For 2014, German brand Focus are aiming to make a serious impression on the growing enduro market with the introduction of an all-new 160mm travel, 650b (27.5in) bike called the SAM – or Super All Mountain. BikeRadar have just taken a look at it at the Eurobike 2013 Demo Day, and were told pricing is to be announced but that the bike should be available in the UK from late October/early November.
Instead of the knuckle box linkage system found on Focus' other full-suspension bikes, the SAM uses an all-new linkage driven single pivot design that's been a number of years in the making, with a pre-production prototype being raced in the Enduro World Series. The new setup is said to improve stiffness and suspension performance, with pinch bolt clamps securing the main pivot axles and a 142x12mm rear axle.
Elsewhere, it's all mod cons, with a tapered head tube and internal cable routing for gears, brakes and a dropper post. Three models will be available, the best coming with a top level SRAM XX1 drivetrain and RockShox suspension.
The Focus SAM uses a linkage driven single pivot system
Black Forest 29er range 2014
Focus' Black Forest 29er hardtail series has had an update for 2014, with the top three models in the seven-bike range getting a new, lighter aluminium frame. It uses a 142x12mm thru-axle at the rear to help stiffness, and the weight is down to a claimed 1,700g, with full internal cable routing for clean lines.
The bikes will vary in price from €1,299 up to €1,799 (no news on UK pricing yet).
One of the top three models in the Focus Black Forest 2014 range
For more information on Focus bikes see www.focus-bikes.com and our earlier story on the company's 2014 road bike range.