If you are looking to buy a Focus Whistler 3.5, 29 inches, in this article, you will find pretty much everything you need to know about this bicycle that is engineered in Germany.
I have used the bicycle since May 2021, around the city, on light trails and even in some areas with really rough terrain.
The bicycle is working fine, it feels very strong and comfortable to ride.
If I would compare it to my old RockRider 520, the Focus is a beast, it feels much stronger, much better built and overall it gives more confidence.
One aspect to consider, for the past 2 months, I’ve started to ride only standing up (not standing on the saddle), on short distances of about 20km, putting a lot of stress on the bicycle and on the components, and it still holds up, nothing broke so far and doesn’t seem to do in the future.
The frame
Let’s begin the Focus Whistler 3.5 29 review.
All modern Focus Whistler models are sharing the same frame, 3.5, 3.7 and 3.9.
The differences between these bicycle models come from the components like forks, derailleurs etc.
3.5 is the entry level bicycle from Focus, the cheapest model, but has the same high quality frame that we find on the other more expensive bicycles.
The frame is well painted, with the Focus logos inside the paint, not as stickers.
The frame feels very strong, even on trails when descending, it holds up pretty good.
But, it is more like a fitness bike, because of the entry-level components, it is not meant for anything serious.
Those that are looking for an entry level mountain-bike or commuting bike, this is a great choice.
Focus Whistler 3.5 29 components
The bicycle has pretty much everything from Shimano, the combo shifters with brakes (Shimano MT-200), Shimano disk brakes, crankset, cassette, derailleurs.
It is using Shimano Acera on the back, Tourney as front derailleur.
The Shimano MT-200 brakes are decent, hydraulic.
The fork is an SR Suntour XCE 100mm travel with double coil, it doesn’t have a lockout button. But it is fine as it is, the lockout option missing is not an issue. The bicycle is very fast.
The hubs are from Shimano as well, entry level.
The rims are called YAK DISK, a German brand.
The stock tires are Impac Ridgepack, 29×2.1, modest tires produced by Schwalbe, engineered in Germany.
After about 3.000 km, the tires need to be replaced as the knobs are worn out almost entirely, at least on the back.
They can be used as they are, but they won’t work as good as a brand new Continental or Schwalbe pair of tires.
The other basic components like the saddle, handlebar, seatpost are made by Focus, branded “Concept”, their own brand and can be found on all the Focus models, 3.5, 3.7 and 3.9.
All the models share these components.
The saddle is not bad but it depends on the person, I’ve replaced it with a Selle SMP that was very expensive, about 150$.
Focus Whistler 3.7 and 3.9 share the same frame and basic components, but they have superior transmission, fork, derailleurs, rims, tires etc.
They are obviously more expensive.
Many videos with the bicycle:
Focus Whistler 3.5 full specs
– Fork: SR Suntour XCE 28, 100 mm travel, coil.
– Shimano Tourney wheel hubs, Shimano DH-3D37 (front) Shimano HB-TX505 32h (rear).
– Crankset: Shimano TY301, cranks, rings and cassette.
– KMC 8 speed chain.
– Shimano Acera rear derailleur, Tourney on the front, 3×8.
– Shimano ST-EF505 (Acera) + Shimano MT 200 combo shifters / brake
– Shimano MT 200 hydraulic brakes
– Tires: Impac Ridgepac 29 x 2.1 (very similar to Schwalbe Rapid Rob), made in Germany.
– Rims: Yak 3ESX disc, 29, double wall.
– 730mm handlebar, branded Concept (Focus brand), with a very small rise.
– 90mm stem, no rise
– VP Components headset
– Focus MTB seat
– Focus 27.2mm seatpost
– Plastic pedals
– Orange matte paint.
– Internal cable routing except for the rear brake cable.
The design for Focus Whistler 3.5
The overall design is modest. Not very impressive to say so.
But it is not a bad looking bicycle.
It depends on the taste.
The one from the pictures has a matte orange paint, called “Supra Orange”.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
– Very strong frame
– High position on the bicycle, creates a great feeling of control
– Decent components that makes this model a great fitness bike
– Speed, the Focus Whistler 3.5 is very fast, 30km/h can be maintained easily, mostly because of the big wheels, 29.
On sprint, even 40km/hour can be reached and on full descend, no limit, 50-60km/h.
Cons:
– Combo shifters and brakes which makes upgrading hard.
Also if you damage something like the brake lever, you will need to replace the whole combo shifter or replace the brake and the shifter, which is not cheap.
– The overall design, not impressive but not bad either.
– The saddle might not work for everyone, it should be replaced if it causes pain.
Final verdict and conclusion
At first when I got the bicycle I wasn’t very impressed, but with time, I got to get used to it and there is a point where you just can’t live without it.
If I would have to replace it with another bicycle, I would be very much in doubt if I should part ways with the Focus Whistler since it’s such a good bicycle.
The price is affordable, about 600$ in Europe, probably the best value for the money.
But if you can afford more, look for a model with air fork and a 1×10 hallowtech transmission.
Final verdict: highly recommend this bicycle.
We hope that this Focus Whistler 3.5 29 review was useful, if you have other questions about this bicycle, leave in the comments.