Focus JAM² SL Review | Bridging The Gap Between Full-Powered & Lightweight e-MTBs
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- čas přidán 13. 06. 2024
- See the full review here: flowmountainbike.com/tests/fo...
As the spiritual successor to the original Focus JAM² that launched all the way back in 2016, the new JAM² SL represents a compelling evolution of the lightweight e-MTB genre thanks to its shape-shifting geometry and Fazua Ride 60 system.
Would it live up to our expectations and the reputation of its precursor? And how does it compare to the rapidly evolving competition? To find out, we got our hands on the new Focus JAM² SL to put to the test!
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Focus JAM² SL Video Review Contents
0:00 - Focus JAM² SL Overview
1:11 - Fazua Ride 60 Motor & Battery
1:53 - Focus JAM² Geometry & Sizing
2:36 - Focus JAM² Price & Specs
3:08 - Focus JAM² Weight
3:30 - On The Trail
4:06 - Strengths
5:54 - Range Testing
6:32 - Downsides
9:54 - Component Highs & Lows
10:52 - Focus JAM² vs The Competition
11:15 - Flow's Verdict
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Today i got a test ride on it and i've never had more fun on bike in my life.
Bike is great as well, 430Wh battery was one of my deciding factors to pick up this bike. I had no issue with assistance, motor is powerfull, but after 500km torque sensor goes to no response. Replacing motor was not easy but relative quick, got new one direct from Fazua without any question (I was not first, obviously;). After next 500km I see noticeable wobble on crankset bearings (new motor). Charging battery outside bike: is get to used to it. Battery extender? Only in parallel universe.
I think this bike will suffer from lack quality assembly of drive unit.
Hi Wil, great review as usual. The Jam2 SL does have some features which I'd really love on my Rise H15 like adjustable geo particularly headset cups to slacken hta and 10mm more travel on each end. I too queried why Focus omitted the ability to mullet it using the flip chip. Having rode a Whyte e180 and a Commencal Meta power Sx over in Rotorua and Queenstown respectively, im mullet curious as to what i could do with my rise- over fork and use offset bushing or maybe try the new cascade linkage? Do you think that a mullet set up and a taller front end would be the key to unlocking this bike's downhill potential?
Removable battery has pros and cons as you pointed out, I couldn't take the Rise to NZ, but can take it to Tassie on the Spirit 😊
Another awesome review Will. Currently looking at what to get next for a SL e-bike. Love that this has a removeable battery too!
Without a external charge port I’m guessing this will not be compatible with a range extender if fazure actually bring it out
Thanks heaps for reviewing the jam 2 SL 9.9! It's been on the list of bikes in really keen on. How do you think it compares to the trance X elite 2? I'm also keen on it as with the battery out, the weight is well within capability of 20kg roof racks
Glad you enjoyed the review mate!
In regards to the Trance X E+ Elite, I found it to be a more agile bike with its mullet setup. It's got 10mm less travel at each end, and the geometry isn't quite as raked-out as the JAM2 SL.
The 85Nm SyncDrive Pro 2 motor has more power for sure, and I like that you have access to that power if needed. And the 200Wh range extender is a great option for turning it into a more conventional full-powered e-MTB with a decent amount of capacity.
In comparison, the Fazua system on the JAM2 SL is more compact and quieter overall. Power is excellent for a lightweight e-MTB, and not too far behind the 85Nm motor on the Giant. And the lower output does mean you can get more range out of the battery.
There's more geometry adjustment available with the JAM2 SL chassis, and the ride quality overall is more stable at high speed. It's also a better climber with the dual 29in wheels.
Between those two bikes, the deciding factors will likely come down to your preference of a mullet vs 29in setup, the Fazua vs Yamaha motor, and battery setup.
Hopefully that helps, but just sing out if you've got any other questions for us!
[Wil]
Thanks so much mate, really appreciate you answering in such detail and all you/the team do for mtb in Oz. Cheers!!!!
I would love to see a review on the gravity fsx boost comp eagle from bikes direct. I’ve noticed a lot of people buying them yet no professional reviews!
Dont waste your money on a toy like that it will break in half the first jump you hit.
Can you do a video on the Vam? Pleaasee
We've got a VAM² on the way soon for a review - stay tuned to the Flow website for that one! [Wil]
A suggest a review on the transition relay
Great suggestion! Keen to check out some of the new Transitions - stay tuned!
Hi seems like a nice bike but I want to try a mullet,can you please review the norco e fluid when I comes out,It’s on there website now so should come out soon thanks
You bet - we've already requested a Norco Fluid VLT for testing, so should hopefully receive it in the near future! Any other e-MTBs you'd like to see reviewed? [Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeCZcams that’s great thanks,the other one I like is the Santa Cruz heckler sl
Right on - we had a Heckler SL turn up for testing, but unfortunately encountered a problem with the Fazua motor during the first ride. We're waiting for it to be diagnosed and repaired, so hopefully we'll be able to carry on with the review in the near future! [Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeCZcams looks like there will be a new fork on the norco fluid vlt c3 model as it’s blocked out on there website so will be interesting to see what it is
210wh range extender? Show me one!
If Specialized put a 400 ~ 450 w battery on Levo SL it would become unbeatable, I don't understand this 320W option on their part. With each review I see of bikes in this category, the Levo becomes better.....
I rented a Levo in Sedona and it felt like I was riding a Harley. It practically looks like one too with that giant bottom bracket area. Not my cup of tea. I want an E bike that looks and feels like a normal bike.
Personally I really like the way the Levo SL handles with its smaller and lighter battery, and if you need the extra juice you can add on a Range Extender battery to bring the capacity up to 480Wh.
That goes for a lot of the other lightweight e-MTBs like the Fuel EXe, all of which benefit from the flexibility of adding on a range extender to suit different riding applications. [Wil]
Cables through the headset... I'm out.
Easily enough to change to a standard headset. My mate has done it on his.
@@mactheknife74 easy enough? Wouldn't it require disconnecting the brakes and needing bleeds etc?
Rode this bike, however the full 29er, and cables through the stem, I bought the heckler SL, awesome bike.. The only complaints are the ring control feels cheap, the display is too simple needs a screen like the levo SL. I find the fazua drive unit has heaps of grunt considering, nothing like a full powered Bosch, but it's for a different purpose.
Really not a fan of the bent looking top tube, thought it was an Orbea in the thumbnail.
It does look very much like a Rise, suspension platform layout looks almost identical
I have this bike. The 210w range extender is not available after 2 years from the bike launch and at this point clearly they have technical issues and it will never be available. For the rest is a great bike but the extender story is a joke.
Don’t like the e-bike frame set. Looks like a full on e-bike. That’s why I like the fuel EXe