Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes - First Look

Jun 19, 2016
by Paul Aston  
Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes

Focus is probably one of the biggest brands that aren't on your radar, especially if you reside stateside. A brand that used to sit on the budget side of the equation has been re-inventing itself over recent years and started to turn heads in 2015 with the introduction of its 160mm travel carbon Sam, 120mm travel Spine trail bike and its unsprung XC whippet, the Raven. Founded in 1993 by a three-time World Champion, Mike Kluge, Focus bikes are still based in Stuttgart, Germany, close to the Black Forest and a few hours drive north of the Alps. For the 2017 range, Focus presents a new patented suspension design and two completely new bikes, the 140mm Jam, and the 100mm travel XC racer, which is currently being powered around the World Cup XC circuit between the legs of former European Champion, Florian Vogel. www.focus-bikes.com


F.O.L.D. Focus Optimised Linkage Design

Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes

Previous suspension designs from Focus were fairly simple linkage driven single pivot bikes, while their new system is a little more interesting. The F.O.L.D. design uses a solid rear triangle which Focus say is the easiest way to save unsprung weight on a full suspension design as all bearings are centralized in the main frame. Another benefit of this design is that all of the moving hardware and shock is out of harm's way of anything that might be flung from the rear wheel.

Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes
Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes

The F.O.L.D. system's travel can be viewed as two phases. Along the first phase of travel, the system is regressive with the aim to make a super sensitive beginning stroke to absorb small bumps and increase traction towards the sag point

The second phase of the travel becomes progressive with the aim of absorbing impacts and ramping up to avoid harsh bottom outs in conjunction with custom tuned shocks.

Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes
Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes

Focus paid close attention to the Guidelink as it bears a close relationship to the bike's stiffness and after many prototypes have found the best balance between forgiveness and stiffness.


Focus Jam

Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes

Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes
Jam Details
• F.O.L.D suspension design
• 6 complete bikes with full carbon, full alloy or mix of materials
• Travel: 140mm
• 27.5" wheels
• Internal cable routing
• Boost front and rear hub spacing
• 'Burrito Bridge'
• Carbon frame weight: M - 2060 g claimed
• Four frame sizes S, M, L, XL
• Price: €2599 - €6999 / USD $3750 - $7500

Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes

The Jam frame is bang up to date with internal cable routing, Boost hub spacing front and rear, ISCG 05 chain guide tabs and an integrated chainstay protector. Another neat touch, although one I don't think was worth the hassle for the poor engineers that had to design it when they could have been out riding, is the 'Burrito Bridge.' This removable front derailleur mount is mounted on the swingarm and well out of the way of the bottom bracket area, allowing the chainstays to be squeezed down to a tight 425mm.

Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes

Focus say that their geometry is aimed towards aggressive trail riding with a 66.8º head angle based on a 140mm fork and a steep 74.5º seat angle for a good climbing position. Length wise, a medium frame has a 435mm reach and 425mm chainstays are found across the range.

Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes

bigquotesIn my eyes the JAM is the perfect all-mountain bike. It combines first-rate handling with first-rate suspension. A guarantee for fun on every sort of adventure! - Fabian Scholz, German Enduro Champion and Focus engineer

Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes
Here we can see a close-up of the 'Burrito Bridge,' a front derailleur can be mounted here, if you are that way inclined.


Focus O1E

Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes

Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes
O1E Details
• F.O.L.D Suspension design
• 3 complete bikes
• Identical, high-end carbon frames for each model
• Travel: 100mm
• 29" wheels
• Dropper post ready
• Boost front and rear hub spacing
• 'Burrito Bridge'
• Carbon frame weight: M - 1830 g claimed• Three frame sizes S, M, L
• Price: €3999 - €7999 / USD $4000 - $7500

Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes

The O1E is the Sam's smaller brother travel-wise at 100mm, but boasts bigger wheel to take on the World Cup XC circuit, with the name suggesting only one goal. While the Jam offers a wide range of material and specification, the O1E has three models to choose from which all use the exact same carbon spec frame, as well as carbon linkages opposed to the alloy versions on the Jam.

Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes
As cross country courses get steeper and more aggressive, so does the O1E's geometry. 69.2º at the helm, the same 74.5º seat angle as the Jam and similar sizing with a 435mm reach on a medium frame. The chainstays are deliberately long at 448mm to aid climbing and keep the front wheel planted.

Attention to detail is similar to the Jam including internal cable routing, chainstay protection, space for a water bottle and internally routed dropper post ready - a rarity on the XC circuit but something that will be appearing more in the near future.

Focus Present Jam and O1E Bikes
8.97kg. Light enough even by road bike standards.

For more information head to www.focus-bikes.com after checking out the video below:





Author Info:
astonmtb avatar

Member since Aug 23, 2009
486 articles

113 Comments
  • 100 2
 I for one am glad they found the right balance between rigidity and stiffness. I just hope they got the balance right between grip and traction
  • 27 16
 I had a small chuckle when I read that they have found the best balance between rigidity and stiffness.
Regarding your second statement, I think there is actually a difference between grip and traction, grip is friction between to two surfaces, i.e formula one slick tyres on a smooth track (lots of grip). Traction is when one object penterates another and relies on a resistance to shear forces i.e knobs penetrating nice loamy dirt, or spiked ice tyres.
  • 73 7
 @smoothwakey: Wow, you must be fun at parties.
  • 22 3
 @djpearce: lol i was just saying brah, i wasnt trying spoil the party
  • 1 4
 @smoothwakey: reach is too small!!
  • 11 1
 @smoothwakey: I actually found that really interesting! Thanks for the random physics lesson Wink
  • 7 0
 @smoothwakey: It was pretty interesting, I was just being a dick about it!
  • 1 0
 Looks like it was changed to "best balance between forgiveness and stiffness." Because you can't be too forgiving right?
  • 1 0
 So now that they've found the balance, they wont have to change it for nest years model? This is it. Done. Finished.Holy grail achieved?
  • 59 4
 The last thing I want my bike to do is fold.
  • 44 4
 kinda similar to a gambler.
  • 16 3
 after look like a session this is look like a gambler
  • 4 3
 my thoughts exactly
  • 3 1
 yeah i was like this is just a smaller less klunky looking gambler set up
  • 13 0
 I was thinking Blackmarket Roam, always fun to see new suspension designs emerging, reminds me of the dangerous and fun heydays of 90's bike design.
  • 3 1
 @wasea04: Yeah-- very clean looking bike, like Blackmarket Roam and Killswitch
  • 2 0
 My thoughts as well.. So the Gambler was using FOLD technology afterall.
  • 1 0
 @wasea04: It does look a lot like Roam and the hammer link design
  • 36 4
 Focus presents a new patented suspension design: FOLD, german for single pivot.
  • 4 7
 False Old Lies Dominate
  • 33 1
 @seraph: If it's a false lie does that make it a truth?
  • 18 0
 And in the States? How do you call a single pivot suspension? Dave’s Extra Legitimate Travel Apparatus or something similar, right? Big Grin
  • 2 0
 @pakleni: Absolutely.
  • 1 0
 Who let in the trolls?
  • 1 0
 I wonder how they patent something there is prior art on these Images are almost exact to the renderings seen on someones instagram account back in 2014
  • 30 0
 You had me at burrito bridge
  • 2 0
 What is that supposed to do? How can you set you front derailleur up there so far away form the chainring? Are you supposed to deviate the chain ? Can someone explain that to me? I'm confused
  • 1 0
 Nevermind, I foud my answer.
  • 1 0
 @EvilGarfield: I'd Imagine there's some sort of link that's not pictured that bolts in and holds the front derailleur down closer to the chain
  • 7 2
 @thats-joe: what's a front derallieur?
  • 26 0
 @warehouse: It's an inexpensive chainguide with a handlebar-mounted chainline adjustment lever.
  • 11 0
 I was expecting something like Specialized SWAT box, but sized for a burrito, and insulated to keep it warm, I'm sorely disappointed.
  • 18 0
 "Previous suspension designs from Focus were fairly simple linkage driven single pivot bikes, while their new system is a..."
linkage driven single pivot design too.
  • 3 0
 Quite strong as well to advertise the regressive first part of the LR as "super sensitive"...
But it's not the first time we can read marketing BS in an article!
  • 11 0
 I'll take a 160 travel version please!!
  • 11 0
 But mid-travel bikes with slack-ish geometry are the latest trend!
  • 1 1
 @skelldify: that geometry isn't exactly super slack
  • 3 0
 @justincs haha now that they have their new system, we re gonna see a bunch a new bikes hehe Smile a dh bike would be rad too
  • 1 2
 @RedBurn: I don't think we will see a DH bike soon since they are part of PON Holding and they own Santa Cruz. So they already have a DH bike and a WC team.

