First Look: 2016 Jamis Defcon

Aug 2, 2015
by Mike Kazimer  
Jamis Defcon

Jamis have announced a new addition to their lineup, an all-mountain / enduro race rig called the Defcon. There are three different versions of the bike, all with 27.5” wheels and 160mm of rear travel that's delivered via a link driven single pivot. While the geometry numbers are pretty much on par with what's come to be expected in this category – a 66.5 degree head angle and 435mm chain stays -– Jamis have put together an impressive build kit for the price. The top of the line Defcon 1 comes with a Shimano XT 1x11 drivetrain, a Factory Series FOX 36 up front and a Float X in the rear, plus a set of Saint brakes for $4899 USD.
Jamis Defcon Details

• Intended use: all-mountain / enduro
• Wheel size: 27.5''
• Rear wheel travel: 160mm
• 6061 aluminum frame
• Enduro Max bearings
• 12x142mm rear thru-axle
• Threaded bottom bracket
• ISCG 05 chain guide tabs
• MSRP: $2799 - $4899 USD

The specs of the other two models aren't anything to scoff at either – the Defcon 2 comes with a SRAM GX 1x11 drivetrain, a RockShox Pike RC and a Monarch DebonAir Plus for $3799, while the Defcon 3 gets a Shimano Deore drivetrain and brakes, X Fusion suspension, and a KS eTen dropper post for $2799.

All of the bikes have internal routing for the rear derailleur, brake and dropper post lines, and it's even possible to hide the housing for non-stealth posts inside the frame via a port in the top tube. Threaded bottom brackets aren't as common as they once were, so it's refreshing to see one included on the Defcon, and the use of made-in-USA Enduro bottom brackets throughout the line is a nice touch. Tires are taken care of by Vittoria, with a 2.4" Goma on the front complemented by a 2.3” Morsa in the back.


Jamis Defcon
The Defcon 2 is ready to roll with a SRAM GX 1x11 drivetrain, RockShox suspension, and SRAM Guide brakes for $3799.
Jamis Defcon
Dropper posts can be a rarity once the price drops below $3k, but Jamis managed to include one, along with a Deore drivetrain and X Fusion suspension on the Defcon 3 for $2799.


Jamis Defcon


www.defconbikes.com

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118 Comments
  • 99 4
 +1 for sticking with 12x142. Thank god.
  • 77 1
 and the Threaded bottom bracket
  • 15 0
 Its the second review ive read today that comesa with threaded bb's, the other being the santa cruz v10
  • 1 3
 @Rubenetihw I see what you're saying. I just glossed over it though because I haven't yet seen any mftr's trying to "re-design" the BB and create a whole new standard. Unlike the axle situation.
  • 2 21
flag willy970 FL (Aug 3, 2015 at 9:39) (Below Threshold)
 Its nice to see them sticking to 12x142, but the suspension design is so basic, walmart bikes use this design common move forward with your design. Also where is the internal routing for the dropper post.
  • 5 0
 Dude, use the words part...
"All of the bikes have internal routing for the rear derailleur, brake and dropper post lines, and it's even possible to hide the housing for non-stealth posts inside the frame via a port in the top tube."
  • 8 1
 I thought stealth porting was flat black cables on a flat black bike. That's what real ninja's wear and I trust ninja judgement. It's not internal...totally stealth though.
  • 3 0
 @Warburrito +1 for an awesome avatar name
  • 3 1
 Not long since 142x12 was hated and 135x9 was the standard. My point is, people adapt and soon 148x12 will be the accepted standard.
  • 2 3
 @olijay I guess we should first go through 12x143 then. And then 12x144....12x145....12x146....and 12x147. Just so new crap always needs to be made and nothing is ever swappable between bikes again. Ever.

