Florentin Vesenbeckh
· 28.02.2025
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The new Focus Jam² is one of the very few e-mountainbikes in the high-end league to roll onto the trails with an aluminium frame. This is unusual for an e-MTB in the € 8,000 class. To ensure a high-quality appearance, Focus has smoothed the weld seams in the head tube area and at the interface between the seat tube and top tube, which looks stylish.
However, this trick cannot conceal the higher weight. At 24.7 kilos, the Jam² is heavy for an e-MTB in this category and price range. And this is despite the fact that the top-of-the-range 6.0 model runs on (weight) economy mode when it comes to the battery. Although the Powertube 800 from Bosch would also fit in the down tube as an option, the model is only available ex works with a 600 battery.
The latest version of the Jam² was designed for the new Bosch Performance CX for 2025. Even though the key figures of 85 Newton metres have hardly changed, Bosch has been able to eliminate some of the classic's key weaknesses. As a result, the latest version has improved in almost every respect. Slightly lighter, quieter, finally rattle-free, even smoother and with reduced pedalling resistance.
Bosch has also upgraded its batteries. The new batteries are called Powertube 600 and Powertube 800. And both are lighter than their predecessors with 750 and 625 watt hours respectively. The Focus Jam² 6.0 comes with the 600 battery, which is 900 grams lighter than the 800.
Theoretically, however, the 800 also fits into the aluminium frame. All that is needed is a different cover that makes the down tube look a little fuller. Regardless of the battery variant: the classic folding removal, secured with a key, works intuitively and conveniently.
Focus takes a modern, but not extreme, approach to the geometry. The steering angle of a good 65 degrees remains moderate. Other companies go much slacker here on bikes with 160/150 mm. Focus wants to turn the Jam² into a fun trail speedster that doesn't just impress on the straights. The high stack is striking, which is additionally supported by the high spacer tower under the stem in the delivery state.
Focus is not aiming for the enduro category when it comes to the suspension either, but instead uses the classic all-mountain products from Rockshox. The Lyrik fork comes from the high-quality Ultimate series and works very well. Focus also relies on products from the Sram portfolio for the gears and brakes. The gears are shifted wirelessly with the GX Eagle Transmission and the necessary braking power is provided by Code SLV - including robust brake discs with a diameter of 200 mm.
A small battery and moderate geometry to make the bike manageable - does that work? We say: Yes. Because the Jam² really does offer super balanced and fun trail handling. Despite the rather long chainstays, the bike is easy to get airborne or onto the rear wheel.
However, the aluminium bike is not ultimately light-footed on the trail and the higher weight inhibits handling when changing corners quickly. However, the low centre of gravity and good integration into the bike provide a lot of security and confidence.
The high-traction Schwalbe tyres make a positive impression on the wilder downhill sections. However, the Albert Trail does not offer quite the same precision as the Gravity version and may need to be inflated a little higher.
The suspension also performs strongly downhill. Both the rear suspension and the high-quality Lyrik Ultimate strike a good compromise between fluffy response and confident control.
The conspicuously offset handlebar/stem unit is somewhat unusual, with the grips ending up well in front of the head tube. This gives the impression that a longer stem has been fitted. As a result, the rider's centre of gravity is slightly further forward than usual. Top: The Jam² is super quiet downhill. In this respect, hardly any other bike in our large comparison of eight high-end eMTBs can keep up.
The Bosch motor has also become significantly quieter uphill and sounds somewhat more pleasant in comparison with the competition. However, its strengths are the successful power delivery and excellent modulation. These also help the Focus on difficult climbs, where the bike is easy to control.
Even on moderate terrain, you sit very comfortably on the new Jam², thanks in large part to the high front end. It's a bit of a shame that if you want to lower the steering centre, you can't simply add spacers from the bottom to the top due to the integrated cable routing and the special stem design, but have to shorten the steerer tube. The carbon cockpit unit also robs you of flexibility when fine-tuning the bike to your personal preferences.
The term trail all-rounder fits the Focus Jam² quite perfectly. Fun, intuitive and well-balanced, the new Focus tackles all kinds of terrain. It is also a comfortable companion on tour. The aluminium frame makes the Jam² heavy and the small battery limits the range. - Peter Nilges, Test Manager BIKE Magazine

Editor CvD