Chameleon 27.5+ R Complete Mountain Bike - 2018
Out of Stock
Don't worry though, we have a lot more Complete Hardtail Bikes in stock than that.
Shop Similar ProductsThe 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
Reviews
Q&A
What do you think about this product?
View
Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageSorry, we don’t currently have any of those types of reviews for this product.
Need Expert Advice?
Our Gearheads Can Help