"Buying a good hard tail is better than buying the cheapest full suspension you can find" Thanks!!! 👍

Steve, this is exactly what a bike review should be!. Probably the best and most thorough SC chameleon video review out there (and I've watched about all of them before pulling the trigger). Killer work guys!

You guys did an amazing job with this review. Almost nonstop, coherent, entertaining stream-of-conciousness type content - all while shredding the trail hard!! Steve has some serious talent. And enough non-POV footage by your phantom (unnamed:-) camerawoman to keep the visuals interesting! I am really looking forward to your other reviews from the Sedona bike fest. You got me thinking about riding a hardtail again!

Great review Steve. I went frame only and built mine up with my spare Pike 140 left over from my Hightower as I love the slacker angle. Riding the Chameleon does make you feel like a kid again. it is almost like jumping back on a BMX it just wants to play and party all day long. Enjoy it!

Terrific bike! I'm very happy with it, I've been riding it for over a year, both 29er 2.35's and 27.5+ 2.8's. As 29er it's suuuuuper fast and on the attack all the time, as a 27.5+ it's a little slower but more comfortable.

Having ridden for 30+ years here in New England when I see this landscape it literally looks like you guys are on a different planet. No slippy tree roots, mossy rocks, tree canopies, it look like you are on Mars. Thanks for the vid!

Hi Steve. Thank you for a wonderful review. I am convinced that Plus Hardtails are amazing, underrated bikes. I have a Specialized Fuse Expert Carbon which has very similar numbers to the Chameleon and I keep leaving most of my full-sus friends in the dust when it comes to downhills. And I'm having more fun!

I know this is an old video but it’s super helpful! I am buying a 2019 frame and building it up. I love playing with bikes, changing wheels, tires, GEO, etc. I had to dig back to find this one. Love the content from both Channel Dusty and HTP.

Some other great trail hardtails: Kona Honzo & Big Honzo (carbon & alu) Dartmoor Primal Plus Spot Rocker (steel) Marin Nail Trail 7 Niner Sir 9 (steel) Niner Air 9 Why Cycles S7 (titanium) Transition Vanquish (carbon) On-One Rango (carbon) Specialized Fuse (carbon & alu) Trek Stache (carbon & alu) Salsa Woodsmoke (carbon) Already mentioned: Salsa Timberjack Norco Torrent Diamondback Mason

Great revue on the Santa Cruz Chameleon hardtail, seemed like a lot of fun without all the bells and whistles. Have a great ride and stay safe and stay Dusty.

I have an old Chameleon with XTR V brakes & Marzocchi MXC air forks up front & I ride it every day, I mean 20 years old & still going strong, super!!!

This review is what helped me decide to get my 2019 Chameleon!

Great review video! The only XL bike I could find during this bike shortage was the Chameleon-your video made me pull the trigger. It's my first mountain bike and I've been having so much fun with it so far.

I like that you give more than just bullet points of pros and cons. This type of longer reviews, you can describe the points as you encounter them. You also give some good points that apply to choosing bikes in general. Well done

Surprisingly quiet ride. Seems like a solid bike. Nice review.

Good review! I had a hardtail for over 20 years till my RA took over. Got a full suspension a year ago. Hard tails are very fun, but they have their limitations. Your husband is awesome! My best friend of 20 years is named Steve and is the only friend I have that mountain bikes. I guess because of that, I automatically like your husband.

You left out the raddest hardtail of them all: Canfield Brothers Nimble 9! Steel frame with 16.25" Chainstays, sliding dropouts, spacing for 27.5x2.8 tires, and 67.5 degree head angle with a 120mm fork (66.5 with a 140mm fork). $600 right now with multiple frame color options.

Awesome review! Everything you stated was spot on, to include that noisy fork. I too am loving my 2018 Chameleon R+ and often pick it to ride over my FS. I hope you give an update on it down the road.

I have been running WTB Trail Boss 3s TCS light casing for over a year on rocky trails and never damaged a side wall. WTB designed the side knobs for their plus tires to help protect the sidewalls.

Great review! I usually I hate POV videos but this is engaging beginning to end.

