The only question I can answer easily is the last --- yep, I believe [**if you can't ride from home it's a great idea to ride from somewhere**](https://nsmb.com/articles/if-you-cant-ride-home-ride-somewhere/). I prefer the straight-up-to-the-trails option usually as my single speed is fairly low geared for the steep technical climbs I like, but I also ride it a decent slog out-and-back to ride trails further from home, especially in the warmer months.
I've covered fairly extensively what I like to ride on a hardtail and I think long stays, a slack HTA, and weight balanced between the wheels is the way to go for the application. I think I do a decent job here of explaining that the Chameleon is meant to do a lot of jobs well - including being more poppy and playful. Certainly, it will be the key to my final review.
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_"I know everyone will have their personal preferences but I just can understand how this beast would be rideable up some crazy tight, technically challenging switchback or playful on anything but downhill hammer fests." _
I ride up and down skinnies and log rides. Up tight switchback trails - and certainly, my legs give out before geometry becomes an issue. The trails I love to descend on my hardtail are tight janky ones where it's necessary to make your own flow. If you've ridden on the Shore, Pipeline is my all-time favourite trail.
Quite honestly, and this is not intended to be at all critical or offensive, when I read comments like the one I quoted above, to me, it's just a sign that you've not ridden a hardtail - and maybe specifically a 29'er hardtail - with long stays and a slack-slack HTA. As it sits the wheelbase is about 1250mm and it's easy enough to lean it over and power up some pretty tight climbs.
The stability from the slack front end is never a negative once you get used to riding the bike. I did go to a narrower bar than I used to run by quite a bit as part of playing with my setup.
You're riding a multi-speed bike I presume? More of a sit-and-spin rider? What is the BB drop? Chainstay length v. Reach?
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I doubt you'll ever see me in Victoria any time soon. I quite like the riding in GNARnaimo, Cumberland, Duncan, etc and the more northern parts of the island have other appeal but I've spent exactly the right amount of time in the capital city. Seen what there is to see, etc.
I have heard that the riding at the Dump has progressed quite a bit since I was last there, but we're pretty spoiled in the Shore-To-Sky in terms of taking a ferry specifically for what Victoria has to offer?
Cheers!
Dec. 5, 2021, 11:47 p.m. - Andrew Major
The only question I can answer easily is the last --- yep, I believe [**if you can't ride from home it's a great idea to ride from somewhere**](https://nsmb.com/articles/if-you-cant-ride-home-ride-somewhere/). I prefer the straight-up-to-the-trails option usually as my single speed is fairly low geared for the steep technical climbs I like, but I also ride it a decent slog out-and-back to ride trails further from home, especially in the warmer months. I've covered fairly extensively what I like to ride on a hardtail and I think long stays, a slack HTA, and weight balanced between the wheels is the way to go for the application. I think I do a decent job here of explaining that the Chameleon is meant to do a lot of jobs well - including being more poppy and playful. Certainly, it will be the key to my final review. \-\-\-\-\-\- _"I know everyone will have their personal preferences but I just can understand how this beast would be rideable up some crazy tight, technically challenging switchback or playful on anything but downhill hammer fests." _ I ride up and down skinnies and log rides. Up tight switchback trails - and certainly, my legs give out before geometry becomes an issue. The trails I love to descend on my hardtail are tight janky ones where it's necessary to make your own flow. If you've ridden on the Shore, Pipeline is my all-time favourite trail. Quite honestly, and this is not intended to be at all critical or offensive, when I read comments like the one I quoted above, to me, it's just a sign that you've not ridden a hardtail - and maybe specifically a 29'er hardtail - with long stays and a slack-slack HTA. As it sits the wheelbase is about 1250mm and it's easy enough to lean it over and power up some pretty tight climbs. The stability from the slack front end is never a negative once you get used to riding the bike. I did go to a narrower bar than I used to run by quite a bit as part of playing with my setup. You're riding a multi-speed bike I presume? More of a sit-and-spin rider? What is the BB drop? Chainstay length v. Reach? \-\-\-\-\-\- I doubt you'll ever see me in Victoria any time soon. I quite like the riding in GNARnaimo, Cumberland, Duncan, etc and the more northern parts of the island have other appeal but I've spent exactly the right amount of time in the capital city. Seen what there is to see, etc. I have heard that the riding at the Dump has progressed quite a bit since I was last there, but we're pretty spoiled in the Shore-To-Sky in terms of taking a ferry specifically for what Victoria has to offer? Cheers!