A wee note - Focus has confirmed that you can fit a front pannier rack to this bike, so you can go full touring mode should you so desire. I also say the front axle is 15x110 - it is actually 12x110. Cheers! Jack
I think that's the only problem with it really, a 12x110 axle is quite uncommon, would have been good the have a 15x110 so you can use the MTB wheels you already own on it.
Here it is! Focus have released their all-new Atlas range of gravel bikes. What do you think? Are you a chilled out gravel grinder? Or would you prefer a more race orientated steed? Let us know in the comments!
As always, options are always a good thing - what works for one doesn't work for all, so having different interpretations of the same thing is great! Spec seems fairly typical, just the wheels are interesting. Can you use 29er boost mtb wheels? If so, shouldn't be too much issue. If not, a custom wheel builder will do the job.
Shout out to Russ at Pathlesspedaled and the #supplelife. The alternative bike Avengers are coming together. I have 2x 11spd GRX with 46/34 11-34 on my gravel/commuter/audaxer and it’s the perfect gearing for all rides. I can’t spin out the top gear unless it’s downhill (so why are you pedalling anyway) but the bottom gears are great for keeping legs fresh over very long rides.
There are many gravel bikes available with ordinary 2x10 Tiagra 4700 (which is by the way shifting smoothly as butter), plenty of options for gear ratios (usually front 48/32 or compact 50/34), alu frame, weight of around 10kg and, what is most important, affordable price. Perfect for any kind of road or offroad abuse. Just saying, no need to go for more expensive Shimano GRX setup...
@@TeoSluga that’s a fair point. My drivetrain is built from bargains: 105 shifters, Ultegra RX derailleur and now GRX front derailleur and crankset. I used to run the Praxis Alba 48/32 which worked well with the Shimano stuff but once I needed to replace the cogs I found a new chainset was only about £10 less than an entire new crankset due to its one piece cold-forged construction and it was completely out of stock in the UK thanks to COVID. Perfect excuse to try out GRX which really does live up to the hype - the shifts are super smooth and the FD action is really light. Love it.
Wait - a versatile bike that comes with internal routing, mounts for EVERYTHING, decent wheels and tyres and a complete hydraulic braked groupset from a mainstream manufacturer? AND you can get one for less than £1500? Holy crap. Focus might just have killed N+1.
Converters from non boost to boost wheels are available. The front one is easy (just spacers), but the back is more complicated because it involves some dishing.
That does look like the bike to do it all! I’m never going to be a rad downhill freestyler on my MTB (hardtail). I’m not in line to win any races on the road on my old Trek 1.5. This looks like it does what both of my bikes do! Gulp. I may have to part with some cash!
I like the conception of the bike, but how does the long reach fit to the more upright, stable biking experience?I I'm searching for a versatile bike for longer bikepacking tours, but I like the more upright position. Would you recommend it in this case?
First of all thank you for the video! I was just wondering if anyone here knows what best for my size. Considering to grab one, I'm 182cm but not sure 54 or 56. I heard Focus sizing is a bit different... Any suggestion? Cheers!
Nice review! Thank you! Could be used 28mm tyres with this rims? What is the rim width? I was absolutely keen on Trek Checkpoint, but after seen this superb video...
it looks like focus have made their version of the Kona Sutra LTD, same saddle, tyres, stem length, and myriad of threaded fixing points. Difference in the BB, Sutra has MTB spacing so unfortunately the GRX crankset is out of the question. This bike look great.
I've been looking at the Focus 6.8 at my LBS. I was initially going to stick with a carbon frame but do like these! As I'm no longer interested in going fast but more as they say...'made to lose' - going out and enjoying myself. The only concern I have is the weight. I would be interested to hear any feedback from any owners of the 6.7 or 6.8, thanks.
@@magharibo hey how did you choose the size for this model? I'm finding hard to choose the right size on this brand seems it's not regular the sizes from 48-51-54-57 etc... thanks for any help on this!
That looks a really well thought bike! But how is the boost spacing making you able to fit wider tires? Sure you can use wider rims but the frame has to have the clearance
Boost rear end necessitates boost chainring spacing, I.e. the chain ring is further out and thus the chain is further from the tyre, allowing the frame to be made wider between the chain stays, thus accomodating wider tyres 🤓
@@Will99x Sure, I also thought about that :). But we are talking about 3mm more space on the chain ring side. Although yes...this is what they do with MTB anyway. I still think that the frame has to be made with enough clearance though. And the clearance they specify (although I'm sure is on the conservative side) can be achieved without boost spacing. I don't like the idea of a 12x110 front hub which will just cause headache. Sure you can put a sleeve but it will likely not be compatible with all 15x110 boost hubs. Having said all that, good to see companies making something a bit out of the ordinary
Senor Jacque has mentioned Russ and the Path Les Pedaled. This is like two super cycling heroes in one sentence. And Matthew. the Bicycle Yoda (Lite) was mentioned too. Automatically like this video. :)
Brilliant review thanks! Very entertaining yet descriptive style. Thinking about value gravel bikes, would you (bikeradar) be able to do a review of the Vitus Substance VRS 2 please/another Substance from the range? GRX600 and 650 compatibility for £1,300. Though the geometry looks interesting, with longish chainstays but a head tube angle on the steep-side of gravel, but I may be completely misunderstanding the numbers!
