Jam² 9.9/9.8 Drifter sizing help: Owners of 19/20/21 models wanted!

speigei

New Member
Mar 21, 2022
6
3
Switzerland
Hi all, I am eyeing the 2021 Jam² 9.9 Drifter (Link to bike on focus-bikes.com) - I like the concept of the bike (it being lightweight yet with a full-fat motor, the two battery setup and the fact that it is a mullet).

It being last years model, availability is pretty limited, especially in my area, so testing various sizes is somewhat out of the question.
I can get a pretty good deal on the bike in size L (whereas I usually ride bikes in M), and I'd like to ask owners of the bike for some pointers if that size could work.

Firstly: I am 1.78m with an inseam of 83cm.

I currently ride a BMC Agonist (size M) which is a 29er with a reach of 435mm. The size feels good, but maybe I have just grown accustomed to it...
A recent test ride on a 2019 Rocky Mountain Powerplay Altitude (Size M, 27.5") with a reach of ~430mm felt rather cramped (see attached picture).
The Jam² 9.9 Drifter in size L has a reach of 440mm, which does not seem substantially longer than my current bike.

ModelBMC
Agonist 2018
Rocky Mountain
Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70 2019
Focus
JAM² 9.9 Drifter 2021
Frame sizeMML
Geometry setting-Pos 1 - Slack-
Wheel size (r/f)29" / 29"27.5" / 27.5"27.5" / 29"
Frame travel110 mm150 mm (+40 mm)150 mm (+40 mm)
Reach435 mm430 mm (-5 mm)440 mm (+5 mm)
Stack605 mm604 mm (-1 mm)634 mm (+29 mm)
STR *1.391.4 (+0.01 )1.44 (+0.05 )
Top tube horizontal611 mm603 mm (-8 mm)624 mm (+13 mm)
Seat tube length440 mm457 mm (+17 mm)470 mm (+30 mm)
Head tube angle69.5 °65 ° (-4.5 °)65.6 ° (-3.9 °)
Seat tube angle effective73.75 °74 ° (+0.25 °)73.6 ° (-0.15 °)
Seat tube angle actualN/AN/AN/A
Head tube length105 mm120 mm (+15 mm)140 mm (+35 mm)
Chainstays445 mm426 mm (-19 mm)457 mm (+12 mm)
BB height332.5 mm *341 mm * (+8.5 mm)336 mm * (+3.5 mm)
BB offset-40 mm-13 mm (+27 mm)-18 mm (+22 mm)
Wheelbase1145 mm1180 mm (+35 mm)1219 mm (+74 mm)

Screenshot 2022-04-24 10.59.46.png


Geometry comparison on bike-stats.com

In fact, several reviewers noted that the size of the bike is rather small: E.g. ebike-mtb.com says "Our 1.80m tester was riding the largest size, size L, and it felt very compact." I also reached out to the tester of the bike on emtb-news.com, who says he is 174cm (5cm smaller than I am) and he would also choose size L for himself. Lastly, Rob himself in his review (and comparison video) also comments on the compact-ness of the bike.

Now, I know that reach is only one aspect of the geometry, and the Focus is definitely the largest bikes of the three, but I am curious to hear if people think the size will be an issue.

It would be great to hear from actual owners - what your height is and what size you are riding - and how you are getting on with it: Did you upsize? Was the size recommendation from Focus accurate?

Any help is much appreciated - thanks!

PXL_20220310_101700090.jpg
 
Last edited:

Si1

Member
Jun 6, 2019
23
35
OX18
For what it's worth, I'm 173cm tall with a 79cm inseam and I have a 2019 Focus Jam2 9.6 in large. I find the sizing absolutely perfect for me!
I was wary when buying it as every other bike brand I demoed that fitted me, was a medium!
I'm confident you won't find it too large!
 

speigei

New Member
Mar 21, 2022
6
3
Switzerland
Thanks guys! I decided to take the plunge on the L and don't regret a thing. I shortened the stem from 55mm to 40mm and it fits and rides great!
 
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