Name: Focus Aventura Impulse 2.0 Review
Item: Focus Aventura Impulse 2.0
Author: Court Rye

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Focus Aventura Impulse 2.0 Review

Focus Aventura Impulse 2 0 Electric Bike Review 1

Focus Aventura Impulse 2 0 Mid Drive Motor

Focus Aventura Impulse 2 0 Removable Lithium Ion Battery

Focus Aventura Impulse 2 0 Backlit Led Display Panel

Focus Aventura Impulse 2 0 Carry Rack And Pump

Focus Aventura Impulse 2 0 Selle Royal Ariel Saddle

Focus Aventura Impulse 2 0 Shimano Deore Derailleur

Focus Aventura Impulse 2 0 Shimano M396 Disc Brakes

Focus Aventura Impulse 2 0 Suntour Nex Suspension Fork

Focus Aventura Impulse 2 0 Geometry Diamant

Focus Aventura Impulse 2 0 Geometry Trapez

A value priced but still high-end electric bike offering an active frame and bar design that's great for commuting or touring, 100+ mile range in lower assist levels
Available in two low-step and three high-step sizes, quick release wheels, dynamo powered LED lights, fenders, chain guard and premium cargo rack with included mini-pump
Modest 250 watt motor performs well but requires active rider input, shift detection is extremely smooth and effective, two year warranty from an established European company offers peace of mind

Make:

Focus

Model:

Aventura Impulse 2.0

Price:

$3,799 USD

Body Position:

Forward

Suggested Use:

Urban, Commuting, Touring

Electric Bike Class:

Pedal Assist (Class 1)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Year Compehensive

Availability:

United States

Model Year:

2015

Total Weight:

52 lbs (23.58 kg)

Battery Weight:

6.5 lbs (2.94 kg)

Motor Weight:

8.4 lbs (3.81 kg)

Frame Material:

Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

18.1 in (45.97 cm)19.7 in (50.03 cm)21.7 in (55.11 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

Trapez: Small (570 mm Top Tube, 460 mm Seat Tube, 1138 mm Wheelbase), Medium (580 mm Top Tube, 500 mm Seat Tube, 1143 mm Wheelbase) Diamant: Small (570 mm Top Tube, 460 mm Seat Tube, 1137 mm Wheelbase), Medium (580 mm Top Tube, 500 mm Seat Tube, 1142 mm Wheelbase), Large (595 mm Top Tube, 550 mm Seat Tube, 1155 mm Wheelbase)

Frame Types:

Step-Thru, High-Step

Frame Colors:

Granite Matte Gray with Red Accents

Frame Fork Details:

Suntour NEX Hydraulic Suspension with 55 mm Travel and Lockout Adjust

Attachment Points:

Bottle Cage Bosses (2 on Diamant, 1 on Trapez), Fender Bosses, Rear Rack Bosses

Gearing Details:

9 Speed 1x9 Shimano Deore Derailleur, 38T Front Sprocket, 11-34T Rear Cassette

Shifter Details:

Shimano Alivio Triggers on Right

Pedals:

Wellgo Aluminum Alloy Platform

Stem:

Concept EX

Handlebar:

Concept SL Riser, 640 mm Length

Brake Details:

Shimano M396 Hydraulic Disc with 180 mm Front Rotor and 160 mm Rear Rotor

Grips:

Ergon, Flat Rubber with Lockers

Saddle:

Selle Royal Ariel

Seat Post:

Concept SL

Seat Post Length:

350 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

31.6 mm

Rims:

Rodi Freeway

Tire Brand:

Schwalbe Energizer Pro, 700 x 38c

Wheel Sizes:

28 in (71.12cm)

Tire Details:

Reflective Sidewall Stripe

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve with Presta Adapter

Accessories:

Shimano 3D32 Dynamo Hub in Front Wheel Powers AXA Pico LED 30 Lux Headlight and AXA Slim Steady LED Backlight with Standing Mode, Full Length Fenders with Mud Guard on Back, Plastic Chain Guard, Rear Carry Rack with Pannier Blockers and Spring Latch, Mini Pump on Rear Rack, Adjustable Length Kickstand, Oversized Bell on Left Bar

Other:

Locking Removable Battery Pack, Quick Release Wheels on Front and Rear, Battery Charger Weighs ~1.5 lbs and is Fairly Small and Portable

Motor Brand:

Impulse 2.0

Motor Type:

Mid-Mounted Geared Motor

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

250 watts

Motor Torque:

70 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Impulse

Battery Voltage:

36 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

17 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

612 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

6 hours

Estimated Min Range:

65 miles (105 km)

Estimated Max Range:

125 miles (201 km)

Display Type:

Fixed, Monochrome Backlit LCD with Adjustable Angle by Impulse

Readouts:

Speed, Battery Status, Trip Distance, Odometer, Drive Mode (Eco, Sport, Power), Walk Assist (Hold the + Button)

Display Accessories:

Backlit Independent Button Pad Near Left Grip

Drive Mode:

Advanced Pedal Assist (Measures Wheel Speed, Cadence and Pedal Torque)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)

