{"id":47895,"date":"2023-04-04T14:00:16","date_gmt":"2023-04-04T12:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=722184"},"modified":"2023-04-04T14:34:54","modified_gmt":"2023-04-04T12:34:54","slug":"focus-doubles-down-on-boost-spacing-for-new-atlas-8-carbon-gravel-bike","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/focus-doubles-down-on-boost-spacing-for-new-atlas-8-carbon-gravel-bike\/","title":{"rendered":"Focus doubles down on Boost-spacing for new Atlas 8 carbon gravel bike"},"content":{"rendered":"

Carbon-framed Atlas is designed for the long haul <\/p>

By Oscar Huckle\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 04 April 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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The new Focus Atlas 8 is a carbon-framed alternative to the Atlas 6 aluminium gravel bike, teeming with mounting points for long-distance bikepacking adventures.<\/p>\n

The Atlas 8 gravel bikes<\/a> have a comparable geometry to the Atlas 6 series<\/a> and a fully integrated front end.<\/p>\n

Focus is also sticking to its guns with the Road Boost axle standard used on its aluminium sibling.<\/p>\n

Prices start from \u00a32,899 \/ \u20ac2,999 for the Atlas 8.7 and rise to \u00a34,199 \/ \u20ac4,299 for the Atlas 8.9. The bikes will not be available in the USA and Australian pricing is to be confirmed.<\/p>\n

Versatile frame<\/h2>\n
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Focus has paid attention to the rear triangle\u2019s carbon layup.<\/span><\/figcaption> Focus<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

At the heart of the Atlas 8 is an all-new carbon frame. Focus says it uses three types of carbon to find a balance between stiffness for fast acceleration and stability at higher speeds, as well as being durable and delivering a compliant ride.<\/p>\n

The seatstays\u2019 carbon layup and profiles are optimised for flex and comfort on rough terrain, according to the brand.<\/p>\n

Focus claims an unpainted size-medium frame weighs 995g, and says the bike is 1.7kg lighter than the 6 series, but doesn\u2019t provide a model comparison or size.<\/p>\n

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There\u2019s still a little room to spare around the 45mm tyres.<\/span><\/figcaption> Focus<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Atlas 8 has clearance for 700c x 45mm or 650b x 2in gravel bike tyres<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Focus includes rubber protection underneath the base of the down tube to protect against rock strikes, as well as on the driveside chainstay.<\/p>\n

The Atlas 8 uses a round 27.2mm seatpost<\/a> and is compatible with a dropper post<\/a>. It runs on a press-fit BB86 bottom bracket standard<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Boost for gravel<\/h3>\n
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The Boost standard will make upgrading wheels more difficult.<\/span><\/figcaption> Focus<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Like the Atlas 6, Focus is sticking to its guns with Boost axle spacing.<\/p>\n

Almost all modern disc brake road and gravel bikes use a 100x12mm front thru-axle and a 142x12mm rear.<\/p>\n

The Boost standard, which is used more commonly on mountain bikes<\/a>, sees this change to 110x12mm at the front and 148x12mm out back.<\/p>\n

Focus says using Boost spacing means the bike \u201cdelivers high stability and the best spoke tension at the same time\u201d.<\/p>\n

This will make upgrading to a set of the best gravel wheels<\/a> more difficult. You\u2019ll need to use mountain bike wheels<\/a> or re-lace the rim on a gravel wheelset to a Boost-spaced hub.<\/p>\n

The rear thru-axle specced on the Atlas 8 bikes includes 4 and 6mm hex keys, as well as a bottle opener for a refreshing post-ride beverage.<\/p>\n

Mounting mania<\/h2>\n
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There are mounts either side of the fork.<\/span><\/figcaption> Focus<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Atlas 8 can accept three water bottles<\/a> \u2013 two inside the main triangle and another underneath the down tube towards the bottom bracket junction.<\/p>\n

There are bento box mounts on the top tube and the bikes come with a top tube bag.<\/p>\n

Three mounting eyelets adorn each fork leg, with Focus saying you can load up to 3kg either side.<\/p>\n

