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Review. June 2015: The Focus Sam takes first, second and third place in the German Enduro MTB Championship. Piloted by Focus engineer Fabian Scholz and the Reiser brothers. But the "old" Sam was not only convincing in enduro races, but also in our tests. But now it's time for the next generation of enduro bikes.
The New Focus Sam for the 2019 model year is visually reminiscent of the All Mountain Jam. Like the Jam, the Sam also has the FOLD rear triangle (Focus Optimised Linkage Design). This squeezes 170 millimetres of travel out of the shock (10 more than its predecessor). The fork now also offers 170 millimetres. The Sam still rolls on 27.5-inch wheels. The FOLD system allows a one-piece rear triangle. This saves weight and reduces the need for maintenance, as no additional bearings are required. There is now also space for a bottle cage in the main frame.
Compared to its predecessor, Focus claims to have saved 400 grams on the frame. The Stuttgart-based company has also updated the geometry: At 64.8 degrees, the head angle is modern and slack, but not extreme. Focus was able to shrink the chainstays to 428 millimetres. At 460 millimetres, the reach in L is modern, but by no means too long. There will only be frame sizes S, M and L.
Focus Sam 2019: The models
Two models are now available from Focus dealers: the 5999 euro Top model Sam 9.9 has a carbon fibre main frame and rear triangle as well as high-quality suspension: the new Rock Shox Lyrik fork works at the front, the Super Deluxe shock at the rear. The twelve gears are changed by the Sram GX Eagle, combined with a carbon crank. The 2.5 Maxxis tyres are mounted on Race Face Turbine wheels.
The cheaper Sam 8.9 model is in the shop for 3999 euros. It has a carbon main frame and an aluminium rear triangle. It has a Fox 36 Rhythm suspension fork at the front and a Fox Van shock at the rear. The Sram GX Eagle is also fitted to this model, albeit with an aluminium crank. The E1900 wheels are from DT Swiss. An aluminium main frame is not planned for the time being.
Driving impression: How the Focus Sam rides
We have already been able to test the top model in the Idarkopf trail park. Our test bike in size L weighed 13.6 kilos without pedals (not tubeless). This is not a figure that makes us do a happy dance, given the price and the category, but it is still within reason. The riding position is very compact due to the steep seat angle. When riding downhill, the 460 reach allows us to adopt a balanced position, but full-throttle riders might want an even longer frame. The suspension is very plush (the predecessor had a rather firm suspension), but we miss more end progression on compressions and blunt landings. Volume spacers should remedy this. The new Rock Shox Lyrik is nice and high in its travel and works excellently. The handling is very balanced and the bike moves playfully through the air - grins are pre-programmed. However, our test bike was annoying with rattling cables, as the foam tubes around the outer shells were missing. According to Focus, this was a pre-production problem.