That looks like a real fun trail to play on (except for the climbing parts). The one thing I noticed most was how quiet the bike was. You mentioned the noise the fork was making, but I didn’t hear it. Nor did I hear any cable slap, clunking sounds or even or wheel drags-just the sound of the tires rolling on the trail-sweet!

Agree with the comments about simple machines that work.

Stunning looking trail! I've recently sold my 160mm full suspension bike and got a Whyte 905 V2 650b+ hardtail and I love it 🤘🤘🤘

I only ride a plus tire hardtail and I absolutely would take it to Ahab. Hardtail Rock and so does my Trail Shreddin Border Collie!

Just came across this Steve. I’m very looking forward to my purchase thanks to your consultation.

I just want to give props to your dog, what a champ. Awesome Video.

Thanks a lot for the great reviews Steve and Tess! Stay tuned!

I bought a hardtail in 2013 after riding an SX trail for eons. I just can’t justify buying a full squisher unless I started riding parks again. Love the scenery.

I've been trying to talk myself out of getting this bike but your review destroyed what ever I had left of my inner resistance. Ordered today. Too bad wait time is over a month but I'm ok with that. Can't wait.

I am soo jealous of all that scenery you get to ride in. Just awesome! Thank you for the awesome job on this review. I was looking for a review on this bike as I am looking to buy a Chameleon for my local trails instead of my full squish Intense Carbine enduro rig. Well looks like its time to go to the bike shop and throw down some monies. Thanks man!

Steve, that was a great review and I agree with you- if you can't afford a good full suspension this would make for a great choice!

Best review for the Chameleon so far! I just picked up one to replace my Kona Honzo ST, just can't get along with the super steep seat tube. I've been on a short hiatus from SC but they are by far my favorite brand!

Great review! You convinced me to buy one. It's awesome

Within the 1st minute I enjoyed hearing you say you "love plus bikes". :) Nice vid.

Great review. I have this bike as well just got it a month ago and you’re spot on

The whole time in my head I was thinking cush core. I hope they come out with the plus size tire ones soon. Also a fork with adjustable travel could make that bike even more versatile. I have the Torrent 7.1 and am constantly being impressed much the same way you are. It will be seeing time as a hardcore trail bike, playing around on the streets, bike packing and even some bike park days.

Awesome review and glad to hear you're into the bike! Love my Norco Torrent for all the same reasons!

Dont forget that premium price also gets you a lifetime frame and bearing warranty 😉... Though i guess besrings are not really a problem for you now haha. Great job pushing its limits!

Ride summary- bumpy but fun. Good job on this review, its refreshing to see a review that isnt just a bike check.

From everything you said you should have tested a norco torrent , nice job, both of you. Also on camber you were saying about some comments from other people about Tess doing better for your own gains but I know what you are saying I'm not married but seeing my kids do better and better fills my heart with joy for the feeling they get on mtb.

Awesome video! I love plus size tires. I have a specialized fuse expert. Very similar to your bike. I love it!

I'm super stoked about this bike. I think I'm going to sell something and buy this.

I was thinking about purchasing one of these as i don't have the budget for the Santa Cruz 5010........ Your review has convinced me that this the Hardtail for me.....!!!! Good review man

I just bought a New Chameleon...I just love this bike..

I ride a Salsa Timberjack here in Arizona. Lots of chunky rocks around here. Your thoughts on the CushCore are spot on. Waiting for them plus size CushCores to come out.

Bit late to this as only now looking for a new hardtail, but never mind the bike; your dog is fantastic! Nine miles and 1400m, great! Great vid btw!

Man! Nice work with the audio and gimbal! The stoke is definitely high.

Great video, super like the intro to all your videos!!

great review, great narrative Steve. you should start your own channel.

Awesome review. Made me glad I got mine today :) Great video, man!

I would like to watch more videos from you Steve. Great content.. Keep them coming.

Thanks for the review guys! I needed this to assure myself of my decision to take my super light kitted out hardtail Kona Raijin Ti (21 pounds) on the Moab Rocks stage race rather than haul a 30 pound trail bike up 10K feet. The geo is similar to the Chameleon (I ride a L), though slightly more XC-y (68 degree HT, 420mm chainstays) and I've taken it all over the Southeast. Great review!

