The new Focus JAM shares a lot of geometry and frame DNA with its long-travel SAM machine but it’s rocking a whole new interacting-rocker suspension system that’s more predictable and power friendly.
The frame
A huge flared head tube and massive ‘cobra’-style neck on the top tube stiffen up the long reach (450mm on our large sample) of the frame. The extended seat tube is short enough that going up another size to get even more stretch is an option, too.
While the Factory bike comes without the optional front mech arm that can be bolted onto the swingarm, the seat tube base is still offset on the slim downtube to allow for ISCG/twin-ring clearance, which means the PF30 crank axle needs a driveside spacer.
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In contrast, the alloy back end is very short, at 425mm, and uses a wide screw-through Boost axle (148x12mm) and twin front-end support struts for stiffness and ample clearance for the high-volume 2.4in rear tyre.
While both frame halves are impressively stiff, the upper guide linkage of the FOLD suspension system is designed to flex sideways slightly under load, letting the swingarm do the same. The inner main link then stays rock solid to drive the shock vertically, with a falling rate up to the sag point and an increasing rising rate through the rest of the travel.
The kit
The Factory model gets an increase to 150mm of fork travel, and the shock curve and front-end frame stiffness suit the long negative spring and reliable support of the thick-legged RockShox Yari fork.
The ride
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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