bike's ability to easily switch from gears to singlespeed and the tweaks to the frame in an effort to modernize the geometry and allow the frame to work with longer travel forks. The Chameleon 5.0 takes everything we loved about the frames of the past and supersizes the clearance so you can now choose 27.5+ or 29in wheels. Add in FOX's Rhythm 34 fork, SRAM's value packed NX group, and some fat 3in tires and the Chameleon R+ will put a smile on your face and become the go-to bike that's always getting dirty.


The R+ version of the Chameleon is compatible with 29in and 27.5+ wheels, and it comes set up with the latter. Changing between wheel sizes requires different dropouts to adapt the geometry; those dropouts are available separately from Santa Cruz. The sliding dropouts allow you to adjust the chainstay length so you can adjust the distance between the rear dropouts and bottom bracket to suit both your terrain and riding style. The dropout design also allows for chain tension management if you choose to run the bike as a singlespeed.


We applaud Santa Cruz in constructing the Chameleon frame from aluminum. This is a bike that encourages a rider to test their limits, and alloy is the right choice for when those tests see a rider picking themselves (and the bike) up off the ground. The material choice is durable and also keeps the price quite reasonable, leaving enough in your pocket to outfit the bike for several weeklong bike packing excursion or a second wheelset if you wish.


Most folks associate hardtails with cross-country but with the Chameleon's short chainstays, long reach, and slack 67.5-degree head tube angle, you'll be tacking trails you wouldn't typically bring a hardtail to. The 5in FOX Rhythm fork handles big hits and jumps with ease and the rigid rear end excels in efficiency and keeps weight down relative to full-suspension models. Swiss-army knife, jack of all trades, or whatever other clichés you can throw at it, the Chameleon will always impress with its adaptability and capability.


The 27 R+ Chameleon has a hunger for adventure and has a build kit that balances performance and value to satisfy that hunger. The fork is super plush and very easy to setup for the rider's weight, riding style, and terrain. SRAM’s NX drivetrain offers solid, reliable shifting and the Level T brakes provide excellent modulation and power. Race Face AR rims provide a great foundation for the grippy yet fast rolling WTB Ranger tires.


Details

  • Versatile hardtail for trails, parks, and overnight trips
  • Slack head tube angle encourages point-and-shoot in steep terrain
  • Aluminum frame is durable and offers great value
  • Swap-able dropouts allow for 27.5+ or 29in wheels
  • Dependable SRAM NX group fires off shifts with precision
  • Item #SNZ00DS
Frame Material
Aluminum
Fork
FOX Rhythm 34
Front Travel
120mm
Headset
Cane Creek 10 IS
Shifters
SRAM NX
Rear Derailleur
SRAM NX
Crankset
30t Race Face Aeffect
Bottom Bracket
Race Face
Cassette
10 - 42t SRAM XG1150 CS
Chain
SRAM PC1110
Brakeset
SRAM Level T
Brake Type
hydraulic disc
Rotors
Avid Centerline 180mm
Handlebar
Race Face Ride
Handlebar Rise
35mm
Handlebar Width
760mm
Grips
Santa Cruz Palmdale
Stem
Race Face Ride
Stem Length
50mm
Saddle
WTB Volt Race
Seatpost
Race Face Aeffect
Seatpost Diameter
31.6mm
Wheelset
Race Face AR 40
Hubs
[front] Novatec D711, [rear] Novatec D462 XD
Front Axle
15 x 110mm thru-axle
Rear Axle
12 x 148mm thru-axle
Tires
WTB Ranger Light/High Grip
Tire Size
27.5 x 3.0in
Pedals
not included
Recommended Use
cross-country, trail
Manufacturer Warranty
lifetime on frame

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