Did you see the news about the new Aluminium Santa Cruz Chameleon? Did you see the price! This is why we think the Sonder Signal is the bike you should be buying.
Let’s get one small point out of the way before we continue. We don’t dislike Santa Cruz, we actually have on in the Edit fleet. And if you really must have a Santa Cruz then the new aluminium Chameleon is the most affordable way into Dentistry ah we mean Santa Cruz ownership.
But, the Elephant in the room is that the new Santa Cruz really isn’t great value for money! Starting at £2399 with a selection of entry-level parts means that if Santa Cruz were to offer a frame only option, it would cost as much as a complete Sonder Transmitter!
The Sonder Transmitter costs just £399 for a frame only or from £1049 for a complete bike. 
Santa Cruz Chameleon
And this is exactly where we would put our money! Sonder has a long history of producing some excellent complete builds that have proven to outperform more expensive bikes. Unlike the new Santa Cruz Chameleon, Sonder offers the Transmitter as a frame only too, costing a pocket money friendly £399!
2022 Santa Cruz vs Sonder Transmitter
The Santa Cruz Chameleon D build offers a level of build in comparison to the Sonder Transmitter SX Eagle. The Sonder has somehow managed to get their bike on the market for over £1000 less! Check the comparison table below
| 2022 Santa Cruz Chameleon D | 2022 Sonder Transmitter SX | |
| Fame | Alloy with optional dropouts | Sonder Transmitter Frame |
| Fork | RockShox Recon RL, 130mm, 29″ | Rockshox Recon RL Silver / 150mm / 27.5 |
| Brakes | SRAM Level, 180mm rotors | SRAM Level 180mm front, 160mm rear |
| Chainset | SRAM X1 Eagle 148 DUB, 30t | SRAM SX Eagle Crankset / Powerspline / 170mm / 32 |
| Rear Mech | SRAM SX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM SX Eagle Rear Derailleur / 12 / Long |
| Shifter | SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM SX Eagle Trigger Shifter |
| Chain | SRAM SX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM NX Eagle Chain / 118 Links |
| Cassette | SRAM PG1230, 12spd, 11-50t | SRAM PG1210 Cassette / 12 / 11-50 |
| Hubs | SRAM MTH 32 hole | Shimano |
| Rims | WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 29″ Rims | Sonder Nova 27.5+ Wheelset |
| Tyres | Maxxis Minion DHF 29″x2.5, 3C, MaxxGrip, EXO, TR Maxxis Aggressor, 29″x2.5WT, EXO, TR | WTB Vigilante / Comp / 27.5 / 2.8 WTB Trail Boss / Comp / 27.5 / 2.6 |
| Stem | RaceFace Chester | Love Mud Piskie Stem / 31.8mm / 35mm |
| Seatpost | SDG Tellis Dropper, 31.6 | Sonder Seatpost / 31.6mm / 400mm |
| Saddle | WTB Silverado Comp | Sonder Zone / 133 / Black |
| Handlebar | RaceFace Ride | Love Mud Aspect Riser |
| Grips | Santa Cruz House Grips or Burgtec Bartender Pro Grip Minnaar | Sonder Clutch / Black |
| Price | £2399 | £1049 |
But let’s just say you did have £2399, or thereabouts, to spend, what would that money buy you in the Transmitter range?
| 2022 Santa Cruz Chameleon D | 2022 Sonder Transmitter GX | |
| Fame | Alloy with optional dropouts | Sonder Transmitter Frame |
| Fork | RockShox Recon RL, 130mm, 29″ | RockShox Pike Ultimate RCT3 / 27.5 / 150mm |
| Brakes | SRAM Level, 180mm rotors | SRAM G2 R 180mm front, 160mm rear |
| Chainset | SRAM X1 Eagle 148 DUB, 30t | SRAM GX Eagle Crankset DUB / 170mm / 32 |
| Rear Mech | SRAM SX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM GX Eagle Rear Derailleur / 12 / Long |
| Shifter | SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM GX Eagle Trigger Shifter |
| Chain | SRAM SX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM GX Eagle Chain / 120 Links |
| Cassette | SRAM PG1230, 12spd, 11-50t | SRAM XG1275 Eagle Cassette / 12 / 10-50 |
| Hubs | SRAM MTH 32 hole | Sonder Alpha 27.5 |
| Rims | WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 29″ Rims | Sonder Alpha 27.5 |
| Tyres | Maxxis Minion DHF 29″x2.5, 3C, MaxxGrip, EXO, TR Maxxis Aggressor, 29″x2.5WT, EXO, TR | WTB Vigilante / Light High Grip / 27.5 / 2.8 WTB Trail Boss / Tough Fast Rolling / 27.5 / 2.6 |
| Stem | RaceFace Chester | Love Mud Piskie Stem / 31.8mm / 35mm |
| Seatpost | SDG Tellis Dropper, 31.6 | X-Fusion Manic Drop Seatpost and Lever / 31.6mm / 125mm |
| Saddle | WTB Silverado Comp | Sonder Zone / 133 / Black |
| Handlebar | RaceFace Ride | Love Mud Aspect Riser |
| Grips | Santa Cruz House Grips or Burgtec Bartender Pro Grip Minnaar | Sonder Clutch / Black |
| Price | £2399 | £2199 |
So for £2199, you could bag a Transmitter with a Pike Ultimate fork, SRAM GX Eagle, Guide R brakes and a Reverb dropper post, and you would still have £200 left to pick up a fancy helmet, or a new pair of riding shoes.
Sonder Transmitter 
Santa Cruz Chameleon
Like we’ve already pointed out, we’re not saying that you shouldn’t buy the new aluminium Santa Cruz Chameleon, but we are saying if you bought a Sonder you could save as much as £1000 and have just as much fun!
Do you agree? Join the discussion in our forum.
