FOCUS PARALANE² 9.9 in Review

With the Paralane² 9.9, FOCUS were one of the first bike brands in the E-road bike market. However, the competition hasn’t slept since it was first launched in late 2017. How will the FOCUS fare in a direct comparison with the latest competition?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: The best E-road bike of 2019! – 13 of the most exciting models on test

The Paralane² aims to score with its sporty character as well as its practicality. Accordingly, the shapely mudguards come as standard. The FAZUA Evation motor with a nominal output of 250 W and a peak output of 400 W performs optimally in a cadence range of 70–85 rpm. If you want to accelerate beyond that, you’ll benefit from the fact that the FAZUA motor doesn’t generate any noticeable amount of additional resistance when it isn’t supporting you. We were pleased with the tidy appearance of the bike overall as well as the consistent componentry of the Paralane²! FOCUS clearly paid attention to the details: direct mount derailleur hanger, clever R.A.T. quick-release thru-axle and Di2 junction box in the bar end. However, the Easton EC90 Aero handlebar and the FAZUA controls mounted in front of the stem don’t suit the overall look of the bike. Shimano’s 2×11 DURA-ACE Di2 R9170 groupset provides perfect shifting with a 52/36 t chainring combo and an 11-30 t cassette. The DT Swiss ERC 1450 DB wheels and Continental GP 4000S II tires complete the build. In size L, the scale stops at 13.57 kg (incl. mudguards) with a price tag of € 10,499.

The Focus Paralane² 9.9 in detail

Motor/Battery FAZUA Evation 1.0 250 Wh
Drivetrain Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9170 2×11
Gearing 52/36 T und 11–30 T
Brakes Shimano DURA-ACE BR-917 160/160 mm
Stem BBB Deluxe Aluminium
Handlebar Easton EC90 Aero
Seatpost BBB CPX Plus Carbon
Wheels DT Swiss ERC 1450 DB 47
Tires Continental GP4000S II 28C

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	480 mm	516 mm	540 mm	570 mm
Top tube	525 mm	545 mm	568 mm	590 mm
Head tube	150 mm	165 mm	190 mm	215 mm
Head angle	71.5°	72.0°	72.5°	72.5°
Seat angle	74.5°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°
Chainstays	415 mm	415 mm	415 mm	415 mm
Wheelbase	990 mm	996 mm	1,014 mm	1,036 mm
Reach	370 mm	375 mm	390 mm	405 mm
Stack	564 mm	580 mm	605 mm	630 mm

The Focus Paralane² 9.9 in review

Thanks to the comparably tall front end, the riding position on the Paralane² is comfortably upright. The 20 mm offset BBB carbon seat post combined with the 190 mm long head tube and the resulting tall front end puts a lot of weight on the rear wheel, as the rider’s centre of gravity is shifted rearwards. That means you’ll have to actively shift your weight forward to get the FOCUS around tight bends. With its 415 mm short chainstays, the rear end readily follows at all times and if you don’t intend to regularly ride the FOCUS at the limit, the lack of agility at the front won’t bother you. One thing our testers couldn’t warm to was the position of the FAZUA remote. Since the aero profile of the Easton bars makes it impossible to mount the remote on the handlebar, it has to be attached to a very bulky bracket in front of the stem. Its position occupies a space where a lot of riders would usually want to mount their GPS computer.

A silver bullet with uncompromising bling-bling spec that doesn’t let off the gas!

Here, speccing a conventional, round handlebar would have seemed a more holistic approach. In terms of comfort, the rear triangle offers an excellent level of compliance with defined vibration damping. However, the front end of the FOCUS is a little stiffer, though the overall comfort is acceptable. The tuning of the FAZUA motor on the FOCUS feels somewhat binary: while it offers only minimal assistance in the lowest level, it doesn’t let off the gas in the upper support modes. In the highest (Rocket) mode, the motor’s output isn’t progressive, engaging harshly with each pedal stroke and pushing on relentlessly. Here, it is worth having the modes adjusted at the dealer to suit your personal preference.

Conclusion

With the Paralane², Focus provide an aesthetically pleasing and integrated solution for the E-road sector. The E-road bike scored highly with its composure and consistent spec. Riding on the limit, the cumbersome front end calls for an active riding style. Fans of carbon fibre who want a little assistance to ride road bike marathons or after work rides will find a good endurance E-road bike companion in the Paralane².

For more info head to: focus-bikes.com

For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: The best E-road bike of 2019! – 13 of the most exciting models on test

All bikes in test: Bianchi Aria e-Road | BMC Alpenchallenge AMP ROAD ONE | Cannondale Synapse Neo SE | CENTURION Overdrive Carbon Road Z4000 | Coboc TEN Torino | LOOK E-765 Optimum Disc | Moustache Dimanche 28.7 | ORBEA GAIN M10 | Pinarello Nytro | Specialized S-Works Turbo Creo SL | Thömus Sliker E1 | Wilier Triestina Cento1 Hybrid Custom

---

---

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of GRAN FONDO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.

Words: Photos: Valentin Rühl, Benjamin Topf, Robin Schmitt