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The FOCUS JAM 6.8 NINE is the underdog of this group test. Priced at € 2,199 it is by far the most affordable bike in the test field. And at first glance, there was nothing much that we could criticise – would it stay that way on the trail?
FOCUS JAM 6.8 NINE | 140/140 mm (f/r) | 14.68 kg | € 2,199
There wasn’t much fanfare about the fact that the FOCUS JAM now comes as a 29er – suddenly, the bike was just there. It looks really exciting on paper, with balanced geometry, thoughtful componentry and FOCUS’ proprietary FOLD rear linkage. Compared to the 27.5″ model, the 29er version has a centimetre less travel, 140 mm at the front and rear to be exact. Our test bike came equipped with RockShox suspension consisting of a Revelation fork and Deluxe shock. There is no climb switch on the latter – so you won’t be able to lock out the rear for the climbs. The rest of the components have been very thoughtfully chosen, especially considering the competitive price. The combination of MAXXIS HighRoller II and Aggressor tires is just as impressive as the SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain. The trigger is mounted to the brake lever via the right-hand side Matchmaker, but the Matchmaker for the left side would be a lot better in terms of lever ergonomics and reachability. At 125 mm, the dropper post doesn’t have enough travel, though the cockpit, with 780 mm wide bars and a 60 mm stem, is generously sized. The JAM 6.8 is fitted with MAGURA MT Trail brakes with a powerful four-piston calliper at the front, but only a two-piston calliper at the rear in combination with 180 mm rotors – not enough for long, steep trails.
Big Wheels keep on turning – the FOCUS is a real long-distance bike!
Helmet Giro Montaro MIPS | Glasse SCOTT Sport Shield 60 Jahre Edition | Backpack Thule Rail 12L Pro | Jersey Specialized Demo Jersey | Short POC Resistance Short | Knee pads Sweet Protection Bearsuit Light | Shoes Giro Chamber 2
The FOCUS JAM 6.8 NINE in detail
Fork RockShox Revelation RC 140 mm Shock RockShox Deluxe R 140 mm Brakes MAGURA MT Trail 200/180 mm Drivetrain SRAM NX Eagle Seatpost KindShock E30i 125 mm Stem BBB Alu 55 mm Handlebar BBB Alu Riserbar 780 mm Wheels Race Face AR 30/Novatec 29″ Tires MAXXIS HighRoller II/Aggressor 2.5″/2.3″
Too short The chainstay protector is very short and thin. The chain rattles loudly and the paint-work gets damaged as a result.Comfort-oriented The rear end of the JAM doesn’t offer enough support for aggressive riding. On top of that, there’s no climb switch either.
Very solid The SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain performs flawlessly. Unfortunately, FOCUS specced the wrong Matchmaker, which makes it difficult to reach the shifter.
Underpowered The small 180 mm rotors, paired with the two-piston calliper at the rear, aren’t reliable enough for long descents.Too tight The tire clearance in the rear of the JAM is too tight. If you push the bike into corners, the tire rubs on the frame. When things get muddy it’s bound to leave unsightly scratches.
Size
S
M
L
XL
Seat tube
420 mm
440 mm
480 mm
510 mm
Top tube
575 mm
595 mm
624 mm
652 mm
Head tube
110 mm
110 mm
135 mm
155 mm
Head angle
67,8°
67,8°
67,8°
67,8°
Seat angle
74,5°
74,5°
74,5°
74,5°
Chainstays
440 mm
440 mm
440 mm
440 mm
BB Drop
33 mm
33 mm
33 mm
33 mm
Wheelbase
1,148 mm
1,168 mm
1,197 mm
1,225 mm
Reach
415 mm
435 mm
455 mm
475 mm
Stack
618 mm
618 mm
641 mm
660 mm
FOCUS JAM 6.8 NINE in test
The position aboard the JAM 6.8 NINE is aggressively stretched out, perfect for covering long distances. Pedalling on flat sections is comfortable, but if you intend to do a lot of steep climbing, you will have to push the saddle forward to compensate for the seat tube angle, which effectively slackens as the seat post extends. With an even pedal stroke, the rear suspension hardly bobs and you won’t miss the climb switch on the shock. However, If you tend to get out of the saddle to pedal you will end up wishing for one. Overall, the FOCUS climbs well enough and also provides sufficient traction in technical sections.
