Suspension travel is by no means everything. With e-mountainbikes in particular, the boundaries between the finely graduated bike categories are becoming increasingly blurred. Tour or all-mountain? Enduro or trail? Focus has taken this motto to heart with its new E-MTB range.
After the Allrounder Jam² and the dignified Tourer Thron² the new Sam² downhill machine is now on the starting line. One thing is clear: with 170 millimetres of travel, the bike is the winner of the trio. But the decisive differences also lie in other areas.
Focus is positioning the Sam² as a gravity eMTB for demanding trails and extreme descents. With its downhill-orientated geometry and equipment, the bike is designed to offer maximum control at high speeds. To this end, the robust aluminium chassis has been equipped with 170 millimetres of suspension travel at the front and rear.
The kinematics in the rear have also been explicitly designed for steel spring dampers. The high weight approval of 150 kilos system weight gives confidence in the design. On top of this, the bike is explicitly approved for enduro and downhill use with large jumps in category 5.
The facts about the Focus Sam²:
- EngineBosch Performance Line CX (5th generation), max. 85 Nm torque
- Battery600 Wh or 800 Wh selectable (300 Euro price difference)
- Optional range extenderup to 1050 Wh total capacity
- Frame materialAluminium
- Spring travel: 170/170 mm
- Kinematicsspecially designed for steel spring dampers
- Wheel sizeMullet (29/27.5 inch)
- Setting optionsAdjustable steering angle and chainstay length
- Integrated cable routingStem C.I.S. 2.0
- Terrain clearanceCategory 5
- Maximum system weight: 150 kg
- Weight26.6 kilos (6.9 with 600 Wh in frame size L, BIKE measurement)
- Accessories included in the scope of deliveryFrame bag for tools and spare parts
- Models & Price3 models between 5699 and 8499 euros
Bosch drive of the latest generation
The new Bosch Performance CX lays the foundation for the new e-MTB range from Focus. Like the Thron² and Jam², the big E-Enduro Sam² for the 2025 season also comes with the latest version of the Swabian motor. The new edition is a little lighter, quieter and even smoother. Even though the performance data has remained the same with a maximum of 85 Newton metres and 600 W at the peak, the latest expansion stage is a good step forward.
The Sam² also relies on the same integrated battery as its two siblings. Bikers have the choice between 600 and 800 watt hours and can therefore decide whether they prefer something lighter (approx. 900 grams) or more enduring. The price difference is 300 euros.
Both batteries are located under a cover in the down tube, are secured with a key and can be removed quickly and easily. There is a different cover for the 800 battery, which creates more space for the thick battery and therefore protrudes a little further from the frame.
Difference to Thron² and Jam²: The Sam² is the only one of the three bikes to use the compact mini-remote and system controller. This is in keeping with the downhill-orientated character of the bike. The wireless handlebar remote and the integrated display should be less susceptible to defects in the event of a fall.
Customisable geometry for different preferences
The Focus Sam² offers various options for adapting the geometry to personal preferences and the terrain. The steering angle can be varied between 63.5 and 64.5 degrees using headset cups. A slacker angle ensures a smoother ride, while a steeper angle provides more agility. The adjustment should also work smoothly with the fully integrated cables.
The chainstays can be adjusted to either 441 or 448 millimetres using a flip chip in the rear triangle. Shorter chainstays make the bike more playful, while longer ones make it smoother, according to the theory. Focus recommends the short setting for frame sizes S and M and the long version for L and XL.
The aluminium frame of the Sam² has short seat tubes that offer plenty of room for long seat posts with a large adjustment range. The reach is generous. The large variance in the wheelbase is striking: depending on the setting of the chainstay length and the steering angle, the value in size L varies from a short 1258 mm to a generous 1292 mm. The influence on the bike's handling behaviour is correspondingly large. The riding position of the bike is rather compact despite the long reach values, as the seat angle is very steep and the front is high.
Gravity-orientated equipment without compromises
In terms of equipment, Focus relies uncompromisingly on components for tough gravity use. These include 2.5 inch wide downhill tyres that provide plenty of grip and good puncture protection. Focus really goes the extra mile here.
While most enduro bikes are equipped with Super Gravity (Schwalbe) or Doubledown (Maxxis) carcasses as standard, the new Sam²s come with an even more puncture-proof Super DH or DH construction, depending on the model. On top of that, the softest rubber compound Ultra Soft is available for both the front and rear wheels.
Brake discs with a diameter of 220 millimetres should provide reliable deceleration even on long descents. A lowerable seat post with a large adjustment range ensures freedom of movement. Depending on the frame size, posts with a 150 to 210 millimetre stroke are installed.
Focus deliberately opted for a complete aluminium package for the Sam², with an aluminium frame, wheels and handlebars. These components should withstand impacts without any problems and ensure that you can continue riding even after a fall. The reduced Bosch equipment should also ensure carefree use: a display has been dispensed with and the cables minimised thanks to the wireless remote.
