Copyright 2017 © derby cycle werke gmbh - All rights reserved. Just as supposedly cheap bikes with good components can get a bad rating if they don’t deliver on the trail.↩, No, it’s not about racing, it’s about efficiency. But as some of the EWS pros (including Sam Hill) have proven, it’s the riding skills and not the bike that define what you can ride with it. The lock out option did allow for greater efficiency, but on more technical ascents we would have welcomed the traction and control that a mid-setting on a rear shock allows. Focus’ own marketing spiel states that the Jam was designed for the ’highest level of fun’ and we think they have delivered pretty well. Can it absorb hard impacts and does it soak up repeated hits? The alpine trails around his hometown serve as the perfect testing grounds. Unfortunately, without a mid-setting on the shock, riding uphill can be quite inefficient if the suspension is in the open setting and climbing becomes more awkward if locked out. Like the Genius, you’ll need the climb switch when you’re riding uphill and it can’t quite keep up with the Trek due to the very upright riding position. ), Genuine trail bike with optional features, 29" wheels and fully-equipped models (EQP), More mountains, more trails, more experiences, 27+ (Plus), 29" (Nine) or 29"/27+ (Drifter) wheels/tyres, Shimano EP8 drive with 756 Wh, or Bosch Performance CX drive with 625 Wh, 29" wheels, wheel size and geometry change possible thanks to the FOCUS Flip Chip, Holds the course record for the classic Transalp Route, Removable Fazua motor/battery unit uncouples from the drive, 100mm suspension fork and 29" wheels (size S and XS also 27.5"), Option to mount carrier, mudguards, light and stand, The battery capacity of the Bosch drive can be increased to 1125 Wh thanks to an additional battery, Fast like a racing bike, strong like an e-bike, Road-Boost Standard, R.A.T. ↩. Uphill-downhill ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%! FOCUS rely almost exclusively on high-quality Shimano XT components for the gears and brakes. Because of the hefty price tag, we had high expectations for our test bike and were pleasantly surprised when it delivered. The powerful four-piston brakes with a 203 mm rotor up front deliver plenty of stopping power even on long descents. Unfortunately, the MAXXIS tires don’t fit the picture. Derby Cycle Werke GmbH is not liable for the use nor the content of this external website. stands for FOCUS Optimised Linkage Design, and offers the ultimate in rear suspension. However, Focus offer the Factory model, featuring SRAM GX, for $7,499 and a Shimano XT-equipped Jam for $5,999. Luckily, that’s exactly what Christoph did. We were lucky enough to be reviewing the Jam C SL; the top tier $9,499 option. As a result, FOCUS don’t give you much choice with the frame size and if you’re looking to size up for increased reach, the long seat tube will likely prevent you from doing so. Speaking of the top tube, it’s a funky looking one; keeping in line with the tradition of Focus’ extraordinarily large and boxy junction of the top tube and head tube. It’s interesting then, with the F.O.L.D. Uphill-downhill ratio: 30:70↩, Strictly speaking, a 200 mm travel downhill bike is the best choice for merciless tracks with big jumps, drops and the roughest terrain. The 14Ah Shimano battery can deliver 28A. " kinematics – the light JAM listens to the trail and excels with the perfect balance between agile and smooth running. Back then, it was the most affordable bike at € 2,199. The FOCUS JAM 6.8 NINE already convinced us with its good-natured handling in last year’s trail bike group test. The CUBE Cargo Sport Dual Hybrid on test – Expand your barbecue... SRAM NX Eagle long term review – Lots of performance for little... How to crash your MTB – Tips and trick to avoid bad injuries. The tread of the tyres was perfect for the dusty, loose over hard conditions we experienced through our test rides, and the extra squish of the 2.4” reinforced the bike’s claims of being planted yet playful. If you ignore the tires, the FOCUS JAM 6.8 NINE is one of the most capable descenders in the test. Although the bike felt light for what it is, on any 140mm bike low range gears are welcomed when riding up steep hills. Unless you’re only planning to ride only on forest roads, we recommend upgrading the tires before you even leave the shop. For endless alpine adventure and mountain-cross. The factory spec version we rode is a ridiculously light 11.9kg. Classic singletrack with roots, rocks and ledges – sometimes flowy, sometimes rough. Uphill-downhill ratio: 10:90↩, You can find more info about our rating system in this article: Click here! It was soon discovered that the Jam rides best when suspension settings are run in full open mode. In essence, this is the all-mountain bike you need in your shed; 140mm suspension is not excessive enough to suffer with on the ascents, but it has more than enough to inspire you to ride to the next level. The active suspension and balanced geometry instil you with confidence, though the tires do not! Read the new issue of ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine now. However, experienced riders can have a lot of fun even with unbalanced bikes.