For a limited time, my community will be able to claim a free LMNT electrolytes sample pack - you only cover the cost of shipping ($5 for US customers). Get your sample pack of LMNT electrolytes by using this link: Http://DrinkLMNT.com/Jeff

@jonathanhowson6420

2 жыл бұрын

Jeff, I have been following you for a long time and I absolutely love your positive attitude and super fun riding style. Please can you make a video on cockpit setup and bar height etc. I am trying to figure out what increasing travel, changing stem length and stack height, as well as changing bar rise height will do to the bike and at 5'8 how high is too high, as well as any benifits of staying a bit lower on the front end if I have the flexibility to do so. Currently racing a 2018 specialized enduro 29er and having fun an a pink Santa Cruz Bronson V2. Cheers Jonny

Excellent overview and review. It's been fun seeing you ride it on my local trails.

@phillipstocksdale6317

2 жыл бұрын

I absolutely love seeing the mtb channels that I follow mention each other or collaborate! So rad!! great video 🤙🏼

@hardtailparty

2 жыл бұрын

@@phillipstocksdale6317 Jeff is a great friend.

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Phillip, I'm commenting from Steve's kitchen table right now... true story!

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for the loan!!!

@matthewbenedetti490

2 жыл бұрын

Since you two know each other I’d love to see Jeff get some time on the the Maniak some day 😬

Lol, you and Steve have massively different riding styles. You push harder than 99% of riders. Awesome video

Great to see your subscriber count continuing to climb. This is such an underrated channel. Keep up the great work, Jeff. Love your sincerity and passion.

Such a cool bike. Love the integrated drone footage. Also really enjoyed the video you did sessioning technical climbs with Steve.

HT rider here. Watchin' this video is already fun! Thank you for giving us a glimpse of your ride, dear Jeff! My day has just become happier. Lots'a love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from tropical Philippines! #KeepBiking

I have the SC Chameleon 27.5+ S+ build, and have ridden it the last 2 yr.s, and I have no regrets buying that bike! It is FUN!! I love the planted feel of the Chameleon, yet fast and poppy!! I also have a full squish and love mixing it up depending on what I'm riding.. Love your vid.!

I have a hard tail and a full suspension (both from vitus) and love them both. I can definitely recommend having both as they are so different to ride and therefore help improve your skills.

Great video review Jeff. You and Steve are awesome!

I am watching this for a second time just because I got bit by the Chameleon "bug" after seeing one at my LBS. The Chameleon has always been one of my dream bikes, but being on a budget it's still a dream. Whenever I get my kids through college and have a bit of money again, I will definitely be looking at one. When I do purchase a Chameleon, my current plus hardtail will be my "loaner"

@jes1375

3 ай бұрын

They on sale right now.

It’s like watching a choreographed dance when you ride. Makes me realize the amount of work I need🫣

“It’s a party without a shock, and your invited” LOL. Sorry Steve, in all fairness I got a Paradox V3 after your raving review. Thanks Jeff!

I love having a hardtail in the quiver! Got 2 actually, as well as a gravel bike. You can take a different bike on the same trail and have a totally different experience! Nice review Jeff.

I have an old Chameleon from around late 90's to 2000 with XTR V brakes & Marzocchi MXC air forks & I go to work on it every day, love it & it's a keeper, great bike;

Stumbled onto your channel. I’ve been on Steve’s a lot lately and yours came up in the feed. Very nice job on the review. Great channel! I’m just an old guy staying in shape on a fattie. The Chameleon may be in my future as a summer ride.

There's ALWAYS a soft spot for a hardtail in my life. 🥳🔥

man, I sold my Chameleon thinking I had outgrown it and needed a full suspension and boy was I wrong. Per strava, I have yet to beat any of my PRs for climbing and descending on all my local trails proving that the Chameleon really is a versatile bike.

