Focus MY26 Electric Mountain Bike Review: Our First Ride With The Bosch Gen 5

When Focus calls, you pack a helmet.

We’ve just got back from Adelaide for the official launch of the Focus MY26 e-bike range — a two-day showcase hosted by PON Group that had the whole e-bike industry buzzing.

Now, before we go any further, we should mention that this wasn’t just another model refresh. The Adelaide launch marked the debut of the Bosch Performance CX Gen 5 motor, a total rebuild of Focus’ three flagship bikes, and a clear statement from the brand: the future is electric, performance-driven, and built around the rider.

Day 1: The Launch — A Whole New Direction

On the first day of the launch, there was no mistaking the sense of excitement in the room. 

We’ve all seen what the previous generations of Bosch motors could do, and everyone was chomping at the bit to see how the latest generation would be incorporated into the models of — let’s face it — one of the best mountain bike brands in the world.

Front and centre was Felix “Stixie” Stix, Focus’ Product Manager for mountain bikes — the guy steering this new generation of design. Backing him up was Moritz Failenschmid, Managing Director, who set the tone early with a line that got every rider’s attention:

“No more acoustic models.”

This statement reflects the fact that nearly 95% of all mountain bikes sold in Europe are now electric. Consumers are speaking with their wallets, and the team at Focus has heard all they need to hear.

The new MY26 line-up marks a fresh chapter: three e-MTBs built from the ground up for the Bosch Gen 5 system, each tuned to match the way riders actually ride.

• Thron² — made for long adventures, weekend escapes, and rail trail rides.

• Jam² — the versatile all-rounder that loves flowy singletrack as much as technical climbs.

• Sam² — the enduro-ready weapon built for gravity, speed, and fun.

Every weld, angle, and cable route has been rethought to bring the tech together with Focus’ signature ride feel. 

As you can imagine, all of the talk of the improved tech and ground-up reworks had left us feeling pretty buzzed about what was coming in day 2…

Day 2: The Ride — Eagle MTB Park and First Impressions

Since the moment we got the call (okay, it was an email) to attend the Focus launch, we’d been looking forward to day 2. 

And so, carrying around some slightly sore heads after sampling the Adelaide nightlife at the end of day 1, we headed up the Adelaide Hills to Eagle Mountain Bike Park for what was to be a properly good day.

The trails were dry, fast, and packed with enough elevation to test every claim made the day before. With Paul van der Ploeg at the helm, we were guided by the Focus crew, spending several hours swapping between the new Thron², Jam², and Sam² to get a proper real-world feel.

The difference was immediately obvious. The bikes felt razor sharp and incredibly well balanced. Oh – and of course – they were wicked fast. 

But even with the extra Bosch power on tap, there was no free ride here. Heart rates were still up; the Gen 5 Performance CX motor just made every climb feel smoother and more natural. 

The power delivery was near-instant, the torque felt intuitive, and the pedal rhythm stayed buttery even when we were grinding up rocky sections.

And when we weren’t riding, the company wasn’t half bad either — good food, good beer, and plenty of bench-racing about who cleared which line first.

Our Highlights — Real-World Wins

Once the dust (and heart rates) settled, a few standouts were crystal clear.

Looks + Finish

The new range is easily the cleanest and most refined we’ve seen from Focus. The frames look sleeker and more compact, with that “less e-bike, more bike” vibe riders have been asking for. Even up close, the cable routing and welds feel tight and deliberate — the kind of detail you only notice when it’s done right.

Ride Feel

Joe’s thoughts: “The Jam² felt bottomless — smooth, playful, the ultimate all-rounder.”

Anthony’s verdict: “The Sam² just eats anything. Point it down and it stays glued.”

Different bikes, different personalities — but all of them delivered that unmistakable Focus balance of power and control.

Tech That Actually Matters

There’s just so much tech to talk about regarding the new models – but these were our standout points:

• Bosch Performance CX Gen 5 motor — 100 Nm of torque with refined, responsive delivery.

• Modular battery system — standard 600 Wh, upgradeable to 800 Wh or 1050 Wh with zero adaptors or mounts.

• ABS braking on the Thron² — genuine peace of mind for those “oh-no” moments.

• Smarter cable routing — no more through-the-headset headaches (finally).

• AirTag holder hidden between battery and downtube — lock-and-key access only.

• Alloy frame with carbon-like welds — strength meets craftsmanship.

• Universal battery fit across the range — just different covers, total interchangeability.

For the record:

• Joe’s pick: Jam² — nimble, jump-ready, the Swiss-army knife of mountain bikes.

• Anthony’s pick: Sam² — planted, fearless, built for riders who just want to send it and trust the bike beneath them.

Who These Bikes Are For

Something we have to commend Focus for is the way they’ve stripped away the noise and made choosing your next e-MTB simple — it’s all about how you ride. The Thron², Jam², and Sam² all operate in slightly different windows, designed to suit a wide range of riders. 

The Thron² is built for riders chasing long days out — the kind who see a rail trail or fire road and want to see where it ends. 

The Jam² hits that sweet spot between power and play, perfect for trail riders who want a bike that can do it all, without the limitations of being a straight-up specialist. 

And the Sam²? That’s for those who live for gravity — steep descents, flow trails, and the kind of lines that make your heart rate spike.

It’s a refreshingly simple way to look at e-MTBs: not by travel numbers or specs, but by the type of ride that makes you tick.

What’s Next

The new Focus MY26 range has officially landed at Melbourne Powered. 

Drop by to feel the Bosch Gen 5 system in action, chat with the crew, and take one for a test ride. We also caught a quiet glimpse of what’s coming next — and trust us, Focus is just getting started.