Focus Paralane2 Range Guide

Words by Tom Worsfold

The Focus Paralane2 is part of the new generation of E-Bikes - an electric road bike that offers the assistance you need on climbs and in headwinds, but offers zero friction when you ride above the motors limit. A sleek, integrated battery and BB mounted Fazua motor give a clean unobtrusive look that matches the bikes low weight, and endurance focused geometry based on Focus's standard Paralane platform keeps you comfortable at longer distances. The bikes unique frameset allows it to be ridden perfectly both with or without the battery inserted, the choice is in your hands. Ride beyond and shift to the next level, find out more about Focus's Paralane2 below.

Focus - An Insight

Focus was founded in 1993 by world champion cyclist Mike Kluge. After losing a key race due to a manufacturing defect, Kluge took matters into his own hands and won the cyclo-cross world championships aboard a self-built bike. This sparked the brands rise to prominence on the world scene, with 1994 seeing the start of the Focus cycle team. Focus's current concentration is on that of performance electric bikes in both the E-Mountainbike and E-Road genres, producing market leading products.

Frame & Forks

E-bikes have been met with much stigma since their introduction to the market, fuelled largely by the stereotype that electric bikes are a lazy option, as well as bulky, clumsily designed bikes that bared no resemblance to their sleek, �manual� counterparts. Focus have fought hard against this and whilst the market it most certainly changing its attitude towards electric models, few brands have truly nailed the true integration of frame, battery and motor. Cue the Paralane2, a bike which kept both the performance and visual appeal of the standard Paralane endurance model in an incredibly tidy E-road package.

Removing a section of frame to include a battery & motor is no mean feat, but Focus have managed to whilst also improving the stiffness of the head-tube and bottom bracket in order to compensate for the extra weight. What is the weight? Model dependant, the bike comes in at a tidy sub 13kg weight (1450g for the frameset alone), bringing the lightweight characteristics of the Paralane frameset, along with razor-sharp handling and a blend of comfort and stiffness. Models designated with a 6 (6.8 and the 6.9) use an aluminium frameset couple with a carbon fork, which retains many of the ride character of the carbon frameset but does weigh in slightly heavier. All models designated with a 9 use the same F.I.T carbon frame as described above.

Motor & Battery

All models in the Paralane2 range come equipped with the same motor and battery combination from the Fazua Evation series, the lightest and most compact drive system currently available. The Evation motor packs 60nm of torque, a 250w motor with three silent levels of assist, and as a big improvement over many of the motors available, is designed to decouple when the 25kmh UK limit is met. This provides a frictionless drivetrain experience which provides enough aid for even the steepest of gradients, with a range of assistance levels to balance power and battery-life. The battery itself is a replaceable, 250wh unit.

A key feature is the Paralane2's ability to be run with or without the battery, at no detriment to handling or ride. Want to ride it like a normal bike? Go ahead - the 3kg of weight saving will give the bike a spritelier feel, as well as dropping the weight to sub 10kg in many models. The Fazua Evation 2.0 remote puts you in control. With three power selection modes of Breeze, River, and Rocket, there is an assistance mode for any situation, and smartphone connectivity means you can pair your system with the Fazua App to keep track of your bikes status and your rides.

Groupsets

All bikes in the Paralane2 are well equipped with Shimano 11spd drivetrains, with there being a broad range from Shimano's ever-reliable 105, to the pinnacle of Dura-Ace Di2, a drivetrain seldom seen on anything but superbikes. Midrange models will see use of the performance orientated Ultegra groupsets, individual specifications can be found below for all models.

Road Boost

All of the Paralane2 range use an axle standard known as Road Boost, a wider than standard design used to improve chainline and shifting performance on E-bike models. The difference in width comes from the spacing between the hub flanges, with the increased width creating a stronger wheel that pairs well with the extra forces generated from the added weight of battery and motor. In conjunction with industry heavyweight's DT Swiss, Focus use Road Boost to match the wide Fazua motor spacing, reducing chain wear and improving shifting with an E-road optimised chainline. A downside of this wheel standard is that it does require non-standard hubs, which is worth keeping in mind if you are looking to use your current wheelset as a spare. Alongside this technology, Focus have packed notably spacious tire clearance of up to 35mm into the frame, giving the consumer a broad range of customisation options.

The Models - A Breakdown

Focus Paralane2 6.8 2019 Electric Road Bike

Based around Focus' famous Paralane platform, the Paralne2 manages to integrate the lightweight, friction-free Fazua Evation 1.0 motor & battery system to bring the market one of the sleekist looking electric bikes this year

• Frame - 7005 hydroformed aluminum
• Fork - Carbon, disc, 100x12 mm RAT through axle
• Drivetrain - Shimano 105 R7000 GS
• Motor - Fazua Evation 1.0
• Battery - Fazua Evation 1.0 250w

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Focus Paralane2 9.6 2019 Carbon Electric Road Bike Black

The Paralane2 is a agile, lightweight bike that gives you a helping hand when you need it most allowing you to explore places which are otherwise out of reach

• Frame - Carbon SL E-Road
• Fork - Carbon, disc, road boost 110x12 mm RAT through axle
• Drivetrain - Shimano 105
• Motor - FAZUA evation, 60 Nm, 250 W
• Battery - FAZUA evation, 250 Wh, removeable

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Focus Paralane2 9.7 2019 Carbon Electric Road Bike Blue

Our pioneering road-boost standards with wide 148 and 110 mm R.A.T. axles ensure an optimum chain line on e-racing bikes - which in turn ensures an optimum gearshift and less wear and tear.

• Frame - Carbon SL E-Road
• Fork - Carbon, disc, road boost 110x12 mm RAT through axle
• Drivetrain - Shimano Ultegra
• Motor - FAZUA evation, 60 Nm, 250 W
• Battery - FAZUA evation, 250 Wh, removeable

See the Focus Paralane2 range > Shop now >

Focus Paralane2 9.8 2019 Carbon Electric Road Bike Brown

Light and agile, but with an extra push, when support is needed: the removable motor/battery unit is decoupled from the drive and only noticeable when it makes the ride easier.

• Frame - Carbon SL E-Road
• Fork - Carbon, disc, road boost 110x12 mm RAT through axle
• Drivetrain - Shimano Ultegra R8050 di2
• Motor - FAZUA evation, 60 Nm, 250 W
• Battery - FAZUA evation, 250 Wh, removeable

See the Focus Paralane2 range > Shop now >

Focus Paralane2 9.9 2019 Carbon Electric Road Bike

Top of the range - Shimano's Dura-Ace Di2 offers the highest performance of shifting available. One of the lightest E-road bikes available.

• Frame - Carbon SL E-Road,
• Fork - Carbon, disc, road boost 110x12 mm RAT through axle
• Drivetrain - Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
• Motor - FAZUA evation, 60 Nm, 250 W
• Battery - FAZUA evation, 250 Wh, removeable

See the Focus Paralane2 range > Shop now >

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