Tuning tip: replace the remote lever of the dropper | install volume spacers in the shock | if necessary, install a longer travel dropper post | upgrade the Revelation fork with PIKE internals | fit left-hand sided Matchmaker
On flat, flowing trails, the JAM 6.8 NINE picks up speed very quickly, inviting you to pump it through rollers. The weight distribution between the wheels is balanced, allowing the bike to remain stable and precise through corners. Manualling is easy in spite of the large wheels. On steep, rough descents, however, the fork reaches its limits. Unfortunately the rear suspension also lacks the progression and reserves for harder hits. On top of that, the rear tire constantly rubs on the seat- and chainstays when you push the bike hard through corners. The bike feels most at home on easy trails and long, relaxed rides.
Low price, a lot of performance, more relaxed riders won’t go wrong with the JAM.
Conclusion
The FOCUS JAM 6.8 NINE is a very comfortable bike with good-natured handling at a very affordable price! Those who enjoy long rides and aren’t constantly chasing a new best time on the descents will find the right bike here. For more aggressive riders, the suspension isn’t capable enough.
Tops
very comfortable on long rides
good-natured, easy handling
very fairly priced
Flops
rear suspension bobs when pedalling out of the saddle
This scale indicates how efficiently the bike climbs. It refers to both simple and technical climbs. Along with the suspension, the riding position and the weight of the bike all play a crucial role.↩
How does the bike ride and descend? How spritely is the bike, how agile is it through corners, how much fun is it in tight sections and how quickly can it change direction?↩
Is the bike stable at high speeds? Is it easy to stay in control in demanding terrain? How composed is it on rough trails? Stability is a combination of balanced geometry, good suspension and the right spec.↩
This is all about how balanced the bike is and particularly about how well it corners. Balanced bikes require little physical effort from the rider and are very predictable. If a bike is unbalanced, the rider has to work hard to weight the front wheel to generate enough grip. However, experienced riders can have a lot of fun even with unbalanced bikes.↩
How sensitive is the suspension over small bumps? Can it absorb hard impacts and does it soak up repeated hits? Plush suspension not only provides comfort and makes a bike more capable, but it also generates traction. The rating includes the fork and the rear suspension.↩
This aspect mainly comes down to the suspension. How much pop does it have, does it suck up the rider’s input or is it supportive, and how agile and direct is the bike?↩
We don’t calculate value for money in an excel spreadsheet or based on how high-end a bike is specced. We are more concerned with how a bike performs on the trail and how the bike benefits the rider. What good are the best components if the bike doesn’t perform well on the trail? Expensive bikes with a lower-end spec can offer very good value for money – provided they excel where it matters. Just as supposedly cheap bikes with good components can get a bad rating if they don’t deliver on the trail.↩
No, it’s not about racing, it’s about efficiency. Fast, fleet-footed and efficient – those who want to speed along flowy singletrack and gravel roads need a defined and spritely bike that accelerates with ease and efficiency. Nevertheless, reliable components are important too. We interpret XC more like the Americans do: big back-country rides instead of a marathon or XC World Cup with the ultimate in lightweight construction! Uphill-downhill ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%!)↩
...also known as mountain biking. Classic singletrack with roots, rocks and ledges – sometimes flowy, sometimes rough. For this, you need a bike with good all-round qualities, whether climbing or descending. Uphill-downhill ratio: 50:50↩
Even more extreme and challenging compared to Trail riding, riddled with every kind of obstacle: jumps, gaps, nasty rock gardens, ruts and roots. For this, you need (race)proven equipment that forgives mistakes and wouldn’t look out of place on a stage of the Enduro World Series. Climbing is just a means to an end. Uphill-downhill ratio: 30:70↩
Strictly speaking, a 200 mm travel downhill bike is the best choice for merciless tracks with big jumps, drops and the roughest terrain. Those would be the black or double-black-diamond tracks in a bike park. But as some of the EWS pros (including Sam Hill) have proven, it’s the riding skills and not the bike that define what you can ride with it. Climbing? On foot or with a shuttle, please! Uphill-downhill ratio: 10:90↩
You can find more info about our rating system in this article: Click here! ↩