Thanks for your comment! The Vitus Substance VRS 2 looks to be a great value bike. I'll ask our test team to look into it. The Vitus Substance SRS1 is our bike of the week this week! ➡️ www.bikeradar.com/features/bike-of-the-week/vitus-substance-srs1/ Thanks, Felix.
The Cube Gravel bikes are pretty much sharing the many MTB and touring tech which of Focus have, probably the same OEM that does the frames. For 1000€ I would go with a Cube Gravel bike.
Looks great buddy .. did not like the top tube bag .. but did like the bike when it was fully bagged out .. nice colour , looks copied off canyon grail gravel bike thou .. cheers Chris & Sam
Great review Could you do a review on the gravel bike, On one space Chicken from Planet X. I’d love to see what you thought on the bike with the sram rival 1x group set. Thank you
This seems like a fabulous bike for most riders that want to have fun! *ADDS TO SHOPPING CART* great feature BikeRadar! ^_^ (also, its cool that you guys gave Russ a shoutout!)
Is this really true MTB boost spacing on the Focus Atlas? I am not familiar with MTB standards, but I thought that MTB boost spacing is 110/15 and 148/12. However, according to Focus, their' Road Boost standard measures 110/12 and 148/12. Does that mean you are not able to buy a set of wheels but have to buy two separate wheels?
To our british friends and others who ride mud all year: How do GRX brakes fare in mud? In 2.5 years with Rival, i've had constant trouble with those hydraulic brakes. Once I hit a few puddles, brakes start grinding. Sometimes for hours, sometimes they are basically locking up. Clearances between pads and disc are so tight in general, cylinders are rarely moving symmetrically. Even directly after cleaning and regreasing the cylinders and bleeding the brakes it is soon unbearable.
Specs according to Focus website: 12x110 mm front hub/axle, really another hub spacing? Either stick with MTB boost compatibility or already f...ed up but established 12x100.
Ah - you're right. That's my mistake. In any case, it's possible to step down a 15mm axle to 12mm with a spacer like this: www.sjscycles.co.uk/hub-spares/halo-thru-axle-adaptor-sleeve-15-to-12-mm/
@@bikeradar Few years back wanted to try my RoadPlus 15 x100 wheel in friends Canyon Endurance with 12x100 axle to asses what size tire he could fit. Hub end caps were too big for dropouts so couldn't seat hub and insert axle.
As gravel bike geometry gets longer and slacker we will soon see manufacturers offering the same frame to roadies as a gravel bike with drops bars, and XC mountain bikers with a suspension fork and flat bars. Different drive trains and tires on each.
I'm loving nearly everything about this bike and would consider ordering one. However I really like the deep rims, the just set it off. But... On the focus website those rims aren't on it🙈. Gutted, this would steer me away tbh, as once you see something you like the look of a backward step is just pants. I may have to contact Focus. 🤞🤞🤞
Thanks for a great review! Just being curious, you tested the large, would you mind charing your height and inseam length? Would help a lot in deciding size! Or anyone else having any experience? Myself being 184 cm with inseam 88cm which puts me in the middle between Medium and Large I guess :/
....... but...... which are the reasons of increased prices in the bicycle industry? Why everyone (or almoust everyone) lifted the prices of new bikes in the last year?
As far as I know, Focus isn't offering this as a frameset, but I may well be mistaken. I agree that a flat bar build would be really cool, maybe something with Jones bars 🤘
That's a very good point - I hadn't even thought to mention the Specialized 'standard'. I reckon many manufacturers will move to Boost for gravel bikes of this ilk. At least the MTB wheelset market is full of suitable options!
@bikeradar Thanks for the great review! Which flat pedals are mounted in this video? I first saw this bike @fernwee his channel (highly recommended btw) and you guys are making me consider buying this 🙈
really strong, detailed review. Good stuff. But please stop saying "gnarly", we are predominantly a road audience, that's meaningless knobblist gibberish. PS love the '90s jumper
Correct - we filmed everything in the one day with a clipless setup. But in testing I used flat pedals a little bit for maximum Instagram points. Cheers!
Just gonna mention if you’re gonna say mountain bike that many times a bike with MTB Boost spacing is also a MTB. This one really does just have drop bars this time.
I find this bike intriguing which is mildly distressing because I generally don't care for aluminum frames or plastic forks (great for picnics not so much for bike rides). I guess the point is moot because there doesn't seem to be any serious effort on the part of Focus to sell these in the US. I kind of wish they did sell consumer direct.
