Santa Cruz Bicycles

Chameleon MX R Mountain Bike - 2022

We can't think of a better name than Chameleon for this ultra-versatile Santa Cruz hardtail. From multi-day trips to dirt jumps, or long rides through old-growth forests, the Chameleon is the bike we choose when we want the efficiency of a hardtail and the capability of a modern trail bike. It's been a staple in the Santa Cruz lineup for two decades, and here we are now with the 8th generation bike that's more refined than ever. This mixed-wheel version offers the rollover capabilities of a 29in front wheel, while the 27.5in rear wheel makes cornering super intuitive. It's kitted out with Santa Cruz's base-level build kit that gets the job done without draining our whole season's riding budget.

The 8th gen Chameleon is much slacker than its predecessor, coming with a 65-degree head tube and a low-slung top tube that lets us carry speed with confidence, paired with short chainstays to maintain the agility we've always enjoyed from the Chameleon. The bike can be set up geared or single-speed like past models, but the dropout system has been greatly simplified and is more user-friendly than ever. It's also poised to be a great steed for bikepacking, as it comes with a triple-bolt bottle mount on the downtube for a wide range of cargo-carrying options. And as always, buying a Santa Cruz means you get their industry-leading lifetime warranty, letting us enjoy our Chameleons for years to come knowing Santa Cruz has our backs.

*Due to a high demand in the global supply chain and bike industry since the start of the pandemic, material weight and exact components are subject to change. We are working diligently to keep tech specs updated, and any adjustments will be of equal or better spec level. If you have any questions, reach out to a Gearhead by chatting online or calling 1-888-276-7130.