Fail.
  • 41 0
 Shimano xt 1x11, saint brakes, and best of all a threaded bottom bracket. Seems like they were building a bike specifically to please me if only I had $5000.
  • 6 0
 Maybe you have $4k for Defcon 2. RockShox suspension, dropper, GX 1x11 drivetrain... best value for money from those 3 bikes IMO
  • 1 1
 @dzenyy I'm probably gonna end up using my employee discount and get a 2016 Trek Slash 7 and then upgrade to xt stuff. I can get one way cheaper then buying a bike for retail.
  • 1 0
 @Vans4life14 very nice, have a nice rides! Could I ask about how much % discount could you have buying one? My employee discount always end up just buying parts, mostly Shimano, Kmc, Schwalbe. I can buy Kross bikes (polish brand, check it out if You want, for example Kross Moon are nice enduro bikes, and Kross Level are imo very good xc hardtails) for very low price, but still don't have enough money... or just spend it for other things. Still riding my '09 singlespeed brakeless Dartmoor two4player or my brother's Dartmoor Creeper, both on very cheap builds Smile
  • 1 0
 @dzenyy let's just say it's a discount off of dealer cost but it's only for employees of a trek dealer and you have to do like online courses of bontrager and trek and you earn better discounts as you do more courses.
  • 16 0
 looks like ........ a bloody nice bike
  • 4 13
flag karoliusz (Aug 3, 2015 at 2:49) (Below Threshold)
 Despite looking like a Trek
  • 21 6
 Holy snapping chainstay batman!
  • 4 0
 haha! my 2010 jamis xam still hasnt snapped a chainstay, but both 2008 xam frames i had did!
  • 2 0
 Nice! My 2010 XAM is still going strong after many miles and many crashes. My first XCT didn't fare so well, though...
  • 3 3
 Snapped mine jumping off a curb, and then again while going over a root. Jamis quality
  • 3 1
 Broke two rear triangles on my 2010. No more jamis for me
  • 5 1
 They stopped making downhill bikes a few years back because the chainstays and front triangles were prone to breaking. Our local bike park had 12 Bams. All 12 broke within 2 years..
  • 1 0
 Krzymndyd, was it the chrome one or the blue one?
  • 1 0
 ..."as good as it gets?"
  • 1 0
 Broke two chainstays on the Cinnabrown 2010 XAM frame. Waiting on second warranty claim.. Buddy of mine has the Chrome XAM, and hasn't broke yet. Like the company, don't care for the quality on the frames I've ridden. Hope the Defcon is better developed.
  • 1 0
 Guess I'm not the only one to snap, mine broke on the XC Pro
  • 1 0
 @bluemirage188 chrome
  • 11 0
 The Defcon 2 with a SRAM GX 1x11 drivetrain, a RockShox Pike RC, Monarch DebonAir Plus, dropper post, and in stunning black for $3799 is a great bargain. One could even argue it looks better than its more expensive sibling.
  • 12 1
 Just because it's single pivot doesn't mean it sucks. I love the way they jump and pump! Glad to see companies producing a capable bike at the $3k price point.
  • 6 0
 It's okay, most people complaining about a single pivot have no idea how it even works. Far more capable than people think
  • 2 1
 But why does Santa Cruz put a single pivot as their entry level budget bike and then put VPP on their big kid bikes? Having ridden a single pivot bike for years and then switching to a Horst link, the short comings of a single pivot (even a well designed one) are apparent. Brake jack and pedal bob are an issue.
  • 6 0
 @MrMentallo Because fancy suspension sells. They've said it themselves in their tech talks (which you can read on their site). The vpp system isn't a major improvement over others, but having it there is a HUGE selling point, even if, for 90% of riders, the suspension linkage doesn't make a huge impact. It's the same reason Buick's come with big engines "Oh it's the best car! It has the biggest engine!"
  • 4 0
 I think Pedal Bob is more of an overall design issue more than it just being single pivot.
  • 26 14
 there's something distinctly walmart about that rear link
  • 7 8
 Yeah, link driven single pivot. Wont feel as good as some bikes. But itll work for a lot of people.
  • 29 0
 Dunno, it seems to have worked for Kona for quite a while now...
  • 7 1
 Works for Foes.
  • 21 0
 And for cannondale, devinci, evil and many more... let's not forget some of best bikes like the santa cruz heckler and bullit!
  • 4 13
flag chillrider199 (Aug 3, 2015 at 3:30) (Below Threshold)
 Yes and No. All of those bike companies have bikes in the 5,000$ range that arent single pivot based. They use a 4 bar linkage system or a VP. Or Delta. And Delta... Far from Single.
  • 3 0
 Look closer, they are single pivot, link actuated shock designs...
  • 5 1
 It worked fine for Nino Schurter this past weekend Big Grin
  • 8 0
 Very surprised they didn't just go for an FSR style link and put the pivot on the chainstay. The patent's expired. That would have at least helped with brake jack versus a single pivot. Not the worst looking bike iv'e seen in the last few weeks but I agree on the link looking Walmart'ish.
  • 3 2
 Canondale does. Stay with that single pivot design. But Evils Delta system is not a single pivot bike. Same with VP pivot. I know he was talking about the Heckler. But I was just talking about the bikes that are 5000$
  • 3 0
 Look at the Evil Undead, the swingarm is single pivot system that pulls the delta link... just pay attention to the design, do not read only the description.
  • 6 0
 There's a load of bikes described as "multi link" or the like and sometimes people assume its not a single pivot... Simple answer is a huge number of brands and designs use a variation of a single pivot design with linkage driven shock (there's just loads of different ways to package this ultimately, hence so many different design variations) - Trek APB vs a Scott Gambler vs Delta link (Evil Bikes) vs Transition TR500 etc etc, for example, different designs, all single pivots... Rule of thumb - If there's no additional pivot point between the main pivot and the rear axle, its a single pivot, regardless of what else might be going on there!
  • 3 0
 Oh, that makes sense. Thanks! Smile
  • 2 0
 You're welcome!
  • 2 0
 Here's a question then... Lapierre pend box, at first glance it's a single pivot.. albeit with a bonkers multilink to drive the shock.. but does the fact the bb is not directly connected to the seat tube, and thus where the single-pivot pivots, mean it's not really a proper single pivot? Or is single pivot defined just by the pivots between the rear axle and the main pivot?
  • 2 0
 It's still single pivot as the axle is on the chainstays which pivots up from the main pivot as one solid piece. The other linkage around the BB just moves the BB with axle travel.
  • 6 1
 I think it is a very attractive bike! Great looks, amazing build spec, and a proven suspension design (not preferred for all, but still proven), and all for a quite reasonable price for a "superbike".