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Make or Model

Model Year

Body Position

Suggested Use

Frame Type

Drive Mode

Availability

Price Range

$0 (0 €)$18,000 (16,920 €)

Total Weight

0 lbs (0 kg)227 lbs (103 kg)

Top Speed

0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)

Battery Watt Hrs

0 watt3,456 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)432 in (1,097.28 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

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The Aventura Impulse 2.0 is a remarkable ebike to me because it offers so much utility and has so many great features for what I would consider a low price. Many of the other European made mid-drive electric bikes start at $4,000 and while this one is only ~$200 less, it delivers an extra large 612 watt hour battery for 100+ mile range, full length fenders, a great carry rack with attached mini-pump, dynamo powered LED lights, a suspension fork with lockout, premium Selle Royal saddle and Ergon grips and it’s available in multiple frame sizes and styles (Trapez step-thru and Diamant high-step). With a top speed of 20 mph and responsive pedal assist that measures your speed, pedal cadence and torque it’s more of a bicycle than a scooter and would shine as a commuter or trekking platform. It’s sporty looking, well balanced with the battery and motor low and center on the frame and the control system is easy to use and fairly stealthy. It’s one of my favorite electric bikes from Focus for 2015 and is a new model for the US market.

Driving this electric bike is a modest but very capable 250 watt geared mid-drive Impulse 2.0 motor. It’s one of the top three drive systems available today in my opinion because it’s relatively quiet, durable and very responsive. As you pedal, the control system measures rear wheel speed, pedal cadence and pedal torque to deliver rapid output. You get one 38 tooth sprocket at the front (which is mostly concealed by the plastic chain guard) and a nine speed cassette in the rear. Depending on which gear you choose, the motor will benefit from mechanical advantages and this creates efficiency. The Shimano Deore derailleur used here is at the upper end in terms of quality and should perform well for thousands of miles thanks to an integrated shift-detection system on the Aventura which measures the physical movement of internally routed cables. Basically, when you shift gears the motor pauses for a second and this reduces wear on the derailleur, sprockets and chain. It’s one of the best shift sensing systems I’ve tried and you can see it in action in the video review above.

Powering the Focus Aventura Impulse Two is an impressive 612 watt hour Lithium-ion battery pack. Not only is this thing 35% larger than most competing packs, including the Bosch Powerpack 400, it’s really well positioned and protected on the frame. Instead of taking up the downtube, it resides just behind the seat tube and this frees up space for bottle cage bosses! You get two sets on the high-step frame and just one on the step-thru and these can be used for mounting locks or all kind of other extras which is great. The battery itself offers 36 volts of power and 17 amp hours of capacity which is way above average and the cell chemistry is energy dense which means the pack is relatively light at ~6.5 pounds. You can charge the pack on or off the bicycle frame and I love the integrated handle because it reduces the likelihood of drops. The battery also has an integrated five LED readout that can be read at any time to help you assess charge level. I like that the rear fender on this bike extends all the way down to the bottom bracket because this helps to keep water from even reaching the battery and I think the chain guard also helps to keep it clean.

Powering up and operating the display panel on the Aventura is pretty easy. Once the pack is charged, connected to the frame and locked into place you simply press the power button at the top of the button pad located near the left grip. This button pad is sleek looking, rubberized for protection against water and backlit for easy use at dusk or dawn. The LCD display unit comes to life with a “Hello” greeting and then shows your speed, battery level (with 10 increments for precise tracking) and an odometer and trip distance readout. I like that the display is made with thick, sturdy materials and is mounted directly to the custom stem. If you plan to replace the stem however, this could become an issue because I think it’s custom designed to work with the Impulse 2.0 system. I like the Bosch Intuvia display panel because it’s easily removable and I feel that this feature lets you store it away from the elements. As far as “permanent” displays go however, the Impulse 2.0 is pretty good. So once you’ve turned it on using the button pad then you can arrow up from no assist (where the display acts as a cycle computer) to Eco, Sport or Power mode. Eco is pretty gentle but helps you reach that impressive 100+ range. In addition to the nice Ergon grips with lockers and the soft Selle Royal gel saddle I like the unique oversized bell that Focus has chosen here. The cockpit is clean and my body felt comfortable but there was no shortage of features.

I realize that some people could take issue with me calling this nearly $4k electric bike “affordable” but for what you’re getting, I think it’s a bargain. This would make for an excellent commuter or touring bike. I could see myself bikepacking all across America with cargo loaded up on the rack or possibly even towed behind in a trailer. I love the balance and versatility of the mid-drive system and just how light weight this thing is at ~52 lbs even with all of the extras and suspension fork! The color choice is sporty and cool for girls or guys and the two year warranty is hard to beat. I feel that this bike offers more than two times the value of most less expensive ~$2k electric bikes I’ve tested but that’s mostly true if you actually ride it purposely. This thing is much more than a fun neighborhood cruiser, it’s basically a car replacer and depending on your need Focus offers several other models including the Thron Impulse Speed which can reach 28 mph and delivers a comfortable full-suspension design.

