2022 Focus SAM2 Review
The Focus Sam² electric mountain bike is a bruiser of a bike designed to take on rough and demanding terrain. In this 2022 Focus Sam² review, we’ll take a close look at this electric mountain bike’s pros and cons and see what it’s like to live with.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 170 mm of travel for rough terrain
- Clean and tidy internal cable routing
- Patented FOLD rear triangle
- Bosch Performance Line CX motor with natural riding feel
- Excellent steering precision with 38mm stanchions on the fork
- Balanced riding behavior with good playfulness and stability
- Generous 6-year warranty
- You can opt for a mixed wheel size, thanks to the flip chip
Cons:
- Only average range limits for long tours
- Mid-range SRAM brakes could be firmer
- Heavy at 25.8 kg
Specifications
- Travel: 170 mm
- Motor:Bosch Performance Line CX
- Frame: Internal cable routing, patented FOLD rear triangle
- Brakes: SRAM four-piston setup
- Weight: 25.8 kg
- Geometry: Balanced with short chain stays and a slack seat angle
- Warranty: 6 years
Who Is the Focus Sam² For?
The Focus Sam² is an excellent choice for riders who want to head for the hills to find more challenging terrain. Its exceptional offroad capability is made possible by its 170mm of suspension travel and robust Bosch motor. So, if you like to stray away from bike parks, this bike could be the one for you.
However, I wanted to test its versatility, so I rode the Focus Sam² to the top of the trails in my local bike park. I was impressed by how smoothly it handled the tight berms and jumps. This versatility makes it ideal for interseason laps when the lifts are closed. However, it’s not the lightest electric mountain bike in the world, so if agility is at the top of your list, you may want to look elsewhere.
Focus has given the Sam² a cool and stealthy look, enhanced by the internal cable routing through the stem into the frame and the patented FOLD rear triangle with a closed frame. Its generous 6-year warranty adds peace of mind, making it an attractive option for serious mountain bikers.
What's The Focus Sam² Like to Live With?
Living with the Focus Sam² means enjoying its robust build and capable performance on demanding trails. The Bosch Performance Line CX motor provides a natural riding feel and seamless power delivery, making steep climbs more manageable. You get 4 assistance levels, Eco, Tour, EMTB, and Turbo. You can ride a long way with careful battery management, but blasting up mountains in Turbo mode quickly gives you range anxiety.
While balanced, the geometry feels a little outdated, especially with the low bottom bracket height and slack seat angle, which can make exceptionally steep climbs challenging. However, it doesn’t take long to adapt once you get the feel of it. You can also change the handling characteristics by fitting a 27.5″ wheel to the rear, made possible with the flip chip. I think I will do this with mine as the stand over height is a little high for me (I’m 5’9 and ride a medium-sized frame).
The mid-range SRAM brakes are adequate but leave room for improvement. My local bike shop has advised me to upgrade the brakes in a year or so, as the ones fitted are likely to fail. But so far, so good.
Final Verdict
Despite the negative points I’ve highlighted, the Focus Sam² offers a reliable and enjoyable riding experience for various terrains, balancing playfulness and stability. I really enjoy riding it, and it comes out more than my acoustic bike, as it can take me much further on my local mountainous terrain. It feels planted and plush, instills confidence and is incredibly capable.