Santa Cruz Bicycles Chameleon Carbon 27.5+ R Complete Mountain Bike

Like the color-changing reptile of the same name, the Chameleon is versatile creature that easily adapts to its environment. This fun-loving, shreddy hardtail has been a staple in Santa Cruz's lineup for over two decades, serving as their do-it-all option for riders that don't want or need a full suspension bike. Depending on setup and skill level, the Chameleon is capable of handling a wide range of terrain--from aggressive trail riding to dirt jumps to all-around use. Over the years it has seen a number of iterations, but the one constant has always been its aluminum frame. Now in its seventh generation, the so-called "tin lizard" gets to reap the benefit of Santa Cruz's carbon fiber expertise, boasting a carbon frame that's lighter, faster, and rides better than it's predecessor. This particular version, the Chameleon Carbon 27. 5+ R Complete Mountain Bike, is built up with 27. 5+ wheels and tires that provide a boost of confidence-inspiring traction on loose, chunky terrain. It features Santa Cruz's "R" build kit, consisting of workhorse components that are made to last, but at the same time won't leave a massive dent in your wallet. This fun-loving, do-it-all trail bike is compatible with multiple wheel sizes and is also on our short list of bikes we'd pick for long-distance bikepacking missions over rugged terrain. It's offered here as a 27. 5+ trail bike offering excellent grip and floatation over loose trails with its plus-sized tires, but it can also be run as a fast-rolling 29er with its interchangeable dropouts. The dropouts also allow you to swap out the gears for single-speed use, should you desire a near-maintenance free drivetrain, live in an area without major elevation changes, or you just enjoy flogging yourself from time to time. Please note we carry the separate dropouts for plus and 29-inch wheels and the singlespeed spacing is 142mm while the geared version is Boost 148mm. What we love so much about the Carbon Chameleon is it can jump in ...