I say well done to Jamis and I look forward to a ride review!!
  • 7 2
 I've owned a number of "super bikes" over the years and I've had two "cheap" Jamis builds and they've been some of the most fun and most reliable bikes I've owned. If you're not a brand snob they're worth a hard look.
  • 4 2
 Except the frames snap like nothing else.
  • 5 1
 Did you have this Jamis frame and did your Jamis snap? If not, your comment perpetuates hearsay and helps no one.
  • 1 0
 I snapped my Parker twice, and this comment section is full of other people who've had similar experiences with Jamis bikes. The company is famous for having frames that break, there's a reason for that.
  • 2 0
 You snapped it twice? You mean it came back for more and you're not impressed? Wink
  • 1 0
 Warenty, they gave me a new rear triangle after the first time.
  • 1 0
 Haven't owned or snapped, but anecdotally have seen 3-4 Jamis rear triangle failures under light/conservative riders. Also holy flexing toptube on Dakars batman. But that was all pretty XC bike stuff, this one ~looks~ more legit.
  • 6 0
 For me it's one of the most common sense bikes I've seen in a very long time. Good job Jamis!
  • 2 0
 Lots of trash talking already even though no one rode the bike. Also it seems SOME people do not think that Jamis can fix and correct known problems on old designs? Do these SOME people Jamis will purposely migrate over old problems to this new bike? I give Jamis a lot of credit for bringing a 160mm Trail Bike to the market for under $3k retail. Even the flag ship $5k bike is very well priced for the spec.
  • 6 0
 does it ask me if i want to play tic tac toe?

