Focus completely redesigned their JAM² to be one eMTB for everyone. It brings semi-affordability with a carbon frame sporting sleek carbon looks. The revamped ebike still gets 150mm of “reactive” rear travel paired to 160mm forks and capable all-rounder geometry. And there are options for either a lighter & slimmer 600Wh battery or a bigger range 800Wh alternative.
Focus says, “If there was only one e-mountain bike in the world, the JAM² would be the one for you. It’s the manifestation of a trail bike, supercharging your confidence on any trail – up or down.“
Focus JAM² alloy all-mountain eMTB
That one ebike for all types of mountain riding feels about right. This is big enough travel to smooth out almost any type of rough & rocky terrain. But with powerful pedal-assist, it’s also gonna be efficient enough for less-demanding singletrack trail riding. So, yeah, the Jam² seems like a solid middle ground for mountain bikers looking to buy just one ebike to ride it all.
But frankly, the Jam² family had gotten a bit confusing for me. Until now, the top 8-series was a conventional Horst-link 150/160mm 4-bar in carbon with a Bosch motor. Its 6-series was just an alloy iteration with the same Bosch motor. And then there was an alloy 7-series with an altogether different short-link 4-bar, shorter 150mm forks, and with a Shimano motor.
But now, Focus has gone back to the drawing board to simplify the Jam² eMTB family, and to separate it a bit more clearly from their lighter Sam² trail & burlier Thron² enduro ebikes. Gone are the 7- & 8-series, as focus makes it simple again.
What’s new?
The 3 big updates seem to be a more refined aluminum frame, the latest Bosch Performance Line CX motor, and 2 new battery power options for lighter weight or greater range.
The frame is now hydroformed from 7005 alloy to get the sleek seamless looks of carbon, including integration of the forward show mount into the bend in the toptube. Only in the stays and the bottom of the downtube do you see those classic big alloy welds.
A new Bosch CX
The 5th generation motor update is just the latest iteration of their top Performance Line CX motor (BDU384Y). On paper it still looks essentially the same. It’s still nominally 250W, a peak short-term power output up to 600W, delivering up to 340% of what you put in at the pedals, and puts out the same 85Nm of torque. But Bosch says this new generation motor is “more responsive than ever to your input” thanks to improved inertia, cadence & torque sensors inside. The result is a ‘more natural’ riding feel, while still delivering full-power pedal-assist support. And it’s even said to be quieter running, and about 100g lighter at a claimed 2.8kg now.
Battery-wise, the new CX update also brings two new modular internal batteries from Bosch, too. The PowerTube now comes in 600Wh or 800Wh variants that snap right into the new alloy Jam² downtube. The smaller battery lines up perfectly with the frame, while the larger hangs down a bit lower to make room for those extra electrons to carry you on 1/3 longer adventures. Then, Focus puts their own 2 different downtube covers over to make sure the battery is safe.
Also, all frame sizes of the Jam² are compatible with Bosch’s 250Wh range extender external battery, so you could end with either 850Wh or 1050Wh if you chose longer ebike rides.
Geometry tweaks
The new Focus Jam² geometry is quite similar to the outgoing ebike, but there are a few tweaks. The 4 frame sizes (S-XL) get a half-degree slacker headtube to 65°. Reach actually shrinks 5mm across the board, while Stack gets a tad higher together with a bit taller fork heights (more so on the smaller bikes). Chainstays and effective seat angles are unchanged. But standover height actually comes down, making these eMTBs more manageable over challenging terrain, coupled with longer travel dropper seatposts (up to 150mm S, 180mm M & L, 210mm XL).
Tech details
- 7005 hydroformed aluminum frameset with 150mm of rear wheel travel
- classic 4-bar suspension design with FOLD kinematics
- latest Bosch Performance Line CX ebike powertrain
- new Kiox & Purion displays on all eMTB models
- fully integrated internal cable routing through the upper headset bearing
- UDH, wired T-Type electronic or conventional mechanical derailleur compatibility
- 29 x 2.6″ tire clearance
- Boost 148x12mm thru-axle
- Post Mount 180mm brake, with 200mm rotors
- 34.9mm oversized seatpost for long travel droppers
- integrated Airtag or Chipolo tracker mounting
The new and improved Jam² is available now from your local Focus dealer. However, the 6.8 model is still very TBD on when it will actually ship, since it has some secret parts in its spec. There are four complete ebike builds – all sharing the same alloy frame. And while the top-spec model focuses on a lighter weight build, the three more affordable options give buyers the choice of a lighter 600Wh or longer-range 800Wh internal battery.
Focus JAM² eMTB – Pricing, options & availability
For 8000€, the Focus Jam² 6.0 gives you a 160mm RockShox Lyrik Ultimate fork & Super Deluxe Select+ piggyback air shock, paired to a SRAM GX AXS Transmission wireless drivetrain, Code Silver 4-piston brakes, and DT Swiss HX 1700 alloy wheels. This top-tier build features the lighter, smaller battery to get a claimed complete ebike weight of 24.3kg, and gets the latest (and excellent) new Schwalbe Albert Trail Radial tires.
With a somewhat confusing numbering scheme, the 6.9 drops to 6600€ with a mechanical Shimano XT groupset and Fox 36 Performance Elite / Float X Performance piggyback shock suspension, and still the 600Wh battery. Or for +400€ extra you get the longer-range 800Wh battery option. The Focus Jam² 6.9 also gets alloy DT HX 1900 wheels with those Albert Radial tires.
The Focus Jam² 6.8 lowers even more to 6000€ with a 600Wh battery (6400€ with 800Wh) and a unique claim in the spec sheet of a “New SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission” derailleur at a price that could only be mechanical. That means a direct mount T-type mechanical Eagle derailleur is coming soon from SRAM, but Focus hasn’t yet teased us with an actual photo. Their PR pics for this model are essentially frame-only with just a schematic outline of the ebike build. The 6.8 also down-specs to RockShox Lyrik & Deluxe Select suspension, a lower Bosch Purion 200 display, and house brand wheels on Formula hubs, but apparently still the Albert Radial tires.
Lastly, a 5000€ Jam² 6.7 600Wh build (5400€ with 800Wh) is the most affordable with a Shimano Cues 1×10 drivetrain, RockShox Psylo Silver RC & Deluxe Select suspension, and house brand alloy wheels on Shimano hubs with EXO casing Maxxis Minion tires.