@johnharrison6522

2 жыл бұрын

Yup. I have a 2017 Chameleon and a 2018 Switchblade. Lots of my PRs up and down are on the lizard.

i live in the pnw. portland, specifically and rocky point is the closest trail system to my house and having other places to ride like cold creek, mt. hood etc etc, things get pretty steep in certain areas so i went all out this year and got a norco range and i plan on DH racing and other things on it and it has been an awesome bike so far but I do definitely need another bike to cover the days that i simply don't need 170mm front and rear with big 223mm rotors that could stop a train. watching you ride, jeff, has really given me lots of encouragement to buy something like a norco optic or transition spur etc. i'm excited for the future, no doubt.

Since when was Santa Cruz "budget"... It's a different world than the one I inhabit.

@wx2999

2 жыл бұрын

@Kattrap Santa Cruz is just overpriced

@IPS0125

Жыл бұрын

@@wx2999 buying a used chameleon is a budget bike.

@lightningshredder5605

Жыл бұрын

@concretehead2790 second that. If you want a yellow hardtail that rips, get the scout!

@brendanmeyler1641

Жыл бұрын

Consider this: the specialized fuse comp is selling rn in my area for about $2500, the chameleon is going for $2600. Mind you essentially everything about the chameleon is better from the parts spec, to geo, to frame compliance, and chainstay adjustments. For $100 extra over the fuse you get more than $100 in bike.

@kiethpederson7558

10 ай бұрын

@@brendanmeyler1641the fuse expert is what im looking at its 2499 if you can find one. Its so hard to decide on a bike

Great shots and review. Instant subscription.

@JeffKendallWeed

Жыл бұрын

Much appreciated! Wish I had a chameleon of my own!

Just ordered the MX version! So pumped

I love it every time you manual and let out that joyful and semi diabolical laugh.

@JeffKendallWeed

Жыл бұрын

Awe thanks Randall! But diabolical?! 😂 nothing but ✌️ here! 😁 those little wheelies are so fun though, and the challenges of doing them in weird spots is a hoot!

Great review of my dream hardtail I hope to own one day 😂

Awesome riding bro thanks for the info.

Awesome point about the two bikes, I run the two bike game right now. XC hardtail and an enduro. Pretty crazy compliment. I think I may swap the hardtail for a slightly more robust hardtail, but I'm not sure about that yet. It's fun to ride a super fast hardtail and it's refreshing after having to push the enduro around so much.

Thumbnail talking HT as budget solution, showing a Santa Cruz bike. Made me smile...

nice video sir and i love the trails...and your bike too

I have a 2020 chameleon 29r, i just upgraded the fork to 140mm Marzocchi bomber z2. I'm kicking myself why I waited 2years to upgrade. Icing on the cake was PNW finally making the 35mm handlebars that i love. That trail is beautiful

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

Right on Keith, sounds like a fun bike!

Good stuff as always Jeff. Totally agree with the comment of having two complimenting bikes, if possible. My 28lb 2021 Stumpy feels like a rocket on more tame trails with it's firm-ish suspension and 130mm travel compared to my 33lb Evil Wreckoning with a coil, DD tires and 170mm Zeb. That said, the Wrecker is so much faster, capable and confidence inspiring once the trail points down and gets more gnarly. Nice to have both options depending on the mood.

wow this is my dream bike. thank you Jeff 👌🏼🤙🏼🤘🏽

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

No one corners like jeff👍

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks K!

One day I will have one. It’s the bike I feel I have to have. I have needed this bike for so many year and always looked look at it. The only other bike I felt I have needed was the transition bottlerocket and I did own that one for a while.

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

Right on Jay! I really enjoyed the Chameleon.

Awesome video and content Jeff! Which trail was that? Thanks

No wonder I haven't seen you around town lately, missing out on some amazing gold dirt Jeff!

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

I know, I miss it!!!

Have watched this video countless times... that flexing of the caliper is a deal breaker to me...damn.

Jeff that was an awesome video. Out of curiosity, are you using Skydio-2? Shots look great.

