1ST IMPRESSION
130mm-travel Fox 34 Rhythm fork.
It’s an upgrade from the base model’s Rockshox Recon and not a world apart from the flagship bike’s Performance spec 34 fork (both use the GRIP damper).
One aspect of the specification that is consistent throughout the three models is tyre choice: Maxxis but with an interesting twist. The Chameleon runs 2.5in stock rubber front and rear – even when you spec the mixed wheel MX option – with plenty of clearance for winter filth. The Exo-casing Maxxis Minion DHF and Aggressor tyres are common sights but what’s unusual is the choice of a super-sticky Maxxgrip compound up front, paired with a fastrolling dual-compound on the rear.
But more on that later…
HOW IT RIDES
It sounds superficial, but I was instantly won over by the look of the ‘Golden Yellow’ Chameleon from the moment I lifted it from the box – the finish, colour and low-slung stance of the bike had me buzzing. And with a trail hardtail test wrapped up just a few months previously and a 12-month stint on a Nukeproof Scout longtermer, I was itching to hit the dirt, as I had plenty of reference points for comparison.
The silhouette of this eighthgeneration Chameleon casts a similar shadow to its predecessor, but the geometry has had a full rethink. A slacker 65° head angle and not-too-steep 75° effective seat angle are matched to a longer 493mm reach on the XL.
So the numbers are on the money but not extreme. The bottom bracket, at 318mm, is a touch higher than similar hardtails fitted with 130mm forks, though. I was riding the XL size, so I slid the dropouts to the longest position, resulting in a 1,255mm wheelbase, which is still 30mm shorter than Whyte’s limousine-like 629.
Balanced, animated, responsive and silent were my immediate thoughts and these words remained in my mind throughout the ride. At 14.19kg, the Chameleon is not that light for a hardtail – those adjustable dropouts add weight – but it has a spark that encourages a more dynamic riding style, with a solid feel when putting the power down. There’s no compromise to the ride quality – which is super-smooth and certainly aided by the large volume tyres – and comfort is up there with class-leading benchmarks. Although this bike certainly works well for a heavier or more powerful rider, I did feel that the 35mm-diameter bar and stem were overkill and a shade too stiff.
Sure, that sticky Maxxgrip rubber tyre up front can drag at times but it enables you to take risks and push into territory that’s at the very edge of your comfort zone. Of course you can switch it out depending on the bike’s intentions and tap into the Chameleon’s versatility – invest in a Maxxterra tyre that will work front or rear and you’ve got flexible options that will take you from a bike-park session to a long-haul trail ride.
And for all the talk of versatility, it was on the trail that the Chameleon really showed its true colours. Because wherever I pointed this bike, it was a blast to ride; forgiving yet massively capable, with a dose of versatility and future-proofing thrown into the mix. Expensive it may be, but if you can make the numbers work then the Chameleon could be a sound long-term investment for any hardtail enthusiast.
HIGHS
Go-anywhere, do-anything attitude. Mix-and-match wheelsizes along with adjustable chainstay length makes it very adaptable. Maxxis Maxxgrip front tyre. Shorter 460mm seat tube length on size XL.
LOWS
Expensive, given the SRAM NX drivetrain. BB height could be lower. No XXL size for really tall riders.