By Rob Hancill
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49 Comments

2021 Focus Sam2 Review

2021 Focus Sam2 Review – This 2021 Electric Mountain Bike is SERIOUSLY capable

https://youtu.be/T3AHt4FZapM

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Rob Hancill
Creator of EMTB Forums. Owner of many cameras, computers and a couple of EMTB's. I also make YouTube videos on bikes and stuff.

49 Comments

  4. I sadly had to cancel my order yesterday as it got pushed back to February, which I could of been patient for but I have seen so many other comments on other sites about there’s been pushed back even further (may to July time) that I thought it’s not worth the hassle.
    Be interested to hear if any of you guys get one this side of Christmas ??
  5. I’ve got one on order from Rutland Cycles. Estimating 08 January arrival, but I’ll be happy as long as it’s before mid March.
  6. We looks like I’m pretty lucky with a dedicated ebike shop here in Adelaide south Australia as they will be getting stock mid November.
    One piece of info I can seem to find is dropper post size in the different frame sizes? Also I don’t remember seeing what spring comes in the different sizes either. Anyone got any info on that?
  7. I’m sure it’s very capable. But the cockpit looks ugly as sin with those cables feeding into the stem. And it’ll be a pig if you wanna change the bars and stem
  8. New estimated date of arrival is now beginning of December.
    Was thinking of cancelling but now i’m keeping my order.
  11. Great Video review !
    Question : is it possible to add a 2nd Batterie to the Sam2 to extend the range ?
    I know it’s possible with the Bosch system, but is the Frame prepared for mounting and connecting ?
  12. Got my sam2 1.5 weeks ago, suddenly there were a few available in L on the focus site, so I ordered it there and got it shipped to my local dealer. New 27.5 backtire for mullet coming in later this week.

    Hang in there, it is so fucking worth it! Amazing bike..

    Also, can confirm, Large comes with a 170 dropper.

  14. Thanks @Rob Rides EMTB. Just got my Sam2 yesterday. Because if your review I’ve found this bike. The XL is indeed a perfect fit (I’m one inch shorter than you), even after swapping over my 800mm bar. Going to mullet it soon.

    KS lever is no good, swapped that and dropper for OneUp 210mm.

  15. Hi everybody, I really like this bike, I am interested in the 6.8 model.
    I am 5.7 ( about 1.72) height, do you think the size S will fit me?. By the numbers I think the size M will be big for me.

    Also I am looking forward to hearing from the guys who own the bike about the impresions of riding this bike, problems, comparisons between other bikes…all the stuff.

    Thank you

  16. Mack-tigre said

    Hi everybody, I really like this bike, I am interested in the 6.8 model.
    I am 5.7 ( about 1.72) height, do you think the size S will fit me?. By the numbers I think the size M will be big for me.

    Also I am looking forward to hearing from the guys who own the bike about the impresions of riding this bike, problems, comparisons between other bikes…all the stuff.

    Thank you

    Click to expand…

    This bike is amazing, I’ve come from a V4 SC nomad and the Sam² is a beast on the downs and so much fun on the ups.
    What are you riding at the moment? What’s the reach of your car rent bike?

  17. Whatsup said

    This bike is amazing, I’ve come from a V4 SC nomad and the Sam² is a beast on the downs and so much fun on the ups.
    What are you riding at the moment? What’s the reach of your car rent bike?
    Click to expand…

    I am riding a giant trance 2017 in size M. Reach 435. Top tube 610 mm.

    I am happy going downhill With the reach but pedalling sitting down I feel too much lay down. Also I usually have back pain so I prefer a more stand up podition for pedalling thats why I think the size S would be better for me.

    Also the trails I ride here in Spain are all natural, twisty, steep and rocky.

    View attachment 55019

  19. Think you’d be fine on a medium with the seat pushed forward on the rail. Then put a 27.5 wheel in rear.

  20. Whatsup said

    Think you’d be fine on a medium with the seat pushed forward on the rail. Then put a 27.5 wheel in rear.
    Click to expand…

    The 27.5 rear is something i am going to do straigthaway. But I am not sure about the size. I continue to think that I will be better on a Small.

    Thanks for your advice anyway.

    Any problem With the bike? What shock are you running, coil or air? Which do you think is better for this bike?

