The Jamis Renegade line of bicycles are touted as adventure ready. If you were to survey one hundred cyclists and pick their top five answers, the definition of adventure would vary greatly between them. To cater to as many adventure-minded cyclists as possible, Jamis designed all of their Renegade bikes to be flexible – adventure ride on pavement all day? No worries. Adventuring onto dirt and gravel roads – Jamis has you covered. New for 2016 is the Jamis Renegade Exploit, a steel-framed machine based upon the company’s all-carbon Renegade Expert and Elite bikes from 2015. Click on through to read more about the company’s new Exploit rig…
Equipped with Shimano’s 105-level 11 speed mechanical groupset, Formula / Alex ATD 470 tubeless-ready, center lock compatible disc brake wheelset, Clement X’Plor USH tires in 700c x 35mm, and finished off with Jamis / Ritchey cockpit parts and TRP’s HY/RD mechanical-hydraulic disc brake calipers, the complete-build Renegade Exploit is nicely equipped. Jamis chooses 50/34 compact chainrings for all sizes of the Renegade Exploit, along with Shimano’s longer cage 105 GS rear derailleur and 12-32 11-speed cassette.
The Exploit’s frame is constructed from Reynolds 631 double-butted chromoly tubing, featuring size specific tubing and three different fork offsets. Performance oriented endurance geometry is found across all sizes of the Renegade Exploit.
The Renegade Exploit is available in six sizes from 48 to 61, with effective top tube lengths starting at 51.9cm on the 48, to 60.1cm on the 61 model. Bottom bracket drop and chainstay length vary depending on the frame size. Adding to the adventure nature of the Renegade Exploit, the frame features rack and fender mount eyelets, mounts for three bottle cages and clearance for 40mm tires.
Rounding out the front end of the Exploit is the Jamis branded monocoque all carbon, tapered steerer tube fork with 15mm thru axle, carbon dropouts, hidden fender mount eyelets and stainless steel axle interfaces.
At 5’11” in height, Jamis would likely suggest I choose the size 54 Renegade Exploit. I prefer a more aggressive position, and opted for the size 51 with an effective top tube of 53.4cm. Admittedly, I have the seatpost positioned exactly at its limit line, but the configuration as pictured fits me well and feels great on the road. Jamis selects a Ritchey WCS 31.8mm stem in a 90mm length on size 51 frame, and a Jamis-branded carbon fiber seatpost with 20mm of offset. I substituted the 90mm stem for an older Ritchey WCS stem in the 110mm length, that happened to be laying around.
The frame’s bottom bracket interface is the tried and true 68mm English thread shell, fitted with Shimano’s inexpensive 105 bottom bracket.
Thus far, I’ve ridden the Renegade Exploit on just about every type of road surface, including a few not-so-technical mountain bike trails. Although weighty at 24lbs as a complete bike fitted with my personal King titanium bottle cages, Fizik Arione saddle and Shimano XT pedals, I have been pleased with the Exploit’s ride quality.
While not intended as a race-going machine, the Exploit is proving to fulfill its role as an adventure bike that can go pretty much anywhere. Expect a full review of the Jamis Renegade Exploit in the near future.
The complete Jamis Renegade Exploit build as detailed above sans bottle cages, computer mount and pedals retails for $US 1,949.00.
Photos and article by Gravel Cyclist.
Jayson O’Mahoney is the Gravel Cyclist: A website about the Gravel Cycling Experience.
