It’s a wise move to create new mountain bike frames in aluminum first, see how they go, and fork over the cash for carbon fiber molds once rider feedback is largely positive. Jamis bikes is no stranger to this method, and their popular Portal 130mm 29er and Hardline 160mm 27.5″ bikes are going full fiber for 2020. There will be three builds for either model to span a mid-price range, and the two more affordable alloy Portal and Hardline builds remain available to get more riders in on the fun.
Jamis reported rave reviews of their initial Hardline and Portal offerings, along with the bikes’ 3VO suspension platform that our editor, Jeff Barber, tested out last season. According to Jamis, “as a 3VO bike progresses through its travel, the instant center (or virtual pivot) remains behind the bottom bracket while tracing the chain line, resulting in a ride that completely isolates pedaling forces from bump forces. This attribute, combined with a multi-stage leverage ratio, produces a zero-compromise, exceptionally capable system.”
The brand says its engineers managed to drop more than two pounds from the frames using their Dyad Pro hi-modulus carbon. The three distinct build options for both of the new carbon frames come in sizes small to extra-large.
The Hardline 27.5″ frames have 160mm of rear axle travel to accompany a 170mm fork. Medium bikes extend to a shorter 439mm reach, 1182mm wheelbase, and 429mm chainstays. The headtube angle is reasonably slack at 65°, as is the seat tube at 73.5°.
Top Hardline C1 builds will come with a Fox Factory 36 fork and DHX2 shock, SRAM XX1 drivetrains, TRP G-Spec brakes, Fox Transfer dropper, and Race face cockpit, all retailing for $8,499.
The Hardline C2 also has a full Fox Factory suspension kit, SRAM XO1 drivetrain, Race Face cockpit and dropper, and Magura MT7 brakes for $6,499. Finally, the C3 build has a Fox Rhythm 36 fork, Fox DPX2 Performance shock, Shimano SLX drivetrain and 4-piston brakes, and a Race Face cockpit and dropper, and retails for $4,699. À la carte frame sets sell with a Fox Factory DPX2 shock for $2,799.
The wagon-wheel, 3VO-equipped Portal shares the same shorter 439mm reach measurement, but the chainstays are stretched to 437mm across the size run. The head tube is a fair bit steeper at 67° in the low position and 67.5° in high, while the seat tube angle moves between 74° and 74.5° respectively. The frame’s BB drop between those two geometry positions dips between 26mm and 33mm.
The Portal build specs are identical to those of the Hardline, with C1 builds retailing for $8,499, C2 for $6,499, and C3 bikes selling at $4,699. The C1 frameset can be purchased with a Fox Factory DPX2 shock for $2,799.
All of the carbon and alloy models are available starting today at Jamis retailers.
