Santa Cruz Chameleon Review

The Chameleon is the most affordable Santa Cruz bike you can buy. Is it a cheap ploy to attract customers, or have the Americans truly addressed the needs of trail hardtail riders?

The frame of the Santa Cruz Chameleon is made of aluminum, providing a solid foundation for demanding trail adventures. Thanks to the classic BSA bottom bracket standard, Santa Cruz makes maintenance work easier and increases the longevity of the bike.

The internal cable routing through the top and down tube gives the bike a tidy look and protects the cables from external elements. In addition to the space for a bottle cage in the frame, there is a cargo cage mount with triple-bolt holes on the underside of the down tube. This opens up additional transport options for a second bottle or gear, which is particularly advantageous for bikepacking or longer tours.

However, a special highlight is the interchangeable dropouts. They allow you to fit either a 29er or a 27.5-inch rear wheel or keep the option for a singlespeed conversion open. This enables the Chameleon to be customized to different preferences or life situations. Santa Cruz takes the model name Chameleon very seriously and clearly sets itself apart from competitors like the Rose Bonero or the Cube Reaction TM with this detail. Combined with the lifetime warranty, the higher price of the Chameleon compared to other manufacturers can be justified. After all, with Cube or Rose, you pay almost 1000 € less for a comparably equipped trail hardtail.

The Chameleon R MX we tested is equipped with components designed for hardcore trail riding. The FOX Rhythm 34 fork with 130 mm of travel provides a successful combination of weight and stiffness. It responds sensitively and offers a pleasant end-progressive feel, which is advantageous on technical trails and demanding descents.

The drivetrain consists of the SRAM NX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain with a 454% gear range. It allows for precise and smooth shifting even under challenging conditions. However, at this price point, a higher-end cassette with a 520% range would have been expected. This would include a lighter climbing gear for demanding tours.

For the brakes, Santa Cruz uses the SRAM Guide T. With four-piston calipers and 180 mm rotors front and rear, they deliver solid braking power and good modulation. The ergonomics of the brake levers are perfectly tuned, ensuring safe control even in critical situations. However, the absolute braking power could be higher.

The tire choice highlights the trail-oriented character of the bike. Up front, there’s a Maxxis Minion DHF 29″x2.5″ WT with 3C MaxxGrip compound and EXO casing. This setup offers superior grip and puncture protection on technical trails. At the rear, a Maxxis Aggressor 27.5″x2.5″ EXO TR delivers balanced performance with a good compromise between traction and rolling resistance.

The Chameleon R MX features a progressive geometry approach. A slack 65-degree head angle and the long reach provide confidence at high speeds and in technical terrain. However, with the smaller 27.5-inch rear wheel, the bike remains nimble enough to master tight turns with ease, hit jumps in the dirt park, or have fun on the pump track. The Americans have struck a real balance here.

The low top tube offers plenty of room to move on the bike. The balanced riding position supports the rider on long climbs and allows for efficient pedaling. Uphill, tour riders benefit from the comfortable posture on the bike. The riser bars additionally relieve pressure from the wrists. On the descent, the Chameleon R MX scores with stable handling and precise steering.

The name of the bike and the concept of interchangeable dropouts provoked us to explore the limits of the Santa Cruz Chameleon. How adaptable is it really? Because despite all the positive handling characteristics, it’s also clear: at 13.5 kilos without pedals, you won’t be winning any trophies at a marathon race.

So we took the liberty of outfitting our test bike, originally designed for trail use, with a Cross Country tuning kit. Do a lighter fork with only 120mm of travel, lightweight wheels, and fast-rolling tires turn the trail hardtail into a competitive Cross Country bike?

At least the tuning unlocks the potential on the scale that Santa Cruz misses out on in the factory configuration. We’ve shaved off almost two kilos with the quick (albeit not entirely cheap) upgrades. In the end, you’re looking at 11.7 kilos. Not a number for an Olympic start, but at least acceptable if you’re planning to tackle a long-distance ride in an amateur marathon. The handling also improves for a sportier use. The head angle becomes slightly steeper, the steering a bit more responsive. The reach increases and the front drops lower. After the upgrade, you genuinely sit as if you’re on a very sporty bike.

Santa Cruz offers its trail hardtail in numerous build options with 29er and mullet wheels. All are significantly more expensive than other trail hardtails like the Cube Reaction TM, but they also have their own unique touch. The frame is available for self-build for under 1000 € at some online retailers. Compare the bikes and their specs by clicking the arrow symbol below.