Focus hit the trail hard in 2018
Focus continue to grow into 2018, with refinements and new models hitting the floor of the dealer
All words and images by Andy Rogers.
As arguably one of the fastest growing disciplines in cycling, it was not a shock to see Focus sporting a large variety of MTBs for almost every popular sub-category from XC race machines to full blown enduro sleds and 26” weapons for the kids.
Let's go XCO
Starting at the lower end of the travel spectrum, Focus’ Raven and Raven Max range was well stocked with their two levels of aggressive carbon race bikes. The lightweight Raven Max was being offered in two race-ready options.
The Raven Max Team lead the way sporting full XX1 Eagle, Rockshox SID Rl suspension, Level Ultimate brakes and DT XR1501 wheels finished off with full carbon Concept parts to come in at $7,999 followed by the Raven Max SL spec’d with a full Sram XO1 Eagle drivetrain, FOX Float SC Performance suspension, Level TL brakes, DT Swiss MT650 wheels and topped off with alloy BBB bar and stem and a carbon BBB seatpost and priced at $5,999.
Down from that was the more affordable Raven Elite model coming spec’d with Shimano XT M6000 2×10 drivetrain, RockShox 30 Gold suspension, Shimano M315 brakes and Rodi wheels. With the Raven Max models coming as dedicated 29ers, lightweight frames and race ready spec and the Raven coming in with size specific 27.5” and 29” options and a reliable and serviceable yet affordable spec, everyone is covered on the hardtail sides of things.
The amazing Focus O1E
Continuing with the XC theme, the O1E remained the familiar face it has been previous. While the other models are aimed at a traditional XC market, the top tier O1E Factory comes spec’d a little differently. Whilst utilising the same frame and rear suspension travel as all the other models, the Factory comes out of the box with a 120mm RS1, a KS Lev 50mm dropper post and 720mm carbon bars.
Whilst still an XC bike at heart, Focus has beefed up the Factory a bit to deal with the trend of modern XC courses. TO go along with the aggressive spec is a full Sram GX Eagle group, Sram Level TL brakes and DT Swiss XM1650 wheels and coming in at $7,499.
From there, the O1E Pro returns to the standard XC fit out with again a GX Eagle group, Fox Float SC Performance suspension, Level TL brakes, DT Swiss M1900 wheels and alloy BBB finishing kit at $4,999.The O1E SL rounds out the XC with a Shimano XT M8000 2×11 group, Fox Float SC Performance suspension, XT M8000 brakes and DT Swiss M1900 wheels.
This year, with the development of suspension on a whole, Focus decided that a 120mm trail bike had essentially become redundant with the improvement of longer travel bikes. As such, they ditched the Slice from the lineup and replaced it with an updated Jam 130mm 29er. Using the same F.O.L.D suspension design as the rest of their dual suspension bikes, the Jam 29er comes in right when 29er trail bikes are one of the front runners for the Swiss Army Knife role of mountain bikes.
Focus brought a single carbon model to the lineup in the Jam C Lite coming with a Sram GX Eagle group, Rockshox Revelation RC and a fresh Rockshox Deluxe RT Metric for suspension, Sram Guide RS brakes, KS Lev dropper and Mavic XA wheels – a true trail ready bike straight out of the box at $4,999. From here, the two other aluminium models filled out the line up with some quality and affordable builds in the Jam Evo running an XT M8000 2×11 group, Fox 34 Rhythm and Fox Float Performance metric suspension, XT M8000 brakes, KS Lev dropper and DT Swiss M1900 wheels at $3,999 and the Jam Elite with the same but with a jump down to Deore 6000 10spd and RaceFace wheels.
From here, we are left with the familiar Focus SAM enduro rig, which has remained largely unchanged. Only bringing in two models, and both carbon, Focus has definitely aimed the Sam specifically at the Enduro enthusiast.
The Sam C Team kicks things off with a Sram XO1 Eagle drivetrain with Descendant carbon cranks, a RockShox Yari RC and Monarch Plus RCT Metric on suspension duties, KS Lev dropper, Guide R brakes and DT Swiss M1900 wheels coming in at $7,999.
The other option being the Sam C Factory build sporting the same frame and specs as the team just dropping the XO1 Eagle for GX Eagle with Descendant cranks.
Focus took some time this year to make some spec decisions on their MTBs overall, the two most notable being the decision to work with Maxxis and have Maxxis tubeless ready tyres on everything but their XC bikes and changing from Concept to KS Lev dropper posts to aid customers allowing them to get their dropper posts serviced in Australia, should anything go arie. To round out their range, Focus is bringing back the Bold SL for the budget aimed trail hardtail option. 27.5+ tyres, 1×10 Shimano M6000 and a Suntour fork ready to get people out on the trails for just $1,199.
And finally, for the little shredders; the Vice Juniour. 26”, aluminium frame, RockShox Recon TK and a Deluxe R shock offering 100mm travel, Shimano M6000 1×10 drivetrain with RaceFace cranks, theirs the perfect bike for the younger people in your life to come ride with you.
As well as their increasing MTB range, Focus are really jumping behind the E-MTB movement. While a degree of consumers still aren’t sold on the idea, it’s growing and opening up mountain biking to a range of customers who perhaps wouldn’t have considered it. For the new season, Focus is offering two E-MTB models, the Bold Plus and the Jam Plus (with a few new bikes on their way that we can’t tell you about just yet).
The Bold2 Plus is their hardtail option; aluminium frame with a Shimano Steps E8000 motor, 27.5+ wheels, RockShox Revelation RL forks, a mix of Shimano M8000 and M7000 components, KS Lev dropper and RaceFace wheels – everything you’d expect from a decent hardtail, but with a handy motor slapped in there and all for $5,499.
Their dual-suspension offering is the Jam2 Plus with 140mm of travel thanks to a RockShox Revelation RL and Deluxe RT Metric shock and all the other goodies that come on the Bold Plus but with some more bounce for the customer that wants to get a little more rowdy for $6,499. With a 378Wh battery in each bike, offering you roughly 37km range (in Sport mode) and the T.E.C Pack (a removable battery pack, also offering 378Whs) and additional option for $900, Focus’ E-MTB range is there to keep you rolling.
Something a little different
One final cool addition Focus had on display was ‘Project Y’. While not something confirmed just yet about when and how much it will be when it does get here, it was an interesting look at where Focus believes bikes to be going. An E-gravel bike. Very much like what you’d expect from an adventure bike these days but with a battery slapped in the downtube.
