Test 2023 - All Mountains up to 3300 Euro: Focus Jam 6.9 - good spec, unfortunately heavy
Jan Timmermann
· 18.03.2023
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Focus makes no secret of the fact that the Jam was designed primarily for downhill fun. We already attested to the carbon version in the last all-mountain test overweight. Made of aluminium, the Focus frame weighs half a kilo more than the equally heavy Canyon Spectral AL 6 and YT Jeffsy Core 3 models, which together with the massive wheels add up to around 17 kilos ready to ride.
The Focus Jam sets off at a correspondingly slow pace. Every intermediate sprint costs energy. It's a shame, because the riding position feels efficient thanks to the steep seat angle and integrates the rider well into the bike. However, it's better to shift down a gear on climbs. Fortunately, you can switch on a platform on the shock, because without it, the rear end rocks significantly. Uphill over roots, the shock tends to bottom out.
Focus Jam 6.9: strong on steep downhills
The rear suspension also lacks support downhill. Although it is more sensitive than that of the Canyon, it releases the long 161 millimetre travel too quickly and has to be ridden with a lot of air pressure. The Jam would definitely benefit from a shock with adjustable compression damping.
Not least because of its weight, the Focus is extremely stable on the trail. In combination with the high front end - long head tube, lots of spacers - this creates a very good feeling of security on steep sections. A lot of effort is required to manoeuvre the bike in tight trail sections. Unfortunately, the weight cannot be ignored here either.
The full Shimano XT equipment includes the most powerful four-piston brakes in the comparison group. The Focus Jam 6.9 is the best equipped of the bikes from specialist dealers. Only the thick and smooth grips offer little grip.
Test Focus Jam 6.9: Conclusion of the BIKE editorial team
The Focus Jam has a lot of potential, which is unfortunately slowed down by its extremely high weight. The lack of agility limits the range of use. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE tester
Technical data & notes Focus Jam 6.9
Manufacturer information
- Price: 3299 Euro >> available here
- Available from specialised dealers
- Frame material: aluminium
- Frame size: S / M / L / XL (tested in size L, 45.5 cm)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 16.63 kg
- Frame weight without shock: 3940 g
- Weight of wheels: 5854 g
- Handlebar width: 780 mm
Equipment
- Fork: Fox 36 Float Performance
- Shock: Fox Float DPS Performance
- Front/rear suspension travel: 151/161 mm
- Cranks: Shimano XT
- Gear system: Shimano XT 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-51 / 510 %
- Brake system / disc (front / rear): Shimano XT BR-M 8120 / 203 mm / 180 mm
- Telescopic post / stroke / diameter: Kind Shock Dropper Post / 150 mm / 31.6 mm
- Wheels: Rodi TRYP 30
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF / Minion DHR II Exo / Exo+ TR 3C MaxxTerra 29 x 2.50 / 2.40
- Ease of maintenance: medium
BIKE TEST RATING²: good - 173.3 out of 250
¹Price may be subject to additional costs for packaging, dispatch and coordination.
²The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements (BIKE laboratory measurement) and the subjective impression of the test riders.
The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses (129.75-105 P.), unsatisfactory (104.75-0 P.).
Jan Timmermann
Editor