Just bought mine! Great review! Great info.

Amazing riding skills, 🙇🏼‍♂️ Amazing review of the bike. Your dog is awesome, I bet it is having as much fun as you are having.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEW!!! YOU sold ME:)

I’d also look at the Rocky Mountain Growler. Plus size hard tail with very similar geometry. It was my first bike and super duper fun.

Great video. Fun ride with a great review. Would be interesting to see how this would ride here in Vermont. Keep having fun with the new ride.

just took my steel 29er hardtail to Ahab for a quick ride... (Ragley Bigwig, size small, 150mm MRP Ribbon Fork... puts it at a 64.5° head tube angle!... hahaha.....) It's not the quickest bike going uphill.... but super fun going down XD (I put a 2.5" dhf up front with a 2.5" Aggressor DD in the rear) .... just like your Chameleon... with the 150mm dropper all the way down, it feels like a dirt jumper with gears!... Although I loved it... there's nothing like crazy undulating slick rock that make me want a full sus! :) haha

Loved this review thanks for your take on this bike

Thanks for the reply Steve =). I got the stache already. It has indeed have big tires. Well, I am loving it though. But maybe if it has smaller tires it would have been better =)

Nice review Steve! Imagine it with a pike 150 and a squishy rear tire. Sounds fun. At 47 I’m all about the full suspension at this point though. Bmx background as well

Great review Steve! Trying to decide between getting my first FS or upgrading to a better hardtail like the chameleon.

Thanks great review! I got a fever and the only prescription is more hard tail reviews! Lol!

I would also mentioned the Raleigh tokul 3, unfortunately they don't make it anymore. However, the diamondback Mason 2 is just as awesome!

I am looking at the chameleon and the trek Rosco 8. I road cliff hanger in my keep tj moab is beautiful

This isn't "Dusty Steve," it's "Dusty Betty." More Betty!

Steve, I'd totally give it a try! But not on captain Ahab. 😆 I was a bit worried for the bike on those steep bumpy parts. 👍

I'm going to add the Diamondback Mason Pro into the mix. The HA is a bit steep at 68° but it comes with great components. I've come to appreciate a hard tail last year when I got the Mason Pro and I take it to all my regular riding spots where I normally bring my full squish with the exception of the lifted bike park I go to. But even there I think I'll be fine if I stick to the green and blue trails. I still have and ride my full squish but I just love riding that hard tail.

Thanks for reviewing a hard tail . Have you ever ridden a Canfield hard tail just wondering. Thanks again as I’m 66 and considering getting a nice hard tail. I live in Phoenix and sold my mtn bike a couple years ago and miss it .

I have a Ritchey Timberwolf that is incredibly fast and handles surprisingly well any gnarly descents I throw at it.

Awesome ride and review, thank you

i think the best thing about hardtails ... are that they are good teachers ... go spend some time on a hardtail with flats and it'll kill a lot of bad habits

First of all awesome video! It's not your crank or BB, its your rear hub. If you want instantaneous engagement try onyx hubs plus their totally silent because they are clutched, no pawls. If you have to hear that tic tic tic, then try Hadley Hubs, not as instantaneous as onyx but close. Keep the videos coming.

You guys are missing another great aluminum +HT - Specialized Fuse. I’ve been riding one since November of 2015. Almost exact geo numbers as the Cammy. Also does not ride like aluminum- very forgiving, very fun.

awesome review, makes me want to get one.

i was set on this bike then i hurt my back. dont think a ht would be a good idea now...

Thanks for the review Steve & Tess. I'm hitting up a demo-day this coming Saturday booked for a 5010 and Hightower both in Medium but considering the Tallboy over the Hightower for my terrain, still undecided. You've probably seen in other comments that I'm of same body-proportions as you, Steve and curious to see you went to a Small frame from your Medium Bronson. I'll be asking the demo-hosts if I'll fit better on a Small when they take a look. It sucks being between sizes and having shorter-than-normal limbs.