  21. I’ve got the 6.9 with coil, changed the fox coil to the formula MOD shock. No issues with the bike at all. Would go coil every day of the week.

  22. Whatsup said

    I’ve got the 6.9 with coil, changed the fox coil to the formula MOD shock. No issues with the bike at all. Would go coil every day of the week.
    Click to expand…

    I also prefer coil but I will give it a try to the rock shox superdeluxe that came on the 6.8.

  23. Anyone has changed the stock stem?

    What happen with all the cables that go through it?

    If i want to change the stock stem and put a traditional one, do I have to dismount and mount again all the cables?, Rear brake, mech hanger, telescopic seat, and engine cable?

    Am I missing something?, Or changing the stem will be a complete mess…

  25. ChillyWilly said

    Yes, you need to reroute all the cables via the blanked ports in de head tube.
    Click to expand…

    Oh my good, I dont like this. I like to try various stem length and bar rise until I feel comfort with one setup.

    So this is a serious problem for me.

    I am now reconsidering to not buy this ebike just for this reason. But I love the rest of the bike.

    [emoji848][emoji17]

    Thanks for your answer btw.

  26. Finally I decided to buy the sam2 in size M. I will tell you my impresions when I recieve the bike.
  27. I’ve gone with a 27.5 2.8 big betty on a H1900 DT Swiss wheel with 35id. The bike is way more playful that way and easy to whip around corners.
  28. I finally decided to buy a sam2 6.9 in size M.

    Do you know if the stock spring will fit me?

    I am 173 cm and 78 kg ready to ride weight.

  29. Is this the frame similar between Nine and Plus? In other words could you just take another pair of wheels and have them both? Has anyone ridden them on snow or other soft surface knowing if there is any difference. Tyre widths are quite close to each other, 2,6 vs 2,8.
  31. Anyone gone mullet and back again?

    I’m struggling a little with the rear super delux. Added megneg and think I’ve got it better now with one more test to go but it could be simple as a bigger wheel will roll over a little better. I’m tall so clearance not really an issue.

    otherwise it’s a coil on the rear but COVID manufacturing has kinda put a dent in that plan!

  32. Hi guys,

    I am riding my focus sam 6.9 with coil and that gives me 24% sag.

    Should I buy a new spring, so I can get about 30% of sag?

    Btw which sag is supposed to.work with this bike?

  33. I’m on the 6.8 with the Super Deluxe. Added the Meg neg but regardless, I think the bike is on the sweet spot at 30-32%. I’d back the collar right off till it’s just got tension and then see if it improves or get a lighter spring.

    Mack-tigre said

    Hi guys,

    I am riding my focus sam 6.9 with coil and that gives me 24% sag.

    Should I buy a new spring, so I can get about 30% of sag?

    Btw which sag is supposed to.work with this bike?

    Click to expand…

    eg

  35. Hello

    I have reserved a Focus Sam2 6.8 size M and I have doubts about the size.

    I measure 172.5cm
    Inseam 79.5 cm
    Weight 72kg

    on the web and store they recommend size M. There is no way to test the bike in that size.

    What do you think of the M, would it be good for me?

    Thank you so much

  36. jorcri said

    Hello

    I have reserved a Focus Sam2 6.8 size M and I have doubts about the size.

    I measure 172.5cm
    Inseam 79.5 cm
    Weight 72kg

    on the web and store they recommend size M. There is no way to test the bike in that size.

    What do you think of the M, would it be good for me?

    Thank you so much

    Click to expand…

    Yes, I think that size will be ok for you. I had a large Sam2 & I am 182cm tall & it was close to being too big for me.

  37. Medium Jam2 6.9 (so similar ish). Just right. Slightly taller and couple of kilo’s lighter. It’s quite a big bike. Same size as my "L" 2019 Kenevo.
  39. I’m considering a Sam2 6.9, but the announced 26kg weight is freaking me out. My current Commençal Meta Power weighs 23,8Kg and that’s with pedals, Double Down tires and a Cushcore in the back. Can anyone share the experience of changing their ebike to a model that weighs 2kg more? I love jumping and doing drops but I’m not at a level of doing whips.
  40. I went from a Focus Jam2 9.6 NINE that weighed 20.4kg to a Merida eOne Sixty 9000 that weighs 22.8kg. So that is 2.4Kg, a slightly bigger weight jump than you are considering. I notice it when moving the bike about, lifting on and off the towbar rack etc. I haven’t had to lift this bugger over a gate yet, but that time will come. But as for riding it? Nope, I don’t notice, the bike is so good I just enjoy the ride. But 26kg is a lot and I understand your concern. What do the reviews say about the ride experience? I know that Rob did a Sam review on here earlier this year.