@justincs: here's your 160mm option www.focus-bikes.com/at/de/bikes/2016/mountainbike-trail/focus-sam/sam-c-team.html
  • 1 0
 @prevail: So basically a Transition Covert.
  • 1 0
 @bman33: So basiclly a Specialized Enduro/Stumpjumper
  • 1 0
 @stiingya: Similar, but Specialized linkage pivots on the seat post/tube. The Covert and that Focus have the pivots on the downtube. Therefore the Covert comparison
  • 2 0
 @bman33: oops sorry a "Covert"... yes your both right.

Anytime praise is given to Transtion these days my gut reaction is to make some allusion to Specialized. But that was not warranted here. my bad!
  • 1 0
 @stiingya: Haha...no worry. Honestly, it's tough to buy a 'bad' bike nowadays. Most out there are pretty capable and solid. Pick your flavor and go have fun.
  • 9 2
 10mm of travel for the 01E is pretty stingy... nah these bikes have come a long way, would definitely consider a JAM for my next whip.
  • 13 8
 That front loading cable port looks awesome but just like on my Nomad it fails to account for people who run their back brake on the left. That's going to rub like heck.

How many bikes do these companies sell in the UK, Aussie, New Zealand, South Africa? It's not inconsiderable surely? All bikes should have the cable rotting optimised for both left and right side running.
  • 1 0
 They seem alright with it considering that the dropper post already runs from the left side. That's a good point, but I think it shouldn't be an issue.
  • 1 0
 I hate to say it, but on the nomad if the brake was internal like the shifter cable then there would be no issue with the lever on the left or right. The angle that it exits the frame would keep it off the head tube. I just cable tied my brake hose to the shifter cable and it's fine.
  • 1 0
 @AgrAde: that is an excellent idea. I can simply zip tie it to the dropper cable to keep it off the head tube, then cross it over the top tube.
  • 3 0
 I see loads of Focus bikes in the UK, mostly hardtails though , and road bikes.
Cable routing is a small detail, but when it comes to choosing between two similar bikes sometimes the small details are what swings the buyers opinion one way or the other, can't be that hard to make it work either way?
  • 9 0
 specialized Taco / focus Burrito: nice
  • 1 0
 Imitation is the highest form...you don't see many burritos in Europe though.
  • 5 0
 It took some pondering about leverage curves to figure out why they might design a bike this way. The usual explanation, of offering better small bump compliance without bottoming out, never seemed accurate. An entirely progressive leverage curve would be superior for that. Instead, a better explanation is that it offers better small bump compliance without sagging too far into the suspension. The initial high ratio keeps the bike higher in the travel range. Then the lower leverage ratio part of the curve is centered on the typical sag point. The most active part of the suspension is centered on that sag point and then is progressive in each direction.
  • 2 0
 I fully agree that an entirely progressive LR would have been superior, it is a high leverage ratio that gives you sensitivity at the beginning of the stroke. With this kind of bell shaped LR, you get a suspension that tends to stay at the upper point of the curve. The drawback is that you have to tune your shock for both a regressive and a progressive phase which will undoubtedly lead to some compromises!
  • 1 0
 But does the initially higher ratio before being sagged actually allow a lower ratio at the sag point without sagging too far? That's what I think the intention is despite never being fully or accurately explained. Otherwise, yeah, it still wouldn't make sense as advertised.
  • 7 1
 " Price: €3999 - €7999 / USD $4000 - $7500"

