Every time I sell a bike, I’m expecting the customer to be happy with their bike and the spec it comes with in the box. For the most part, this is what happens. After a few rides they might change grips or seats, maybe the bars and sometimes the stem – but mostly they ride it the way it rolled off the production line and they’re happy.
Meanwhile, everytime I get a new bike it comes out of the box and gets completely stripped and upgraded with brakes, wheels, suspension and groupsets. I often say that because I own a bike shop, I’m supposed to have cool bikes…
…but do I actually need a modified bike? I’m not special and I’m not fast, so why do I need a super bike? In ’24 I was thinking a lot about this question.
In September 25 when the new models dropped I ordered this Focus Thron2 6.8 ABS for myself, partly because I wanted to try the new Bosch ABS, but mostly because I wanted to see if I could be happy with a bike that came straight out of the box. I’m not special and this bike should be plenty good enough for me.
It turns out that I can ride a production bike. I did 500kms on it with zero modifications. I did trailrides, singletrack, gravity parks and RADL GRVL on it, and I didn’t change one thing. It still has the OEM tyres and original tubes in it!
After 500kms I fitted my favourite saddle to it (only marginally better than the stocker) and some Deity Megattack grips (just love them!) and I’ve done another 500kms since then.
Out of the box it was 85Nm and at xmas it went up to 100Nm and in March it went to 120Nm. I used to ride it in ‘turbo’ quite a lot and now I almost never do; eMTB+ is as much power as I need.
I don’t remember if I had high hopes for ABS back when I bought the bike but now I can’t imagine owning an eMTB that doesn’t have it.
I read a review of this bike that said ABS was “…the MTB tech we didn’t know we needed.” and I agree 100%. When I’m on a bike that doesn’t have ABS, I want to get off!
ABS adds complexity to the bike but when I overcook it into a corner it forgives all my mistakes and stops with no fuss and no accidents. It honestly makes me a better rider, and a safer one, too.
I normally only keep a demo bike for a year so I should be turning this bike over for a new model from Amflow or Cannondale. I’m not going to though, because this bike is still way better than I am, and none of the other brands have ABS bikes.
Tank, you’re an amazing bike and I love you. Let’s stay together.
