It's difficult to talk about an e-mountainbike being "cheap". Thin ice, so to speak. After all, you can get a used small car for the 4500 euros that our two duel partners cost. But the reality is: there are hardly any cheaper bikes that are suitable for a serious entry into mountain biking. But how do the Focus Jam² 6.7 and the Megamo Flame AL 20 perform off-road?
The candidates in the fact check
Focus Jam² 6.7
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX (100 Nm)
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 600, removable (optional 800 Wh)
- Spring travel: 160 / 150 mm
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Weight: 25.97 kg (size L, measured in the BIKE lab)
- permissible system weight: 150 kg
- Price: 4699 Euro (4999 with 800 Wh)
Megamo Flame AL 20
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX (100 Nm)
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 600, removable (optional 800 Wh)
- Spring travel: 150/160 mm
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Frame sizes: S, M, L
- Weight: 25.17 kg (size L, measured in the BIKE lab)
- System weight: 120 kg
- Price: 4599 Euro (4799 with 800 Wh)
More information on the Bosch Performance CX motor fitted:
The need to economise on equipment
It goes without saying that you shouldn't expect miracles from these two bikes in terms of equipment. Gears on both bikes with Shimano's Cues 6000 with only 10 gears (tested here) and therefore a limited range of 436 per cent. E-mountainbikes usually have 12 gears and a gear range of 510 or 520 per cent. The price pressure with which the product managers have calculated is also noticeable in the affordable aluminium wheels.
The Focus wheels in particular are extremely heavy. This is despite the fact that the tyres with thin Exo carcass provide (too) little puncture protection. Here, too, the two bikes have little in common, as neither offers more than the cheapest Maxxis tyres. However, Megamo takes a decidedly tame approach with the low-profile Rekon tyres. Efficiency on the trails takes precedence over off-road performance. The Minion DHF tread on the Focus suggests more grip and therefore off-road ability.
The choice of tyres shows a fundamental difference, which is also reflected in the design of the two bikes. Logically, the suspension is also not from the highest price ranges. Whether it's the affordable Rockshox package on the Focus or the Suntour elements on the Megamo, you can generally venture into more demanding terrain with these parts without worry. However, if you have high demands in terms of damping control and want to give your bike the spurs on trails, you will have to make clear compromises here too. This also applies to the brakes. Whether Srams DB8 on the Focus or Shimano's MT420 with the extra-long levers on the Megamo, the brake quality is perfectly fine - but nothing more.
Bright spot Bosch motor
When it comes to the electric drive, however, both bikes rely on absolute top quality. Bosch's Performance CX is a real climber with its dynamic thrust. Following the latest software update, it also delivers more than enough thrust with 100 Nm and up to 750 watts. There are no compromises here. Only the range is somewhat shorter with the smaller Powertube 600 batteries. However, both bikes are also available with the larger 800 batteries on request. At Focus for 300 euros extra, at Megamo for 200, but beware: the large energy sources weigh just under a kilo more.
When it comes to weight, we have a sore point: although the bikes are not exactly designed for tough downhills, they are heavy at over 25 kilos. Even with the 600 batteries. The Focus is another 800 grams heavier, and the very heavy wheels also hinder the nimble propulsion. In addition to the economy equipment, the aluminium frame is of course also responsible for the extra pounds. While the chassis of the Megamo is a little rough and the chainstay protector is too minimalist, the Focus shows much more effort in the workmanship and details. The polished weld seams, the generous and effective frame protection, the rubberised battery cover - everything leaves a high-quality impression. Added to this is a high weight allowance of 150 kilos system weight. This compares with a slim 120 kilos for Megamo.
What counts is on the tour
But enough of the preamble. While the key data of the bikes are initially very similar, the practical test reveals very different characters. The Flame shows where the Spanish brand Megamo has its origins: In the sporty race and marathon sector. The riding position is stretched and the low cockpit pulls the rider over the bike. Anyone who is used to a racy long-distance bike will feel at home here.
The Jam² welcomes its pilot in a completely different way. The front is enthroned high up, the cockpit is wide. The bike tends to be compact and sits comfortably upright. Both concepts cut a fine figure on steep climbs. The Focus places the rider in the centre of the bike, allowing you to stay in control even on technical sections. The comfortable suspension also provides a lot of traction, which the Bosch motor converts into propulsion.
The Megamo has even fewer problems with steep turns thanks to its long rear end and low cockpit. However, if active manoeuvres are required, you sit too far back to keep the bike calmly on track. Pushing the saddle far forwards helps a little. On slippery surfaces, the strong rear suspension cannot hide the weak tread of the tyres and traction is lost.
On long tours, it remains a question of faith: If you want to sit on the bike for a long time and efficiently collect kilometres, the choice clearly falls on the Spaniard from Megamo. If you prefer to sit a little more upright and emphasise comfort, you will be better served by the Stuttgart-based Focus makers.
Pleasure or frustration? The trail test
Cheap tyres, inexpensive suspension elements and brakes: when it comes to serious off-road use, the need to save money is usually a particular hindrance. So are the two duelists out of their depth off the forest track? The Jam² has the character of a true trail all-rounder. The riding position is modern and harmonious, the rider sits safely behind the high front end. This allows the bike to be ridden safely, fun and with traction through the terrain or even over more difficult descents.
The inexpensive Psylo fork on the Focus lacks some damping control when ridden at a brisk pace, which is a bit of a hindrance; the rear suspension could do more. The moderately puncture-resistant tyres are also not exactly a guarantee for carefree acceleration. An update is definitely worthwhile for trail fans! But all in all, Focus hits a good sweet spot between riding safety and manoeuvrability with the Alu-Jam. This is also evident in the affordable entry-level version that we tested here.
The Flame AL also reveals a completely different character on the descent. The riding position is striking. The long, low stem stretches the rider slightly lower over the bike, even when standing. Unusual for an e-mountainbike in this suspension travel class. In combination with the long chainstays, you don't need to worry about too little pressure on the front wheel. As a result, the Flame tends to ride in a straight line instead of cruising lively over the trail. When things get steep, this makes the bike less stable and you'll find it more difficult to stay composed on the bike when hitting hard hits. With a different cockpit - a short stem and riser handlebars - the riding position could be significantly adjusted.
On the other hand, the rear suspension absorbs all kinds of impacts very well. You can feel that there is a lot of travel and absorption capacity here. The fork has nominally one centimetre less travel and can't quite keep up with the rear end in practice. In wet, slippery terrain at the latest, the weakly profiled Rekon tyres also clearly limit riding safety. All in all, the Flame AL feels more comfortable on long tours than on rough terrain. With a little tuning, however, you can get a lot more trail power out of it.
Scoring: Focus vs. Megamo
The BIKE conclusion
With more modern geometry and more attention to detail, the Jam² from Focus is more convincing. It outperforms the Flame AL, especially off-road. Classic tourers with a penchant for collecting kilometres efficiently should take a closer look at the Megamo. - Florentin Vesenbeckh, Deputy Editor-in-Chief BIKE Magazine
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
