Focus new SAM² e-MTB helps you avoid the chairlift crowds

By Lance Branquinho
published

With its latest SAM² e-MTB, Focus has created downhill play bike which acts as its own uplift shuttle

SAM² is longer and has a flip-chip
SAM² has 170mm of travel for hitting the most challenging terrain (Image credit: Focus)

Focus has a new version of its SAM for those riders who believe in self-shuttling.

As e-MTB motors and batteries become lighter and more efficient, frame designers are finding them easier to package into long-travel bikes. The latest example of this is the Focus SAM², an e-MTB focussed on descending bike park and double-black diamond trails.

The redesigned frame has a new leverage curve which works with both the latest generation coil and air shocks, providing 170mm of linear suspension travel. Balancing the SAM²’s rear kinematics are a choice of 38mm stanchion single crown front forks, providing adequate stiffness for the calibre of terrain and severity of landings, this e-MTB is capable of.

Focus has upgraded the geometry from SAM to SAM² WITH 15mm more reach and a flip-chip, which allows the head angle to be adjusted from 65- to 64-degrees.

Powering the pedal-assist part of this Focus SAM² is a Bosch sourced CX e-drive unit. It features an integrated battery pack, rated at 625Wh of energy density and produces a torque output of 85Nm thanks to a 250W drive motor.

C.I.S. stem system is clever industrial design

C.I.S. stem system is clever industrial design (Image credit: Focus)

One of the SAM²’s most interesting features is its C.I.S. cockpit cabling system. This stem was designed by Daniel Frintz and provides a functional stem with internal cable routing for a mechanical shifting system. It looks terrifically tidy and allows for an exceptionally low stack height.

Rolling on 29x2.6in tires, the SAM² can build a significant amount of momentum and to control it, Focus offer riders a choice of the latest Shimano or SRAM four-piston caliper brakes, actuating a 200mm rotor at the rear and massive 220mm disc at the front.

Focus marketing two variants of its new SAM², both featuring the same aluminium frame construction, geometry and Bosch drive system. At £4,999 there is the SAM² 6.8 with its Rockshox ZEB 29 fork and Super Deluxe Select+ rear shock. The drivetrain is GX Eagle and Schwalbe Magic Mary tires roll it along, whilst SRAM Code brake get it to a stop.

For £5,999 you can upgrade to a SAM² 6.9, which adds Fox suspension components, in the guise of a Float Factory 38 fork and performance coil rear shock. The groupset is Shimano’s latest XT, including the updated four-piston brakes.

Lance Branquinho
Lance Branquinho
Freelance writer

Lance Branquinho is a Namibian-born journalist who graduated to mountain biking after injuries curtailed his trail running. He has a weakness for British steel hardtails, especially those which only run a single gear. As well as Bike Perfect, Lance has written for MBR.com, Off-Road.cc and Cycling News.