Just got an A1 ordered. I got a 2025 for $686. The Yen to USD conversion rate is sick. I already own a Trek Emonda and heading to Germany in a few months so i want to take a decent budget gravel bike with me so i can handle some poor roads, gravel roads or dirt paths. Glad to hear that people are fond of the Jamis bikes.
I wish I saw this video before buying the A1 I probably would have got the S4. I like the versatility of the bike whether it's riding on gravel, paved or crushed stone trails or on the road. My only crticism is that my chain comes off when I go from the 3rd lowest gear to the lowest gear for hill climbing..I haven't found a fix yet
I have a Jamis Renegade Exploit. Not sure what year. Mine is 2x and has cable to hydraulic brakes. I've got 35 mm wide tires, but have just bought 42 mm wide tires. I've got two road bikes, 3 mtb's and a Salsa fat tire, but for some reason, my size 54 Jamis seems to be my go to bike. I'm 79 yo and I just really love this bike. Oh, mine is steel, 631. Ride safely all.
Jamis makes some neat bikes, unfortunately dealers are sparse in my area and ones that exist don't stock much. Great video, would be a nice touch to go though other Jamis models like Sequel and Coda.
Great video! How would you compare the ride feel between the two steel frames S3 vs S3/4? Realize the wheel and tire set also may come into play here. But those 631 tubes also look like they have more shape.. does that impact ride?
The 631 tubing on the S2 is a lighter but stiffer feel that gives the bike a more nimble ride quality. It's hard to describe the feeling, but you can certainly feel it in the ride.
I have a older 631 steel Renegade that would be equivalent to the current S2. I love it and it was great value for what you got , 2 x 11 Shimano 105 gears, Shimano 105 chainset, carbon seatpost and Ritchey branded bars and stem. Wheels and tyres also good and even nice Fizik bar tape. The only 'fly in the ointment' was the TRP Hy-Rd brakes which had all of the hydraulics in the calipers and enabled Jamis to use cheaper cable rather than hydraulic Brifters. These were great when I got the bike but less so now, are difficult to maintain and can make an awful screeching noise. The next model year replaced them with flatmount Shimano all hydraulic brakes and I might upgrade to these which will require new Brifters as well as calipers.. I am also considering upgrading to GRX gears when the 105 wears out but I'm very happy with them now. I think Jamis , particularly the Reynolds steel bikes are well thought out and specced and I recommend them. Their distribution in UK is sadly via a huge discount Sports outlet rather than bike shops like yours who can do the brand the justice it deserves.
Thanks for watching! My first Renegade also had 105. I loved the bike but someone talked me into selling it to them during Covid. It's Interesting about the distribution in the UK. I have to say they are less popular in the middle of the country where we are, but we're trying to change that.
Im really wanting one of these next, and I've watched this video a bunch of times now. But what I can't decide is if i wanna buy a Renegade like this, or have you guys help me build one frame up 🤔🤔🤔 maybe a video idea? "To build frame up or not" love the content!
I’m working on a video about this topic! The buy vs. build topic is something I think a lot about. There’s no one size fits all answer. Thanks for watching!
@@ottawabikeandtrail epic!! I couldn't agree more! Especially being really new to all this id definitely find it interesting!! I love all your great content Thank you for taking the time to create it!!!
Why do the carbon forks on the c2 only have 2 eyelets and s2 have 3 but on the website it says the forks are updated on s2? Can you get the updated forks on the c2?jamis says no because of axle to crown is different. Seems kinda backwards to me. Also no mention of s2 di2 compatibility and dropper post capable but nowhere on the site does it show routing. What’s the giant hole on the base of the seat tube on the s2 for??
