Preamble:
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">I feel I need to preface this reply by saying the best bike is the one you own - unless it isn't. I'm not trying to be negative but to nuance the differences.</span>
I'm also ignoring for a second that I'm only personally interested in hardtails with a provision for chain tensioning single speed (Taro/Honzo Alloy are out as choices for me).
........
Reply:
I wouldn't call a Taro an aluminum Honzo. My brief experience with the bike (and I know two people who owned one who'd back me up) is that it's a bit noodley. The later gen aluminum Honzo, on the other hand, has a stiff front triangle (like the steel).
I have a '13/'14 steel Honzo and it is significantly heavier and it is a bit harsher ride than the Chameleon. On the other hand the '15 and '16/'17 steel Honzos dropped some weight and also are nicer riding bikes thanks to more vertical compliance in the back end.
Comparing a new '16/'17 steel Honzo to this '17 Chameleon is favourable. Both bikes have slack & stiff up front - ready to roll into steep terrain - but offer a lot more pleasant ride thanks to compliance put back. I think that combination of front-centre stiffness and rear-centre compliance should be the goal of hardtail design.
To answer your question. If you like your Taro, it has good geo - ride it. If you're thinking it isn't doing something then I think the new Honzo (or a Chameleon) is a better riding platform. Also, some of the weight difference is the sliding dropouts which give you adjustable wheelbase and the ability to SS.
Hopefully that is helpful?
March 15, 2017, 8:18 a.m. - Andrew Major
Preamble: <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">I feel I need to preface this reply by saying the best bike is the one you own - unless it isn't. I'm not trying to be negative but to nuance the differences.</span> I'm also ignoring for a second that I'm only personally interested in hardtails with a provision for chain tensioning single speed (Taro/Honzo Alloy are out as choices for me). ........ Reply: I wouldn't call a Taro an aluminum Honzo. My brief experience with the bike (and I know two people who owned one who'd back me up) is that it's a bit noodley. The later gen aluminum Honzo, on the other hand, has a stiff front triangle (like the steel). I have a '13/'14 steel Honzo and it is significantly heavier and it is a bit harsher ride than the Chameleon. On the other hand the '15 and '16/'17 steel Honzos dropped some weight and also are nicer riding bikes thanks to more vertical compliance in the back end. Comparing a new '16/'17 steel Honzo to this '17 Chameleon is favourable. Both bikes have slack & stiff up front - ready to roll into steep terrain - but offer a lot more pleasant ride thanks to compliance put back. I think that combination of front-centre stiffness and rear-centre compliance should be the goal of hardtail design. To answer your question. If you like your Taro, it has good geo - ride it. If you're thinking it isn't doing something then I think the new Honzo (or a Chameleon) is a better riding platform. Also, some of the weight difference is the sliding dropouts which give you adjustable wheelbase and the ability to SS. Hopefully that is helpful?