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The New and Improved Santa Cruz Chameleon

Radar

The New and Improved Santa Cruz Chameleon

The new Chameleon is here from Santa Cruz Bicycles and yes, we got our grubby paws on an early press-release build we’re currently reviewing – look for that next week – but today we’re hoping you’ll check out the amazing stories Santa Cruz pulled together for the launch. There are tales from Indigenous women, framebuilders, bar owners, and an employee who works at Santa Cruz Bicycles. It takes a lot of effort to pull together stories like this, so head to Santa Cruz Bicycles to check them and this new dang beautiful bike out!

Look for our review next week and check out our review of the old Chameleon in our Related Archives below.

Esker Cycles: Japhy Hardtail 29er

Radar

Esker Cycles: Japhy Hardtail 29er

Some people were excited by the announcement that Esker Cycles had restocked their beloved Hayduke hardtail but saddened by its migration to a long travel 27.5″ wheeled chassis. To this Esker just announced their new Japhy hardtail 29er. A completely new bike, dedicated to 29″ wheels, a 120mm travel fork, and similar detailing as the Hayduke, the Japhy fills the niche left by its rowdier sibling’s revisions. Head to Esker Cycles to see all the juicy details.

The Marin El Roy Hardtail is a Hardcore Hardtail

Radar

The Marin El Roy Hardtail is a Hardcore Hardtail

With our Kona ESD review yesterday came a lot of emails with people inquiring about other “hardcore hardtails.” One bike that falls into this family is the Marin El Roy. While some angles are similar to the ESD, other dimensions aren’t as extreme. Take the chainstay length of 435mm (acknowledging that the ESD has sliding dropouts that can reach this dimension), a 63º head tube angle, a 78º seat tube angle, and a bottom bracket height of 318mm (compared to the ESD’s 312.5mm). The El Roy is also made from steel, carries a price tag of $2,499.00, and comes in Regular or Grande sizes.

Head to Marin to see more on the El Roy and holler in the comments if you’ve ridden on!

The Nukeproof 2021 Scout Has Us Drooling

Radar

The Nukeproof 2021 Scout Has Us Drooling

With a hydroformed 6061 triple-butted aluminum frame, a 65º head angle (66.6º when sagged for Satan), 1191mm (Large Scout 275) wheelbase, and 435mm chainstays, the Nukeproof Scout is not messing around. This little shit of a bike mocks its bigger, rear-shocked brethren with cackles as it cascades through chundah and foresaken forests.  Nukeproof really did it this round, speccing the bikes with with “trail appropriate” tires, so you don’t have to swap out for some meaty Maxxis rubber first thing, and there is plenty of clearance for the wet dust out back (2.6” in 27.5 and 2.5” width in 29er). Plus in that shiny, pretty boy, polished aluminum it’s almost mocking you for not getting it filthy.

-Frame Finish: Brushed ‘n Raw with Black decals
-Fork: RockShox Lyrik Select Charger RC 150mm, 46mm Offset, BOOST, Debonair
-Wheelset: DT Swiss M1900 SPLINE
-Tyres: Front: Maxxis Assegai, Maxx Terra, EXO, TR/ Rear: Maxxis Dissector Maxx Terra EXO+, TR,
-Crankset: Shimano SLX M7100 12-Speed
-Brakes: Shimano SLX M7120, 4 Pot Brake, Resin Pads with Fins
-Handlebars: Nukeproof Horizon V2 25mm Rise, Width – S780mm, M780mm, L800mm, XL800mm)
-Stem: Nukeproof Horizon, 50mm, Black
-Saddle: Nukeproof Horizon SL, Black/Grey
-Seatpost: Brand X Ascend internal w Shimano SL-MT500-IL Remote lever, S:125mm drop; M:150mm drop; L/XL:170mm drop
-Headset: Nukeproof, 44-56 IITS
-Grips: Nukeproof Sam Hill Signature
-SRP: £2100 (GBP)

Impressive! See more for yourself at Nukeproof.

Jarrod’s Northern Frameworks Copper Hardtail in the Mountains of LA

Reportage

Jarrod’s Northern Frameworks Copper Hardtail in the Mountains of LA

We took a quick look at this bike once before – during our 2018 NAHBS coverage – but it’s back, with a vengeance! This Northern Frameworks hardtail belongs to Jarrod Bunk, one of the authors here at the Radavist. Who knows Jarrod? Show of hands. Ok yeah, he’s a popular fellow and he finally made it across the United States from Western Pennsylvania to as far west as you can go to California. He has been in town for the week to see Kyle and Liz get married and to get a taste of what it’s like to ride mountains here in SoCal.

Problem is, to enjoy it a little more, he had to switch the bike from singlespeed to geared.