The Focus Sam² 6.8 shows us that you don't need to spend a fortune to have a limitless electric Gravity bike: 170 mm, Bosch with 120 Nm, and a battery of up to 1050Wh

The Focus Sam² is one of the best-selling models in the electric gravity segment. Its winning formula includes long-travel suspension, a rear spring, a robust aluminum frame without compromises, downhill-focused geometry, all at a very competitive price.

We have thoroughly tested it and will tell you how one of the trendy electric enduro bikes performs.

The Focus Sam² is a full power bike designed for downhill

The Focus Sam² is one of the most recommended models when you ask those who really know about electric bikes that serve both for a bike park day and for enduro routes. And having that popular opinion is something complicated these days.

From the first sight, it is clear that Focus has designed this bike seeking the best possible performance when descending.

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The bike features a mullet configuration, with a 29” front wheel and a 27.5” rear wheel, a kinematics designed for the use of a spring shock, providing 165mm of rear travel through a 4-Bar configuration. And a very low geometry that seeks a position of great control, with adjustment options, both in the head tube and in the chainstay length.

The frame of the Focus Sam² is made of aluminum, with a very careful design, especially the front triangle in the head tube and top tube area, where you can appreciate a hydroforming and polishing work on the welds, and the shapes have been worked to make it look like carbon. The seat tube also presents a great design work to integrate the linkage anchor into its shapes and, at the same time, allow a great insertion of the seat post to use long-travel posts.

Another aesthetic detail is the shock anchor on the top tube with a blind thread, so it looks completely clean from the right side.

In the vicinity of the motor and the rear triangle, you can see some robust welds that denote the solidity sought in the frame construction.

The diagonal tube is open at the bottom to extract the battery via a key system. There is, of course, a protector that covers the entire bottom of the tube and can be easily removed without tools by turning a small latch.

In the chainstays, we find a horst link articulation, where a Flip chip is located to vary their length. We also find flip chips in the connection of the stays with the linkage to invert them along with the lower ones, so that the change in chainstay length does not affect other measurements, such as bottom bracket height, etc.

In the Focus Sam², they continue to bet on the integration of cables and hoses but leaving aside excessive complications. The wiring runs through the inside of the head tube but enters from below the stem, although the shape of this merges very well aesthetically with the spacers in a very good aesthetic finish.

The rubber protectors found at the rear are also very well finished. In fact, the chainstay protector is at another level compared to what we usually find, with a deep step to silence chain impacts as much as possible. And this chainstay protector integrates the dust guard in the same piece to protect the connection between the chainstays and the front triangle from dirt. The right stay is also protected against chain rubs or impacts.

Of course, we also find a generous protector at the bottom to cover the motor. This has cooling openings to mitigate overheating.

The charging port, on the left side of the seat tube, is very well finished with a sliding cover that prevents it from being hit by the crank in a careless moment.

The Focus comes with a highly useful accessory, such as the bag they have custom designed to fit in the front cavity of the frame, where we can carry some tools, food, or any necessities for the route without having to carry them.

A detail that confirms how focused the Sam² is on trails 100% is not only the absence of a display on the handlebar but also that the frame is not prepared to house the Bosch display for the top tube, so it only has the Bosch System Controller to see battery level, assistance mode, etc., via LED light code. Of course, if we have the Mini Remote control to manage the assistance modes and more.

Getting into the geometry aspect, as we said, the Sam² features adjustable head tube cups, and depending on their position, we can have 64.5º or 63.5º. The reach in size M is 465mm. The stack is quite generous, with 639mm in size M, which will position us more upright, with a control position.

The chainstays can be configured at 441mm or 448mm, depending on the position of the flip chips. Focus recommends the short measure for sizes S and M and the long for L and XL, but they leave the option open to experiment with it.

All these measurements make the total length very generous and, although this depends on the position of the cups and flip chips, we will provide the data for the launched head tube position and short chainstays, which in size M results in a length of 1263mm.

Bosch Performance Line CX: now with 120Nm

Although Focus invites us to focus on the user experience more than on the actual power and assistance numbers of the motor, the truth is that the Bosch motor is reacting to market trends and has greatly expanded its capabilities with the latest software updates.

When the fifth generation of this motor was presented, it still offered the same power data as its predecessor, and the improvement came with new sensors and firmware that made for a much more natural user experience. But over time, several updates have been presented that have notably increased the power.

Now the motor offers 120Nm of maximum torque and 750W of power, and regarding the percentage of assistance, it now reaches up to 600% compared to our performance on the pedals. Although it should be noted that to obtain these power data, we need to configure the assistance values we want through the app.

