Santa cruz Chameleon + Avid Mechanicals ?

[ant:]

I just purchased a used santacruz chameleon and while trying to install avid mechanical disc brakes... the front setup fine, but while trying to install the rear I found that the caliper is unable to be mounted because it hits the *massive* chainstays and will not fit over the rotor...

the origional owner was running shimano xt hydros so he didnt have this problem...

I wouldnt mind switching to vee-brakes in the back, but the wheel built up on mavic 223 disc rims... although if I am unable to setup the avid discs I'll probably end up getting the rear wheel laced to a 521, buy an avid arch rival and call it a day...

has anyone successfully installed avid mech's on one of these before?

sweet ride.. I'll post pics soon...

thanks...

[bomberz1qr20]

The Avid's should set up similar to the Hayes I think. It's hard to picture what you are describing. I assume you're using the adaptor for the Chameleon? Make sure the caliper adaptor that comes with the brake is lined up right too.

Mine looks like this with the Hayes HMX-1:

[bomberz1qr20]

another shot, this is when I was experimenting with a Rollamajig to reduce the cable bend....didn't work too good. :rolleyes:

[ant:]

I took the bike into work today to see if any of the senior mechanics could work somthing out... no dice, so worked out a trade for a rim brake wheel and I exchanged the rear disc for a pair of high end vee-brakes...

I should have everything together properly by tomorrow... although the lack of a rear brake hasnt stopped me from riding the bike, I do look forward to having one... :)

thanks for the help and photos...

[Neccros]

Yeah I just got some used Avids and am in the process of converting my XC Chameleon to disc brakes and beefing it up for some mild DJ'ing.... anyone have any luck with the funky brake mounts on the '03 chameleons??? I semi bolted mine together but didnt have time to get it all dialed in.... Any suggestions, solutions that worked for you, etc.... HELP!!

Seems i can get the caliper bolted on but its SUPER close to the frame... Just wanted to know what works....

thanks,

Neccros

[Neccros]

I wrote Santa Cruz about this issue with using mechanicals on their Chameleon frames with the disc dropout and I was told these frames are intended to be used with hydraulic brakes and not mechanicals(Gee thanks for the warning Santa Cruz!!) BUT one of the guys at SC had a guy send him some info on how he got the mechanicals to work.... He forwarded the document to me so if anyone here wants a copy, email me at bfroeber@hotmail.com and I will be happy to forward it to you....

Brian

P.S. I have yet to try this "mod" to get the brakes to fit but if you do with decent success, PLEASE post what you did and how you did it in case its slightly different than what the guy did.