↩, How sensitive is the suspension over small bumps? rear suspension system and stout frame really planted the bike and produced a very stable ride. The spec and the look have been updated but the price has also increased. Verdict: The new JAM fights in the battle for the best and most versatile mountain bike.". When the terrain starts sloping downhill, you’ll feel nicely integrated with the bike. It’s mainly the tires that limit the bike’s capabilities when you’re riding fast. Eine wendige, Spaß-orientierte Geometrie und eine progressive FOCUS F.O.L.D. How spritely is the bike, how agile is it through corners, how much fun is it in tight sections and how quickly can it change direction?↩, Is the bike stable at high speeds? He loves biking and the tech talk surrounding it (to the detriment of his girlfriend Toni), photography and travelling the world. Is it easy to stay in control in demanding terrain? Along with the suspension, the riding position and the weight of the bike all play a crucial role.↩, How does the bike ride and descend? For more aggressive riders, the suspension isn’t capable enough. We interpret XC more like the Americans do: big back-country rides instead of a marathon or XC World Cup with the ultimate in lightweight construction! "It acts immediately and agil in challenging terrain. The riding position is very upright due to the tall front end, making it comfortable and suited to riding long distances. We took it to the trails to find out. Featuring a lock-out and open setting only, would the suspension linkage live up to its claims and provide efficiency both climbing and descending? Digital & free: the best trail bike under € 3,200 € in review. The tall front end and low bottom bracket instil you with confidence from the get-go. Kinematik – das leichte JAM gehört auf den Trail und besticht durch … Focus. kinematics – the light JAM listens to the trail and excels with the perfect balance between agile and smooth running. He doesn't have a classic 9 to 5 routine – sometimes he's in the office, sometimes he'll take his laptop to sit in the garden and sometimes you'll even find him working remotely from his van parked at one the best riding spots in the world. This is when the suspension package really came alive, inspiring great feats of bravery and eating up the descents with gusto. For this, you need (race)proven equipment that forgives mistakes and wouldn’t look out of place on a stage of the Enduro World Series. For this, you need a bike with good all-round qualities, whether climbing or descending. Thanks to the fast-rolling tires, the bike accelerates willingly and holds its speed efficiently, though we would still swap them for a heavier, more robust option. It’s not unattractive - especially on a bike of this size - but it does have us asking why? Once again, it’s an interesting choice of acronym in the Australian market. For 2020, FOCUS have increased the price by € 500, but they’ve also made significant improvements to the bike’s components. As mentioned, the slightly lower spec of the Monarch shock could have been a wise choice if the linkage’s purpose was to optimise pedal-bob efficiency under load (eg when climbing). Conquers every mountain: the FOCUS JAM nimbly climbs alpine mountains and brings a huge smile on the downhill. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, FOCUS Optimized Linkage Design (F.O.L.D. Featuring a lock-out and open setting only, would the suspension linkage live up to its claims and provide efficiency both climbing and descending? With strong players in the Australian market (notably the Giant Trance, Yeti SB 5.5 and Rocky Mountain Instinct) will the Focus Jam live up to the hype? It is definitely worth using the climb switch on the shock when riding uphill as otherwise, the rear end will wallow and bob noticeably. The combination of the position with super short chain stays, a slightly slacker head tube angle at 66.8, wide rims and wide Continental Mountain King tyres was confidence enhancing. For 2020, FOCUS have increased the price by € 500, but they’ve also made significant improvements to the bike’s components. Slotting in between the existing 120mm-Spine trail bike and the burly 160mm travel enduro racing SAM, right now it’s all about the new JAM. It’s a name that conjures images of precision, German engineering, clarity of thought and exactness of motion. An agile, fun-based geometry and progressive FOCUS F.O.L.D. If a bike is unbalanced, the rider has to work hard to weight the front wheel to generate enough grip. Our first ride out on the beast was at Queensland’s Hidden Vale, which offered a great range of terrain from flow trail to craggy, rocky harshness. There’s not much that would exceed the capability of the Jam and it would eat up probably 98 per cent