I totally agree with your review. I also bought a Chameleon as a second bike and find I ride it more than my Kona Process 134. It is such a fun bike. Ar you using a gimbal with your gopro?

The one thing I'd recommend is replacing the RF Affect dropper remote with the RF Turbine remote. It has a much better feel to it!

Steve, You need CushCore for the rear tire, take the worry away from rim strikes. LOL,, the second after I posted you said the same thing...Had to edit!

Great riding man, and a great video.

Cool :) I have been walking on this trail when I was a little kid :D

I love how the seat tube is bent to accommodate the rear wheel!!

Thanks for the review. Looking for my first bike. I’m same dimensions as you Steve and see you went for the small. Would you recommend that over the medium? Or get sized at the shop? They don’t have either size to try. Thanks for your time.

thanks for mentioning the size, based on the look, I assumed it was an XL.

May I ask size S are you satisfied with it or did you prefer size M? because my height is same but I can’t make decide the size my altitude I ride M but yea is a huge bike and if I compare the geometry chameleon seems small compared to the altitude or scout 290 in size M Thank you in advance

Hello Steve, I follow your channel, I try something similar with a Trek Stache, add Schwalbe Procore in your tires, great satisfaction. have a nice riding time with Tess. Ciao Fabio.

I’ve watched a few of your vids but never heard your background- funny- it’s almost identical to mine and we wound up in same place too- no strava, just ride for fun now- although I still love going as fast as possible- now it’s just for the added fun though, not for competition. I’m taking just the opposite bike buying path though. I’ve been riding a hardtail for the last two years since I got back into mountain biking and just went to a full squish- the new Bronson V3. At 48 I’m getting tired of being beat up out in the rocky east coast mountains at the end of my rides and I also wanted a slacker, safer bike for getting air at bike parks and tackling the steeper stuff. I know what you mean about that head tube angle- I demoed the Tall Boy which is about the same I think and on the steep stuff I did it but was like: 😯😧😲 Crashing sucks way more now bc now, instead of bending, I break. You should check out the new Bronson- it’s a whole new category of full squish bike- all day pedaller that eats gnar and likes to go fast and send it over drops and jumps. I have a three part review of it up on my channel if you’re interested. I also posted below a link to me hitting some east coast chunk on my hardtail. Enjoy your Chameleon - it’s the hardtail I would buy today if I were buying one-man it’s a great hardtrail trail bike- especially with the bigger tires. Btw- I got the Bronson R+ with the 2.6 and love those tires with that bike. Ride on!

Nice trail dog 👍🏼

I tore a tire on my first ride. They felt great and light and quick but the first rock garden had me switching to burlier tires.

Awesome dog !

Solid review. Are hard-tails making a comeback? I'm not sure I could give up the squish!

my best bike ever !

When you say "Without these plus tires, I'd probably be hating life". Is that in reference to the 27.5? I am considering a Chameleon 29er and noticed the tire is a 2.3 I believe. So is the 27.5 a wider wheel?

Pushed on that subscribe putton for you mentioned to come from the BMX backround. After 30+ years of skateboarding I'm facing an heel issue that creates so much pain from skating that I started to play around with a BMX and it is really fun to do without the 2 days of horrible pain in my heel after a skate session. Well why I'm really writing this is that I would be interrested to see SC Chameleon on the street and is it possible to suit it up with 36" wheels and how it would perform with them? Any chance you could give 36" wheels a go in the streets and skateparks? Lookin into buyng my first BIG bike and hoping to findout Chameleon to be an extreme chameleon I'm dreamin it to be. Much love from Finland!

nice bike. I have a 2018 Norco torrent 1ht. very similar bike. if you do some research, there are headsets out that you can adjust the head tube angle +- .5 - 1.5¤

I was looking at this bike, but ended up going with a guerrilla gravity pedalhead. My brother is looking at similar bikes on a tighter budget, so i mentioned the commencal meta am or this.

I’ve noticed on ride videos this bike doesn’t have anything rattling like a lot of other bikes.

You ever check out the Canfield nimble nine? I think it had a 66.5 degree head angle, it’s got sliding rear drop outs all on a steel frame. Seems like it could be that bike you were looking for when it came to a slacker frame!