Do touring bikers have the same requirements for an e-mountainbike as experienced trail freaks? The Focus developers say: no. The new Thron² fully is explicitly aimed at bikers who focus on comfort. Nevertheless, it should also be a lot of fun on trail rides. The starting point for the development was the existing Jam². However, the Thron² has to make do with a little less suspension travel and has been designed to be even more universal. For example, it can be equipped with solid mudguards, pannier rack, light and side stand as an everyday bike.
The facts about the Thron²
- Bosch Performance CX Gen4 motor
- Depending on model, Powertube battery with 500 or 625 watt hours
- 130 millimetres spring travel
- 29 inch
- Models available with pannier rack, mudguard, light and side stand
- Weight: from 23 kg (manufacturer's specification)
- Max. System weight: 120 kg
Prices and equipment of the Focus Thron²
The new Bosch comfort fully will be available in five equipment variants, two of which come fully equipped for trekking and city use, i.e. mudguards, lights, pannier rack and kickstand. The Thron² 6.7 costs 3899 euros and comes with favourable Rockshox suspension and 12-speed Sram gears. The pannier rack version costs 4299, while the top end is marked by the Thron² 6.9 for 4699 euros. It features Fox suspension with a 34 mm Rythm fork and the new 12-speed XT from Shimano.
Driving report Thron2
A good-natured, comfortable fully that makes beer garden cyclists, commuters, gravel road tourers and trail riders equally happy. Can this compromise work? With this promise, the Focus developers took us to their home trails in and around Stuttgart. When you sit on the bike, you immediately notice it: The riding position is not overly upright or even squat. Even sportier touring bikers feel comfortable here. The suspension is very sensitive and provides a lot of comfort. As it releases the suspension travel very willingly, it feels like it has more travel than the 130 millimetres indicated. On climbs, the bike climbs very confidently, the medium-length chainstays (455 millimetres) keep the front wheel on the ground without any problems. The Thron² 6.9 mastered at least the steepest climbs on our test ride without any problems, no extreme weight shifting was necessary.
But what happens when the trail slopes downwards? The handling is very balanced and comfortable. The steeper steering angle (66.8 degrees) makes the bike manoeuvrable and direct. It's also a lot of fun when riding fast. In the direct comparison to the Jam² However, the good-natured brother provides less riding stability and safety when things get steeper or rougher. Despite the soft suspension, the bike can still be manoeuvred willingly into the air on waves and small jumps. On the rear wheel, however, the bike can only be manoeuvred with great effort and good technique. We say: a successful balancing act! However, this is not really surprising, as the geometry is based on the Jam² known from 2019 and previous years, which is not an extremely modern and aggressive trail bike, but still impresses with its balanced handling.
Universal and durable: Focus Jarifa2 and Aventura2
The new e-hardtails from Focus, which also come with an aluminium frame and the new Bosch motor, are also on the comfortable side. The bikes are available with either 27.5 mm wheels or as 29ers. The bikes also come as pure e-MTBs (Jarifa²) or with full equipment, i.e. mudguards, pannier rack, lights and kickstand (Aventura²). One special feature is the battery capacity. The universal battery concept from Focus has been revitalised on the hardtails. The Powertube batteries with 500 or 625 watt hours (depending on the model) are located in the down tube, and classic Bosch top-mounted batteries with up to 500 watt hours can be attached to the down tube as an option. This means that enduring e-bikers have up to 1125 watt hours - permanently installed on the bike - at their disposal!
The facts about Jarifa2 and Aventura2
- Bosch Performance CX Gen4
- Powertube battery with 500 or 625 Wh
- Optional add-on battery with additional 400 or 500 Wh
- available in 27.5 or 29 inch
- 100 millimetres of suspension travel on the fork
- max. system weight: 120 kg
Prices and models
The Jarifa² is available in four equipment variants, each with a choice of 27.5 or 29 inches. It starts at 2699 euros, the top model costs 3799 euros. There are four versions of the Aventura² between 2899 and 3999 euros, all with 29-inch wheels.
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
