First Look | The new Focus VAM² SL takes aim at the the field of light and spritely e-MTBs

Fresh out of Germany is the brand new Focus VAM2 SL. The lighter and snappier cousin of the Jam2 SL, with 125mm of rear squish, it’s claimed to weigh just 16.2kg.

Take that figure with a grain of salt, but that puts it in the same ballpark as the Scott Lumen we tested last year. The SL e-MTB arena is heating up with slightly longer travel options like the Heckler SL, Orbea Rise, Specialized Levo SL, and Focus’s own JAM2 SL, clocking in with ~150mm of rear travel, while the Vam enters an even lighter category.

An overview of the Focus VAM2 SL

VAM is a metric you’d find on any cycling computer that measures your average ascent speed — sometimes called Vertical Ascent in Meters, though it’s actually an abbreviation for velocità ascensionale media — so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that a bike named VAM isn’t a downhill brawler with miles of suspension. The VAM2 SL doesn’t currently have an analogue counterpart in Focus’s lineup, nor has it for a few years — you could argue it’s what you would get if the Spine and Vice had an electrified offspring. That said, we wouldn’t be shocked if a non-electrified VAM is released down the line.

Rolling on 29in wheels and tyres at both ends, the bike sees a 125mm/130mm combo, though Focus says you can also run a 140mm fork at the front.

The VAM² SL is pitched as a super lightweight, playful e-MTB in a similar vein to the Scott Lumen.

That 125mm of travel at the back is courtesy of a flex pivot version of the brand’s F.O.L.D. suspension. The main reason for ditching bolts and bearings at the back was to save grams, and Focus says the 9-series carbon frame weighs 2,172g while the 8-series frame tips the scales at 2,545g — both in a size medium, including the linkage and hardware.

Focus doesn’t quote any figures or provide any kinematic graphs but says the goal was to create an efficient and ‘vivid’ rear end.

All up, the German outfit says the VAM2 SL has a total system max weight (bike, rider, and equipment) of 135kg.

Focus Vam2 SL geometry

Sporting a 66.5° head angle and a 75.5° seat angle, the VAM² SL has a 450mm reach in size medium. According to Focus, if you slot in the longer fork, the head angle rakes out by a full degree.

The rear centre is 440mm across the size range to accommodate the 29in wheel. Focus hasn’t noted a max tyre width in the launch materials, but each rolls on a 2.4in rubber.

For a bike in this category, the geometry of the VAM² SL is very much on trend but by no means groundbreaking.

Focus VAM2 weight

With the top-end version claimed to weigh just 16.2kg, it’s only a touch heavier than the flagship Scott Lumen (15.5kg).

By the spec sheet, Focus hasn’t pulled the classic tricks we’ve seen many brands use to hit those headline-grabbing numbers on the scale, keeping in mind that this is a bike with 125mm of rear travel.

We’re happy to see the Fox 34 at the front featuring a GRIP2 damper rather than the lighter, less adjustable Fit4.

Usually, this is the point where we’d bang on about the Schwalbe Super Trail tyre casing being on the lighter end, but given the intended purpose of the VAM2 SL, it seems to be a savvy spec choice.

You also get 203mm rotors front and rear and four-piston brakes in the top two builds, though the lower pair see a two-pot brake at the rear. That said, you may note that the top-end build opts for SRAM Level brakes instead of Codes, but again, this is a 125mm travel bike.

The Fazua Ride 60 system is what provides VAM² SL with its extra oomph.

Fazua Ride 60

Like the JAM2 SL, the VAM2 SL is built around the Fazua Ride 60 System. With 60Nm of torque and a max power output of 450W, it has a bit more oomph than both the Levo SL and TQ HPR50 motors.

The 430Wh battery is bolted into the downtube and charged via a port in the frame, rectifying an issue we noted with the Jam2 SL we tested. Fazua also offers a 210Wh extender for those craving a bit more juice.

VAM² SL has a charging port on the frame, fixing an issue with the JAM² SL we just reviewed.

Focus VAM2 Frame features

For the Vam² SL, Focus has ditched the divisive ‘gobbler’ stem on the top two models, which sees all of the cables routed through the faceplate and into the frame through the upper headset bearing.

We’re not sure the alternative is much better as you’ll find a one-piece carbon cockpit on the high-end models. Lower in the range it’s a two-piece bar and stem, albeit one that still guides the cables into the upper headset bearing.

While Focus hasn’t used the divisive gobbler stem we’ve seen on some of its other bikes, the cables are still routed through the top headset bearing.

At the back, there is a rubber chainstay protector and a mud flap covering the chainstay yoke to prevent debris from getting jammed in this space and damaging the frame.

There’s also a “sticker set” (AKA something in the same vein as Ride Wrap) included with a bike that can be applied to the downtube, chainstays, seat stays and seat tube.

Focus also specs a small single bolt chain guide to prevent the chain from bungee jumping off the cog.

Focus VAM² SL pricing and availability

Focus AU has confirmed it will be bringing four models of the VAM2 SL into Australia, with prices starting at $7,999 AUD and we should start seeing them in bike shops in mid-February.

The top-end VAM2 SL Sl 9.0 model is fully decked out with Fox Factory Suspension, four-piston SRAM Level Ultimate brakes, Mavic Crossmax X LR 29 carbon wheels and the one-piece bar and stem combo. At the other end of the spectrum, the VAM2 SL 8.7 sees a much more economical SR Suntour/RockShox suspension package, Magura MT Trail brakes (four-piston front, two-piston rear), RaceFace AR27 alloy wheels and standard alloy bar and stem.

VAM2 SL 9.0

Kashima, T-Type transmission and carbon wheels, no surprise this is the model at the top of the pricing spectrum.

Focus VAM2 SL 9.9

The VAM² SL 9.9 takes a step down in the suspension package and swaps over to an XT drivetrain.

Focus VAM2 SL 9.8

Is it green tea or mint? The VAM² SL gets an eye-catching paint job, Rhythm level suspension, and a Deore XT drivetrain. It also gets a 2-piston rear brake.

Focus VAM2 SL 8.7

The entry level version of the VAM² SL makes wholesale changes to the build kit, with parts from Magura, SR Suntour, RockShox and Shimano. It also sees a 2-piston rear brake.

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