The consequence of so much heavy duty: the new Focus Sam² is heavy. Our test bike checks in at 26.6 kilos in size L with a 600 battery. With the larger battery, you have to add another 900 grams.
Full throttle! How the Sam² performs in the practical test
We have already had the opportunity to ride the Focus Sam² 6.9 off-road extensively. Whereby the term "off-road" is relative. Because what is a blatant challenge for some other bikes is only a moderate surface for the Sam² in case of doubt. But more on that later.
As soon as you start rolling, the new Sam² makes it clear that it is not intended for boring flatland rides. The riding position is super modern, with a very steep seat angle. This means you sit very compactly, which is not everyone's cup of tea on the flat.
The bike feels better when it's steep - whether uphill or downhill. Despite its extreme downhill design, the E-Enduro also performs well on the climbs. Plenty of traction, paired with a central riding position and a powerful motor - you can pedal up really steep stretches with ease.
The new Sam² is always in its element when it's going downhill. And it can go as wild as possible. The high weight, plush suspension and long geometry provide plenty of grip. On the trail, it feels really plush and secure.
Whether small roots or rough impacts: The bike literally soaks up obstacles. The riding position is perfectly integrated. The rider is comfortably positioned behind the high front end, which inspires confidence.
Our test so far has been limited to demanding but not overly rough low mountain trails. In this setting, we were unable to get the bike out of its shell. And this is not where we see the Sam²'s ideal range of use. The new Focus cries out for stiff, fast and rough trails. Bike parks with downhill slopes or fast jumplines are where we would rather head for with the bike. Or even enduro areas with hard slopes like Finale Ligure.
When the going gets moderate, the bike's high weight takes its toll on its agility. If you want to actively ride the Sam² on flat trails, we recommend an extra lap in the gym beforehand - even if the smaller and lighter 600 battery is installed, as in our test bike.
The E-Enduro prefers to take the direct line through the stone field instead of flying over it in a bunny hop. Pulling the Focus into the manual is quite a feat of strength. Away from high-speed routes and really steep trails, we definitely recommend the shorter geometry setting with a steep steering angle. This makes the bike more manoeuvrable.
The really good cornering is also a positive feature on flatter terrain. With a balanced weight distribution between the front and rear wheels, the bike rails through berms and also takes flat corners as if on rails. The enormous grip of the soft tyres also helps.
With this package, we would be happy to embark on nasty gravity adventures. Especially as Focus has really thought of everything when it comes to the equipment. The high degree of freedom of movement thanks to the long dropper post is just as positive as the powerful TRP stoppers - which nevertheless remain easy to modulate.
The BIKE conclusion
The new Focus Sam² goes all out! You can push the bike to its limits and test its limits without hesitation when riding downhill hard. More safety is hardly possible. And you don't have to worry about the durability of this robust package either. However, the uncompromising (and heavy!) gravity design comes at the expense of all-round suitability. This makes this E-Enduro a tool for the really tough missions of a biker's life. - Florentin Vesenbeckh, Deputy Editor-in-Chief BIKE Magazine
Focus Sam² 2025: Models & Price
The new Focus Sam² 2025 comes in three equipment variants between 5699 and 8499 euros. All are based on the identical aluminium frame and come with Bosch Performance CX. There is a choice between Powertube 600 and Powertube 800 batteries, with only the top-of-the-range 6.0 model coming exclusively with the smaller 600 battery. The top model comes with Rockshox suspension, the other two variants with Fox.
Focus Sam² 6.8 - from 5699 Euro
- EngineBosch Perf. CX, Gen. 5
- BatteryBosch Powertube 600 or Powertube 800 (+300 Euro)
- Suspension fork/damperFox 38 Rythm / DHX Performance
- CircuitShimano Deore, 12-speed
- BrakesShimano Deore four-piston, 220/220 mm
- Impellers:
- TyresMaxxis Assegai DD Maxxgrip / DHR II DH Maxxgrip
Focus Sam² 6.9 - from 7199 Euro
- EngineBosch Perf. CX, Gen. 5
- BatteryBosch Powertube 600 or Powertube 800 (+300 Euro)
- Suspension fork/damperFox 38 Factory Grip X2 / DHX Performance
- CircuitSram 90 Eagle Transmission, 12-speed
- BrakesTRP DH-R Evo Pro, 220/220 mm
- ImpellersDT Swiss HF 1900
- TyresSchwalbe Magic Mary Super DH Ultra Soft (v + h)
Focus Sam² 6.0 - 8499 Euro
- EngineBosch Perf. CX, Gen. 5
- BatteryBosch Powertube 600
- Suspension fork/damperRockshox ZEB Ultimate / Vivid Ultimate Coil
- CircuitSram GX Eagle Transmission, 12-speed
- BrakesSram Maven SLV, 220/220 mm
- ImpellersDT Swiss HFR 1700
- TyresSchwalbe Magic Mary Super DH Ultra Soft (v + h)
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
