Table of Contents
I loved
- It can be used for downhill experiences, or as a touring electric bike
- It uses high quality components
- It was highly responsive and comfortable to ride
Potential Improvements
- The controller was reachable but little hard to operate without having to look at it
- The motor could be too noisy for some riders
-
Motor assistance
-
Battery range
-
Weight
-
Responsiveness & Comfort
-
Quality of Components
-
Controller & Display
-
Dual Suspension
The Focus Thron2 6.8 is an electric mountain bike built for rugged trails and also for enjoying as a touring e-bike.
As seen in other Focus series, the Thron2 also comes in three (3) models: 6.7, 6.8, and 6.9. The main difference is that the battery capacity ranges from 650Wh to 750Wh. The rest of the components are the same for 6.7 and 6.8, but 6.9 has better connectivity with the entire system through the Focus Optimised Linkage Design (F.O.L.D).
Important information about my review: This e-bike was loaned by Spokes Abbotsford for testing purposes, and all the words are my own. I have not been compensated to promote the bike store or the bike’s brand.
Focus Thron2 6.8 Specs Summary (basic)
| E-BIKE MODEL: 2022
MOTOR & TOP SPEED
|
BATTERY
|
RANGE (based on brand information)
|
CONTROLLER, RIDING MODES & DISPLAY
|
FRAME
|
GEAR SYSTEM
|
BRAKING SYSTEM
|
THON2 6.8 WEIGHT
|
| TYRES & SUSPENSION Tyres:
Dual Suspension:
|
SENSORS
|
FEATURES
|
PRICE
|
Riding The Thron2 6.8
Comfort, responsiveness & balance
– Riding the Thron2 was surprisingly comfortable. I’m sure the dual suspension had a lot to do with this. However, my main impression was how comfortable my body felt with reaching the grips and the brake levers. I believe this frame was made for 160 cm to 190 cm people tall.
– The front suspension made the bike super responsive, especially at fast corners. I believe the Maxxis tyres (29″ x 2.65″) also contributed to the system’s overall responsiveness.
Learn More: Electric Bike Tire: Buying Guide for Beginners
– Balance comes together with responsiveness. I was impressed by how balanced it felt when changing direction quickly at tight corners. The Thron2 6.8 weight (28 kg) was not an issue, as I didn’t experience any outward pull.
– I loved the dropper post. It was very easy to operate (single finger press), which was very important as it is paramount to adjust my sitting position depending on my riding needs.
Motor
– Undoubtedly, the 250w Bosch CX Performance mid-drive motor was up to my expectations. Feeling its power without dropping its assistance on the trail was outstanding.
– Having six PAS was fantastic, as I could choose the right assistance depending on my needs. However, while testing the PAS, the limited power of the Tour mode (and I’m sure anything below it) was noticeable while climbing the hill. Basically, I had to put more effort into my pedalling.
– The experience was completely different when selecting the eMTB (or Auto mode as well). It basically provided enough torque (85Nm) to get me uphill without issues—in fact, I had more power than what I needed, which I noticed in a couple of corners almost getting off track. This is something that can be fine-tuned with the new Kiosk 300.
Controller: Bosch Kiosk 300 Smart System
– As I have mentioned in other of my reviews, I found the smart system to be one of the best on the market. However, this was my first time testing the eMTB mode.
– Aside from being intuitive to operate and providing many stats about my ride, I was pleased to have the autonomy to adjust the amount of power provided by each mode I selected (Eco, Tour, Auto, and eMBT).
Adjusting the power of each mode is a trial-and-error process until you find the tuning that works best for each riding style.
Dual suspension performance
– This was the first time I tested an air front suspension. From my experience, it was not too noticeably different from a coil system. However, the air system provided more autonomy when adjusting its level of compression. Also, weight-wise, it was less heavy than a mechanical system.
Learn More: Electric Bike Suspension Guide for Beginners
– I loved the possibility of locking the front suspension when riding uphill; it simply helped with my climbing performance. But the best part was that the system didn’t lock fully; it just reduced the shaft travel. This was great because I also wanted to have a level of comfort on the terrain.
– The rear shock system was also efficient. I felt minimal vibration in my feet and hip area.
Accessories
– As described in my video, I liked three main features of the Thron2 eMTB. I already discussed the Bosch smart system, so here are the other two.
Touring capability
– I never expected to test an electric mountain bike that would come with fittings to hook up a rear rack. This made it appealing to me, as I like bikes that can be used on any terrain. Also, having all that power just for a downhill experience? There are so many nice trails out there where this Focus e-bike can be great.
If you are curious about how to find it, you can look for Focus Thron2 EQP
Charging port
– In recent years, some e-bikes have become more user-friendly with the addition of other elements. I was pleased to see this model came with a USB-C port on the top tube, so to connect my smartphone to the 750wh Bosch battery if using it as a display – I won’t recommend using a smartphone if going downhill, though.
What Could Have Been Better?
– The bike was very appealing in many aspects, but it was not perfect. I’ve seen this in other reviews, and I agree that it was a bit hard to change settings on the downhill. I mean, unless I had my finger on the arrows, it was a bit hard to find the right arrow to change the PAS without looking at it. Solution? I’m not sure. Maybe a smaller controller that is just dedicated to changing the PAS.
– Do you get annoyed with noisy e-bike motors? Well, this was the case for the CX Performance one. It’s not surprising, though, as all that power is supposed to be.
Focus Thron2 6.8 Verdict
I believe I have mentioned many things in the other sections, but summarising:
– The motor was potent; actually, more than what I’m used to on e-bikes.
– Comfort and responsiveness were not disappointing. In fact, I think they were well-balanced, especially when taking curves at high speed. I’m sure this is also due to the good performance of the dual suspension system.
– The Bosch smart system continued to impress. I loved the possibility of customising the pedal assist levels to my liking, but also how responsive and tuned to eMBT mode was.
I’m yet to test-ride more electric mountain bikes, but thus far, the Focus Thron2 6.8 was a pleasure to ride, provided lots of fun, and, more importantly, I felt safe on the trail.