of what is out there in terms of all-mountain and gravity trails. Plush suspension not only provides comfort and makes a bike more capable, but it also generates traction. Focus state that the F.O.L.D. How composed is it on rough trails? Compared to more direct bikes like the ROSE or MERIDA, the FOCUS feels more sedate on flowing trails and absorbs a little more of the rider’s input. is extremely sensitive while being progressive enough to prevent a harsh bottom out. The patented F.O.L.D. When work doesn't feel like work, then you've probably done everything right. Nevertheless, reliable components are important too. Tuning tips: swap the tires | volume spacers in the shock if necessary | you may want thinner grips. The FOCUS JAM 6.8 NINE is a bike that scores for its versatility. If you are looking for a performance full suspension E-Mountainbike the Focus Jam2 2021 provides 150mm of travel and either 27.5+ or 29 wheel size options. Eagle, we were pleasantly surprised, and relieved. The updated Focus Jam ² is the first bike we’ve ridden with the all-new Bosch Performance CX motor. Meanwhile the F.O.L.D. You are now leaving the FOCUS website of Derby Cycle Werke GmbH and are redirected to an external website. We tested a small frame (and the bike is available in S-XL sizes), and found the bike to be true to size - in fact we felt straight away at home when swinging a leg over the bike. The FOCUS JAM 6.8 NINE already convinced us with its good-natured handling in last year’s trail bike group test. Stability is a combination of balanced geometry, good suspension and the right spec.↩, This is all about how balanced the bike is and particularly about how well it corners. Once the benchmark drive system for e-bikes, the Bosch Performance CX has fallen behind rival units from Shimano and Brose in recent years owing to its excessive weight and bulk. Focus state that the Jam is the ultimate all-mountain bike, with the capacity to climb as well as it descends. Rocky, rooty turns mastered on the Focus Jam Lite Russell Burton. Please refer to the Privacy Statement, Cookie Policy and Terms of use of this external website for details. The rear suspension doesn’t sag excessively through berms and offers good mid-stroke support when pumping the bike through dips and rollers. Having said that, you’ll still be able to keep enough weight on the front wheel, making the JAM predictable when cornering. Even the saddle is premium; the fi´zi:k Tundra M3 is a super-light, carbon braided saddle. On foot or with a shuttle, please! When the bike is pushed hard, the stiffness of the boost-equipped wheel set, in addition to the F.O.L.D. The seat tube and head angle are rather conservative and the seat tube too generously long. The FOCUS JAM 6.8 NINE is a very comfortable bike with good-natured handling at a very affordable price! In order to ensure that all bike sizes offer the same ride characteristics, all available frame heights are individually designed and feature a specially developed carbon lay-up. * Quick-release axles, disc brakes, 35 mm tyre clearance and also includes matching mudguards, 100 mm suspension fork and proper mountain bike tyres, with mudguards, light, stand and rails for panniers, available with Trapez or Diamant frame design, Bosch drive with battery capacity of up to 625 Wh, For endless alpine adventure and mountain-cross, 29" wheels (Nine) or 27.5" wheels (Seven), Depending on the size, 29" (S, M, L, XL) or 27.5" (XS, S) wheels, super-lightweight, rigid and comfortable in all the right places, holder of world and European championship titles, MAX lightweight carbon structure optimised in the wind tunnel, with disc brakes and R.A.T. The 2.4” Continental Mountain Kings gave the bike a similar rollout to many 29ers and the bigger bag tyre was welcomed. Pulling it out of the box, we immediately appreciated the bike’s smooth aesthetics; the sleek paint job is a pleasant mixture of matte and gloss finish in a stealthy black and gunmetal grey. The cornerstone of the Jam is the F.O.L.D. The latest JAM 6.8 NINE comes with FOX suspension offering 140 mm travel, combining a 34 FLOAT Rhythm fork and FLOAT DPS Performance shock. Of course, he still writes a lot of content himself, reviews almost 100 bikes a year and rides his bike almost every day. What good are the best components if the bike doesn’t perform well on the trail? )↩, ...also known as mountain biking. Fork FOX 34 Rhythm 140 mmRear Shock FOX FLOAT DPS Performance 140 mmSeatpost Kind Shock E30i 150 mmBrakes Shimano XT 203/180 mmDrivetrain Shimano XT/SLX 32 (10-51)Stem BBB Jumper BHS-137 60 mmHandlebar BBB Ascension BHB-110 780 mmWheelset DT Swiss M1900 29Tires MAXXIS Rekon Dual/Rekon Race 2.3". Can it deliver on the trail? suspension certainly worked a treat with descending, allowing the rider to stay planted and in control. Climbing is just a means to an end. Wow, what a feast for the eyes: the FOCUS JAM 6.8 NINE has gone from ugly duckling to a hot looking bike within a year. We took it to the trails to find