The fact that almost every bicycle manufacturer now has pedelecs in its portfolio or is planning to is nothing new. Focus' interest in this market is therefore no surprise. However, their e-mountain bike study is a surprise: the "Project Y" was created on the basis of the "Raven" race hardtails. This has a carbon frame with almost the same geometry as the Raven, except that the chainstays are 20 millimetres longer. This is due to the greater tire clearance for dimensions up to 29x2.4 inches.

The interesting thing about this project is the weight of the e-hardtail. Focus specifies just 14.7 kilograms in the "normal" configuration. To show what would be possible, a tuned version was also built - this still weighs just under 13 kilograms.
But that's not all, because the engine from the German start-up company "Fazua" is also interesting. In fact, the gearbox, which is permanently installed in the bike, comes from this company. The motor and battery each come from a different company. Fazua combines these in a tube that is clicked onto the bottom of the frame. Both parts can be pulled out of the tube as required and the bike can be ridden like a normal hardtail weighing just under twelve kilograms. This is only possible thanks to the fact that the gearbox hardly develops any friction.

Idea behind it and possible market launch

With Project Y, Focus pursued the goal of designing a perfect e-mountainbike in the shortest possible time. This should be as close as possible to a normal mountain bike in terms of appearance and riding technique - and therefore also very light. Furthermore, the makers did not choose a motor platform to build a bike around, but the other way around - first the bike and then the most ideal and suitable motor was sought.

Whether and when the Project Y comes depends on the final ride tests on the one hand, and on feedback from dealers on the other. If both points are in favor, the sportiest and lightest e-mountainbike to date will be launched on the market in autumn 2017. However, the Focus team cannot guarantee this date.

www.focus-bikes.com