Pros:

This is the most affordable model from Focus electric bikes but it still comes with a great set of accessories and high end components
Dynamo hub in front wheel generates electricity to power the headlight and tail light at all times, they don’t rely on the battery pack for power like some other ebikes and that makes them safer if you run out of juice or are riding without a battery
Excellent range thanks to the efficient Impulse 2.0 mid-drive, nine speed cassette and large 612 watt hour battery pack, can top 100 miles per charge
The front and rear wheels both offer quick release which makes transporting the bike or doing trail maintenance much more convenient, also since most of the sensors are integrated into the drive unit itself the rear wheel tightness and alignment properties aren’t as finicky like some ebikes
Excellent utility thanks to the full length fenders, chain guard, rear carry rack (with extra tubing for strength and bag protection) and included mini air pump
Display panel feels sturdy, is easy to see day or night and offers an adjustable angle for reducing glare, the 10-incriment battery readout is more accurate for improved ride planning and the button pad on the left is also backlit and clicks when you press down so you don’t have to look to know it has changed
Great shift detection system, it actually measures the movement of internally routed cables to signal motor cutoff, feels smoother than some others I’ve tried
Active geometry is more aerodynamic, you tend to lean forward on this bikebut the suspension fork keeps it comfortable, it has lockout for smooth sections to reduce bob
The battery pack is mounted behind the seat tube and this opens up the main triangle of the frame for adding water bottle cages or other accessories like locks
The battery casing is designed with an integrated handle which makes it easy to take off and carry around reducing drops
Light weight charger only weighs 1.5 lbs and runs cool and quiet, will easily fit into a bag for extending trips – charging at the office etc.
Stealthy aesthetic, the motor and battery blend in with the chain guard and fenders, it all operates fairly quietly so most people might not even know it’s electric, especially if you add panniers and other gear
Shift interruption can be personalized from 50 ms to 300 ms in 50 ms intervals with the help of certified Focus bike shops (you can do this yourself with other Focus ebikes that use the larger display panel)
Hydraulic disc brakes are easy to actuate and will not tire your wrists out as mechanical disc or rim brakes might, the larger 180 mm front rotor offers a more precise and consistent stop
Available in three frame sizes and two styles (low step and high step) for improved ergonomics and comfort over long rides

Cons:

While the hydraulic disc brakes do stop the bike efficiently, they do not cut power to the motor and you may find that the torque sensor can activate while pushing down on the pedals at rest even though you’re holding the brakes
The display panel is more permanently fixed to the stem which means it will take more sun, rain and other elements when parked outside, it does swivel to reduce glare which is nice
The smaller 250 watt motor is capable and efficient but requires more rider input than some other electric bikes with larger motors, I noticed that I got a better workout with this bike

Resources:

Official Site: http://www.focus-bikes.com/us/en/bikes/2015/e-bike-1/e-trekking-aventura-impulse/aventura-impulse-20.html
More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/c6ENyKpMQ145FA5YA

January 29, 2024 (10 months ago)

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I received my new Focus Aventura Impulse 2.0 just before Easter. After a quick once over I took it for a short test ride that stretched to 37km (23miles). Tackles steep long hills with ease, good speed, comfortable. This bike is amazing!

Daniel

8 years ago

Hi, I am considering this bike. how is it holding up so far. Cheers Daniel

Court Rye

Hi Daniel! Not sure Anonymous is going to reply to you here… they didn’t leave an email address so there isn’t a notification going out based on your reply comment :/ in any case, I have heard great things from shops and other users about Focus ebikes. They are part of the Derby Cycle Group in Europe that also makes Kalkhoff and their products are really, really well made. They are entering the US in a big way and I would any of their bikes to be of above-average quality. Hope this helps, note that they don’t pay me and I do not own one of their products… this is just my opinion and feedback from shops that carry the brand.

Andy

Hi. May I request a review of the FOCUS AVENTURA IMPULSE SPEED 1.0 ELECTRIC? It has a larger motor and can go 28 mph. Thanks for considering this.

Hi Andy, thanks for the suggestion! My hope is to review all of the remaining Focus ebikes for 2015 but I’m currently traveling (not near their HQ) so the timing is a bit up in the air. Possibly in the next month or two I’ll have a chance :D

Thanks for the reply

Martin Strelka

9 years ago

I noticed in your accessories for the Focus Aventura Impulse 2.0 Review that there is an oversized Bell on the Left Bar. I’m interested in this item and was wondering if I can purchase this bell separately. Please respond on who or where I can buy this bell for my bike. I saw it on a bike in California and really liked it. Please advise. Thanks, Martin

That’s a great question Martin! I’ve never seen this type of bell before sold independently. It seems very unique to Kalkhoff and Focus… Maybe someone else will know where to get one or if it’s sold under another name?

Gregory Kaufmann

3 years ago

Need the wiring diagram for the focus adventures 2.0 please.

Court

Hi Gregory! I’d love to help you with this, but it’s not something I have access to. Perhaps someone in the Focus ebike forums could help?