out. Jam (noun); A fruit conserve, delicious on toast. There would have been few changes to make if the Jam was to remain in our custody, and easy ones at that; a slightly narrower bar and different shocks and we would be happy to have the Jam in our shed ready for our breakfast toast…errrr, I mean shred. Click here for an overview of the the best trail bike under € 3,200 € in review. suspension, really delivered control at high and low speeds. We put the Focus Jam to the toast. What 10.4Ah value means it can deliver 10.4 amps at nominal voltage (36V) for 1 hour. Uphill-downhill ratio: 50:50↩, Even more extreme and challenging compared to Trail riding, riddled with every kind of obstacle: jumps, gaps, nasty rock gardens, ruts and roots. kinematics make it possible to optimise the rear triangle for an extremely wide range of different requirements: F.O.L.D. You have the choice between 140 mm suspension travel and 29" wheels or 150 mm travel and 27.5" wheels. It refers to both simple and technical climbs. The slack head tube angle and short 425mm chain stays, paired up with the longer top tube and a short stem made for a really confidence inspiring, planted front end that begged to be thrown into rock gardens and sketchy corners. The Jam’s geometry, with the short chain stay, slack head angle and relatively dropped and long top tube delivered a pretty compliant bike. For Christoph, work-life boundaries are fluid and he likes it that way. Balanced bikes require little physical effort from the rider and are very predictable. It’s on par with the SCOTT Genius and the Trek Fuel EX, scoring for its comfort and control even on demanding trails. The RockShox Pike RCT3 Solo Air is arguably the gold standard of forks in the 140-150mm travel range, featuring external low speed compression adjustment and Boost (110mm) axle spacing for lateral stiffness, and it delivered - really boosting confidence and inspiring the rider to dive hard into rocky scree and sketchy blown out corners. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. F.O.L.D. On the climbs, the JAM won’t win any sprints but it will keep on rolling inexorably to your destination, no matter how far away that may be. Oh yes, this is the bike we’ve been waiting for from the brilliant engineering brains at Focus! Straight away the bike urges you to push it harder into corners than you would usually be comfortable, to dive into the rock garden without hesitation, or to huck off a ledge. The only exception is the slightly heavier SLX cassette. technology is the perfect match for the Jam, with a two-phase travel system. The 10.4Ah Focus battery can deliver any amps you want it to deliver. 2021 Rocky Mountain Altitude on test – bursting onto the scene with... Privateer 141 review – An aggro trail bike with a need for speed. He has been with ENDURO almost from the start and as editor-in-chief, he's responsible for making ENDURO the most progressive and exciting magazine in the industry. Being well acquainted with both SRAM and Shimano componentry, but yet to test the Eagle, we were pleasantly surprised, and relieved. The first phase of travel is based around sensitivity and eliminating micro-bumps, and the second phase ‘fine tunes’ progression for plushness and feedback, with enough bottom-out resistance for the rider to remain in control at all times. With the rider located relatively rearward you could really just let the bike do it’s thing and – when needed - the SRAM brakes were efficient anchors. The Focus Jam is a 140mm, 27.5” trail bike, a specific travel option that has become increasingly popular in the past few years. Fast, fleet-footed and efficient – those who want to speed along flowy singletrack and gravel roads need a defined and spritely bike that accelerates with ease and efficiency. With the Boost wheel set and oversized tyres, the bike was stiff and precise, delivering a focused ride regardless of the terrain. The rear end occasionally bottoms out at higher speeds, though not too harshly and without getting uncomfortable. It will happily deliver 28A (and more) if you load the battery more. However, it would be our preference to change them up for some fat Maxxis tyres or similar; something with slightly tougher sidewalls. Red accents offset the starkness of the bike, with an almost crosshatched red argyle-inspired design on the front of the top tube. Bezwingt alle Berge: Das FOCUS JAM erklimmt alpine Berge leichtfüßig und beschert ein fettes Grinsen auf der Abfahrt. We certainly wouldn’t expect that as standard on an all-mountain bike, but we weren’t complaining! The Focus Jam is a 140mm, 27.5” trail bike, a specific travel option that has become increasingly popular in the past few years. Those who enjoy long rides and aren’t constantly chasing a new best time on the descents will find the right bike here. Once aboard the FOCUS JAM 6.8 you feel right at home. technology, that Focus have chosen to spec a (relatively) entry-level shock; the Monarch. "The 10.4Ah Focus battery can deliver 20.8A. The cables and hydraulic lines are routed inside the frame for protection, creating a neat look and extending the service life of the lines for perfect gear shifting and braking at all times. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Copyright © 2020 ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine. But climbing was a bit of a different story. Like Jam only sweeter. Considering the stiffness of most brands’ front ends without the bulbous extra carbon from Focus, we wonder if it’s simply an aesthetic point of difference. If you’re willing to invest money in new tires, you’ll get an excellent bike for almost every purpose. We mean test.. a (relatively) entry-level shock; the Monarch. Conquers every mountain: the FOCUS JAM nimbly climbs alpine mountains and brings a huge smile on the downhill. This Stable Stiffness Per Size (SSPS) production method ensures that all sizes provide the perfect weight-to-stiffness ratio. At the same time, the active suspension provides lots of comfort and traction. The build on the bike is all business, with a 140mm travel RockShox Pike up front, the Monarch rear shock, a Reverb dropper and SRAM Eagle 12-speed drivetrain giving the all-mountain warrior oodles of gears with which to scale alpine ascents. You can find out more about at focus-bikes.com, All bikes in test: Canyon Neuron AL 7.0 (Click for review) | FOCUS JAM 6.8 NINE | GIANT Trance 29 1 (Click for review) | MERIDA ONE-TWENTY 9.700 (Click for review) | ROSE GROUND CONTROL 3 (Click for review) | SCOTT Genius 950 (Click for review) | Specialized Stumpjumper ST COMP (Click for review) | Trek Fuel EX 8 XT (Click for review) | YT IZZO COMP (Click for review), This scale indicates how efficiently the bike climbs. They may look great with their tan side-walls but their low-profile tread pattern limits the bike’s capabilities on the trail massively. However, it uses up its travel quickly on bigger hits. An agile, fun-based geometry and progressive FOCUS F.O.L.D. Expensive bikes with a lower-end spec can offer very good value for money – provided they excel where it matters. Focus lead the market into 2021 with the Bosch Gen4 full suspension bikes in the form of the Focus Jam2 and the Thron2. Overall, we were stoked to have a bike that comes straight out of the box and just immediately feels good. It climbs comfortably and always instils you with confidence, allowing you to have fun on every type of trail. The Monarch on the rear certainly performed on the downhills. It also comes specced with the DT Swiss Spline One wheelset, super wide at 30mm, allowing some semi-fat rubber to be run. With technology such as the FOLD suspension, ‘modern, agile and aggressive’ geometry and a very tight build spec, the Jam certainly looks the goods. The reach is rather short at 455 mm in size L, while the bottom bracket is low with a drop of 33 mm. The F.O.L.D. * Quick-release axles including matching mudguards, robust and optimised to handle extreme conditions such as mud, rain and snow. Focus JAM. The FOCUS JAM 6.8 has fairly balanced geometry which is characterised by the 135 mm head tube and the associated high stack of 641 mm. Those would be the black or double-black-diamond tracks in a bike park. In fact, it’s more likely a bike that will exceed most riders. The price of the model we tested, at $9,499, will be a deal-breaker for some. Although the bike felt light for what it is, on any 140mm bike low range gears are welcomed when riding up steep hills. Focus state that the Jam is the ultimate all-mountain bike, with the capacity to climb as well as it descends. * Quick-release axles, large, 35 mm tyre clearance to allow for wider and profiled tyres, with disc brakes, R.A.T. The rating includes the fork and the rear suspension.↩, This aspect mainly comes down to the suspension. This FOCUS website uses cookies to improve and analyze the website, for social media and to ensure that you see relevant ads. or Focus Optimised Linkage Design. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. As cosy as your favourite couch – you’ll be reluctant to get off the JAM once aboard! DT Swiss’ M1900 wheelset is a welcome sight too and has proved itself to be durable and easy to set up tubeless. Rocks, loose terrain, drops; they were all eaten with ease and the Jam really came into its own in the squirrely terrain. How much pop does it have, does it suck up the rider’s input or is it supportive, and how agile and direct is the bike?↩, We don’t calculate value for money in an excel spreadsheet or based on how high-end a bike is specced. We are more concerned with how a bike performs on the trail and how the bike benefits the rider. Having the weight of the alloy suspension hardware located low in the centre of the frame allowed for quite a planted feel for the bike and, despite testing it on some heavy hits, we didn’t manage to bottom it out. Your click on “accept” represents your consent to our placement of these cookies on your device. Climbing? Back then, it was the most affordable bike at € 2,199.