FOCUS to the square – the new THRON², AVENTURA² and JARIFA² 2022 with the new Bosch Smart System motor system

FOCUS are celebrating the arrival of spring by releasing three new eBike MODELS: the new JARIFA² hardtail tourer, the versatile AVENTURA² city eBike and the revised THRON² full-suspension tourer. All three feature the new Bosch Smart System motor and a 750 Wh battery. We’ve already tested the new THRON² for you!

For some eMTB manufacturers, upgrading to a new motor system can be just as challenging as trying to square the circle, because a new motor often calls for a brand-new frame platform. That’s not the case at FOCUS, because the Germans know everything about motors, eBikes and squares. For 2022, the Stuttgart-based manufacturer has updated three of its Bosch eBike models, upgrading the motor system from the previous Bosch PerformanceLine CX to the new Bosch Smart System. As a result, their eBike portfolio now includes two generations of Bosch motors. The new THRON² is FOCUS’ new full-suspension eTourer, the JARIFA² its hardtail counterpart while the AVENTURA² is a trekking-inspired city eBike aimed at urban-explorers who want to push themselves beyond the city limits as well as commuting and shopping with their bike.

For 2022, FOCUS have integrated a big 750 Wh Bosch PowerTube battery into the alloy frame of their new eBikes. Moreover, all three models rely on a Kiox 300 display and new LED remote. Together with the eBike Flow app, this should open up completely new possibilities, for example allowing you to lock your bike via smartphone or install the new Bosch SmartphoneGrip mount, which turns your smartphone into a navigation system. FOCUS’ new Bosch eBike family has a maximum permissible weight of 150 kg, which includes the bike and a fully-kitted rider. Moreover, all three models are trailer approved, meaning that you can tow a thru-axle trailer with them. Needless to say, this makes FOCUS’ new eBikes particularly family-friendly. Unfortunately, the new 2022 models are only available in three sizes, M to XL. The smallest S size is still based on last year’s frame and comes equipped with the predecessor of the Bosch Smart System, the Bosch Performance Line CX motor, which is equally powerful and draws its power from a 625 Wh battery. Moreover, size S models have a maximum permissible weight of up to 135 kg and don’t feature the practical USB-C port on the top tube, which allows you to charge your smartphone while riding. However, this is available on all FOCUS Shimano eBikes like the JAM² and latest Bosch models. Below, you’ll find out what the distinguishing characteristics of the new Jarifa² and Aventura² eBikes are. We’ve already tested the new THRON² on the trails and bike routes around Stuttgart and can give you our first riding impressions.

The convertible full-suspension tourer – The New FOCUS THRON² 2022 in detail

The new FOCUS THRON² full-suspension tourer was designed for uncompromised riding comfort and wants to be the ideal everyday travel companion. This is made possible above all by its well-thought-out frame details. When the tarmac ends, the 29″ tires and 130 mm Fox suspension ensure enough off-road mobility, allowing you to negotiate light trails without breaking a sweat. At the same time, several mounting points on the alloy frame allow you to retrofit pannier racks, mudguards, a kickstand and even an eBike lighting system. If you’re planning to use your eBike every day or as a commuter, you should take a closer look at the THRON² EQP, which rolls out of the factory fully-equipped. As far as the spec goes, the new THRON² EQP is more touring-oriented than the THRON², which features a number of sportier components. The THRON² 6.9 in size XL weighs 26.92 kg, while the fully-equipped THRON² 6.8 EQP in size M tilts the scales at 28.88 kg.

The spec varians of the new FOCUS THRON² 2022 in detail

Like its predecessor, the new 2022 THRON² will be available in the 6.9 and 6.8 high-spec variants. The new fully-equipped version is called THRON² 6.8 EQP. The cheaper 6.7 and 6.7 EQP spec variants and all other spec variants in frame size S have remained unchanged from last year. The THRON² 6.9 retails at € 6,299 and comes equipped with a FOX 34 Rhythm fork and FOX Float DPS shock. The THRON² 6.8 costs € 5,799 and combines a RockShox35 fork and Deluxe Select shock. The THRON² 6.8 EQP, which also retails for € 5,799, relies on an SR Suntour suspension and comes equipped with a robust Ursus kickstand, sturdy Büchel alloy mudguards and pannier-rack with a 16 kg maximum load weight. The wide mudguards of the EQP model take up a significant amount of space, preventing you from running chunky off-road tires. As a result, the fully-equipped THRON² EQP has narrower 2.25″ Schwalbe Smart Sam tires, generating less traction and offering less puncture protection than its off-road counterpart . The THRON² 6.8 EQP features a built-in Litemove headlight, which allows you to switch between a low and high beam via a handlebar remote. To complement the headlight, FOCUS integrate a Hermans H-Trace xMini tail neatly into the mudguard. In size S, all three spec variants of the new THRON² rely on the old Bosch Performance Line CX motor and cost €200 less than the bigger frame sizes with the new Bosch Smart System.