@@ottawabikeandtrail thanks I will have to weigh my renegade S2 I wonder if the 56 is 8oz heavier? This video was a big help I road the S3, and S4 before buying the S2, I think for the features and the price the S2 is an amazing quality and value, it really gets nice here and I was able to get one of the last rootbeer color in my area so that is a win loving it. Going to use this bike for both gravel and Randonneuring so she should get some action this year thanks for responding to my comment
You didn’t point out or explain that the C2 has 2 chainrings and s2 has just the one. So for a slightly lighter C2 you also get a wider gear set..? Right?
I like the S4, but instead I bought a used 2010 Jamis Coda, some 3T drop bars, Tektro cantilever brakes, and new Sora brifters and derailleurs. It's still a Reynolds 520 frame, very similar geometry, same drivetrain as the S4, rim brakes instead of disc brakes, and I'll be all-in for less than four hun.
Just bought the Renegade S3 for £698 from £1500 for my girlfriend, just waiting on some tubeless tyres I've ordered for her bike... Absolutely bargain for GRX 10speed groupset, will change the cranks to GRX 10speed soon as they come into stock...
Holy shit 26 lbs! That’s freakin heavy. It’s too bad they didn’t make a higher end aluminum bike with carbon fork, hydraulic brakes, and GRX400 groupset
That’s a little hefty, but not “holy shit freakin” heavy for this price point and the intended use. If you know of any lighter bikes with a similar spec and price, please enlighten me.
I have the Jamis renegade S4 and I love it. I have so much fun riding it around town.
I replaced the sora groupset with the grx , I recommend it for this bike if you ride much.
@@sonicvision9927did you have to replace wheels to accommodate the 11 speed ?
@@JitinMisra no, no wheel replacement was required , no problems with stock wheels.
Just got an A1 ordered. I got a 2025 for $686. The Yen to USD conversion rate is sick. I already own a Trek Emonda and heading to Germany in a few months so i want to take a decent budget gravel bike with me so i can handle some poor roads, gravel roads or dirt paths. Glad to hear that people are fond of the Jamis bikes.
Very thorough and informative; thanks for this video. Maybe a surly video or two is in the future! 🚴
Thanks so much! Looking to buy my first gravel bike and this helps me to choose Jamis - now to choose between the S3 and S2…..
Glad I could help!
I wish I saw this video before buying the A1 I probably would have got the S4. I like the versatility of the bike whether it's riding on gravel, paved or crushed stone trails or on the road. My only crticism is that my chain comes off when I go from the 3rd lowest gear to the lowest gear for hill climbing..I haven't found a fix yet
Thanks for watching! A local bike shop should be able to sort out the drivetrain issue.
I have a Jamis Renegade Exploit. Not sure what year. Mine is 2x and has cable to hydraulic brakes. I've got 35 mm wide tires, but have just bought 42 mm wide tires. I've got two road bikes, 3 mtb's and a Salsa fat tire, but for some reason, my size 54 Jamis seems to be my go to bike. I'm 79 yo and I just really love this bike. Oh, mine is steel, 631. Ride safely all.
Jamis makes some neat bikes, unfortunately dealers are sparse in my area and ones that exist don't stock much. Great video, would be a nice touch to go though other Jamis models like Sequel and Coda.
Thanks for watching! I love the Sequel. I'll try to make a video about it soon.
Thanks, I'd appreciate that as there's precious little info out there on the Sequel S2. @@ottawabikeandtrail
Great video! How would you compare the ride feel between the two steel frames S3 vs S3/4? Realize the wheel and tire set also may come into play here. But those 631 tubes also look like they have more shape.. does that impact ride?
The 631 tubing on the S2 is a lighter but stiffer feel that gives the bike a more nimble ride quality. It's hard to describe the feeling, but you can certainly feel it in the ride.
