For a long time, it seemed like there was a gaping hole in FOCUS’s portfolio, but what was missing? A trail bike-shaped hole, we reasoned. Fortunately, with the launch of their all-new FOCUS JAM, they have now bridged the gap, marking a new era for their whole collection – but how has one bike managed that? Keep reading to find out.
This latest sprog in the trail family will be available in six build specs with carbon and aluminium frames. On paper, the bike sounds ultra-promising: 140 mm travel, 27.5″ wheels, modern and pretty aggressive geometry, and a sorted spec list. But the new JAM’s biggest draw is its patented F.O.L.D. rear suspension design, designed by FOCUS at their HQ in Germany.
“The most amazing thing about the JAM is that it rides so damn well!” says Fabian Scholz, bike engineer at FOCUS and reigning German Enduro Champion.
At the core of the FOCUS JAM – the F.O.L.D. rear suspension design
F.O.L.D. stands for FOCUS OPTIMIZED LINKAGE DESIGN, and there’s essentially a multi-link rear end design with two rockers (the guide link and the main link), which FOCUS claim are responsible for a number of advantages.
Two phrases to the spring rate for optimal traction
The system is divided into two main steps, known as its two-way travel arrangement.
Within the lower 30% of travel, the system works degressively for super sensitivity, thereby eliminating micro-bumps and generating immense grip. For the remainder of the travel, the spring rate is progressive, keeping firm in its travel and delivering a lot of feedback.
Centralised centre of gravity for improved weight distribution
As many of the bearings, rocker arms and the rear shock are located inside the front triangle, the engineers were able to optimally position the centre of gravity, keeping it low and centralised.
Low unsprung mass for more sensitivity
The one-part rear triangle on the JAM has no bearings and tips the scales at a mega low weight – a fact that further improved the responsiveness and ride characteristics.
Controlled compliance for improved line precision
Given the various shapes of the guide link, the stiffness of the rear end shines in reality. According to FOCUS, the bike has the requisite level of stiffness to ensure outstanding acceleration while still offering enough flex to keep it comfortable.
FOCUS JAM: the frame
FOCUS have launched the JAM in both an aluminium and a carbon frame, featuring identical geometry and typical FOCUS trademarks like the large cable entry on the left side of the head tube.
FOCUS JAM geometry
When it comes to its geometry the FOCUS JAM has nailed it, promising fun with its slack 66.8° head angle, long frame (reach 44 mm in size large) and satisfyingly short 425 mm chainstays. FOCUS paid particular attention to achieving a balance between the reach and the stack, which means the bigger frame sizes don’t just have a longer top tube but also a longer head tube.
FOCUS JAM
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube length | 410 mm | 440 mm | 470 mm | 500 mm |
| Top tube length | 576 mm | 600 mm | 625 mm | 650 mm |
| Head tube length | 110 mm | 110 mm | 135 mm | 155 mm |
| Head tube angle | 66.8° | 66.8° | 66.8° | 66.8° |
| Seat tube angle | 74.5° | 74.5° | 74.5° | 74.5° |
| Chainstay length | 425 mm | 425 mm | 425 mm | 425 mm |
| Bottom bracket drop | 16 mm | 16 mm | 16 mm | 16 mm |
| Wheel base | 1132 mm | 1152 mm | 1182 mm | 1209 mm |
| Reach | 415 mm | 435 mm | 455 mm | 475 mm |
FOCUS JAM Factory (150 mm fork)
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube length | 410 mm | 440 mm | 470 mm | 500 mm |
| Top tube length | 571 mm | 595 mm | 620 mm | 645 mm |
| Head tube length | 110 mm | 110 mm | 135 mm | 155 mm |
| Head tube angle | 66.3° | 66.3° | 66.3° | 66.3° |
| Seat tube angle | 74° | 74° | 74° | 74° |
| Chainstay length | 425 mm | 425 mm | 425 mm | 425 mm |
| Bottom bracket drop | 12 mm | 12 mm | 12 mm | 12 mm |
| Wheel base | 1136 mm | 1156 mm | 1186 mm | 1213 mm |
| Reach | 410 mm | 430 mm | 450 mm | 470 mm |
FOCUS JAM specifications
The FOCUS JAM will be out in six different spec builds, of which three are aluminium and three are carbon. Like many of FOCUS’s other models, the JAM will also be launched in a Factory build – featuring the exact same spec that the FOCUS employees would choose for their own ride. And here’s where FOCUS place an emphasis on value for money; dishing out cash for the aspects that make the biggest positive impact on how the bike rides. In the case of the JAM Factory, we’re talking about the 150 mm travel at the front and the brilliant DT Swiss XM 1501 wheels. For both frame materials, the JAM is available in two 1x models and one 2x. The top-of-the-range JAM Lite aluminium bike features a SRAM X01 Eagle 12-speed drivetrain and a first-rate RockShox suspension. The top-end JAM C SL has been kitted out by FOCUS with a who’s who, or what’s what, of great parts, including a SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain, RockShox PIKE RCT3 forks and SRAM Guide Ultimate brakes.