sad Wargames reference.
  • 1 0
 That Defcon 1 has me worried
  • 1 0
 Why ?
  • 2 0
 Defcon 1-Maximum readiness; all forces ready for combat; nuclear war imminent or likely
  • 7 1
 How do we lose marzzochi, yet still have jamis????
  • 1 0
 If the rescue package for zocchi had come from Walmart.. Would people mind? Nice pair of Walzocchi's anyone?
  • 6 1
 Jamis and this price... omg...
  • 5 0
 Lovely to see a threaded BB on it and Boost not present.
  • 4 0
 I would say they hit the nail on the head with a threaded bb, 12x142 and 1 x. Good job Jamis. Nice price point also.
  • 1 0
 Good effort I say, but them offering a good spec package for the price is obvious, they're jamis.. People spend their particular budget on top frames with lesser kit or top 'packages' which have to factor in lesser frames. In lesser I'm including brand perception, as its a big factor.
  • 5 1
 Stop complaining and ride your bikes
  • 1 1
 Sorry.
  • 1 0
 Too bad Jamis's warranty blows. Along with weak chainstays my Parker2 had a crack form around the seat tube which they never even bothered to get back to me on. I had it welded at a good shop thank god
  • 5 1
 Those are some nice looking bikes with nice looking prices
  • 3 0
 Keep it simple and funcional. Nice bike
  • 2 0
 Looks a lot like a giant trance
  • 2 0
 Reminds me of DB mission.
  • 11 8
 lol jamis
  • 1 0
 After all the hassle of finding a hanger for my current jamis I've had enough. Decent bikes when the price is right though.
  • 1 0
 Looks nice but not for me though. Two broken BAM frames have scared me off.
  • 2 0
 i hear ya but you have to remember that every company goes through those type of growing pains...that was 5 or more years ago now also when those bikes were built and were breaking.
  • 1 3
 They copied MY set-up!
I want royalties, NOW, dammit!!
Although I DO gotta give 'em mad props...
This bike made by Intense, Yeti, Specialized, Norco, et.al., would cost over $7k, EASILY!
Throw Santa Cruz into the mix....$8999
  • 1 0
 The geometry is disappointing. I'd really like to see longer reach and lower BB. Keep trying Jamis!
  • 1 0
 Not everyone likes the long and low, but if you're gonna make a bike and label it enduro, it better be long and low. Personally I'm short as hell, so I don't really like the long geometry trend these days. I feel like Jamis is the Suntor of frames. Both companies just wont give up.
  • 2 0
 Geometry is pretty much perfect
  • 2 0
 WHY would they not horst link this thing...? make no sense
  • 1 0
 Looks like 2011 giant faith
  • 7 6
 NO boost? Do you even speed bros?
  • 1 0
 What's with the super slack seat tube angle.. is this a dh bike?
  • 1 0
 any idea what those tyres will be like to ride?
  • 1 0
 I have a goma rides very similar to a minion. Can't say about the rear tire though.
  • 1 0
 thats a good tyre then im guessing, i have geax tyres so tempting to give this brand a whirl
  • 1 0
 Those Goma's kick ass. They run true to size and grip like Velcro. In my experience, Goma's were better than Ardent's at a lower price point. I have no idea why they aren't more popular.
  • 3 0
 Im guessing they are not that popular is because they aint called maxxis, schwalbe etc
  • 3 0
 I think Geax are made by Vittoria
  • 1 0
 Think geax are becoming obsolete as i went on their website and nearly straight away it directed me to the vittoria website but geax tyres are going stupidly cheap
  • 1 1
 By no means an ugly bike, with a no-frills frame and clean graphics. Doesn't look cheap for once. Great job Jamis!
  • 1 1
 Will 26+ work with this frame? I'm only buying bikes w/ either combo options of 26+/275 OR 275+/29
  • 1 2
 a bit expensive for a bike with shimano XT, but It's certainly quite normal because of a limited production I suppose
  • 4 0
 But not expensive for 1x11 XT, Saint brakes, and Loaded Precision wheels. People always overlook the wheels unless it says "ENVE" on the side.
  • 1 1
 17.1" chainstay. Do people really like long chainstays still?
  • 3 0
 Exact same CS length as Trek Slash, Giant Reign, and darn close to that of the SC Nomad
  • 1 4
 Looks like a Divinci bike with crappy rear linkage.
  • 4 1
 But kudos to Pinkbike for posting a bike thats not $8k
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