    www.emtbforums.com


    2021 Focus Sam2 Review – EMTB Forums

    This 2021 Electric Mountain Bike is SERIOUSLY capable

    www.emtbforums.com


    http://www.emtbforums.com

    Edit: I have just watched that thorough ride review and Rob gives it lots of praise. :) He mentions the weight but it didn’t bother him.

  41. Thank you Steve. Most reviews say you don’t really notice the excess weight while riding, but I haven’t been able to test a bike and it’s a lot of money to risk getting a bike that I might dislike.

  42. Al-Rider said

    Thank you Steve. Most reviews say you don’t really notice the excess weight while riding, but I haven’t been able to test a bike and it’s a lot of money to risk getting a bike that I might dislike.
    Click to expand…

    I suspect that if you start off focussing on the weight then it will bother you. When you get the bike, don’t weigh it, or start hefting it about (difficult I know). Instead try your best to ride it straight away and let the quality of the bike win you over. I have never ridden a bike of that weight, but many riders have ridden the exact same one as you; what do they say? Rob rides bikes for a living and I have not seen any criticism of his reviews on this Forum, not one. If he thought that the weight was a problem his review would have mentioned it more than just in passing.

  43. I went from a 23kg Decathlon Stilus to a Sam2 & I found the weight an issue. On downhill, the bike was peerless, a beast. On climbs & flat, it felt cumbersome & unwieldy. We’re all different, my experience is a sample of one. I would definitely attempt to try one before handing over cash. FWIW, I found a Jam2 & found it much more to my taste. The Sam2 is a big enduro platform, it comes with a category five DH rated frame & big travel suspension. It is designed for bike park & enduro riding & I would think carefully about whether that suits the use you would put it to.
  44. Hello

    the difference between Sam and Jam is only 1kg and 170 suspension I think it is a good idea to support more weight of an eBike

    but it will always depend on what you want to do your

    try to try it

    Regards

  45. jorcri said

    Hello

    I have reserved a Focus Sam2 6.8 size M and I have doubts about the size.

    I measure 172.5cm
    Inseam 79.5 cm
    Weight 72kg

    on the web and store they recommend size M. There is no way to test the bike in that size.

    What do you think of the M, would it be good for me?

    Thank you so much

    Click to expand…

    Can someone else comment on their experience?

    Thank you so much

  46. jorcri said

    Can someone else comment on their experience?

    Thank you so much

    Click to expand…

    Are you worried it will be too big or too small for your size ? A lot will also depend on how you ride and how you like the bike to feel, so you can only read so much into other people’s experience and have to off-set that with your own experience/preferences.

    Whilst it’s within a few mm in every dimension the same as the "L" 2019 Kenevo, the "M" Jam "feels" like a big bike. It wouldn’t surprise me if I’d be also happy on a Small – just, though there’s no way I’d want to size up. The 29’s over 27.5’s make things feel bigger too. Climbing or descending I never feel like I need more space/reach on the bike. The Sam will feel larger the Jam with more suspension travel. Again, that’s just my experience/preference though.

  47. To add to Zim’s observations, the Sam & Jam feel very different from each other & I have owned both. The Jam feels slightly more cramped in reach, more nimble to ride & better suited to long days on the trail. To go by weight alone would be an error, they are different machines. The very best thing you can do is to ride both if at all possible. It’s the only way YOU can decide whether it’s this one, that one or neither.
  48. just ordered a 22 sam2 6.9 with the G4 bosch , can someone show me where the magnet sensor is on the frame , my 2019 sam2 has shimano and the sensor is tucked into the swing arm right at the rear wheel bolt area

  49. craig landau said

    just ordered a 22 sam2 6.9 with the G4 bosch , can someone show me where the magnet sensor is on the frame , my 2019 sam2 has shimano and the sensor is tucked into the swing arm right at the rear wheel bolt area
    Click to expand…

    I’ve seen it in a similar position on the bosch 2021 Sam2 . Built inside the rear swing arm near the axle.