Focus VAM² SL 9.8 Review

Even steep ramps are surprisingly easy to climb with the Fazua motor. With its boost function, which provides 450 watts of support for a short period of time, the Fazua Ride 60 reduces the gap between light and classic full-power motors. At the moment, hardly any other light motor offers such a good combination of natural support, dynamic power delivery and capability. Fans of XXL tours are greatly restricted by the VAM² SL 9.8 with only an average range. The battery is securely attached to the down tube and cannot be removed for charging or storage.

Carbon frames are rather the exception in the price range of about 7000€. With the carbon fibre chassis, Focus thus sets clear accents compared to the aluminium competitors. The Fox chassis provides safety and traction, even when the trail gets rougher. However, it comes to its limit at high speed. The mid-range brakes from Magura do their job but could be a bit firmer. The power of the four pistons in front and two pistons in the rear setup is only average. At the drivetrain components and the rest of the parts, Focus uses average parts. When it comes to the geometry, Focus does not go completely crazy. The head tube angle and reach values were chosen with care. The result: A balanced riding behaviour with a good combination of playfulness and straight-line stability. The low bottom bracket height will likely be a sticking point for trail riders, as it negatively affects handling. Due to the short chainstays and the shallow seat angle , when climbing steep sections, it requires active weight shifting to prevent the front wheel from lifting. With its 18,4 kg, the VAM² SL 9.8 is one of the lighter E-bikes. The competition is often significantly heavier.