Around two years after the market launch of the Atlas, Focus is following up with a carbon version of the gravel bike. The three new equipment variants, marked with an "8" in the model designation, continue the bikepacking concept of the aluminium series. With numerous mounting points on the fork and frame, the Atlas Carbon is ready for travelling and adventure.
Focus Atlas 8.8: The most important facts at a glance
- Weight of complete wheel: 9180 grams*
- Frame weight: 1228 gram*
- Fork weight: 516 gram*
- Stack/Reach/STR: 592/391 millimetres/1.51 (size 54)*
- Maximum tyre clearance: 45 millimetres
- Sizes: 48, 51, 54, 57, 60
- Drives: Shimano GRX 810, SRAM Rival AXS XPLR
- Impellers: DT Swiss GR1600, DT Swiss X1900, Novatec 25 Elite
- Prices: 2999 to 4299 Euro
- *weighed weights/measured values in the TOUR test laboratory
The highlight is a specially developed rear carrier that is attached to the seat stays and allows a maximum load of three kilos on each side. From a dry bag to a Bluetooth speaker to a small tent: flexible elasticated straps offer a wide range of carrying options. However, unlike a small top tube bag, the pannier rack (39.99 euros) is not included as standard.
The Stuttgart-based bike manufacturer also remedied a major weakness of the aluminium model by giving the new bike a relatively light carbon frame. This is almost a kilo lighter on the TOUR scales, with the Focus Atlas Carbon 8.8 with mechanical Shimano GRX 810 and aluminium wheelset from DT Swiss weighing in at 9.2 kilos. This makes the gravel bike competitively light for its price range.
Focus Atlas 8.8: First ride impression
The lower weight is noticeable from the first turn of the cranks. The stiff Focus Atlas 8.8 accelerates quickly and is comparatively easy to chase down the gravel motorway at high speed. Only on steep ramps do you realise that you don't have a race gravel bike under the saddle. Thanks to the Shimano gearbox with reduction (46/30, 11-34 teeth), the Focus can also cope with high-percentage climbs.
On rough terrain, the new bike benefits from a comfortable carbon seatpost from component specialist BBB and 45 millimetre wide WTB tyres. The Focus Atlas Carbon thus noticeably smoothes out bumps and even irons out larger obstacles such as branches or cross grooves. Thanks to the low profile of the WTB Riddler TCS tyres, you can also make rapid progress on asphalt. According to the manufacturer, the maximum tyre clearance is already reached ex works, but a few more millimetres could be gained with smaller 650B wheels.
Wide installation dimension of the hubs
One special feature is the special mounting dimension of the wheels. While 100 millimetres on the front axle and 142 millimetres on the rear axle are standard on racing bikes and gravel bikes, Focus relies on the installation width of 110 and 148 millimetres familiar from mountain bikes. This increases the stability of the wheels, but limits the retrofit options.
Thanks to a slightly shorter head tube than the Atlas Alu, you sit a little more sportily on the new model, but still quite upright for the category. The long wheelbase and flat steering angle result in a very smooth ride. The wide aluminium cockpit with partially integrated cable routing offers a high level of safety.
Focus Atlas Carbon: Three equipment options from 2999 euros
The new Focus Atlas Carbon is available in three versions. While the top model Atlas 8.9 is the only version with electronic shifting with Rival AXS XPLR (1x12), the other two versions come with mechanical Shimano GRX 810 (2x11). The wheels are all models with aluminium rims from DT Swiss or Novatec. The gravel bike is available in five sizes and costs between € 2999 and € 4299. The Atlas 8.8 from our exclusive ride test is available for 3499 euros.
Julian Schultz
Editor
