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:

JamisRenegade2015-1 - CopyJamis 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.

JamisRenegade2015-4 - CopyJamisRenegade2015-7


JamisRenegade2015-2 - CopyJamis 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.

JamisRenegade2015-5 - Copy


JamisRenegade2015-3 - CopyJamis 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.

JamisRenegade2015-6 - Copy 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.

JamisRenegade2015-8

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.

JamisSupernova2015-1 - CopyJamisSupernova2015-3JamisSupernova2015-2Our 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

7 Comments

  1. Avatar Augsburg

    I looked into the new Jamis Renegade models. I liked them a lot – especially that the wheelbase and chain stays are a tad longer than similar bikes from competitors. Making for a little more stability for those of us that are not 128 lbs and built like Nairo Quintana. The slightly longer wheelbase and chain stays make the addition of racks or fenders easier too, should someone want to commute on a Renegade.

    I’d buy the Renegade Elite today, if the gearing could be more easily altered. Unfortunately, today’s compact road gearing from Shimano makes it difficult for us mere mortals living in mountainous areas out West. If the Elite had SRAM 1X, I’d be all over it. That would let me play with the chainring to get the low gearing I need.

    • JOM JOM

      I am all about low gearing. I run an MTB crankset on my Monster CX rig just so I can run that 28T small ring with a 36T big cog on the cassette.

      • Avatar Augsburg

        @JOM – I wish the bike industry was listening more to you! A 2X 28T/36t set up would be perfect for me – about 21.5 gear-inches (depending on the tire). I have 22 gear-inches in the lowest gear on my current bike, and where I ride, I need a low gear at least that low.

        I believe to go that route on a Renegade means investing in new derailleurs, crank, rings, shifters and possibly brakes. I think the shifter options are STI or bar ends – neither a favorite of mine. A lot of expense after shelling out so much dough to begin with. That’s why I have limited my search to SRAM 1X equipped bikes. If I missed something, please let me know!

        • JOM JOM

          Thanks for the kind words. I did meet with a couple of well-known manufacturers with my take on a couple of things at Interbike 2015. I hope the Industry is listening!

  2. Avatar Tom

    I fell for Jamis bike last year, but there are no dealers in Montreal, where I live. I was on the verge of having one sent from Toronto, but at the last minute decided I didn’t want to risk buying a bike unseen and unsized, so I went for a Kona. I’m happy with my Jake the Snake for sure, but seeing these Jamises here I do get a little nostalgic for the bike I almost had.

    • JOM JOM

      Tom, good news. We have a review pending on the Kona Jake the Snake…

      • Avatar Tom

        I look forward to reading about your impressions. I got mine in May. Had a lot of fun on it. I rode it in the Dirty40 and a few CX races.

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