We also need to use the application to choose the modes we want to use, as we can alternate 4 modes while riding, but these must be selected beforehand from a list that offers a wide range of modes, both standard and dynamic. Once selected, we can also customize them to our liking, increasing or decreasing the assistance within a range, or varying parameters such as the response at startup, maximum power, etc.

As we mentioned, in the Focus Sam² we have the System Controller on the frame, which provides us with the most relevant information via LED light code, and we have the Mini Remote control on the handlebar.

Regarding the battery, the Focus Sam² can mount the Bosch PowerTube of 800Wh if we want greater autonomy, or the 600Wh if we want to reduce the bike's weight a bit and prioritize handling.
The bike is compatible with both batteries by simply changing the protective cover. And of course, it can also use the Bosch Range Extender, reaching up to 1050Wh for maximum autonomy.

Focus Sam² 6.8: maximum capability from the first price

The bike we have had for thorough testing is the entry-level model of the range. This is a detail we like, as we can test the model that the majority of users can access, although it must be said that the price-quality ratio of Focus is excellent in all three models that make up the range.

As we will see, in the assembly of the Sam² 6.8, there is no compromise on what is truly important if we prioritize fun and descents.

We have a robust Fox 38 Rhythm fork that gives us 170mm of travel. The shock is a Fox DHX Performance.

The transmission is handled by the Shimano Deore, whose precision of operation has very little to envy to higher-end groups. The brakes are also Shimano Deore, in this case with 4 pistons and 220mm discs on both wheels for braking that matches the bike's capabilities.

The wheels, which as we have said combine diameters of 29” in front and 27.5” in the back, feature WTB rims with 30mm internal width and Formula hubs. On these, we mount tires of full guarantees, such as the Maxxis Assegai with DoubleDown casing and the Minion DHR2 with DH casing. Both in 2.5”.

The Post Moderne seat post offers specific travel in each size, being 170mm in the size M we tested. The rest of the components are up to par, including the previously mentioned integration details.

Riding the Focus Sam² 6.8

The Focus Sam² exudes strength and robustness from the moment it comes out of the box, yet it does not lose harmony in its shapes. The linkage and the rear triangle catch the eye due to their oversized construction. This makes the diagonal tube look perfectly proportioned. Moreover, our test bike, coming with the smaller 600 Wh battery, has a lower protector that takes up slightly less space, gaining aesthetically.

Of course, we went through the scale ritual, although we did not expect a contained figure, given the characteristics of the Focus Sam². It weighed 26.33kg without pedals.

And after the first basic adjustments, we set off.

We were eager to get into the action with a bike like this that calls for descents and trails, but first, we passed through varied pedaling terrains and climbs to adapt to the position and make the first adjustments to the motor.

The position is very comfortable on the Sam². We sit quite upright, in a control position for when the terrain slopes down, although for pedaling, especially on climbs, it may not be the most efficient. In any case, this is a detail that in an electric bike, especially with the assistance capacity of the Bosch motor, does not matter as much, and in the Sam² they have clearly enhanced the descending capabilities.

In these pedaling areas, despite not being a bike that will stand out for great agility, we do see that it moves with more joy than we expected. In areas of tight uphill curves, we had no trouble getting it into the lines. Even with the head tube position at 63.5º.

The shock has a lever to eliminate oscillations while pedaling, and although this is something we do not see as vital in an electric bike, it does allow us to pedal some sections standing up and change posture without the suspension moving excessively.

No matter how much a bike like this is designed for descending, it is necessary to be able to tackle technical uphill sections with guarantees, as to reach some of the best descents we have to go through all kinds of terrains. In these situations, aside from the assistance and help provided by the Bosch motor, which we will discuss now, the Focus helps with a very vertical seat tube, positioning us very forward relative to the bottom bracket, aggressive tires that provide us with very high traction, and also a precision in the transmission that surprises us, considering we are dealing with an economical group and, of course, mechanical drive.

In times where electronics seem to dominate everything, mechanical groups have reached a precision of operation that, when well adjusted, have little to envy in terms of reliability and precision.

Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 5: now more powerful than ever

Although Bosch does not seem to want to enter a numbers war and focuses mainly on the “quality” of that assistance, seeking a natural and predictable response. The truth is that after several updates of this fifth generation, they have reached a remarkable 120Nm of maximum torque and assistance of up to 600%, although they have set the maximum power at 750W, a figure they consider sufficient and defend as a reasonable maximum.

And along with these mentioned power figures, each update from Bosch brings software improvements that allow us, in real MTB use, to tackle increasingly technical and complicated climbs with a solvency that not long ago would have seemed crazy, not so much for the necessary power, but for the bike's manageability when offering maximum assistance.

As we have mentioned, from the Bosch Flow application we can choose the four modes we want to use while riding. In our case, we had a list with 9 modes, some standard and others dynamic, each with its own characteristics, such as assistance level, acceleration parameters, maximum power and torque, or maximum assistance speed.

