Electric road bikes have made an impressive entrance into the Australian market. After the success of its award-winning "Project Y", German brand Focus have brought a great selection of its Focus Paralane2 range of road electric bikes to our shores.
The Focus Paralane2 road ebike combines the advantages of a racing bike with the technology and extra oomph of e-bikes.
Billed as an ‘endurance’ road bike it is lightweight and agile thanks to its carbon frame, seatpost and forks, and the Fazua Evation mid-drive electric drive system will give you the extra support just when you need it.
Project Y delivers
The Focus Paralane2 ebike was borne out of the famous Focus Project Y which won the Gold Award at Eurobike in 2017.
Using the results from the development of the Focus Sam2 electric mountain bike the engineers at Focus wanted to combine the advantages of a road bike with the perks of an e-bike. The Paralane2 is the result.
Design philosophy – Support when you need it
Road riders love to ride and they (mostly) love the physical exertion of road riding. Focus acknowledge this in the design of the Paralane2 and the result is an electric motor that is intended for occasional support, when needed, rather than a permanent assistance.
As a rider this means you can lessen the pain of a big climb, or big headwinds, and when you really want to go for it then you will appreciate the absence of any noticeable drag or resistance from the motor when riding without support.
The Fazua evation motor provides rated power of 250W and maximum power of 400 W up to speeds of 25 km/h. Together, the motor and battery is just 3.3kg. Nice and light for an ebike system. What is great about it though is it has maximum torque of 60Nm which, in a mid-drive system, provides decent extra oomph when things start to get steep.
The Road Boost Axle Standard – another design benefit
An offshoot of the design and engineering process of the eRoad concept development is the development of a new road standard. The inclusion of a motor in the traditional road bicycle set up required a rethink of the existing standards around wheel / drive train / bottom bracket performance. Focus worked with the engineers at DT Swiss to develop a new standard known as the Road Boost Axle Standard.
The Road Boost Axle Standard of 12×148 mm rear-spacing and 110mm wide boost axle in the front (to replace the standard 12×100 mm axle) provides the bike with a better chain line and allow for a quieter, more efficient and durable ride.
It also offers maximum tyre clearance of up to 35 mm which gives you the freedom to ride on any type of surface – whether asphalt or gravel tracks.
Focus Paralane2 eBikes – Carbon Models (the "9.x" models)
The carbon version of the Focus Paralane2 ebike are prefixed with "9" and are offered in four models, all with the same carbon frame that includes the road boost standard and internal brake and gear cable routing for a sleek clean look. Focus also offers the Paralane2 frame with mounts for mudguards and the bikes are delivered with mudguards in the box if you want to mount them.
The carbon frame is available in four sizes from S (51cm) to XL (60cm) and there are different colour options depending on the model you prefer.
As well as having the same frame, all models feature the same electric drive system, carbon seatpost and carbon forks. However where the models differ is on drivetrain, wheels, brakes and handlebar. Obviously, the higher the spec, the higher the price.
Focus Paralane2 9.8 road ebike – top of the range with Ultegra Di2
Brakes: Shimano Ultegra R8020 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm
Drivetrain: Shimano Ultegra Di2
Wheels: DT Swiss RR521 SPLINE DB
Handlebar: BBB Deluxe Aluminium
Crank: FSA Carbon
Weight: 13.7kg
Price: $10,499
Focus Paralane2 9.7 road ebike – with standard Ultegra
Brakes: Shimano Ultegra R8020 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm
Drivetrain: Shimano Ultegra
Wheels: DT Swiss RR521 SPLINE DB
Handlebar: BBB Deluxe Aluminium
Crank: FSA Carbon
Weight: 13.8kg
Price: $8,999
Focus Paralane2 9.5 road ebike – with Shimano 105
Brakes: Shimano 105 R7025 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm
Drivetrain: Shimano 105 R7000
Wheels: DT Swiss RR521 SPLINE DB
Handlebar: BBB Basic Aluminium
Crank: FSA Aluminium
Weight: 14.15kg
Price: $7,999
Focus Paralane2 9.6 gravel cross ebike
Brakes: Shimano GRX hydraulic disc, 160/160mm
Drivetrain: Shimano GRX
Wheels: Alex Rims Boondocks
Handlebar: BBB Basic Aluminium
Crank: FSA Aluminium
Price: $7,499
Focus Paralane2 eBikes – Alloy Models (the "6.x" models)
The Focus Paralane2 alloy road ebike are prefixed with "6". There are two road models and one flatbar commuter based on the road platform. All alloy frames include the road boost standard, Focus carbon fork and internal brake and gear cable routing for a sleek clean look. Focus also offers the Paralane2 frame with mounts for mudguards and the bikes are delivered with mudguards in the box if you want to mount them.
They are available in four sizes from S (51cm) to XL (60cm) and there are different colour options depending on the model you prefer.
Focus Paralane2 6.9 road ebike – with Ultegra
Brakes: Shimano Ultegra R8020 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm
Drivetrain: Shimano Ultegra
Wheels: DT Swiss RR521 SPLINE DB
Handlebar: BBB Deluxe Aluminium
Crank: FSA Aluminium
Weight: 15.65kg
Price: $6,999
Focus Paralane2 6.7 road ebike – with Shimano 105
Brakes: Shimano 105 R7025 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm
Drivetrain: Shimano 105 R7025
Wheels: DT Swiss RR521 SPLINE DB
Handlebar: BBB Basic Aluminium
Crank: FSA Aluminium
Weight: 15.65kg
Price: $5,999
Focus Paralane2 6.6 Commute ebike – with Shimano 105
Brakes: Shimano RS405 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm
Drivetrain: Shimano 105 R7000
Wheels: Alex Rims Boondocks
Handlebar: Flatbar Aluminium
Crank: FSA Aluminium
Weight: 15.95kg
Price: $5,499
How can I get one?
We have a demo Paralane2 in store ready to try out now. If you would like to test ride or order then contact us via email here or call on 1300 553 110.
