The secret of Florian Vogel's Focus O1E has been revealed

The shock linkage on Florian Vogel's cross-country bike remained hidden for around ten months. Now the game of hide-and-seek is over: Focus presents the O1E with 100 millimetres of travel, controlled via the new suspension system called F.O.L.D. This is intended to guarantee a fine response and a progressive spring characteristic. Vogel's racing weapon is also interesting in other respects.

F.O.L.D. - Focus Optimized Linkage Design - is the name of the Focus suspension system that was kept under wraps for a long time. This gives the new O1E cross-country bike 100 millimetres of suspension travel that works in two phases. In the first phase, the suspension should react degressively and sensitively in order to process small and fast impacts and provide traction. The second phase is very progressive. This is intended to ensure that large impacts are processed, but that the shock absorber does not sag under medium impacts. As a result, the shock absorber does not dip more than necessary, the rider also has more reserves as well as more lively handling.

The carbon rear triangle of the O1E consists of a single piece, which makes the rear wheel relatively stiff. However, a little more flex comes from the rocker arm. This flexibility is intended to improve handling on roots and rocks, which on the one hand generates more grip, but on the other hand also makes the rider less tired.

Flat, steep and slightly longer

The O1E is clearly trimmed for racing and is designed for the demanding World Cup tracks. In addition to a good chassis, these also place certain demands on the geometry. While some mountain bike manufacturers rely on the shortest possible chainstays to make their bikes agile and aggressive, Focus is convinced that slightly longer chainstays - 448 millimetres on the O1E - are the better choice for a smoother bike on rough tracks and fast descents. Not only that: longer chainstays also provide more traction on steep climbs. The steering angle of the O1E also stands out somewhat from other cross-country bikes at a slack 69.2 degrees.

In comparison to other bikes, however, the seat angle is unremarkable. At 74.5 degrees, it is steep enough to ensure that power can be optimally transferred to the pedals and on to the 29-inch wheels. When it comes to power transmission, Focus has also thought about 2x riders. The O1E can also be ridden with two chainrings on the cranks. The front derailleur is attached to the rear triangle on the so-called "Burrito Bridge" with a removable adapter.

In addition, all cables and lines are routed internally on the O1E frame, which weighs just 1830 grams - including those of the dropper seatpost. A product that is becoming increasingly popular in cross-country racing. Another nice detail is the hard rubber protection that protects the entire chainstay and almost a quarter of the seatstay from the hitting chain and thus from damage to the paintwork.

Three models and one project

Focus offers three models of the O1E: "Team", "Pro" and "Evo". The Team replica comes with Sram's new XX1 Eagle 12-speed drivetrain, Rock Shox RS1 suspension fork with 100 millimeters of travel and XR-1501 wheels from DT Swiss. The middle "Pro" model is built on the same frame and absorbs shocks with a Monarch XX damper. A Rock Shox "Sid XX" works at the front. Instead of just one chainring, the gears are shifted with Shimano's 2x11 XT groupset and the M 1900 CL from DT Swiss is used as rolling stock. The affordable "Evo" model comes with a Sid-RL suspension fork and Monarch RT shock from Rock Shox. The 1x11 drivetrain comes from Sram's GX range. The wheels come from Focus' in-house component brand "Concept".