Hey jeff love the video! With the 29er wheel and mullet dropout did you have to use a post mount adapter on the back wheel?

nice! long live the chameleon

I got a carbon Honzo (similar to the Chameleon) last year set up with a 140 fork and damn is it fun. The 140 slacks it out a lot and I can ride a lot of the stuff I'd ride on a trail bike, but it makes the XC trails a lot more fun.

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

Nice Scott, that sounds like a great bike!!!

@badorx

2 жыл бұрын

Was it at 120mm travel originally? I have an honzo carbon with a fox 34 120mm travel and it's perfectly balanced to climb and descend but I have the curiosity to try it with a 140 fork.

@scottshedeck9119

2 жыл бұрын

@@badorx Kona sold them with a 120, but I bought this second hand with a 140 pike. I've never rode it with the 120, but with the 140 the front wheel will wander a bit on steep climbs. The steering is "floppier" than you'd want an XC bike to be, but the 140 makes the geo perfect. I haven't rode a hardtail in years and thought I'd really have to ride it gingerly. With the 140 on it I feel comfortable sending most of the same stuff I do on my trail bike with the exception big drops (ouch my ankles)

@badorx

2 жыл бұрын

@@scottshedeck9119 thank you for your answer, I got my Honzo last year, and it is my first serious front bike. I am still impressed for what this bike is capable. Really fast and confortable in most single track of my area. Love it! It's more a trail bike than an xc.

Crushing it!

Great video Jeff. Would love to hear a review from you on a Ragley Mmmbop.

Thanks Jeff, this video is perfect timing. I’ve been considering getting a hard tail since I’ve realized I don’t care so much for speed but instead want to focus more on riding better and how to play with the bike on the trail. My hope is having a hardtail would do just that. Do you think its okay to go flats on a hard tail or is clipless generally best?

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Bob, I ride flats primarily on my own hardtail, a Chromag Stylus. My bike is MUCH more of a freeride/DH bike than the Chameleon tho. But yeah, totally A-OK to go with flats!

@Cassienope

2 жыл бұрын

I switched to flats on most of my hardtails in October. It's a learning process,but has been really good to reenforce proper technique where I have started to ride lazy.

Would love to see a review on a truly budget bike like the vitus nucleus vr or carrera fury, something like that.

Wow nice angle

How tall are you Jeff & what is your inseam length please? Trying to figure out sizing on this bike. Thanks & congrats on the channel!

What is the tire combo you are using on this? Also what are some of your favorites on Hardtails?

I'm in Phoenix looking for a hardtail to complement my Mojo3. Aluminum ht in Phx/Sedona looks harsh. Any thoughts? Got my eye on a Steel Honzo ESD locally but man, that 63 degree h/a seems a bit much for everyday trail riding. Although you would probably love it, Jeff! lol

Just curious about the drop outs installed? Different options for each wheel size right?

ya gotta love the yellow tho 👌

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

It's a neat color!!!

I don't have a hardtail in my quiver anymore: sending it through the chunk really wasn't good for my ankles. My Ibis Ripley AF is my fun bike now

Shot I'd give my friend the FS and still out shred them on the DH with the HT 😁

@JKW another solid video mate thanks, but what gloves are you wearing there? The black ones.

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Todd! Those are the Giro Cascade that I mentioned in the Endura/winter clothing video. I really like them! I have two pairs, and am considering grabbing a third. bit.ly/GiroCascadeGlove2022JKW

Hi nice review and video. You ride so well. How tall are you? Does the size medium fit you well? Im 167 cm do you think a size Medium frame would be good for me?

Would love to see you review a Lynskey Live Wire.

..... Love my (2017) Cameltoe ! Set up 29 front n back, would like the 27.5 drop-out but they stopped selling it :-/ !

You ride HT looks very smooth like you're riding fullsus...sick dude...wanna learn it because im hardtail

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, I appreciate that!

