Viewing 40 posts - 1 through 40 (of 52 total)
  • Cove Stiffee VS Santa Cruz Chameleon
  • RealMan
    Free Member

    Which frame is better?

    I think the Chameleon comes in about 1-1.5kg lighter?

    thomthumb
    Free Member

    better is very subjective.

    ton
    Full Member

    how tall are you???

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    PJ266
    Free Member

    Not that much difference in weight, I own a stiffee and two friends own chameleons. Both of them love the chameleons, but i think the stiffee is alot smoother. I dont think you’ll be disappointed either way!

    timber
    Full Member

    flip a coin, you’ll get a good un either way

    I got the Cove and it is a great ride, if shoddy finishing
    Chameleon is better finish, costs bit more, and when I bought mine, still had horizontal drop-outs

    I look at changing now, but can’t quite bring myself to get rid of the Cove for some reason, even after riding a mates chameleon with similar setup

    Rickos
    Free Member

    Cove is a lot slacker.

    lethal_frizzle
    Free Member

    having ridden Mr. PJ266’s Cove, i have to agree its smoother. however i love the stiffness of the chameleon, i think it makes for a really good ride and i’ve never found the slightly less smooth ride to be noticable or a problem. horizontal dropouts are cool aswell if you like singlespeeding

    RealMan
    Free Member

    I do think the chameleon is the nicer looking of the two.

    ton, I’m about 5″7

    timber
    Full Member

    I like singlespeeding, but horizontals and discs were faff, now with the ebb, much more appealing to me

    do you fancy a cove, one careful owner?
    then I can have a chameleon

    Coasting
    Free Member

    Had both and prefer the chameleon.I found the sizing of the chameleon more to my liking.At 6ft the large cove felt a bit big and clumsy with a high bottom bracket whereas the large chameleon feels perfect.I also think any difference in ride harshness is more likely to come down to the bike build.The seatpost and tyres affect the harshness of the ride far more than frame design.

    PJ266
    Free Member

    Chameleons just feel harsher, same seatpost (thomson) same tyres (2.35 high roller) same pressures. trust me 😉

    tails
    Free Member

    Come on theres only one choice

    RealMan
    Free Member

    I have to say you people have been down right useless.

    Why cant you all agree on just one???

    😀

    Although I think I’m leaning towards the santa cruz.. but then again, the cove does look very nice as well..

    RealMan
    Free Member

    Dont know if it has a name, but the angle the top tube makes with the seat stays, how does that affect what the bike rides like? The chameleon almost looks like a bmx frame, the angle is so big.

    lyons
    Free Member

    I havent ridden the cove, but a mate has a 16 inch chameleon, with pikes, and it is one of the best handling bikes i have ever ridden. I’d buy one tomorow if i had the money. but then ive heard alot of good things about the stiffee. plus it has a mildly amusing name…

    tails
    Free Member

    Don’t know if it affects the ride of the bike at all against if you used the same angles and joined it conventionally. In my opinion it is just santa cruz showing off there fancy new hydro-forming machine. so from the side profile you get a nice/nasty curve from front to back

    tails
    Free Member

    santa cruz geo

    cove geo

    In my opinion its down to looks really there both gonna ride good, but then i rarely find a component I really dislike and normally get used to new bits inside 2 weeks. I ‘d always go santa cruz but then i’m a chameleon fanboy

    forge197
    Free Member

    I’ve considered both but at the moment I am seeing what comes out for 2010 as it’s more for fun than a need, unless a deal comes up on ebay or on the classifieds.

    I don’t think there is much between them performance wise comes down to looks and colours 🙂

    househusband
    Free Member

    I am seeing what comes out for 2010…

    I wonder how the mmmBop will compare to the Stiffee and Chameleon..?

    RealMan
    Free Member

    Do you think either would be better suited to run a 100-120-140mm fork like fox talas 32?

    fallguy
    Free Member

    Cove is a lot slacker.

    I’d like the cove then 😀

    forge197
    Free Member

    househusband if that’s all that’s coming in 2010 then it will be the Santa or the Cove 🙂

    Tracey
    Full Member

    Wouldnt swap our 3 for any thing else, not even for a stiffee

    Tracey

    PROLINE85
    Free Member

    Both good bikes, my money’s on the Cove though

    nickc
    Full Member

    Cham.

    Without a doubt the best hardtail I’ve ridden.

    RealMan
    Free Member

    I think I’m now leaning towards the stiffee, because the santa cruz comes fitted with an EBB, and if I understand correctly, you cant take that out and fit a normal BB, and EBB’s are a load of trouble?

    ton
    Full Member

    have you seen my frame for sale….. ❓

    RealMan – Member

    I think I’m now leaning towards the stiffee, because the santa cruz comes fitted with an EBB, and if I understand correctly, you cant take that out and fit a normal BB, and EBB’s are a load of trouble?

    A normal BB fits into the EBB. It’s just like a BB shell that rotates to take up chain tension.

    BIKES4LIFE
    Free Member

    santa with 130mm fox…hardcore

    RealMan
    Free Member

    A normal BB fits into the EBB. It’s just like a BB shell that rotates to take up chain tension.

    Yes, I know. But what I’m saying is that even when you put a normal BB in there, you still have the EBB shell as well, and I hear they dont work very well.

    tails
    Free Member

    I know you hear all these things about EBBs but the one on my santa cruz has been silent and faultless. there are also other great bikes in this bracket to check out including transitions transAM, mike up ^ there has some nice bikes. brants bikes old and new look a good bet as do cotic, chromag, kona, commencal, scott?? there really are not many duds out there. also have a look on ebay etc for your SC or cove, i picked up a mint condition chameleon on pink bike for £350.

    si-wilson
    Free Member

    ahem…Chumba HX1 🙂

    ton
    Full Member

    ffs simon, ssshhhh 😉

    si-wilson
    Free Member

    Ton, don’t worry, your’s is the only gay i mean 29er in the village 😉

    nickc
    Full Member

    EBB’s are a load of trouble?

    Some EBBs are shite, the one on the Cham is faultless

    PJ266
    Free Member

    That chumba looks mint, and if im right in thinking this, youre a lucky guy ton! although 29er?? waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaank 😉

    PJ266
    Free Member

    On the other hand, Stiffee’s the best hardtail I’ve ever ridden 😉

    samuri
    Free Member

    never ridden a stiffee but the chameleon is a wonderful bike. I’ve never ridden another bike that is so keen to be thrown off rocks, jumps and cars as the chameleon. Stiff as hell mind and will play with your back over proper long rides but it’s worth the massive shit-eating grin that my chameleon can give me on every single ride.

    god, I love that bike.

    duntmatter
    Free Member

    ‘Would you like to see my 19″ Chameleon?’ just doesn’t have the same ring to it!

    forge197
    Free Member

    si what travel does that Chumba take up front?

Viewing 40 posts - 1 through 40 (of 52 total)

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