With the 2022 JAM 8.9, FOCUS have realigned a core principle of biking: having fun! The latest version of their all-rounder aims to achieve this through moderate geometry, sensible components, neat cable routing and a fair price. Can the 2022 FOCUS JAM 8.9 deliver and how playful is it really?

2022 FOCUS JAM 8.9 | 150/150 mm travel (f/r) | 15.8 kg (size M) | € 4,699 | Manufacturer’s website

By what measure do you test a bike when it doesn’t specialise in any discipline but claims to do everything well? Easy, according to FOCUS, you measure its fun-factor! The new 2022 JAM 8.9 doesn’t even pretend to have reinvented the wheel. Instead, the latest version of the German brand’s all-round, 150 mm travel 29er confidently positions itself as a well thought out toy for grownups, promising to be a blast on any trail as long as it isn’t on either end of the extremes. The 2022 FOCUS JAM has evolved, though without doing any wild experiments. Does it take radical innovation to create a playful all-rounder or is moderation the answer? And can it be affordable too? We took the 2022 FOCUS JAM 8.9 to the trails to put it to the test and find out if it really is a hoot.

The 2022 FOCUS JAM 8.9 in detail

Like its predecessor, the 2022 JOCUS JAM 8.9 relies on a carbon front triangle combined with an aluminium rear end. However, apart from the material mix, FOCUS have made a lot of changes to the frame. You’ll notice this immediately when looking at the beefy and angular top tube of the new JAM. The shock has been moved to sit horizontally beneath the top tube and uses the revised F.O.L.D. 2.0 linkage, which is said to be more progressive than the previous version. The down tube now features an integrated storage compartment for tools and snacks, dubbed I.C.S. by FOCUS. The predecessor did a good job of hiding its cables inside the frame, making for a clean and tidy look. Still, they’ve stepped it up a notch on the 2022 JAM thanks to another acronym, routing all the cables into the frame via the C.I.S stem. By doing so, they’ve been able to get rid of all the cable ports in the frame. A flip chip on the rocker arm allows you to ride the JAM in a high or low setting. Compared to the high setting, the low setting offers a moderately slacker head angle while lowering the bottom bracket, which should offer more composed handling at high speeds and on steep descents. That way, you can adapt the FOCUS to suit your preferred riding style.

The flattened top tube of the 2022 JAM 8.9 looks wide and beefy.
Unlike the predecessor, the shock is positioned horizontally and mounted to the top tube of the 2022 JAM 8.9.
The insatiable C.I.S. stem swallows all the cables from the cockpit and routes them into the frame. As such, there is no need for any cable ports in the frame. It ticks the boxes for both form and function!
The flip chip offers two settings: high and low. That way, you can adjust the head angle and bottom bracket height to suit your riding style.
The oversized chainstay protector safeguards your ears and the frame.
Beneath the lid on the downtube, you’ll find…
… a removable bag for all kinds of useful items. It’s big enough to store a mini-tool, spare tube, tire levers and an energy bar.

Trail spec at an affordable price

For the components of the 2022 JAM 8.9, FOCUS have prioritised function over bling. The JAM 8.9 on test features the higher-end spec of the two models available. For € 4,699 you get a 150 mm travel FOX Performance fork, relying on a damper with three compression settings. The FLOAT X Performance air shock is also supplied by FOX and controls the 150 mm travel offered by the rear end. The suspension isn’t as adjustable as FOX’s flagship products, but it performs well on the trail. Stopping is taken care of by Shimano’s four-piston XT brakes, paired with large 200 mm rotors front and rear. The levers offer tool-free reach adjustment. It’s everything you need! Shimano also supply the 1×12 drivetrain on the JAM 8.9, made up of a combination of DEORE XT and SLX components, both of which are proven workhorses. The 2022 FOCUS JAM 8.9 rolls on 29″ M 1900 wheels from DT Swiss. The rims are fitted with a tried and tested MAXXIS tire combination consisting of a DHF up front, featuring the EXO casing and grippy 3C compound, and a DHR II at the back, though this only has the thin EXO+ casing. You might want a thicker casing for peace of mind on the trails.

