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Today’s Deals2021 Focus
SAM 8.8
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension enduro bike with upper mid-range components.
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Manufacturer Price
€3,299($3,836)| Weight | 33.4 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon |
| Suspension | Full, 170 / 170mm |
| Fork | RockShox Yari RC |
| Shock | Fox Float DPX2 Performance |
| Wheels | 29″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | SX Eagle |
| Brakes | SRAM Guide R Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
5'2" – 5'7"
5'6" – 5'11"
5'9" – 6'2"
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
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Summary
The Focus SAM enduro bike is praised for its agile and playful handling, making it a fun ride that excels in lively geometry and short chainstays for playful handling. However, it faces criticism for its rear suspension performance, which can feel unsupportive and bobs on climbs, and its high-speed stability is compromised by its twitchy nature. The bike is seen as a modern take on freeride, offering a plush ride over obstacles but requiring an active riding style to manage its suspension quirks.
Agile and playful handling
Fun and lively geometry
Plush rear suspension over obstacles
Short chainstays for playful handling
Well silenced chainstay protector
Rear suspension wallows on descents and bobs on climbs
Twitchy at high speed
Underpowered brakes
Poor value for money
Hefty price
If fun’s your primary aim, then SAM’s your man, but to really push your speed, I’d look elsewhere.
BikeRadarFreeride ain’t dead! The FOCUS SAM 8.9 is the modern version of a classic freeride bike.
Enduro Mountainbike MagazineFocus bikes are a familiar sight to anyone who follows Le Tour, but the range is more diverse than simply road bikes
Singletrack WorldFeedback?
View all reviews
Jul 2019 · Christoph Bayer
In times when the routine watchwords in bike development are "longer" and "slacker" the FOCUS SAM 8.9 looks almost old-fashioned.
Agile and playful handling
A fun bike that's guaranteed to put a smile on your face
Sensitive rear suspension
Rear suspension wallows on the descents and bobs on the climbs
Brakes are underpowered
Poor value for money
May 2019 · Ed Thomsett
Well proportioned and specced, but limited sizes and rear-end support hold the SAM back
Impressive spec and lively handling
Cockpit set up, pronounced outboard lock-on rings on grips
Mar 2019 · Rik Legge
A fun, all-mountain style bike rather than a dedicated race bike, the Focus SAM 9.9 shines on the flowing jumps and berms of the bike-park.
Sep 2018 · Danny Milner
Enduro race bike, super all-mountain tool or bike park toy? Before we tell you where this new Focus Sam sits in the Venn diagram, let's look at the details.
| Frame | Carbon front and alloy rear triangle, 170mm F.O.L.D. kinematic, ISCG 05, PF30 BB, 148x12 thru axle, internal cable routing, Post Mount 180 mm BB Standard: BB86/BB92, Press Fit Color: Olijfgroen / #556638 |
|---|---|
| Fork | Rock Shox Yari RC 27.5 Boost, DebonAir, 110x15 mm, 37 mm rake Travel: 170mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | FOX Float DPX2 Performance, 3-position lever, 230/65 mm, hardware: 30,0 x 8 mm, custom tune Travel: 170mm |
| Bottom Bracket | PF92 BB |
| Headset | Acros AIX-322, tapered, IS 42/286-IS52/40 |
| Stem | BBB Jumper BHS-138, 31.8 mm |
| Handlebar | BBB Ascension BHB-110, aluminium, riserbar, 780mm, rise: 20mm, backsweep: 9degree |
| Saddle | FOCUS Trail SL |
| Seatpost | Kind Shock E30i, 31,6mm Type: Dropper |
| Grips | FOCUS Locker SL |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM SX Eagle, 12-speed |
|---|---|
| Crank | SRAM SX Eagle |
| Shifters | SRAM SX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Cassette | SRAM PG-1230 Eagle, 12-speed |
| Chain | SRAM SX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Brakes | SRAM Guide R Type: SRAM Guide R Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | SRAM Guide R |
| Rims | RaceFace AR30 Offset |
|---|---|
| Front Hub | Novatec D041, 15x110 mm thru axle |
| Rear Hub | Novatec D162 Disc, 12x148 mm |
| Tires | Maxxis Minion DHF, 2.5 Dual Exo TR, 63-622 |
First added September 24
Last updated March 28
Not listed for 1,523 days