FOCUS tout their JARIFA FAT PRO as possessing ‘full control’ and ‘limitless traction,’ which is enough to get us hooked. The eye-catching red paintjob and fat tires immediately make it the looker of the bunch, but will it keep our attention once we’re on the saddle?
FOCUS haven’t tried to disguise what’s at the core of the JARIFA FAT PRO: fat tires and a fat battery give it a commanding presence. It’s fueled by a 250 watt Impulse EVO RS motor with 80 Nm torque that’s been developed for use on all the e-bikes that belong to Derby Cycle Holding (FOCUS’s parents, you could say). The motor is fed by a giant 612 Wh battery, which has been unceremoniously placed on the downtube and is unlikely to be held up as a beacon on integration. Fortunately, it rides well enough for this faux pas to be forgiven pretty rapidly. The JARIFA’s position gives a subtle racer-stretch, and rewards any effort with some generous forward thrust. The levels of pedal-assist strike us as well balanced and are easy to flick through with the ergonomic lever. The bike is built with great parts chosen by FOCUS, with highlights including the first-rate SRAM GX1 shifters, SRAM Guide brakes, and a dropper post with remote lever coming as stock. Thanks to the grippy Schwalbe Rocket Ron Plus tires, the bike doesn’t just have traction en masse for the climbs, but also a ton in reserve for the descents – plus comfort.
If agility is high on your priority list then swap the 90 mm stem for a shorter 60 mm version, but that’s not to say that the JARIFA doesn’t have an agile side: we reckon it offers a superb mix of smoothness and agility. There’s a shift sensor that you can set up on the display which will interrupt the motor while shifting to minimize stress – we lowered this to a minimum to improve the climbing performance. Touring cyclists can also use the computer to navigate thanks to a free smartphone app.
The FOCUS JARIFA in detail
Fork RockShox Reba R 100 mm
Motor / Battery Impulse EVO RS / 612 Wh
Brakes SRAM Guide R
Drivetrain SRAM GX1
Seat post Concept EX Drop
Stem Concept EX
handlebar Concept EX
Tires Schwalbe Rocket Ron 2.8″
Wheels Concept EX
If you mainly stick to fire roads then you’re unlikely to mind the long stem, but riders who want to exploit the JARIFA FAT PRO’s trail potential should swap it for a shorter model before taking it home.
The pedal-assist lever might be an older design, but it still works well and has a great spot near the bars, reducing the risk of damage in the event of crashes (unlike much of the competition).
The FOCUS JARIFA FAT PRO has the biggest battery on test by an English mile. With 614 Wh, it has almost 20 % more range, meaning longer rides and ultimately more fun. Letdown: the battery integration could be easier on the eye.
The huge rear cassette both eliminates the need for a front mech and gets you up the steepest climbs.
While no decent manufacturer will go without a skid plate for the motor these days, very few manufacturers have their own personal motor. The Impulse Evo RS performs well and offers great range.
Conclusion
With its excellent overall package, the FOCUS JARIFA FAT PRO dominated the test and took the top spot. A super well-specced bike, its giant battery and balanced handling render it a hit for trails as well as longer, more adventurous rides. The battery integration could definitely be improved though.
Strengths
- Balanced handling
- Great spec
- Huge range
- High levels of comfort and stability
Weaknesses
- Battery integration
For more information head to the official website of the manufacturer!
For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: What’s the best E-MTB you can buy for less than € 4000? We test 6 leading bikes
All bikes in test: BH Revo 29 ER746 | Giant Dirt-E+ 0 | Haibike XDURO HardSeven Plus RX | SCOTT E-Aspect 910 CX | Specialized Turbo Levo HT Comp 6Fattie
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Words: Photos: Christoph Bayer, Noah Haxel
