2022 Santa Cruz Chameleon 8

Why mixed wheels?

It's the stability and traction of a 29" front wheel and the agility of a 27.5" rear wheel. The smaller wheel and its lower axle height allow you to more easily unweight the front wheel. And that makes for confident and agile handling on the steepest descents.

I've been riding a 29" bike. What will feel different with MX?

29" has a ton of front wheel grip. That's because of the front wheel itself and the axle height of the rear wheel. It works to keep the front end weighted. That creates a natural position on lower-angle terrain. It also requires body position or setup adjustments to get any kind of rearward bias.

The bias is more rearward on an MX. That provides a very natural feeling on steep descents. But it also requires some body position and setup consideration for a balanced feel on flatter terrain. A slightly lower handlebar and more forward-biases suspension setup will make the bike feel more like what you're used to.

Also, using the High BB setting will give you a more front-biased feel. These tuning parameters will help you find the sweet spot for the terrain you're riding on, and just for your personal preference. You'll know you've found it when it feels like you're never making large bodyweight shifts to lift the front end or keep it stuck to the ground.

I've been riding a 27.5" bike. What will feel different with MX?

An MX will handle differently. You'll feel a more stable and confident front end. The turning will be slower than a 27.5. But you'll have a more secure feeling in corners and more traction. You're much less likely to stuff the front wheel or go over the handlebars. That's because of the taller front axle height and improved roll-over of the large wheel. You can ride challenging terrain with a more aggressive and dynamic body position.

What's the recommended fork offset?

42-44mm offset 29" forks.

Can I run a 27.5" front and rear wheel on this bike?

It's not made for a 27.5" front wheel. But you could make it work with around a 150mm travel fork.

Is this bike single-speed compatible?

Yes, it has sliding dropouts for 12mm of chainstay length adjustment. These can be used for geometry adjustment, or for tensioning the chain on a single speed setup. The dropouts are available in 148x12. And they use the SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger.

How do I switch wheel sizes?

There are two sets of dropouts for a 27.5" rear wheel and a 29" rear wheel. You have to order/install the dropout set you want and switch the wheel itself.

How do I adjust the dropouts?

Watch the video on the Santa Cruz website or the brand's YouTube channel.