How the f*ck is €7999 equivalent to $7500, especially if the bike comes from EUROPE?! o_O
  • 4 0
 Yeah, that is messed up. Tired of getting charged more for nothing.
  • 5 0
 @beerandbikes: taxes.

The US won't include any of the sales tax as pricing in North America is MSRP plus tax. Unlike most of the world where VAT or GST or some sort of Sales Tax is inclusive.

German VAT is what? 19%? Sales tax in some places in the US can be zero.

$4000US is €3500 toss a handy 19% VAT in there and it's over €4000, so really you guys are getting a better deal.
  • 8 1
 Looks a lot like Dave Weagles DELTA link setup...
  • 1 0
 It does indeed.
  • 3 0
 Can anyone tell me or show me how the hell a front derailleur goes on that "burrito bridge"? I tried to search their site for one installed. I really don't understand how a front derailleur can be attached to a part that moves, and is that far away. Does this require a new burrito front derailleur? Lol.

Really though, bike looks sweet, just confused about burrito bridge lol.
  • 4 0
 That derailleur mount indeed looks one of a kind
www.focus-bikes.com/uploads/tx_templavoila/FOCUS_O1E-PRO.jpg
  • 2 0
 @mishkoln: That looks like a mess of loose bolts and bent parts waiting to happen. With that set up on the swing arm you will need to tune it after every ride. What a joke! I guess they have accepted the extinction of the front derailleur. I spotted an eagle...
  • 3 0
 Good thing they put some numbers aside the X and Y axis, so it should be clear that the term "regressive" is wildly exagerated.
2.62 to 2.66 come on! Thats 1.53%...and the progressive part is barely touching 10%, numbers that you can achieve with a linkage that looks a lot less spectacular..cuz thats what this one does best...looking good!
Way to go marketing!
  • 8 1
 absolutely loves it, magnificent frame design!!!
  • 9 2
 Reminds me of the Black Market Killswitch a little bit.
  • 6 1
 Regressive doesn't equal progressive. Fix typo on second leverage ratio paragraph.
  • 4 2
 The leverage ratio transitions from regressive to progressive, not equal as you stated, quite the opposite. This should help prevent bottom out and still be supple off the top, in theory of course!
  • 2 3
 very similar to the new generation of santa cruz VPPs
  • 1 1
 Honest question... isn't first half of the travel progressive since it is increasing in leverage ration and the second half (post sag) regressive since the ratio is decreasing?
  • 1 1
 @patrick2cents: Yeah sort of, the leverage is increasing but that makes the shock's resistance to compression decrease, so it's somewhat misleading to look at it that way. Seems like the modern consensus is to use the term to look at what is happening to the overall resistance to compression, with progressive indicating a decreasing leverage ratio.
  • 1 1
 @b26-4-Life: Thanks, that clears it up!
  • 1 0
 They fixed the typo. They just had the wrong word in the second paragraph after the leverage ratio curve.
  • 5 1
 clean design i liked it would buy both if money wasn't i concern ahahhahhhahahah
  • 1 0
 8.97kg!!! The trouble is, that does not appear to be a O1E Team, nor Pro. Unless, my eyes are deceiving me, those are not SRAM RS-1 forks nor SID XX. So, what is the point in giving us the weight of a custom (I'm guessing, World Cup) race bike? We need specs on bikes we can actually buy. Come on Pinkbike, I thought you were better than that!
  • 5 0
 That looks like one mean XC ride! Very cool!
  • 1 0
 Nice smooth frame and suspension design. But can feel that the design guides the engineering. Looks like they adjusted the scale of the leverage ratio curve until they could see an inflection and make it a concept.