@METEORA_47

2 жыл бұрын

@@JeffKendallWeed i love your riding style.look very fun and smooth

Budget and Santa Cruz don’t belong in the same sentence 😂 🤣

@TheAllEngineering

2 жыл бұрын

I disagree with you on that one. Budget describes the level of componentry that you will get for your money when purchasing Santa Cruz!!!

@abassi1173

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheAllEngineering ik just joking since there bikes are so expensive generally.

@joecexe1

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheAllEngineering I would have though budget just meant more affordable, and value meant bang for your buck

@TheAllEngineering

2 жыл бұрын

@@joecexe1 Of which Santa Cruz is neither!!

@joecexe1

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheAllEngineering agreed xd

did you get to try Steve's new bike? The Maniak?

Will you be reviewing the Trek Roscoe 9?

Greta video!

Would really like to hear your thoughts on the Commencal Meta HT AM. And do a video. They have a pretty well spec'd version in their Race version that comes stock as a Mullet. in S and Medium sizes.

@JeffKendallWeed

Жыл бұрын

Perhaps! I’ve been hesitant to work with a brand that doesn’t sell to bike shops like Commencal or YT. I have heard good things about commencal, but YT and canyon get a bad wrap for warranty/durability, which makes me nervous I’d break one. It’d be a very awkward spot to break one of those on camera! That said a hardtail is usually a safe bet to be a solid bike!

@michaelsernst

Жыл бұрын

@@JeffKendallWeed Their team in Colorado has been very helpful during the ordering and shipping process. They even proactively reached out to me to confirm my order information. I believe they even have a showroom / shop you can check out in Golden, CO but ya it’s a fun bike for me so far but always like to get the more experienced take. Be well.

The cheaper sram guides work WAY better with third party pads in them I found (that and I've also found a fair bit of air bubbles in them coming from factory/bike manufacturer - worth a bleed straight out the box IMO). Not sure if you have em in the states/Canada but Nukeproof do really, really nice semi metallic ones that make them feel amazing for endos/ nose mannys and give way more modulation whilst still locking very well AND NEVER SQUEAK!. give em a try if you can get them sent over for not much (they are half the cost of the official sram ones over here) Looks nice and slack to me, bet it drops well and glad they made an alloy version. Sick riding as usual my man. P.S Clipless pedals are 100% cheating for trials type riding (even if you have to be pro-AF to use them that way)

Hey, do you know if you could ride it in 27.5ers without 29er dropouts? How much of an impact would it have on geometry?

Would be interested to hear the comparisons between this and the Chromag. Trying to decide between this and a root down. Know they are different bikes (and yours is a stylus so different). Regardless, would be cool to hear how they differ.

@totalglitch

Жыл бұрын

Honestly with Santa Cruz warranty and customer service I'd go with the.. ha.ds down

Can you fully insert the sdg tellis on the medium?

Did you ride it as the Mullet at all? Really wanna try my Wideangle as a Mullet, currently 27.5 w 170 fork

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Leroy, with the tires on the mullet wheels, it was inevitable that I'd flat on the rocks, so I just skipped them. My own personal hardtail is indeed a mullet, but I wish it were matching 29" wheels.

Steve got pedal strikes and thought the bb was low with the 70mm bb drop

Jeff is that a new hydration bag?

Hi, Jeff! A complete off-topic. What are your thoughts on integrated headsets (cups are part of the frame)? Seems more and more alloy bikes are going this route and it is sketching me out, should I be worried? Thank you for insight 👍

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Rob, I'm not a huge fan, I much prefer having the option of using an Angleset, or heck, any choice of aftermarket headset. I saw minimal problems with the IS headsets that Ibis used to use on the old Mojo/SL, but the adjustability and choice have me preferring the traditional press-in types.

@cancer8343

2 жыл бұрын

@@JeffKendallWeed thank you!

How is this bike with 29er wheels for dirt jumping?

