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Santa Cruz Bicycles
Chameleon Carbon 29 Mountain Bike Frame

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Chameleon Carbon 29 Mountain Bike Frame

Long-revered and beloved for its overbuilt stature and its ability to adapt to its owner's need, the Chameleon has been a favorite of aggressive riders who don't want or need a full-suspension bike. Throughout the years, the frame has transformed, along with geometry tweaks making it capable of handling more technical trails. The one thing that remained constant is its frame material: aluminum. This latest Chameleon leverages Santa Cruz's mastery of carbon fiber construction, to drop some weight and improve the ride quality. The Chameleon is the go-anywhere, ride-anything machine ready for wherever the day takes you.


This fun-loving, do-it-all trail bike is on our short list of bikes we'd pick for long-distance bikepacking missions over rugged terrain. As we mentioned above, it comes out of the box ready for 29er wheels, however, if you want maximum grip and float over loose trails with plus-sized tires, its interchangeable dropouts allow the frame to happily accommodate 27.5+ tires too. The dropouts also allow you to swap out the gears for single-speed use, should you desire a near-maintenance free drivetrain. Please note, we carry the separate dropouts for both plus and 29-inch wheels as well as for singlespeed use, where the spacing is 142mm while the geared version is Boost 148mm.


Geometry plays a key role in the Chameleon's versatility, with short chainstays, relatively long reach, and a relaxed 67.3-degree head tube angle. It's recommended to pair with a 120-140mm travel fork for taking the edge off of rough trails. We love that the Chameleon can jump in a singlespeed race one weekend, hit the berms and jumps in the bike park after work, and load up with a week's worth of camping gear for a bikepacking vacation the next. Eagle eyes will notice two bottle cage mounts, including a triple-bolt cargo cage mount under the downtube for carrying large water bottles or other cargo.


The Carbon Chameleon uses Santa Cruz's Carbon C, its second-tier carbon, which boasts identical construction to the higher grade CC carbon but uses a different modulus that adds a tiny bit of weight while saving big on cash. The method remains the same, with unidirectional carbon plies wrapping between tubes, adding strength and long-term durability. An inner bladder applies outward pressure against the mold while the carbon cures to reduce resin pooling and virtually eliminates imperfections. This results in a frame that is so tough, Santa Cruz backs it with a lifetime frame warranty.


Details

  • The versatile Chameleon gives you confidence on trails and comfort for bikepacking
  • 67.3-degree headtube angle instills confidence in technical terrain
  • Drop outs can be swapped for wheel size and singlespeed or geared riding
  • Carbon C construction drops grams and boosts responsiveness
  • Internal cable routing keeps the frame's lines clean
  • Clearance for 27.5 x 3.0in or 29 x 2.5in tires
  • Item #SNZK1BH
Frame Material
carbon fiber
Wheel Size
29in, 27.5in
Fork Travel
[recommended] 120 - 140mm
Head Tube Diameter
IS41/IS52
Bottom Bracket Type
English threaded, 73mm
ISCG Tabs
ISCG05
Cable Routing
internal
Brake Type
post-mount disc
Compatible Components
mechanical, electronic drivetrains
Seatpost Diameter
31.6mm
Front Axle
15mm thru axle
Rear Axle
12 x 148mm thru axle
Recommended Use
cross-country, trail
Manufacturer Warranty
lifetime

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