FIRST RIDE REVIEW

The New Focus Jam² eMTB

Review by Robert Johnston 

For 2025, Focus has updated their do-it-all eMTB with some refinements along with the new Bosch Performance Line CX MY25 system. We had a thoroughly enjoyable two days with the Focus crew learning about their new eBike and putting it to the test in the mountains of Les Vosges, so let us report back on the details and how it performed.

ABOUT THE NEW FOCUS JAM2

For the new Jam2, Focus wanted to ensure that their key customer base would be catered for, while still pushing the capabilities and performance of the bike to the next level. That means there’s some features in there that may not be exactly what you would expect, and some geometry numbers that don’t quite follow the typical “longer, lower, slacker” trend. Rest assured though that the resulting performance is not lacking as a result.

The Jam2 is a 150mm rear and 160mm front 29er, designed for all mountain e-biking. This spans anything from trail centers and high alpine pedal missions to rough and rowdy natural descents…albeit not with the aggression of an enduro eMTB.

DRIVE UNIT AND ELECTRONICS | The Jam² features the brand new 2025 Bosch Performance Line CX drive unit, named BDU38, and unofficially what you may hear being called Gen 5. If you want to learn more about this new system, check out its independent review here.

To sum up the highlights of the 2025 Bosch Performance Line CX, the performance figures haven’t changed. It still produces 85Nm torque and up to 600W peak power. Bosch considers this to be the ultimate balance of power, efficiency and weight, and we understand their argument. Though of course, it’d always be nice to have the option to get more out of it for the steepest pitches and heavier riders.

Things that have changed are the 100g weight reduction, which is always appreciated. Perhaps most notable from the outside is a considerable noise reduction, with a quieter and more pleasant tone on the way up the hill and the rattle removed on the way down. There’s also more sensors and different algorithms in place to make the motor more sensitive. When you’re trying to climb up low traction technical climbs, this makes a huge difference, and it’s undoubtedly one of the most sensitive systems on the market.

Also much appreciated are the new battery options, with 600Wh and 800Wh options offered boasting improved energy density. These give you more range for considerably less weight, with the 800Wh weighing in at 500g less than the existing 750Wh. The Jam² is compatible with both of the new Bosch Powertube batteries simply by changing the downtube cover, and you can make your choice at the point of purchase.

Focus opted to fit the Bosch Kiox 300 display to a custom stem spacer, and use the LED remote on the handlebar to control it. This may seem a little outdated, but Focus received feedback from their customers that it was what they desired on this bike. You could remove the display if you’re not a rider who finds benefit in it. Thanks to well managed cables…albeit with the “dreaded” headset cable routing…there was no rattle or adverse effects of having this system fitted, aside from a little distraction and a few accidental mode switches on the descent.

FRAME AND FEATURES | Focus is offering the new Jam² in alloy only, with heavily hydroformed tubing sporting some smooth carbon-looking welds everywhere but around the motor. The result is a very clean, premium looking alloy frame. The shock sits semi-integrated into the top tube; there’s plenty of room for a water bottle or range extender, and there’s a tool mount up by the head tube which allows for spares to be easily transported.

The cables are routed through the headset with Focus’ C.I.S., which features custom headset spacers to mount the Bosch Kiox 300 display. Many will roll their eyes at the headset cable routing, but it’s safe to say that it comes with benefits to the appearance of the bike and can help to reduce cable noise.

Focus worked on the frame protection to minimize noise when riding. The downtube protector is a mixture of plastic and rubber to keep noise from stones and trail debris to a minimum. The driveside seatstay and chainstay are given generous protection with custom-formed protectors. And the motor cover has been worked on to ensure it’s strong enough to handle punishment on technical climbs, while feeding air to the drive unit to help to keep it cool.

SUSPENSION | For the 150mm rear end on the new Jam2, Focus were happy with maintaining roughly the same kinematics on the old version. To improve the suspension performance, they instead worked on a firm and supportive tune to give more aggressive riders the capability and control desired to push hard. They managed to deliver a rear end that neatly blends comfort and sensitivity with support and control.

GEOMETRY | Focus wanted to ensure the Jam² retained its well-rounded, easy-to-ride nature both up and down the hill, so avoided pushing the geometry to the extreme.

There’s a 65 degree head tube angle paired with a 76.5 degree effective seat tube angle. For the small to extra-large size range, reach numbers go from 425mm to 510mm. Across the range there’s the same 450mm chainstay length and 25mm BB drop.

The large tested comes in with a 480mm Reach and tall 648mm Stack height to give a commanding position on steeper terrain. The total wheelbase on the size large measures in at 1268mm, giving a nicely blended overall ride characteristic.

BUILD SPECS | Focus is offering the new Jam² in a range of builds in Europe initially. The 6.7 kicks things off at €4,999 with the 600Wh battery, and they top out at this 6.0 at €7,999. You can upsize to the 800Wh battery for an extra €400 if desired.

