Santa Cruz Chameleon Mk1 Build | Early 1998 | Lizard Green

[Fam Allen]

Just getting started on a new build.

Aspired to own a Santa Cruz Chameleon back in '97/'98 when they were first released. Similar to my Zaskar at the time, they seemed to be the ultimate 'do everything' bike, but perhaps a little more exotic!

In my mind the lizard green colourway would have been the only way to go back then, so have been looking around for one for a few months now. With nothing coming up I've been watching a rather neglected and sorry looking 16" '98 black frame on FB Marketplace for a few months. Very reasonably priced, but with slightly suspect looking spray painted chain stays, it's been a dilemma, but I've finally bitten the bullet.

It's an early '98 and must have been one of the first few batches because it takes the 26.8mm seat post rather than the 27.2mm that the mid '98 onwards Chameleon's needed.

Here are some pics of what I'm starting with:

 

[coomber]

Green for the win. Good base

 

[Peteroughton169]

i nearly got that frame, was it actually ok?

 

[MCA4President]

Nice, another green Mk.1 in the shire. Don't see them very much anymore. I need to give mine some love and get rid of the black bombers for Z1's and sort the stem out. I'll be watching this thread with interest.

 

[Lacuna]

Always enjoy a chameleon build. You might find my build of interest, particularly if you are thinking of running discs: https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/santa-cruz-chameleon-mk1.388686/

 

[Fam Allen]

i nearly got that frame, was it actually ok?

It looks to be all good. Was a dilemma pushing the button, but ended up at £50 delivered so was well worth the risk. Your Shorty stem will go nicely on my build. Thanks again!

 

[Fam Allen]

Nice, another green Mk.1 in the shire. Don't see them very much anymore. I need to give mine some love and get rid of the black bombers for Z1's and sort the stem out. I'll be watching this thread with interest.

Nice to see another green one! I was surprised how few were about in green. I always saw it as the goto colour way bitd. I have put aside a nice pair of ‘98 Z1s ready for this build … looking forward to putting it together!

 

[MCA4President]

Always enjoy a chameleon build. You might find my build of interest, particularly if you are thinking of running discs: https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/santa-cruz-chameleon-mk1.388686/

My 98 is running the rear hope C2 with the bracket that clamps to the brake boss.

 

[MCA4President]

Nice to see another green one! I was surprised how few were about in green. I always saw it as the goto colour way bitd. I have put aside a nice pair of ‘98 Z1s ready for this build … looking forward to putting it together!

I've never seen another green one in the flesh, but I agree it's a lovely colour. Interestingly I didn't choose my colour, the frame was given to me as a warranty replacement by Singletrack Cycles in Gloucester around '98 when I snapped my second club roost frame in a matter of weeks. I miss that shop.

 

[Fam Allen]

Always enjoy a chameleon build. You might find my build of interest, particularly if you are thinking of running discs: https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/santa-cruz-chameleon-mk1.388686/

Thanks @Lacuna. Enjoyed reading through your build posts when I was on the search, certainly inspired me to keep looking!