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Bike Perfect

Lifestyle

Neal Hunt

The new Focus Atlas 8 series is a gravel race bike built for adventure

Focus STEM WTB DT Easton (Organization) Shimano

Focus launched the 6 series alloy gravel bike in 2021 and has just announced the release of the carbon 8 series to complete the range. A lot has changed in that time, so what has Focus done to update the Atlas?

The Atlas 8 series is made up of three different models (Image credit: Focus Bikes)

The gravel bike can take many forms, as you can see in our best gravel bikes and gravel bike geometry features, from race bikes that are closely related to road bikes to bikes that are very close to an XC 29er. The latest from Focus is aimed more toward the race end of the spectrum, but with its varied luggage-carrying capabilities, it's not the easiest bike to pigeonhole.

The 8 series have a very clean looking front end (Image credit: Focus Bikes)

Design and features

The new frame has a shape similar to the alloy version but has plenty of features and design cues to set it apart. First, it's lighter, by 1.7kgs which is a considerable difference. The 8 series also have shorter head tubes across all sizes compared to the existing alloy versions. For example, the stack height on a medium drops from 596mm to 583mm, which will help you get into a lower, more aero position.

Starting at the front end, the frame features a hidden cable setup where the cables run through the stem and down into the headset and frame. Internal cable routing may cause your mechanic to swear occasionally, but this updated version promises to be easier to live with and adds to the bike's clean aesthetic.

Unusually for a gravel bike, Focus has gone with a road boost setup (Image credit: Focus Bikes)

Somewhat unusually, the wheels use the rarely seen road Boost ‘standard’ of a 148mm by 12mm rear hub and a 110mm front hub. Although Boost is one of the most common standards in mountain bikes, it is rarely used on non-electric gravel bikes. It offers a better bracing angle for the spokes, so therefore, in theory, a stronger wheel, but it somewhat limits your choice should you wish to upgrade your wheels later.

Tire clearance is 45mm, but you can run wider tires on a 650b setup should you wish. Alongside the plethora of frame mounts, you can also fit mudguards, perfect for those of us in northern Europe with less-than-perfect year-round weather – they retail for £22.99/€25.99.

The dropout features a 4 and 6mm Allen key as well as a handy bottle opener (Image credit: Focus Bikes)

The frame uses a BB86 press-fit bottom bracket and comes with a whole host of mounting points – three bottle cage mounts, carrier mounts on the frame and fork, and a neat top tube-mounted bag that comes as standard with the bike. It also features a neat rear bolt through-axle which cleverly integrates not only a 4 and 6mm Allen key but a bottle opener too, perfect for those post-gravel race craft beers.

The adventure rack is an innovative luggage carrying option (Image credit: Focus Bikes)

Accessories

As well as the usual methods of carrying bikepacking bags on the bar, frame, or hanging from your seatpost, the Atlas also has the option of attaching two bags or large bottles on the seat stays using the adventure rack. This bolts onto some specific frame mounts on the stays and seat stay bridge, offering a secure, more stable alternative to a saddle bag but without being as cumbersome as a traditional pannier bag. The adventure rack is not supplied with the bike but is available for £39.99 / €39.99.

To complete the integrated aesthetic of the bike, Focus makes two different computer mounts to fit its integrated stem and cable management system. One is mounted out front in a traditional style and can mount a GoPro or a light underneath, which retails for £29.99 / €29.95. The second is for those who like to fit a bar bag and mounts at the stem top cap leaving plenty of space.

Focus uses its own stem setup, and has various computer mount options (Image credit: Focus Bikes)

As mentioned, the Atlas 8 series have lower stack heights than previous models, and they also share the same mountain bike-inspired geometry. They use the tried and tested trail bike formula of having a longer top tube, a shorter stem, and short chainstays to create a bike that should be stable and fun on a wide range of terrain.

For more information, head over to Focusbikes.com.