Chameleon v. Soul - A Review - Bike Forum

Re: Chameleon v. Soul - A Review

Shibboleth — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 13:11:37 +0000

Absolutely Poppa, but I was surprised just how light the Chameleon frame is for such a burly bit of kit...

Re: Chameleon v. Soul - A Review

poppa — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:29:04 +0000

I think the Santa Cruz is intended to be a bit more 'hardcore' than the Soul.

IMO the Soul is fairly light for a steel frame, whilst the Chameleon is quite chunky for an Alu frame.

Re: Chameleon v. Soul - A Review

Shibboleth — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 10:44:07 +0000

I didn't expect an 853 frame to be particularly heavy, but when you look at the 2 frames side by side, the Santa Cruz looks like it's going to be heavy: The massive headtube gussets, the box section chainstays/chainstay bridge, and the seat stays which are about twice as thick in diameter as those on the Cotic.

My riding mates were always surprised at the lightness of the Chameleon when helping me over fences/stiles etc, and that was with a heavy wheelset and bigass tyres. I wish I'd weighed the full build before dismantling, but I'd guess it was around the 28.5-29lb mark...

Re: Chameleon v. Soul - A Review

oldskool — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 10:36:15 +0000

@ shibboleth & nickc:

What surprised me about the respective weights was that a steel (i.e. supposedly "heavy") frame was so close to the weight of a (well-respected) aluminium frame... and I mean surprised in a good way :-)

FWIW I've been riding a Soul since 2004, and I love it to bits!

Re: Chameleon v. Soul - A Review

Shibboleth — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:08:55 +0000

nickc - Member

I know it's a teeny amount, but this surprises me.

It surprised me a bit to be honest. With headset and seat clamp, the Soul is 2309g and the Cham 2247g.

The total build for the Soul is 27.5lb.

I suppose the extra gusseting on the latest Soul accounts for some weight, but I think this confirms what a brilliant frame the Santa Cruz is: to have that much strength for such a low weight.

I have to say though, the finish on the Soul is superb; beautiful welds and can't fault the paintwork.

Re: Chameleon v. Soul - A Review

noteeth — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 22:15:46 +0000

you might find once built it suits you

Well, my Bonty Race remains my fave bike ever... especially in fast woodsy singletrack. That said, I don't find it to be the most comfortable for long distance, all-day rides - and I think that's what I have in mind for the RM (and let's not forget the rack mounts...).

But I could happily make room for a Cotic... :D

Re: Chameleon v. Soul - A Review

Christowkid — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 21:42:05 +0000

noteeth:
Thanks for reminding me - it seemed a bit familiar when I was typing up there ^^^ now I know why!
Yes the privateer was a good bike, KB always said it was the one he really wanted to make .i.e. a cheaper version of the Race for the masses.
I sold my privateer when the Soul came along. Was using the rigid Privateer for the wet stuff and the Race + Pace RC35's for the dry because the selas in the Pace's was rubbish, so yes the Race got hardly ever used.
Have a set of '08 coil RS Rev's on the Soul and it is superb. My first 'new' bike since '96 so now have discs and shox that can put up with weather. also living where I do, it's great to wind them down to 100mm and climb out the valley, then unwind them to 130mm to come home.
Still, a Blizzard's always had a good reutation, you might find once built it suits you sir.
.....but if you like Bonty's :wink:

Re: Chameleon v. Soul - A Review

noteeth — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 20:43:02 +0000

It was true then - and it's still true now...

I've nearly finished building up a RM Blizzard, so it might have to wait. But I definitely like 'em.

It's a shame Trek didn't carry on with the Privateers, really. They could have tapped a similar market.

Re: Chameleon v. Soul - A Review

Christowkid — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 20:25:22 +0000

noteeth:
:oops:
err.....you might be right!
Perhaps the cold has killed a few more cells.......

I resisted for almost 2 years, but then gave in.
Go on.....you know it makes sense!!!!!
cheers
Q

Re: Chameleon v. Soul - A Review

noteeth — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 19:45:40 +0000

To say it was similar is an understatement!

Ha - iirc, we've had this conversation before. :D

Must... resist... another... frame.