I just road my Camelon for the first time today on an XC trai,l it felt different from my other Hardtail Specialized Rock Hopper I did a decent ride but going to have to adjust some. PS Im exhausted lol.

@JeffKendallWeed

Жыл бұрын

Hahaha right on Cedric! Chameleon is a great bike!

@cedricclark1461

Жыл бұрын

I have a Med frame I'm about 5'6 how what's your height?

Love a good HT all I see now is FS E BIKES

What a world we live in when a 65 degree HTA trail bike is like “yeah, could be slacker.” Lol. I officially feel old- my first mtb was a Mongoose Hilltopper in 90 with I’m pretty sure 98 degree HTA and a 200 mm stem. 🤣 although, hey Chromo is back in!

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

Well the slacker HTA works in conjunction with the long wheelbase, short chainstay, and dropper seat post. It allows for the more aggressive, always standing up riding style to be used at its full potential.

@dadventuretv2538

2 жыл бұрын

@@JeffKendallWeed oh I get it, just cracks me up when I look back. How far we’ve come and how good bikes have become. 🤙

@kennethelliot8164

2 жыл бұрын

@@JeffKendallWeed agreed. Although in my experience (went from previous gen chameleon to this one) this limits the ability to do all on a single bike. If you can divide your climbs and descents into decisive portions of your ride then you'll love the new chameleon. If you can't, you'll hate it at descending and cornering with the seat up is not as easy with the new geo

Dude! You should go riding with Nate Hills. Your skills are as insane as Nate 🙂💪🚴‍♀️

For a few years I was on a full rigid and a 125mm/140mm full squish, (Both 26,) but I recently moved up from 26 to 29/27.5+ with a Surly Karate Monkey. I've been contemplating a Ripmo AF, Ripley AF or Devinci Marshall to complement the KM, (And share wheels.) But after your comment about having a HT and a FS focused in different directions, (and something similar that Steve said recently,) I think I'm leaning away from the 120mm Ripley AF and more towards the 130mm Marshall or 147mm Ripmo AF.

Im 256 lbs will this bike hold up

I gotta ask…. Because it’s probably the 2 bikes that are compared to each other. SC chameleon or DV9?

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

I can't remember the DV9 well enough to have an opinion. Ibis wasn't able to get me one, just a loaner that I had for a few days back in 2018. Not sure if anyone still has any DV9s in stock anymore, either...

There's a party without a shock and you're invited.

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

New tag line for 2022!

bike looks huge! is that a large or a xL? you look like your 5"9 or so thats my height I'm thinking about the L

@JeffKendallWeed

Жыл бұрын

That’s a size medium. Fit me great at 5’8”.

Hi, what's your height, thank you!

What trail at 9:20 ?

I thought you would compare your Chromag more to it.

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

They are sooooo different, it didn't really seem applicable.

There may be a video about this question, but are your drone recordings piloted or one of the auto follow set ups?

Budget?!

"I wish it was slacker.." "I wish it had a 140mm Fox36" "CushCore would be nice" Me looking at my Stif Squatch in the corner knowing I made the right choice. It's a little bit of a sled but it likes it rough and fast.

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

What's a Stif Squatch? I have a Chromag Stylus at home, set up with a 150mm 29er fork and a 29er front wheel.

@ryantan1804

Жыл бұрын

@@JeffKendallWeed which do you prefer? The chromag stylus or the chameleon??

I'm over 50 with shoulder issues and back issues. No way in hell am I going back to a hardtail. You sure do make them look good though.

Most people that come into the shop aren't going to consider this budget. Budget for the average person is around $600. People that have 2-3k to spend are looking for full suspension. Very seldomly does someone come in and spend $1200 or more on a hard tail. Maybe where you're at it's a different story.

