Danmtchl
iMTB Rockstah
The new Santa Cruz Carbon Chameleon is now available for sale.
https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-US/chameleon
https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-US/chameleon
Carbon Chameleon is now out!!
- Thread starter Danmtchl
- Start date
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
, but why did it take so long?! 
mtnbikej
J-Zilla
So only available in C Carbon....so not much of a savings in weight. 1.2 lbs for the S Kit....only difference being the brakes Guide T vs. Level TL
Dig the matching Hope Hubs/HS.....but from a price standpoint, a downgrade from the DT 350.
Great that you can still run 140mm fork.
It's about time they made a carbon SS frame.
Like the color.
Now I just need to break my Al frame.
Dig the matching Hope Hubs/HS.....but from a price standpoint, a downgrade from the DT 350.
Great that you can still run 140mm fork.
It's about time they made a carbon SS frame.
Like the color.
Now I just need to break my Al frame.
Cyclotourist
iMTB Hooligan
I LOVE my Chameleon's geometry, but don't like what I consider a harsh frame. If the carbon can dial some of that out, and shave some weight it could be a great frame for me in the future!
Not having both bottles in the triangle is still a negative for me.
Looks like 1.11# difference between the S carbon (26.19) and S aluminum (27.3).
Not having both bottles in the triangle is still a negative for me.
Looks like 1.11# difference between the S carbon (26.19) and S aluminum (27.3).
Cyclotourist
iMTB Hooligan
Yeah, the DB9 looks pretty nice... and it fits both bottles in there!And with what looks like adjustable dropouts... oh my.The pricing doesn't seem too bad for the frame, but that sub $1000 Ibis is also pretty attractive.
I love those colors... one of my favorite color schemes!
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
Look to titanium young lad. There, you will find a more forgiving ride quality.
mtnbikej
J-Zilla
I don't find the Al frame to be harsh at all. Maybe it's all the years on Al HB's that got me used to it. But the Chameleon has a much nicer ride than the HB.
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
Hey, does the pimp hat come with it? 
Cyclotourist
iMTB Hooligan
Ti would be great, but quite the investment. Local guy is going to start making frames... I might have him copy a Chameleon with 853 tubing!
Coming from my Gunnar, the lizard is a lot rougher. Even with the plusher fork. Or maybe I'm just going faster.
Nah, probably not that...
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mike
iMTB Hooligan
Okay, David said it first...
My first though: Stiffer than the alloy?
Perceptions and reference...all over the map.
Looks like a cool frame for some; I imagine it’ll be popular.
BonsaiNut
iMTB Rockstah
Or, if you're like me, you could buy a 28 lb one... and just lose five pounds around the waist. But what's the fun in that?
Cyclotourist
iMTB Hooligan
Crazy-talk!
doublewide
iMTB Rockstah
tortoise
Well-Known Member
This frame looked real good until I saw that video
Faust29
Moderator
This frame looked real good until I saw that video
I like this video better. There's also a "First Impressions" article on bikepacking.com
Cyclotourist
iMTB Hooligan
Don't call me Guy, Guy is the review that sold me on the original Chameleon. Although does he ever do reviews when he doesn't like something?
SRAM honking @ 5:40... I wish SC moved away from Levels...
This frame looked real good until I saw that video
I liked it! Looks like they had fun.
Faust29
Moderator
Interesting...
From the Bikepacking.com article:
Most notably, the Carbon Chameleon got an 8mm higher bottom bracket. Although I haven’t tried the aluminum version, I’ve found the current clearance to be spot on. The C also has a slightly shorter reach and a hair slacker head tube angle, resulting in an 8mm longer wheelbase. There are a few other minor tweaks, such as a 4mm shorter reach and a 3mm higher stack, but otherwise, it’s generally the same creature, aside from the build.
From the Bikepacking.com article:
Most notably, the Carbon Chameleon got an 8mm higher bottom bracket. Although I haven’t tried the aluminum version, I’ve found the current clearance to be spot on. The C also has a slightly shorter reach and a hair slacker head tube angle, resulting in an 8mm longer wheelbase. There are a few other minor tweaks, such as a 4mm shorter reach and a 3mm higher stack, but otherwise, it’s generally the same creature, aside from the build.
mike
iMTB Hooligan
I hesitated to click, then I saw your post. No way. Still love ya, Shitty.This frame looked real good until I saw that video
tortoise
Well-Known Member
Cyclotourist
iMTB Hooligan
They need to be building more bikes, Not having fun!
A bunch of socialist layabouts!
doublewide
iMTB Rockstah
They need to be building more bikes, Not having fun!
But building bikes IS fun....
Unless you have to do everyday and the bikes aren't yours for the keeping.
mtnbikej
J-Zilla
What's funny is that it depends on which bike you are looking at.....29 vs. 27.5+ The latter doesn't change anything but BB by 1mm, while the former has a few different tweeks....mostly in the L frame size.
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
Personally, I think a stamped metal image of Boy George's head would make a great Chameleon head badge for this new bike frame.Can Santa Cruz please get a real Head Tube Badge instead of a copy over from Whirlpool?
Add to that a small internal music box tucked away inside the top tube with a pull string that plays the "Carba-carba-carba-carba-carba Chameleon" song.