Interbike 2015: Jamis Renegade & Supernova Bicycles

Jamis Bicycles traces its humble beginnings to 1979 in Tallahassee, Florida, where the company’s first model was the Earth Cruiser – a beach cruiser type machine.

Forward to Interbike 2015, and the company offers a huge range of bicycles, ranging from mountain, road, adventure, street, recreation, youth and femme.

Of interest to the Gravel Cyclist crew are the bikes in the Jamis Adventure range, the Renegade.

The Renegade comes in five different flavors, but we are primarily interested in the top three models:

Jamis Renegade Elite

Is the flagship Adventure bike in the Jamis line-up. The Renegade Elite features:

• Full monocoque carbon fiber frame with 12mm x 142mm thru axle, EVO 386 carbon bottom bracket shell, internal cable routing compatible with mechanical or electronic shifting systems, carbon drop outs, replaceable alloy front derailleur mount and rear derailleur hanger, and a really nice touch – hidden carrier / fender mount eyelets.
• Full monocoque tapered carbon fiber fork, 1 1/8″ to 1 1/2″ with 15mm thru-axle, hidden fender mount eyelets and stainless steel axle interfaces.
• American Classic Argent Tubeless Center Lock wheelset fitted with Clement X Plor USH tires, 700c x 35mm. The Elite will accommodate 40mm tires.
• Shimano Ultegra drivetrain with hydraulic BR-785 brakes. Ritchey cockpit parts complete the package.
• The Renegade Elite is available as a complete bike only, in five sizes ranging from 48cm to 61cm.
• The Renegade Elite tips the scales at around 19lbs.
• MSRP is $US 4,299.00.

Jamis Renegade Expert

Is the second tier Adventure bike in the Jamis line-up. The Renegade Expert features:

• Full monocoque carbon fiber frame with 12mm x 142mm thru axle, EVO 386 carbon bottom bracket shell, internal cable routing compatible with mechanical or electronic shifting systems, carbon drop outs, replaceable alloy front derailleur mount and rear derailleur hanger, and a really nice touch – hidden carrier / fender mount eyelets.
• Full monocoque tapered carbon fiber fork, 1 1/8″ to 1 1/2″ with 15mm thru-axle, hidden fender mount eyelets and stainless steel axle interfaces.
• Alex ATD 470 TCS Disc Wheels (tubeless compatible system) fitted with Clement X Plor USH 700c x 35mm tires. The Expert will accommodate 40mm tires.
• Shimano 105 drivetrain with cable actuated TRP HYRD hydraulic disc brakes. Ritchey cockpit parts complete the package.
• The Renegade Expert is available as a complete bike only, in five sizes ranging from 48cm to 61cm.
• The Renegade Expert tips the scales at around 21.25lbs.
• MSRP is $US 2,399.00.

Jamis Renegade Exploit

Is the third tier Adventure bike in the Jamis line-up. The Renegade Exploit features:

• Reynolds 631 double-butted SST chromoly frameset (yes, it is steel!), top tube mounted externalized cable routing, provision for three water bottles, threaded 68mm bottom bracket shell, rack and fender mount eyelets and room for 700c x 40mm tires.
• Full monocoque tapered carbon fiber fork, 1 1/8″ to 1 1/2″ with 15mm thru-axle, hidden fender mount eyelets and stainless steel axle interfaces.
• Alex ATD 470 TCS Disc Wheels (tubeless compatible system) fitted with Clement X Plor USH 700c x 35mm tires.
• Shimano 105 drivetrain with cable actuated TRP HYRD hydraulic disc brakes. Ritchey cockpit parts complete the package.
• The Renegade Exploit is available as a complete bike only, in five sizes ranging from 48cm to 61cm.
• The Renegade Expert tips the scales at around 23lbs.
• MSRP is $US 1,949.00.

Of the three Renegade models featured, we believe the second tier bike, the Renegade Expert is the bargain among them.

Featuring the same carbon frame and fork as the flagship Elite bike, along with Shimano’s well-proven 105 drivetrain, excellent TRP HYRD brakeset, this bike would be a fantastic machine that could be upgraded as funds allowed to enhance performance. The American Classic Hurricane, Argent (featured on the Renegade Elite) or perhaps a hand-built wheelset would be a great upgrade to this bike – wheels and tires always make the biggest difference in overall performance.

The third tier bike, the Renegade Exploit, will appeal to those who enjoy riding quality steel bicycles. Considering the ride quality offered by most steel bikes, and their proven longevity and reliability, the Exploit could be the best option if self-supported bike packing on back roads or gravel roads is your thing.

Regardless of frame material, the top three bikes in the Renegade range are extremely flexible and versatile, as demonstrated by the sample image of the Renegade Elite as provided by Jamis Bikes.

Finally, while not marketed as an adventure or gravel bike, we had to include the Jamis Supernova Team – we love the wild paint on this bike, and the perfectly matched American Classic Argent wheelset, saddle and handlebar tape. Incidentally, the Supernova is available as a frameset.

Configured as a complete bike with a SRAM Force 1 x 11 hydraulic brake drivetrain and tipping the scales at 16.75lbs, this would be a super-light machine for racing and cycling along gravel roads – and its intended market, cyclocross. The Supernova Team carbon monocoque frame offers internal cable routing for mechanical or electronic gear shifting systems, thru-axles front and rear, tapered monocoque carbon fork and provision for mounting a front derailleur – something this Gravel Cyclist would certainly do.

We believe the Supernova Team will accept 40mm tires… and that color… Teal Fo’ Real.

Retail price on the complete Supernova Team is $US 4,299.00.

Our rather ordinary photos in this article do not do ANY justice for the bikes featured. They are really worth checking out in person – Jamis Bikes Website