JAM 2 8.8 or 8.0 experiences?

[Calinca]

Hi Everyone I've been really enjoying my EMTB.
My husband has some chronic elbow and shoulder issues but has been steadily recovering. So I want to surprise him with his own EMTB. My main issue is COMFORT. I want it to be a comfortable ride, he wont ride nothing extreme, but our home trails tend to have loose rocks, can be steep and are irregular tractor/fire roads.
I'm considering the Focus JAM2 8.8
Size L or XL (He is 187 cm with 88 inseam and 105 Kg)
Not really sure about sizing larger is supposed to be more stable, does it mean more comfortable as well in detriment to less maneuverability
Focus JAM2 8.8
Carbon frame around 25 Kg
Reach 485 mm
160 mm / 150 mm
FOX 36 Float Rhythm + FOX Float DPS
Magura MT5
XT

Any experiences with 8.0 carbon models?
Sizing wise I think it's the same geometry has the Jam2- 6.9
THANK YOU!!

 

[RustyMTB]

None on this generation of Jam2 but on geometry, the Jam has a 450mm chainstay length across all sizes which is relatively short. The effect is to make the bike fairly nimble on the trail but also a little prone to lifting the front wheel on steeper terrain. It's not a fault but a feature. Some people like it, others prefer a longer wheelbase & the stability that goes with that.

 

[Calinca]

None on this generation of Jam2 but on geometry, the Jam has a 450mm chainstay length across all sizes which is relatively short. The effect is to make the bike fairly nimble on the trail but also a little prone to lifting the front wheel on steeper terrain. It's not a fault but a feature. Some people like it, others prefer a longer wheelbase & the stability that goes with that.

HI Rusty

So probably XL will be better, more stable in general and you can always make the reach a bit smaller if necessary.

Thanks

 

[RustyMTB]

Maybe but it won't change the fundamental characteristic of the bike.

 

[Calinca]

Maybe but it won't change the fundamental characteristic of the bike.

From this you mean it's not Comfortable bike?considering the shorter chainstay and the front wheel lift tendency? is that it?

 

[irie]

HI Rusty

So probably XL will be better, more stable in general and you can always make the reach a bit smaller if necessary.

Thanks

Correct.

 

[RustyMTB]

From this you mean it's not Comfortable bike?considering the shorter chainstay and the front wheel lift tendency? is that it?

No, it's a comfortable bike if you buy the right size for the rider. I'm pointing out that Jams in any size come with a fixed length chain stay at 450mm & that gives it the characteristics I mentioned above. It has a relatively short wheelbase & that makes it prone to front wheel lift in steep climbs, that's all.