The Focus Izalco Max 9.7 AXS is part of our annual Bike of the Year test. Donec sodales leo eget nunc mattis vulputate. The geometry of the new frame has been tweaked, though the fully built bike now weighs a little more at 23.13 kg (500 Wh), primarily because of the larger battery. Changing the support levels on the trail has been made absolutely superfluous thanks to the new eMTB mode almost always offering the right balance between power and control. Praesent quis erat ultrices, sagittis ex eu, varius orci.

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We have a sneaking suspicion there might be, though time will tell on that one…In the meantime, strap yourself in for a look at some of the highlights from the 2020 Focus mountain bike range that are coming to our shores this season!Initially suckered in by the killer combination of its ‘Heritage Blue’ paint job and those lovely Maxxis tanwall tyres, this Focus O1E 8.8 then blew us away with what might just be one of the best value packages on offer for 2020. Every year, he reviews around 100 bikes, specialising in the subject of tires, motors and suspension, before putting on his skis come winter! For six grand, you’re getting a rather special package that includes a RockShox Ultimate fork, Mavic XA wheels, carbon fibre Race Face Next R cranks, a Shimano XTR 12-speed mech, and shiny Magura MT Trail disc brakes. Not only did we ride the FOCUS JAM² on our flowy home trails scattered with jumps, rollers and berms, but we also took it to the techy and steep trails of the Black Forest.The riding position on the FOCUS JAM² is super comfortable – perfect for all-day rides.

His know-how is incorporated into each of our reviews, ensuring the quality of our work stays high!

Featuring 140mm of travel front and rear with 29in wheels and aggressive Maxxis tyres, the JAM is pitched as a versatile trail bike that’ll take a water bottle inside the carbon fibre mainframe thanks to the compact F.O.L.D suspension design.

Take this JAM 8.9 Nine for example.

Bike of the Year 2020. It doesn’t get any prizes for build quality and finish but it offers a convincing package of performance-oriented componentry without any eye catching bling but all the functionality you need. However, our first review of the 12-speed XT groupset made a very good impression, especially with its smooth shifting while under full load.
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Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Sed id venenatis turpis. This provides the versatility for a more stable bike on the trails in the 27.5+ version or a bike that rolls more quickly with 29 wheels. Vivamus elementum, odio eu posuere lacinia, eros felis egestas metus, a ullamcorper dolor sapien eget ligula. Praesent auctor nisl in arcu pretium commodo. Duis maximus at dolor at fermentum.

Perhaps related, you’ll notice that Focus hasn’t gone heavy with all-new models for 2020, like Norco and Trek have. You’re getting aggro 27.5in Maxxis tyres, a piggyback Fox Float DPX2 shock, and the venerable Fox 36 fork up front.This particular model – the SAM 8.9 – gets a hybrid frame setup with a carbon front end and an alloy swingarm. The JAM² is powered by a 625 Wh battery, which is integrated into the down tube.

There’s the purebred race model with 100/100mm of travel, and a slightly burlier version with 120/110mm of travel.

In this dynamic mode, the motor responds very sensitively to pedal input and adjusts the assistance between 140 and 340 per cent.

Flicking it into corners, quickly changing direction and messing around on the rear wheel is easy and intuitive – and comes with a grin included. What’s your favourite? Vestibulum quam lectus, finibus ac tincidunt a, tincidunt varius nunc. Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!We’ll also be diving deeper into some of those new Focus e-MTB models, so stay tuned to the website and Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. The FOCUS JAM² 6.8 NINE reviewed here is not intended to replace the existing Shimano STEPS E8000 equipped models. The Purion display on our test bike isn’t quite stock.

That all sounds pretty good, until you get to the price.

Felix is chief of testing and undoubtedly one of the best test riders in the world. Beautifying the transition between down tube and the new Bosch Performance CX 2020 is a problem that all bike brands will encounter if they opt not to use a cover. The only let down here is the shallow tread profile of the MAXXIS tires.