@conman1395

2 жыл бұрын

Most mountain bikers would definitely consider a budget hardtail in the $1-1.2k. A frame alone is usually $600-$1000 already. New people to the sport probably consider $600 complete a budget bike, but there's no way any of the $600 bikes will last riding like Jeff in Sedona

@ericdunthorne1981

2 жыл бұрын

@@conman1395 kzread.info/dash/bejne/dGiT0pmyiMK5Z9I.html The kid in this video rides some pretty rough trails on a super cheap Jamis. He's probably been riding it for many seasons.

@HOllyBOni

2 жыл бұрын

It's so boring to see these kind of comments under every single video where they call a bike over like a 1000 bucks budget. Get over it.

@joelhenderson3723

2 жыл бұрын

@@conman1395 I agree with you that a $600 limit on budget bikes is pretty excessive, but even if we limit things to trail oriented bikes, I don't think this qualifies as budget. In that category, I would think of trek's roscoe 7, or maybe a giant fathom. Realistically, first bikes may come in at or under $1000, but a lot of people would still look at $1200-1400 xc hardtails as nice first bikes.

@conman1395

2 жыл бұрын

@@joelhenderson3723 I'm not saying a Santa Cruz Chameleon is a budget bike. I already said a budget hard tail is at $1200 which the Chameleon frame is almost at. But if a frame costs $650, a used Yari costs $250 if you're lucky, that brings you to $900. Advent 9 spd gets you a drivetrain for about $150 and now you're at $1050. Wheels can be had for $300 now you're already past $1200 and you don't have a headset, contact points, bottom bracket, etc. So a pre-built bike at $1200 is a pretty damn good deal. I rode a $500 Rockhopper over the same trails my $1100 Trek Stache and my $3800 full suspension bike ride too, but I also taco'd the wheels, had to replace the drivetrain 4 times, and broke tons of chains from it getting caught on stuff after falling off my chain right. And I'm faster up and downhill on my rigid Stache probably because the Suntour XC32 fork was so damn flexy.

Jeff don’t take any tips from hard tail party, your style is way better and actually genuine

Higher BB and higher front end are the way to go. I think we disagree on the head tube angle. I say 66 or 67 all day long. Any slacker and it's too slack. Save that stuff for the downhill bikes.

@th_js

2 жыл бұрын

How is it too slack? Where does it limit you? I think that on any mountain bike anything above 65° is obsolete.

@ShadLife

2 жыл бұрын

@@th_js Slack is for cornering at higher speeds. At normal singletrack speeds (5 - 12ish MPH) a slack bike feels slow and sluggish around corners and you can't easily conquer the tight twisty stuff. To me, 65 is that point where bikes start to feel sluggish. They feel great when going 20 plus MPH down the side of a mountain, but for all other riding the bikes don't feel right and are a lot more work to maneuver. It's not that you can't maneuver a slacker bike, it's just that it's not as easy to do so. Being that I ride 95% regular singletrack and often times more technical sections of trail, why do I want a bike designed for a single purpose to point down hill? What I find interesting is that I have a 20 inch BMX race bike with a 74.5 degree head angle. We get up to 30ish MPH on some tracks and the bikes feel plenty stable going over jumps and such. This super slack trend is absolutely unnecessary in my opinion. Maybe on a downhill bike, but that's it.

Alu Chameleon lightweight?!

@JeffKendallWeed

2 жыл бұрын

Yea it's over 10lbs lighter than my Chromag Stylus.

Why you putting 'Budget Hardtail' in the thumbnail, this bike is £2600. Its literally a high end hardtail, not exactly budget....

As for budget, ha ha it's one of the most expensive hard tail bikes I know??

Iwont santa cruz...🥰

Since when is $3500 hardtail "budget" ??

Butterfly in the sky I can fly twice as high

I'm not too sure how 'budget' a $2,500 bike is

£2300 is not a budget hardtail

Feel bad for you having to ride that awful Sram NX drivetrain😂😂😂

@th_js

2 жыл бұрын

It's like eating junk food and drinking soda

That “medium” was too small for you basically…?! These Chameleon’s fit small…

Ha! Clipless is a great way to break your neck.