I have a older 631 steel Renegade that would be equivalent to the current S2. I love it and it was great value for what you got , 2 x 11 Shimano 105 gears, Shimano 105 chainset, carbon seatpost and Ritchey branded bars and stem. Wheels and tyres also good and even nice Fizik bar tape. The only 'fly in the ointment' was the TRP Hy-Rd brakes which had all of the hydraulics in the calipers and enabled Jamis to use cheaper cable rather than hydraulic Brifters. These were great when I got the bike but less so now, are difficult to maintain and can make an awful screeching noise. The next model year replaced them with flatmount Shimano all hydraulic brakes and I might upgrade to these which will require new Brifters as well as calipers.. I am also considering upgrading to GRX gears when the 105 wears out but I'm very happy with them now. I think Jamis , particularly the Reynolds steel bikes are well thought out and specced and I recommend them. Their distribution in UK is sadly via a huge discount Sports outlet rather than bike shops like yours who can do the brand the justice it deserves.
Thanks for watching! My first Renegade also had 105. I loved the bike but someone talked me into selling it to them during Covid. It's Interesting about the distribution in the UK. I have to say they are less popular in the middle of the country where we are, but we're trying to change that.
Im really wanting one of these next, and I've watched this video a bunch of times now. But what I can't decide is if i wanna buy a Renegade like this, or have you guys help me build one frame up 🤔🤔🤔 maybe a video idea? "To build frame up or not" love the content!
I’m working on a video about this topic! The buy vs. build topic is something I think a lot about. There’s no one size fits all answer. Thanks for watching!
@@ottawabikeandtrail epic!! I couldn't agree more! Especially being really new to all this id definitely find it interesting!! I love all your great content Thank you for taking the time to create it!!!
how does the A1 performs in the mountains? Are the gears easy enough to pedal for a beginner like me?
It has a 1x drivetrain so the gearing range is not as wide as it could be. You might want to spend a bit more and get the S4 which has the 2x.
Why do the carbon forks on the c2 only have 2 eyelets and s2 have 3 but on the website it says the forks are updated on s2? Can you get the updated forks on the c2?jamis says no because of axle to crown is different. Seems kinda backwards to me. Also no mention of s2 di2 compatibility and dropper post capable but nowhere on the site does it show routing. What’s the giant hole on the base of the seat tube on the s2 for??
A slight mistake. C1 is equipped with CCC ALLOY wheels but they're much lighter than ones on C2 and much more expensive.
I and curious are all these renegades weighted in a size 56? Thanks for getting back to me
They were all 54 cm.
@@ottawabikeandtrail thanks I will have to weigh my renegade S2 I wonder if the 56 is 8oz heavier? This video was a big help I road the S3, and S4 before buying the S2, I think for the features and the price the S2 is an amazing quality and value, it really gets nice here and I was able to get one of the last rootbeer color in my area so that is a win loving it. Going to use this bike for both gravel and Randonneuring so she should get some action this year thanks for responding to my comment
I agree the S2 is a great value. It would make a great Randonneuring bike as well. Thanks for watching!
You didn’t point out or explain that the C2 has 2 chainrings and s2 has just the one. So for a slightly lighter C2 you also get a wider gear set..? Right?
That's a good point! I should have mentioned that in the video!
Thanks super cool
I like the S4, but instead I bought a used 2010 Jamis Coda, some 3T drop bars, Tektro cantilever brakes, and new Sora brifters and derailleurs.
It's still a Reynolds 520 frame, very similar geometry, same drivetrain as the S4, rim brakes instead of disc brakes, and I'll be all-in for less than four hun.
Just bought the Renegade S3 for £698 from £1500 for my girlfriend, just waiting on some tubeless tyres I've ordered for her bike... Absolutely bargain for GRX 10speed groupset, will change the cranks to GRX 10speed soon as they come into stock...
Good choice! She’ll love it.
Why doesn’t Jamis have a website?
Holy shit 26 lbs! That’s freakin heavy. It’s too bad they didn’t make a higher end aluminum bike with carbon fork, hydraulic brakes, and GRX400 groupset
That’s a little hefty, but not “holy shit freakin” heavy for this price point and the intended use. If you know of any lighter bikes with a similar spec and price, please enlighten me.