Within each mode, we can customize the parameters to our liking, so the final level of customization is very high.

While riding, once again the Bosch motor has demonstrated its ability to adapt to us and make things very easy for us when overcoming difficult sections. It is a motor that feels very natural. In sections of uncomplicated pedaling, we feel the pedals at all times, without adulterating the experience of riding a bike, especially when using dynamic modes.

But of course, we also wanted to test the raw power that this motor can now offer, and on very steep climbs, we tested the highest levels, pushing a bit to see how the bike responds. In these situations, the climbs become a control challenge, given the speed at which we can ascend. The surprising thing is the motor's ability to constantly regulate the thrust to maintain rear wheel traction, making easy what not long ago was practically impossible to climb.

Regarding assistance, we always say it is very relative because it depends on the rider's weight and the terrain's demands and whether or not to abuse maximum assistance.
In our tests, in a purely enduro use, with hardly any flat pedaling and without conserving battery, we managed to complete a route of more than 30km and 1600m of elevation gain with the 600Wh battery of our model.

Descending is the habitat of the Focus Sam²

Focus has put all the necessary ingredients for the Sam² to be an infallible weapon when it comes to descending. From the moment the terrain becomes favorable, the suspensions begin to take center stage, as they absorb every little irregularity with remarkable solvency. The rear remains glued to the ground at all times with that level of smoothness typical of a spring shock. It seems from the first moment as if the obstacles are smaller than they are and all the irregularities are perceived as softened. This gives us a confidence and security that makes us, from the first descents, already release the brakes and let the bike run more than usual.

This absorption capacity of the suspensions, combined with the geometry of the Focus, makes grip in corners one of the bike's strong points. In this regard, the behavior of tires with full guarantees in the most demanding terrains also contributes.

Considering that we are dealing with a bike of generous length and a fairly high weight, we might think that entering tight corners will not be a highlighted point in the bike's behavior, but in motion, we have been able to move it with quite a bit of agility, especially at high speeds. In very slow areas, it is a bit more challenging, but the fact of having a mullet format, with a 27.5” rear wheel and a geometry that offers us a lot of control, makes us face the tightest sections with guaranteed success.

But if there is one terrain where the Focus Sam² clearly stands out, it is undoubtedly the most broken and bumpy sections. In these situations, we play with an advantage if we are aboard the Sam². We have a control position and a suspension capacity that makes steep and broken descents feel like an amusement park. In sections where we normally hesitate to descend, with the Focus we can tackle them with the confidence that comes from the stability of a bike designed for these terrains.

Conclusions

After spending some time thoroughly testing the Focus Sam², we can understand why it is one of the bikes we see most in the most enduro territories.

If what you are looking for is an eBike that offers maximum capability when descending all kinds of trails and at the same time has an electrical system that guarantees reliability and capability, the Focus Sam² gains a lot of points. But if we can also access a bike like this for less than 6000 euros, success is guaranteed.

The Focus Sam² is a bike with a clear focus on fun in descents. If this is the goal you are looking for, this is a great choice to play with an advantage.

The Sam² range consists of three models. We have tested the 6.8, which is the first entry option in the range and costs 5,699€ with a 600Wh battery (5,999€ if we opt for the 800Wh). The Sam² 6.9, with a slightly superior assembly, with mechanical Sram T-Type transmission and Fox Factory fork, costs 7,199€ or 7,499€ depending on the chosen battery. The top of the range is the Sam² 6.0, which is only offered as standard with the 600Wh battery, this comes equipped with Sram electronic transmission and Rock Shox suspensions in Ultimate version, and is priced at 8,499€.

Focus Sam² 6.8. Specifications, weight, and price

• Frame: Hydroformed aluminum 7005, 165mm travel
• Fork: Fox 38 Rhythm, 170mm
• Shock: Fox DHX Performance
• Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX
• Battery: Bosch PowerTube 600Wh / 800Wh
• Gear: Shimano Deore, 12v
• Shifter: Shimano Deore
• Chain: Shimano CN-M6100
• Crank: Sam²ox, 165mm
• Handlebar: Alloy, 800mm, 30mm rise
• Stem: Focus C.I.S. 2.0, 40mm
• Seat: Focus
• Post: Post Moderne DP-212
• Brakes: Shimano Deore BR-M6120, 4 pistons, 220mm discs
• Rims: WTB STi30 TGH
• Hubs: Formula DC-611, DC-648
• Front tire: Maxxis Assegai, DoubleDown, 3C MaxxGrip, 29x2.5”
• Rear tire: Maxxis Minion DHR2, DH, 3C MaxxTerra, 27.5x2.5”
• Weight: 26.33Kg
• Price: 5,699€

More information on the official Focus website.