Hardtail

Built for...whatever We made the Chameleon for riders who like to sculpt their ideal bike, and aren’t afraid to experiment. Whether 29er or mixed, geared or fixed, multiple major configuration transformations are made easy via the interchangeable dropouts. The low slung top tube and progressive geometry means this bike blends into whatever surroundings you place it. From raucous short-cuts across town to skipping the city altogether. It turns itself to trail exploration with the flip of an Allen key, thanks to the triple-bolt cargo cage mount under the downtube and standard bottle mount within the frame. Design Details: Aluminum frame The Chameleon reinvents itself yet again, returning to the no-nonsense alu roots that make it our most versatile hard-working hardtail of all time. MX or 29 Options for full 29 or MX setups means you can opt for speed and comfort for hauling or quick and nimble handling. Single speed or gears Adjustable dropouts make it a multi-geared trail charger to single-speed racer to bikepacking mule...and pretty much anything imaginable in between. A Mule That Rules Tougher and stronger than any race horse, the Chameleon blends stamina with agility to create a whole new kind of beast. A triple-bolt cargo cage mount under the downtube and additional mount within the frame ensures the Chameleon is ready to play wherever The Wild Things Are. Fun-loving, shreddy spirit The low slung top tube and more progressive geometry (65.5-degree head-angle and longer reach) provides all-trail capability. Lifetime warranty Built to last many lifetimes and supported by the legendary Santa Cruz rider support.

The Purest Form of Racing. A whole new breed of XC Hardtail, purpose-built to hurt 'em on the ups, drop 'em on the downs, and propel you straight to the top step. Where it thrives: Between the tape What it's built for: Speed, Efficiency, and Endurance Highlights - Progressive, superlight carbon frame / RockShox SID SL Select+ 100mm fork - Shimano SLX 12-speed group / Shimano M6100 disc brakes - Stan's NoTubes Crest MK4 rims / Cannondale C2 carbon post / Cannondale Wheel Sensor Confidence on edge No hesitant, fistful-of-brakes descending here. The ultra slack, 66.5° front end gives you the stability and control you need to really open it up on the downhills. Brake later. Corner harder. Pass on the descents. Stay centered Scalpel HT's Proportional Response size-specific chainstays and steep seat angle keep you balanced between the wheels for better traction and power on the ups, and more confident control on the downs. Drop the chatter Sculpted flex zones in the chainstays partner with dropped seatstays to eat up the chatter from rowdy terrain, boosting control, smoothing the ride, and minimizing fatigue. Go harder. Go faster. Go farther.

When the trail (or the competition) calls for the direct drive efficiency that only a hardtail can offer, the Highball is the choice. It looks straightforward but that belies the high-tech features and design hidden within. This is a modern take on the simple machine that many still choose to put battery acid in their thighs and fire in their lungs in order to conquer something. Whether you’re chasing medals, personal demons, or just some riding buddies, this is a hardtail you’ll be happy to log long hours upon.

Wide open, dawn to dusk. The Highball is our race-bred XC hardtail. When the trail (or the competition) calls for the direct drive efficiency that only a hardtail can offer, the Highball is the choice. It looks straightforward but that belies the high-tech features and design hidden within. This is a modern take on the simple machine that many still choose to put battery acid in their thighs and fire in their lungs in order to conquer something. Whether you’re chasing medals, personal demons, or just some riding buddies, this is a hardtail you’ll be happy to log long hours upon. Hard on the throttle, soft on the body Hardtails are about as subtle as bikes come, and in the case of the Highball, simplistic refinement belies engineering effort. We’ve learned from our road biking pals that a great deal of a hardtail’s compliance comes from the Seatpost: the smaller the diameter, the softer the feel, and with more seat posts exposed to daylight, more compliance is had— which is the reason the Highball features low slung top tube and the smaller, 27.2mm diameter post. But you need not be sitting to recognize the ‘soft’ feel of the Highball— the dropped seat stays are made of custom laminate, finely tuned here in Santa Cruz for vertical compliance— and they’re oriented to isolate the top tube from high-speed trail chatter, reducing feedback to the, uh, engine.