The FOX suspension doesn’t offer a lot of adjustments, but it performs on the trail. The 36 Performance fork…
… is paired with a FLOAT X Performance shock.
Four pistons and 200 mm rotors offer plenty of braking power. The proven Shimano XT stoppers on the JAM 8.9 won’t let you down.
The mechanical drivetrain consists of a mix of mid-priced Shimano DEORE XT and SLX components, giving you 12 reliable gears with a 10–51 t cassette.
Frame sizes L and XL come fitted with a 170 mm Post Moderne dropper post. Unfortunately, that’s a little too short on the XL.
The aluminium Race Face Chester handlebar is 780 mm wide and has a generous 35 mm rise.

FOCUS JAM 8.9 2022

€ 4,699

Specifications

Fork FOX 36 Performance 150 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X Performance 150 mm
Seatpost Post Moderne 170 mm
Brakes Shimano XT 200/200 mm
Drivetrain Shimano DEORE XT/SLX 1x12
Stem FOCUS C.I.S. Integrated 50 mm
Handlebar Race Face Chester 35 780 mm
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF/DHR II EXO/EXO+ 2.5/2.4

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 15.8 kg


Other models of the 2022 FOCUS JAM

Alongside the JAM 8.9, you also get the more affordable JAM 8.8 for € 3,699. The travel, dropper post and frame – including the storage compartment in the down tube – are the same for both models.

2022 FOCUS JAM 8.8 | 150/150 mm travel (f/r) | 15.3 kg (size M) | € 3,699 | Manufacturer’s website

For the suspension, the JAM 8.8 relies on a RockShox Revelation RC 29 fork up front and a RockShox Deluxe Select+ shock at the back. The four-piston Guide T brakes are supplied by SRAM, paired with big 200 mm rotors. Unfortunately, you can’t adjust the lever reach on these. For the 1×12 drivetrain (11–50 t), FOCUS have chosen to combine SRAM SX and NX components. Novatec supply the wheels, the tires are from MAXXIS, and you get an 800 mm wide aluminium handlebar with 35 mm rise. As you can see, the FOCUS JAM 8.8 resorts to lower-end components, though it sticks to its promise of delivering fun on the trails with proven products from well-known brands.

FOCUS JAM 8.8 2022

€ 3,699

Specifications

Fork RockShox Revelation RC 150 mm
Rear Shock RockShox Deluxe Select + 150 mm
Seatpost Post Moderne 125/150/170/170 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide T 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM SX/NX EAGLE 1x12
Stem FOCUS C.I.S. Integrated 50 mm
Handlebar FOCUS 800 mm
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF/DHR II EXO/EXO+ 2.5/2.4

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 15.3 kg

Availability

According to FOCUS, both the 2022 JAM 8.9 and JAM 8.8 are available now. You’ll find them in stores and on FOCUS’ online shop, where you’ll also be able to locate your closest dealer that has the bikes in stock, which is very convenient.

The geometry of the 2022 FOCUS JAM

Of the available frame sizes, S, M, L, and XL, we chose to go for the size L and rode the bike with the flip chip in the high setting. The JAM doesn’t boast extreme geometry. Compared to its predecessor, the latest model of the all-round play bike is just slightly longer and slacker. The 2022 JAM has a head tube angle of 65.5° and a seat tube angle of 76.5°. In size L, the reach comes in at 485 mm and the stack height is 630 mm. These figures are unlikely to make you gasp or shake your head, about as radical as the looks of a standard VW Golf. The most striking aspect is the JAM’s short chainstay length, measuring just 435 mm across the board. As such, the front centre is very long relative to the rear end on the L and XL frames. What does that mean for the 2022 FOCUS JAM on the trail?

