Verdict on the Focus Jam2 Next test
With the first recyclable carbon frame and the proven riding characteristics of the successful Jam² model, the Jam² Next shows what the e-MTB of the future could have looked like. Following the insolvency of carbon manufacturer Rein4ced, the bike will unfortunately remain a prototype forever.
Data and facts about the Focus Jam2 Next
| Weight | 23.62 kg |
| Fork | Fox 36 Float Factory |
| Rear shock | Fox Float X Factory |
| Drivetrain | Shimano XT Di2 |
| Motor | Bosch Performance CX |
| Battery | Bosch Power Tube 600 |
| Front brake | Shimano XT BR-M 8220 |
Carbon is known for many things. The ratio of weight to rigidity is unrivalled, the design language is maximally organic. But carbon also has a big problem: fibres and epoxy resin are firmly bonded together during production. In the end, the frame can only be shredded, but not recycled. Hazardous waste that can only be incinerated or reused as filler.
Recycling carbon: the technology
Together with the Belgian company Rein4ced, Focus is now aiming to cheat the principle of non-recyclable carbon and - incidentally - have also built a really good e-MTB. The idea is a completely new "thermoplastic" carbon that defies the laws of conventional production.
Unlike conventional carbon, the bond between fibres and binder can be dissolved again using heat. The advantages: At the end of its service life, the thermoplastic carbon can be broken down into its individual parts more easily and would therefore be properly recyclable for the first time.
Another advantage: instead of laboriously assembling mats cooled down to -10 degrees by hand into a model, thermoplastic carbon can be processed by machine. Focus speaks of around eight hours less manual labour per frame. Machine production should also improve precision in frame construction. Cuts and excess material can be recycled directly.
Only with a loss of quality?
It is true that thermoplastic carbon also loses some of its quality when recycled. However, in less demanding applications that do not require carbon fibres for quite as long, recycled carbon should continue to offer clear advantages.
Excess material such as cut-outs from production could be recycled directly into stems, carbon shoe soles or small-scale supports within the frame itself. For example in the head tube area. According to the developers, recycled carbon would also cut a fine figure in less performance-orientated bikes, such as trekking and city bikes.
Why an E-MTB?
One thing is clear: with a motor and battery, the ecological footprint of an e-MTB is larger than that of a classic mountain bike. However, e-MTBs are currently much more in demand on the market.
The Focus Jam² Next is intended to be a lighthouse project for the brand and can probably develop this effect better with a motor, without having to realise the filigree structures of a road or gravel bike in the first attempt with the new carbon.
In the Jam² Next, only the main frame is made of the new thermoplastic carbon and is composed of two shells. Focus uses aluminium produced with green electricity for the rear triangle. How exactly does this work? A Focus report from production gives an insight.
Focus Jam² Next: This is the bike
As the name suggests, the Jam² Next is the further development of the of the successful All-Mountain Jam² (tested here). It shares the suspension travel of 160/150 millimetres and 29-inch wheels. This means that it covers a really wide range of uses, from easy trail tours to difficult terrain.
The bike's clear strength is its uncomplicated and intuitive handling. From beginners to professionals, the bike has made many different riders happy in our tests. The Jam² Next with carbon main frame undercuts the high weight of the aluminium bike by almost 1.5 kilograms. The frame alone is said to be a kilo lighter. High-quality components do the rest for the lower weight.
Bankruptcy on the last few metres: Manufacturer Rein4ced
Does the recyclable carbon fibre main frame make the Focus Jam² Next the perfect green bike? No. But Focus was the first manufacturer to take this step with carbon, which shows the potential of environmentally friendly bike development. If only the ecological footprint is consistently taken into account during development.
Unfortunately, the Jam² Next will probably always remain a prototype. Shortly before its release, carbon manufacturer Rein4ced filed for bankruptcy. There are currently no other manufacturers who could replace Rein4ced due to the special carbon technology. Even the planned small series of 200 bikes will probably never reach a showroom.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