The build on the Jam²  6.0 we tested is premium without going ultra-flashy. There’s an Ultimate level RockShox Lyrik and custom-tuned Super Deluxe Select + suspension package, offering great adjustability. SRAM supplies the GX T-type drivetrain and Code SLV brakes with 200mm rotors.

Focus provides their own integrated carbon bar and stem combo, with 25mm rise and some comfortable angles. There’s a OneUp dropper post topped with a Fizik eBike saddle. Rounding out the specs are a DT Swiss HX1700 wheelset, which is wrapped in the new and excellent Schwalbe Albert Radial Trail tires.

The claimed weight of this build is 24.3kg, or 53.5lbs – respectable for a no-nonsense build on an alloy eMTB.

THE DIRT

SETUP| Getting the Jam2 setup was an easy affair. I set it to 30% sag in the rear, and used the recommendation from the RockShox trailhead app to get the Lyrik into a good baseline. It was then time to hit the trails to see how it felt.

I ended up increasing the fork pressure by 5% to deliver the feel and balance that I preferred, and was quickly in quite a happy spot. The rear end’s support and composure was impressive and the fork was buttery smooth, if a little keen to use its travel. But for the trails we were riding, which weren’t too steep for the most part, it felt great.

Thankfully the integrated bar and stem combo was fairly comfortable. I’d still prefer to have independent units personally, but the geometry and feel of the Focus one piece was agreeable enough that I wasn’t forced to think about it the whole time.

The LED Remote on the bar combined with the display definitely doesn’t give the cleanest cockpit, even with the Stealth brakes, AXS pod and headset cable routing. I can appreciate the functionality for riders who find value in the display, but my preference would be for the system controller with the LED display in the top tube, personally. Even so, it did little to distract from the ride.

ELECTRONICS & INTEGRATION | Of course, we have to talk about that new Bosch system. If you want some more detailed thoughts, then head over to the dedicated Bosch MY25 article and video. I’ll try to keep this brief.

I’d have loved to see more power from the new Bosch drive unit. Time will tell if they’ll answer my prayers, but for now that maximum 600W peak is all fine and well until it gets extra steep or when I’m riding with lighter riders. In these situations, I’m often left wishing for a little more.

I left the Bosch system in its stock configuration. I’d likely push the turbo mode all the way up on the sliders for my personal use, though. Because, why not? Even in turbo, the power that the new system produces is delivered with considerably better control. The old Bosch system was already a solid performer for technical climbs in the eMTB mode, but the MY25 system has elevated this considerably. Their claims of the unit feeling “stuck to your feet” are very much justified, and it makes technical climbing even more enjoyable.

The reduced noise is much appreciated, with the noise when climbing being that little bit nicer on the ears. The removed rattle on the descents makes for a super quiet and dialed feeling on the way down, too. When combined with Focus’ successful efforts to keep rattles on the rest of the bike to a minimum, the result is a dialed feeling with minimal distractions from the trail beneath your tires.

CLIMBING | On the way up the hill, the new Jam² is a very competent machine. The suspension platform has a nice amount of sensitivity to helping the Schwalbe Albert Radial rear tire latch onto the terrain below, but it’s not overly soft and wallowy to limit control or feel to be stealing efficiency.

The climbing position is solid, with the combo of the 450mm rear end and 65 degree head angle keeping lots of weight on the front wheel and making it an easy machine to wiggle up tight and tech climbs. The seating position is comfortable, if not the most modern and upright position. But it works with the rest of the geometry to leave you in a happy place on the bike, both for steep technical climbs and mellower fireroad pedals.

DESCENDING | The Jam² does a great job at blending agility and fun factor with capability and comfort on the way down. The suspension is supportive enough to push fairly hard, but doesn’t suffer from any discomfort as a result. There’s a lot of traction, and the stiffness balance is dialed for a comfortable yet confident ride.

The geometry is well balanced and puts plenty of weight on the front wheel to deliver plenty of grip naturally. The rear end length prevents it from being an ultra playful manual machine, but it’ll still change direction and get onto the rear wheel easily enough to have plenty of fun.

When you’re pushing hard and moving fast, it can become a little nervous, and a slightly slacker head angle could be beneficial, but once you reach that level then you’re likely to benefit from the longer travel Focus Sam² instead.

The overall feeling of quality is high, with no rattles making a huge difference on the way down – it runs impressively quietly. The build kit all felt sensibly selected, especially with the impressive Schwalbe Albert Radial tyres. I’d love to see the SRAM Maven brakes on this top-end build, but the CODE still provided sufficient power and control to slow the ship down.

The Wolf’s First Impression

The new Focus Jam2 is a great all-rounder eMTB, with a nicely blended character, some well-considered details and a dialed finish that is almost eerily quiet at times. It’s not necessarily the best choice for the most aggressive riders out there, but will be a solid machine for all but the most demanding.

Price: €4,999 (6.7 w/600Wh) – €7,999 (6.0, tested)
Website: Focus.bike/JAM2