Size	M	L	XL
Seat tube	420 mm	450 mm	580 mm
Top tube	605 mm	640 mm	675 mm
Head tube	120 mm	140 mm	160 mm
Head angle	66°	66°	66°
Seat angle	75°	75°	75°
Chainstay	455 mm	455 mm	455 mm
BB Drop	30 mm	30 mm	30 mm
Wheelbase	1206 mm	1242 mm	1281 mm
Reach	440 mm	470 mm	500 mm
Stack	623 mm	637 mm	655 mm

The purist hardtail tourer – The new FOCUS Jarifa² 2022 in detail

The new JARIFA² was conceived as a purist hardtail tourer. On paper, it combines a sporty geometry and touring-oriented spec that should make it suitable for long rides on fire roads and forest paths. Depending on the spec variant, FOCUS rely on either an SR Suntour Raidon or XCR fork, both controlling 100 mm travel. Although the frame features all the mounting points for mudguards, pannier racks and a kickstand, but comes without everyday features – because less is more, right? The Jarifa² 6.9 flagship model retails for € 4,799 while the entry-level Jarifa² 6.8 costs € 4,399. Heavy riders who are considering the cheap entry-level model should budget for a brake upgrade and replace the stock Shimano two-piston brakes and small 180 mm brake with more powerful four-piston brakes and bigger 200 mm rotor at the front – the standard brake setup of the flagship model! In size S, both spec-variants cost €200 less.

Size	M	L	XL
Seat tube	450 mm	480 mm	520 mm
Top tube	615 mm	637 mm	662 mm
Head tube	130 mm	140 mm	160 mm
Head angle	68°	68°	68°
Seat angle	74°	74°	74°
Chainstay	470 mm	470 mm	470 mm
BB Drop	65 mm	65 mm	65 mm
Wheelbase	1180 mm	1189 mm	1211 mm
Reach	430 mm	450 mm	470 mm
Stack	644 mm	653 mm	672 mm

All in, all on! The new FOCUS AVENTURA² 2022 in detail

With the new AVENTURA², FOCUS do things rather differently. The AVENTURA² is based on the JARIFA² but is available exclusively as a fully-equipped model with a pannier-rack, mudguards, kickstand and lighting system. With its everyday features, it’s designed to impress in the city but also to cut a fine figure beyond the town-borders. The new AVENTURA² 6.9 flagship model retails for €4,999 while the 6.8 entry-level model costs €4,599. Once again, with the entry-level model, heavy riders should consider upgrading the standard Shimano two-piston brakes and small 180 mm rotor to more powerful brakes and bigger rotors. The AVENTURA² 6.9 flagship model, for example, combines four-piston brakes and a bigger 200 mm rotor at the front. In both spec-variants, frame size S is €200 cheaper.

With its narrow Schwalbe Smart Sam tires and hardtail frame, the AVENTURA² or JARIFA² don’t promise to be comfortable – and the basic forks won’t make up for it either! So far, the price is the only attractive feature of the new hardtails for us.
To be honest, we would have expected more from FOCUS, because the new hardtails clearly lack comfort and safety, which could spell disaster with tram tracks, big potholes, tall kerbs or even just with careless riding. Even if the seating position may turn out comfortable, we don’t expect too much from these ebikes, which, by the way, aren’t exactly a bargain. That’s something we’ve already criticised about the old Canyon Pathlite:ON. The Specialized Turbo Tero, which was already reviewed by our sister magazine DOWNTOWN, does things slightly better with it’s slightly bigger tires, albeit not perfectly. You can read everything about it in our groundbreaking The trekking revolution opinion piece, which takes a glimpse into the future of trekking eBikes.

New 2022 FOCUS eBikes – Our conclusions

Update or upgrade? For their 2022 eTrekking and eTouring bikes, FOCUS rely on Bosch’s popular Smart System motor and range-boosting 750-Wh battery – sounds promising! With the comfortable THRON² tourer, the concept works: although the bike breaks out of its comfort zone fairly easily on trails, it convinces with good-natured handling on fire roads and forest paths. Unfortunately, we would have expected more from the fully-equipped THRON² EQP and the hardtail models. In a nutshell, there are other eBikes in this price bracket that offer significantly more comfort and safety-features! The new FOCUS models would benefit enormously from comfort- and safety-relevant components such as robust tires for more traction and better puncture protection and good-quality suspension and a dropper post. All of the above would bring added value and improve the overall riding experience, whether you’re commuting to work or pushing yourself beyond the city border!

If you want to gain a deeper insight into our vision and understand our concept of “better trekking eBikes”, check out our groundbreaking Trekking Revolution opinion piece – it’s time to change things!

Fore more information on the new bikes visit focus-bikes.com.

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Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: Mike Hunger