FOCUS JAM C SL
Fork: RockShox Pike RCT3
Shock: RockShox Monarch Plus R Debonair
Drivetrain: SRAM X01 Eagle, 12 speed
Brakes: SRAM Guide Ultimate
Wheels: DT Swiss XM 1501
Weight: 11.9 kg
Price: € 6,999
FOCUS JAM C Factory
Fork: RockShox Yari RC
Shock: RockShox Monarch Plus
Drivetrain: SRAM GX
Brakes: SRAM Guide R
Wheels: DT Swiss XM 1501
Weight: 13.3 kg
Price: € 4,999
FOCUS JAM C Pro
Fork: FOX 34 FLOAT Performance
Shock: FOX FLOAT DPS
Drivetrain: Shimano XT, 2×11
Brakes: Shimano XT
Wheels: DT Swiss E 1900
Weight: 13.6 kg
Price: € 3,999
FOCUS JAM Lite
Fork: RockShox Yari RC
Shock: RockShox Monarch RT
Drivetrain: SRAM X01 Eagle, 12 speed
Brakes: Shimano BR-M615
Wheels: Concept EX, Concept XD
Weight: 13.8 kg
Price: € 3,699
FOCUS JAM EVO
Fork: RockShox Yari RC
Shock: RockShox Monarch RT
Drivetrain: SRAM GX
Brakes: Shimano BR-M615
Wheels: Concept EX, Concept XD
Weight: 13.9 kg
Price: € 2,999
FOCUS JAM Elite
Fork: RockShox Sektor Silver RL
Shock: RockShox Monarch RT
Drivetrain: Shimano SLX
Brakes: Shimano BR-M396
Wheels: Concept EX
Weight: 14.4 kg
Price: € 2,599
Prices and availability
Retailing between € 2,599 and € 6,999 (with the Factory model cashing in at € 4,999 and the JAM Lite with SRAM Eagle at a very fair € 3,699), the first batch of the FOCUS JAM will be on sale from the end of August.
Our first impression of riding the FOCUS JAM
During their press camp in Morzine, we had the opportunity to test the JAM on some mega water-logged descents, and the handling is best described as precise and stable while still a hell of a lot of fun. Given the long frame, slack head angle and ultra responsive and defined rear end, the JAM isn’t short on smoothness. Thanks to the high stack and low bottom bracket (20 mm drop), you really get a good riding position on the bike.
It’s a confidence booster in bike form, and after just a few minutes you’ve already got loose, only using the brakes as and when necessary. The JAM isn’t afraid to go fast, and its suspension uniformly soaks up big and small-size hits – making you wonder for a split-second if they underplayed the amount of travel that it offers. The bike’s agility is welcomed on slick hairpins in quick succession and it’s not hard to manual. Even the uphills are well within its repertoire too, although there’s a little bob on tough tarmac climbs if you’re out the saddle, although the low level of anti-squat generates a ton of traction off-road. If you prefer a firmer base for climbing then just reach for the rear shock’s adjustment lever – we didn’t on this occasion.
Our initial conclusion on the FOCUS JAM
After just a handful of descents, we’re not in a position to give a substantial analysis, but the FOCUS JAM has already imprinted itself positively into our minds. Its great handling, the F.O.L.D. design and well-chosen build specs are just three of the reasons. With the JAM, it seems that FOCUS have created a bike to tidily slot into the gap in their trail portfolio, and the inclusion of the F.O.L.D. rear suspension design marks a new era for their whole collection. We’re excited to see what else will follow!
More information on the new FOCUS JAM can be found at focus-bikes.com
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