Yes

I’m running a non boost slx single ring chainset on a mk 1 Transmitter.

Fitting non boost depends on your frame. I have done it on my Sonder Transmitter but I have boost on my Chameleon.

WTB Asym i35 rims

Maxxis Minion DHF 2.8 on the front

Maxxis HR 2.8 on the back

175mm cranks, but I would recommend 170mm if you ride rocky trails because the bottom bracket is nice and low. This also depends on the fork travel you choose.

@brassneck

I have these wheels which I ordered from amazon. Boost, cheap, light and strong and tubeless compatible. Used them for two years. The cartridge bearings are easy to change and are a standard size.

https://www.ridewill.it/p/en/ridewill-bike-r27tw35-wheelset-mtb-275-sym-i35-boost-disc-8-11s-shimano-black/147120/

@theupsetter

I’m using 27.5+ with my fox 34 Rhythm 130mm form germany if that helps

I’m running a one up chain guide which fits boost cranks and tidys up the front mech mounting nicely.

Chain Guide – Low Direct Mount (S3/E-type)

One bonus of a chameleon is that the headset is just two bearings that push into the frame, there are no cups. If you go for a hope the crown race also pushes on. Lol no tools required.

I’m on a XL with a 35mm stem and 800mm bars. At 6’2” it’s spot on with super fast steering. Running 27.5+ with the chainstays all the way in feels great jumping off stuff. 130mm fork fitted as well.

I’ve been using mine with 2.5 29er DHFs and they have fitted fine.

Will be sticking my Pikes on once I’ve serviced them. They aren’t as smooth as the Foxs but they are slightly stiffer and better for jumping off stuff.

Fox 34 Rythm 130mm here. The cheap ones from Germany. Brilliant for £200

I don’t think a frozen cable is a failed dropper post.

Riding bikes on the road is not safe. :-(

Go in the car and then ride off road when you get home.

Brillant bike, great with a 35mm stem and 800mm bars. Goes around corners very well. And down hills like a fast thing.

XL could be a bit taller in the head tube though.

I’ve got a Solaris Max and a the newest Chameleon.

They are both brilliant but different sizes. I’m 6’2” , my cotic is a large, running a 60mm stem. The Chameleon is a XL running a 35mm stem. So they both fit the same but the Chameleon steers faster.

I’m keenest on the SC at the moment probably because the stays are nice and short when wound all the way in. Its more flickable than the Solaris Max and better for more aggressive riding.

However, the Cotic is a great mile muncher and very stable. And prettier.

Hats off. Great film.

I’ve ridden my Solaris Max a lot with 27.5+ and 29 inch wheels, and it handles better with 27.5+ because they are smaller in diameter.

My Santa cruz Chameleon has shortish stays when wound all the way in using 27.5+

It’s more  flickable than th Solaris Max when launching off stuff if that helps.

https://www.ridewill.it/p/en/ridewill-bike-r27tw35-wheelset-mtb-275-sym-i35-boost-disc-8-11s-shimano-black/147120/

188 euros.  Not bad either. I’ve been running a set for 18 months

The 2.5 is the one to get. The 2.3 is almost cyclocross

My son is on a Nukeproof snap that I built him when he was nine. Doesn’t seem too long. I started with a 50mm stem and now he’s on a 70mm aged 11. He is quite tall though.

I know that seems like the logical thing to do but I’ve always followed shimano law and gone on the right. Will the world end if I do it?

https://m.pinkbike.com/buysell/2215124/

this one is an xl.

2.8 DHF on 27.5+ up front. No problems at all in the mud.

2.5 DHF on 29 up front – good but less grippy in the mud than plus. Faster though, just not as much fun downhill.

Thats what I’m riding at the moment.

Anyone else running 130mm on a Chameleon? I’m just about to start a 27.5+ build but can decide if I should go 120 or 130?

Madness I know.

My bad just seen the J Cup spec. :-)

The lower headset is IS52. I don’t think hope do that size. Just mentioning for clarity. I too have a Chameleon frame making it’s way to my garage.

Buy Both :-)

Brilliant replies STWers.

I’ll give it a go :-)

Thanks

Solaris Max here with both sets of wheels. Both great. Plus is my favourite.

I found rolling resistance on the road depends on the tyre. Nobby nics weren’t good for me on roads. The maxxis Dhf and Highroller 2s seem just like normal sized tyres though. I’ve done some long rides on them and not thought about it.

Plus is a scale thing. If you are large they work well because they are in scale with the rider. I think we need size appropriate testing of equipment by STW

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=370611&hilit=Cotic

I’ve got 2 Solaris Maxs.

One set up with 27.5 + 2.8 Grippy tyres which is brilliant downhill and feels the right size for me at 6’2

One set up 29 with grippy 2.5 Dhfs for the rubbish weather, or to use if I want to go as fast as possible.

I have had loads of steel frames including yeti fro, explosives, blizzards, souls, indy fabs and a sherpa. The Solaris Max is the one I have liked the most so far. If you stamp on the pedals and give it some, it just takes off like there is a motor fitted. The first time it happened It took me by surprise. Brilliant tyre clearance now too.

Wild Turkey

I think it’s also about how big you are. Plus might be unstable in the slop with low grip tyres and a light rider.

Take a 2.8 DHF and a 15 stone 6footer and you have a tyre in proportion to your rider

2.8 dhf on the front and HR2 on the back. Pretty solid.

Also swap to 29er wheels to keep up with the cross country boys. Although I am fitting 2.5 Dhfs to them.

Fox DOSS 4 – years never touched it – still working :-)

Thanks chaps,

I have the spacer. Just making sure :-)

Cheers

Is a 35mm stem loads different to a 50mm stem in the way it feels to ride? 50mm is the shortest I’ve gone, what am I missing?

Geek moment:

Soul Mk1 medium
590 ETT
424 reach
90 stem (85 extension)
675 ETT+stem
509 reach+stem

Soul Mk5 medium
636 ETT
458 reach
35 stem (32 extension)
668 ETT+stem

Soul mk 1 = narrowish bars 600-700mm
Soul mk 5 = 800mm+ bars

I think adding 20mm on bar width pulls you forward about the same as adding 10mm on stem length. So if I ride a 50mm stem with a 800mm bar and then switch to a 780mm bar I can put a 60mm stem on and it will feel roughly the same. That might be madness but in my head it works.

My Solaris Max is running a 50mm stem with 800mm bars. I’m 6’2” and the large feels just right. It is the first bike I’ve had that has felt long enough for a while.

Silver colour looks great