SANTA CRUZ R1 AM CHAMELEON
£1,999 The new version of this classic hardtail is a category, character and wheel-size-blending beauty
The Chameleon hardtail has been a multi-mission workaholic member of the Santa Cruz line-up for decades, and the latest version is the most versatile, cultured and compelling yet.
The frame
Modern and traditional riders alike will find something to please them here. The seventh-generation Chameleon chassis is a totally new 6000 series aluminium construct that’s long and low enough to please more progressive riders. The large size we tested had a 460mm reach and a 315mm bottom bracket (BB) height. Its moderately slack 67.5-degree head angle and 120 to 130mm of fork travel won’t freak out more conservative pilots, though.
The neat swinging adjustable dropouts are set up for Boost-width (148x12mm) 29er wheels on the R1 AM, but 650b+, 142x12m and singlespeed versions are also available. An external-bearing BB and externally routed brake hose add long-term reliability and easy servicing. The frame is ported for an internal dropper post and there’s a direct mount and routing for a front mech, plus twin bottle mounts.
The kit
As well as a frame-only option (£549, 2.08kg) there are two levels of complete bike build – ‘D’ (£1,599) and ‘R1’ (£1,999). The cassettes, brakes and cranks di er, but the biggest step up on the more expensive bike is the fork. While the ‘D’ build's RockShox Recon Silver is OK, if you can stretch to get the Fox Rhythm 34 version, you’ll be blown away by its consistently-controlled but buttery-smooth performance. On both builds, you can choose to have tubeless 29x2.3in tyres on 23mm WTB rims or 27.5x 2.8in plus tyres on 40mm Race Face rims.
The ride
If you’re not overwhelmed by the complete bike value, then fair enough. You can get a full-sus with the same fork for just a few hundred pounds more. But this isn’t your average hardtail. You’ll probably realise this just after you’ve skimmed and floated your way through a patch of roots and rocks that normally rattles you silly. After ruling out the possibility of a soft rear tyre, you’ll realise that the Chameleon just applies power really smoothly but purposefully, so it feels way more responsive and keen to go places – fast – than it should do for its weight. And when you get to the top and point it down, more good things happen.
Even in short-stroke guise, the Rhythm 34 feels like a top-dollar unit, not a fork you can’t even buy aftermarket. There’s enough muscle in the Boost stance and carefullyprofiled front end that you can push it aggressively through berms or blown out, rutted corners. Head into something bigger, faster, and the short fork spec suddenly makes sense. It can’t swallow the largest blocks and slams like a 150mm fork can, but that means you get fair warning to anticipate hits at the rear, so you stay light and mobile, floating and showboating.
While the 29er format gives you easy speed and day-long flow, switching to plus tyres fattens up your grip levels and throws your lean angles over even further. In R1+ form (available for the same price), the Chameleon flows you through slower, staccato terrain as if someone’s stuck a motor in there. The result isn’t just a really good execution of what a contemporary trail hardtail can be, but an outstanding ride mix of balanced all-round handling with a superbly blended, steel-smooth/ alloy-driven ride character. That makes it well worth the extra money over other, similar-looking hardtails.