Focus Thron 6.8 ABS Review
Turns out my first time was electric
The Focus Thron 6.8 ABS sits squarely in that modern “trail all rounder” space, a 130mm travel eBike designed for riders who want efficiency on the climbs and confidence on the descents. Built around the Bosch Performance Line CX System, it brings together refined power delivery, serious tech in the form of Bosch eBike ABS, and Focus’s signature trail geometry.
I took the Thron out on the Mogo Trails for my first proper eMTB ride, expecting it to feel like a gym session with a motor. Instead, I was surprised with how smooth and natural the ride felt.
The Focus Thron Frame & Suspension
The Thron’s aluminium chassis uses Focus’s F.O.L.D. (Focus Optimised Linkage Design) suspension system, which gives it 140mm of rear travel paired with a 150mm Rock Shox Psylo Silver fork up front. The design keeps the back end active on climbs but supportive on descents, which suits the Thron’s trail first attitude perfectly.
Geometry wise, it hits a nice middle ground—comfortable for long days, confident on the descents. It’s not ultra slack or stretched out; instead, it feels playful and really well balanced..
Cable routing is tidy, the battery is fully integrated, and Focus has done a great job of keeping everything sleek.
The Bosch Performance Line CX System
At the heart of the Thron 6.8 ABS is Bosch’s latest Performance Line CX motor paired with a 600Wh PowerTube battery. The system feels dialled. eMTB+ mode still makes you grin like a kid, but even in Eco or eMTB modes, the motor’s smooth torque and instant pickup make the ride feel natural.
The Kiox 300 display is really cool, with accurate range predictions that make it easy to manage longer rides. I pushed through a solid few hours of Mogo’s cross country singletrack and techy descents, and the range was better just as expected—still showing plenty left in the tank, even after ripping around in eMTB+ the majority of the time.
Bosch eBike ABS Braking
I didn’t expect to be talking heaps about brakes in an eBike review, but the Bosch eBike ABS deserves some spotlight. It works subtly in the background to prevent front wheel lock up on loose surfaces, and it actually makes a noticeable difference when descending on steep trails.
On The Trail
This is where the Focus Thron 6.8 ABS really comes alive. Straight away, it feels like a proper trail bike, confident, and super predictable on rough trails. There’s a solid, planted feel through the frame that gives you the confidence to let it roll a little faster.
The RockShox suspension does a great job of keeping things under control. It smooths out the chatter without blowing through its travel, giving you enough support to push through corners or pop off trail features. The extra weight from the motor and battery actually works in your favour here as the bike holds its line really well through rock gardens and rougher sections instead of skipping around.
The geometry isn’t too aggressive, which I liked. It feels relaxed and easy to move around on. You can flick it through tight turns, pump through rollers, and still feel stable when the trail opens up.
Climbing was better than I expected too. The Bosch Performance Line CX motor dishes out power naturally, and there’s plenty of traction even on loose, technical pinches. It’s quiet, efficient, and makes longer climbs fun, especially when riding in eMTB+ mode.
The ABS braking was a standout. On the steeper descents, you can really feel it helping the front wheel from slipping. It gives you that extra bit of control to brake later without worrying about tucking the front.
The Focus Thron Build
The Focus Thron 6.8 ABS runs a tough 7005 aluminium frame with 140mm of F.O.L.D. suspension out back and a 150mm RockShox Psylo fork up front. Power comes from the Bosch Performance Line CX motor, paired with a 600Wh PowerTube battery and Kiox 300 display.
Braking is handled by TRP Trail EVO 4-piston stoppers with Bosch ABS, which adds noticeable control on loose descents. A Shimano Deore 12 speed drivetrain, Maxxis Minion DHF tyres, and a solid dropper post round out the Thron.
Verdict
The Focus Thron 6.8 ABS is exactly what an eMTB should be, a proper trail bike that still feels like a mountain bike, just with a bit of a boost when you need it. It climbs like you’d expect an eBike to climb, rides confidently on the descents, and has that “one more lap” kind of vibe.
What I liked
- Super confident on the descents
- Quiet and composed
- Climbs really well with great traction
- ABS is noticeable and adds real confidence on steep terrain
What could be better
- Feels a bit overbuilt on smoother, easier trails
