JAMES’S FOCUS JAM 6.9
MONTH 2: Lighter wheels and faster tyres – James already has a diet plan drawn up for his new partner
£3,199 / 29in / focus-bikes.com
n
The last few weeks with the Jam has felt like being plunged into an episode of Married at First Sight, having to get to know the little foibles of a new partner while trying to work out if we are completely compatible, all while trying to impress everyone who’s watching.
One aspect of our new relationship I feel I’m unlocking is a loveable level of riding characteristics from the Jam and, despite an instant distrust of marketing terms, I’m really beginning to understand why Focus calls it a ‘playful’ bike. The riding position is bang-on for my gangly frame and I feel like I’m positioned within the bike and able to really push through the pedals and drive it into corners. I’m also super-impressed with the performance of the entrylevel Fox suspension, it really is good enough to question the need for splashing out on the Factorylevel kit. Then again, I’ve always been a cheap date.
Now, I don’t want to come across as sizeist or a fat shamer, but I think it’s only right to say that the Jam is portly and could be even more playful if it was lighter. Weighing in at 16.4kg, I’ve ridden lighter low-fat e-bikes, and this could be a fly in the ointment living in an area where, if you’re not going down a steep trail, you’re going up a steep climb.
Luckily I’m reasonably fit – modest too – but it’s amazing how knackered you get hauling a big bike around.
So I’ve outlined a diet plan for my new partner and the first things I’m going to try are lighter wheels and fasterrolling tyres. There is an upside to all that weight, though: the Jam is super stable and planted on lumpy trails and a predictable skill amplifier when the wheels are off the ground too.
What’s the feedback been like from my new companion? Well it’s sure making one hell of a creak from the suspension linkage. Now, if you had bought the bike from a shop, this wouldn’t be an issue, they would deal with it without question, but I needed to get to the beating heart of the Jam
WHY IT’S HERE The new Jam promises to connect you with your inner child
so I stripped the frame myself, regreased the pivots and torqued up the bolts.
I’m not going to say it was a pain-free job but it’s good to see Focus using sensiblesized hex bolts and decent-size bearings throughout. Also, I’m happy to say that this has cured the issue completely and I’m back on a bike that doesn’t wake dogs in neighbouring villages every time I ride.