The Atlas 8 has a total system weight limit of 120kg.<\/p>\n

Adventure Rack<\/h3>\n
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The Adventure Rack gives you another 6kg of cargo real estate.<\/span><\/figcaption> Focus<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Focus is debuting its new Adventure Rack on the Atlas 8. The rack is mounted on the seatstay bridge and at the seatstay-dropout junction.<\/p>\n

Like the fork mounts, Focus says you can load up to 3kg on each side and claims it won\u2019t wobble, even on rough terrain.<\/p>\n

You can also fit mudguards<\/a> (Focus makes its own, or you can use an aftermarket option) and the Adventure Rack at the same time.<\/p>\n

Fully integrated to make space for bikepacking bags<\/h2>\n
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The Atlas\u2019 integration is certainly clean-looking.<\/span><\/figcaption> Focus<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Atlas 8 is fully integrated. The Atlas 6 routes its cables and hoses externally before they enter a port through the headset cover.<\/p>\n

Focus is introducing its upgraded C.I.S. (Cockpit Integration Solution) on the Atlas 8. A similar system exists on the brand\u2019s Izalco Max<\/a> road bike.<\/p>\n

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The cables and hoses are routed underneath the stem.<\/span><\/figcaption> Focus<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

This sees the cables and hoses run into the stem from the handlebars<\/a>, before passing through the upper headset bearing.<\/p>\n

Focus says this new solution is backwards-compatible with the Atlas 6.<\/p>\n

Because the cables aren\u2019t exposed, Focus says the move to full integration provides more real estate to mount bikepacking bags<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The stem<\/a> is offered in 70 to 120mm lengths and Focus uses two-piece headset spacers so you can easily adjust the handlebar height<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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You can mount a computer on top of the stem if you\u2019re running a bag up-front.<\/span><\/figcaption> Focus<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Focus also makes a specific bike computer<\/a> mount for the stem that attaches at the faceplate, as well as a fitting underneath for a GoPro or front light.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re running a bag at the front, Focus also produces a top-cap mounting option.<\/p>\n

Focus Atlas 8 geometry<\/h2>\n
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The geometry differs slightly from the Atlas 6.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Like the Atlas 6, Focus says it has designed the Atlas 8 around a longer reach and shorter stem, albeit with some differences.<\/p>\n

The stem lengths are 10mm longer than on the Atlas 6, so a size medium now comes with a 90 rather than 80mm stem.<\/p>\n

Focus has also shortened the head tube length for a \u201cmore sporty geometry with a lower riding position\u201d. This is combined with a lower stack.<\/p>\n

The short 425mm chainstay length is designed to make the bike \u201cplayful and agile\u201d.<\/p>\n

Like the Atlas 6, all bikes have a slack 70.5-degree head tube angle and 73.5-degree seat tube angle (with the exception of the XS size, which has a 74-degree seat tube angle).<\/p>\n

<\/colgroup>
\ufeff<\/th>XS<\/th>S<\/th>M<\/th>L<\/th>XL<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Head tube angle <\/b>(degrees)<\/td>70.5<\/td>70.5<\/td>70.5<\/td>70.5<\/td>70.5<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>115<\/td>120<\/td>130<\/td>150<\/td>180<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube angle <\/b>(degrees)<\/td>74<\/td>73.5<\/td>73.5<\/td>73.5<\/td>73.5<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube length <\/b>(mm)<\/td>445<\/td>485<\/td>515<\/td>545<\/td>585<\/td> <\/tr>
Top tube length <\/b>(mm)<\/td>531<\/td>549<\/td>567<\/td>591<\/td>606<\/td> <\/tr>
Chainstay length <\/b>(mm)<\/td>425<\/td>425<\/td>425<\/td>425<\/td>425<\/td> <\/tr>
Wheelbase <\/b>(mm)<\/td>1,016<\/td>1,028<\/td>1,046<\/td>1,068<\/td>1,088<\/td> <\/tr>
Reach <\/b>(mm)<\/td>370<\/td>380<\/td>395<\/td>410<\/td>420<\/td> <\/tr>
Stack <\/b>(mm)<\/td>569<\/td>574<\/td>583<\/td>611<\/td>630<\/td> <\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>