  • 1 0
 Why are big brands like focus releasing new bikes that don't yet come with the "new and superawesome" metric standard? If I get a bike today I wanna be sure that at least the shock mount is future proof.
  • 4 0
 I like more Transition acronyms.
  • 2 0
 Both look fast standing still. Very nice.
.....im already thinking the 29er 01E with a 120mm fork would be an absolute blast as an xc/trail weapon!!
  • 3 0
 I stopped the video at "Highest level of fun on any adventure",I don't even want to know the price
  • 3 0
 1 jam with a 150mm lyric and an angle set please!
  • 4 2
 Looks amazing. Focus bought Santa Cruz, so you know the carbon layup is money!
  • 10 2
 No. Santa Cruz was bought by Pon Holdings in 2015. Pon Holdings also owns Focus, Cervelo and Royal Dutch Gazelle; Its a Dutch conglomerate in the transportation sector, also involved with Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Continental tire, and a bunch of other shit.
The bikes do look nice. Nothing to do with Santa Cruz though.
  • 1 3
 @SteveDekker: Porsche, Audi, and VW all share parts, process, and lawsuits. So I'm pretty sure this will continue for their cycling positions.
  • 4 3
 @sevensixtwo: No. They wont. Santa Cruz is Santa Cruz. Thats all. Its a Holding Company, like a hedge fund, not a Management company.
  • 1 3
 @SteveDekker: Its the sole purpose of the holding company.
  • 1 1
 @sevensixtwo: Pon has done a pretty good job of providing money to their other bike companies and allowing them to grow. Hopefully, this will reduce some lead times for some Santa Cruz bikes...
  • 3 0
 I like it. Linkage activated single pivot. and it looks clean. Well done.
  • 2 0
 Sorry to be a Debbie downer, but it appears to not have a metric shock...... Hmmmm
  • 1 0
 Is everyone overlooking the black Fox fork and the "Burrito Bridge"? These are the things I want to know about!
  • 1 0
 I like how clean this looks. I think the "Burrito Bridge" is designed to hold your Chipotle burrito.
  • 1 0
 Is this a parody, or something? Voice Over Man is branching out. Hollywood's clearly not exciting enough for him anymore.
  • 3 1
 That's a lot of effort for 10mm travel haha
  • 2 1
 Although I wish they would have opted for threaded BB. I love how easy SC bikes are to work on.
  • 2 0
 Enduro version please. These look pretty good
  • 2 0
 There you go...

www.focus-bikes.com/gb/en/bikes/2016/mountainbike-trail/focus-sam.html

Not the same suspension setup but one hell of a Enduro race bike!
  • 3 0
 @helgiberg: yeah I saw those, one with the new suspension design would be cool
  • 1 1
 FIG-JAM - F..k I'm good just ask me. That about sums up most bike marketing, and probably a lot of riders opinions of themselves as well.
  • 1 0
 Wiked picks. rocky mountain has made many variations of single pivot frames with variable leverage rates.
  • 2 0
 sexx
  • 1 0
 Cool frames. Garbage shocks.
  • 2 0
 cool!
  • 1 0
 not good when your suspension design predicts your companies future
  • 1 0
 No XL size? Seems to be a trend these days.
  • 1 0
 Plenty of surface on that top tube for sticking on some mid ride sweeties.
  • 1 0
 That video makes me want to buy someone's mother a drink )))
  • 2 1
 EVIL Delta Link Copy
  • 2 1
 No metric?!
  • 2 0
 I'd like to know that too as I'm interested in the bike. Not that I care a lot for my riding but more if I want to keep the bike. So yep would be nice to know.
  • 1 0
 @doric2806: Daww, I was just kidding...
  • 2 2
 Looks like a hammer link
  • 2 2
 Looks like a gambler







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