The geometry of the 2022 FOCUS JAM in detail

Size S M L XL
Seat tube 390 mm 420 mm 450 mm 470 mm
Top tube 570 mm 600 mm 635mm 670 mm
Head tube 90 mm 100 mm 120 mm 140 mm
Head angle 65.5/65 65.5/65 65.5/65 65.5/65
Seat angle 76.5/76 76.5/76 76.5/76 76.5/76
Chainstays 435 mm 435 mm 435 mm 435 mm
BB Drop 30/24 mm 30/24 mm 30/24 mm 30/24 mm
Wheelbase 1,166 mm 1,200 mm 1,239 mm 1,277 mm
Reach 420/425 mm 450/455 mm 480/485 mm 510/515 mm
Stack 602 mm 611 mm 630 mm 648 mm

The 2022 FOCUS JAM 8.9 on the trail

As soon as you swing your leg over the bike, the wide top tube adorned with the name of the 2022 JAM makes you feel like you’re riding a beast of a bike. However, that’s merely psychological. In reality, the 2022 JAM doesn’t feel big and cumbersome at all, happy to weave and manoeuvre through tight sections. The FOCUS feels agile and easy to chuck around obstacles. During slow manoeuvres and when playing around, this feels excellent and is sure to put a smile on the faces also of less experienced riders. The JAM shows itself to be firm and efficient on the climbs and when riding on flat terrain. Should you encounter long pedalling sections and asphalt or gravel climbs, you can rest assured that this all-rounder will get you there with efficiency and speed. However, the JAM’s rear end feels somewhat harsh over roots and rocks, occasionally giving you more feedback than you’d like. Tuning tip: to get the most out of the F.O.L.D. 2.0 linkage and make it feel plusher, you can run the air shock at a lower pressure and combine that with the use of volume spacers to reduce the chances of bottoming out. The riding position on the JAM is comfortable yet slightly stretched, positioning you centrally on the bike even when you’re on a climb. That way, you’re always able to keep enough weight on the front wheel, making the 2022 JAM easy to control on steep inclines.

The firm 2022 JAM 8.9 is efficient and agile on the climbs. However, the rear end is somewhat lacking in sensitivity when riding over obstacles.

Depressing the lever of the Post Moderne dropper post remote requires a lot of force, which gets annoying on the trail – we recommend replacing it with an alternative remote. Once you’ve dropped the saddle and head downhill, the firm and direct character of the 2022 FOCUS JAM 8.9 becomes apparent again. The bike is at home on shaped trails where you can pump it through rollers and berms. Feel like getting on the back wheel? Doing a wheelie? Thanks to the short chainstays, the JAM is happy to oblige! At high speeds and on rough terrain, the JAM gets nervous and you’ll quickly find yourself having a hard time keeping it on course. If you’re looking for a big-hitting, high-speed rig, you’re barking up the wrong tree here. While the low setting of the flip chip slackens the head angle by 0.5°, it’s unlikely to make much of a difference in this regard. On very steep descents, you would also benefit from a slightly higher cockpit to avoid feeling like you might go over the bars. However, apart from freeride lines, the 2022 FOCUS JAM proved to be an excellent plaything on our local trails.

The 2022 FOCUS JAM 8.9 is a true all-rounder, winning us over with its cool design, clever details and affordable yet sensibly specced components, making us smile on most trails. The rear end and the dropper remote could be smoother and more sensitive. That said, once you’ve resolved these niggles and you’re not the type to ride freeride lines anyway, the clean looking and competitively priced 2022 JAM 8.9 might just be the perfect toy for your inner child. You’ll have a hoot almost everywhere.

Tops

  • all-rounder qualities
  • clever cable routing
  • value for money

Flops

  • gets nervous at high speeds
  • stiff dropper remote
  • cockpit could be taller for the descents

Tuning-Tipps: lower the pressure in the shock and instal volume spacers for a plusher ride | replace the dropper remote | fit tires with a thicker casing


Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.

Words: Moritz Geisreiter Photos: Focus