Bikes are certainly more than a single number or even a sum of numbers on a geo chart but at the same time when we're talking about things like HTA or seat stay length - assuming a well-designed frame - I think it's pretty easy to categorize rigs. My experience through various stock and custom bikes is that wheelbase, rear center, and the rider balance is such that I think I can say with some authority what it would take to make the Chameleon a better hardtail for me on the trails I ride.
No disagreement that those features (longer stays, slacker HTA) would make it worse (or at least less fun) on other terrain or for other applications. I see the Chameleon as splitting the difference between a pump track bike and my Walt V2 and that's probably right where it belongs for most folks.
For truly tall folks, in my experience, for hardtails being ridden in technical terrain you just have to ditch any thoughts about bikes being too long and go all out with the front center and rear center to get that weight balance. As trails get tamer certainly you can tune a bike to be more playful.
Nov. 27, 2021, 10:57 p.m. - Andrew Major
Bikes are certainly more than a single number or even a sum of numbers on a geo chart but at the same time when we're talking about things like HTA or seat stay length - assuming a well-designed frame - I think it's pretty easy to categorize rigs. My experience through various stock and custom bikes is that wheelbase, rear center, and the rider balance is such that I think I can say with some authority what it would take to make the Chameleon a better hardtail for me on the trails I ride. No disagreement that those features (longer stays, slacker HTA) would make it worse (or at least less fun) on other terrain or for other applications. I see the Chameleon as splitting the difference between a pump track bike and my Walt V2 and that's probably right where it belongs for most folks. For truly tall folks, in my experience, for hardtails being ridden in technical terrain you just have to ditch any thoughts about bikes being too long and go all out with the front center and rear center to get that weight balance. As trails get tamer certainly you can tune a bike to be more playful.