Focus cyclo-cross disc brake bikes
The Focus brand
Focus bikes manufacture a range of high quality full suspension and hard tail mountain bikes, as well as road bikes, cyclo-cross bikes, track bikes, city bikes and hybrid bikes, which offer much higher specifications for your money than any other brand. So if you ride a Focus bike, it will offer exceptional performance and unbeatable value for money! Each Focus bike is handbuilt in the Derby Cycle Werke GmbH, Siemensstraße 1 – 3, D–49661 Cloppenburg, westsouthwest of Bremen in Germany. Here they are meticulously tested and fitted with market leading components from brands such as Shimano, Ritchey, FSA, Magura, Hayes, SRAM, RockShox, Fox, Lightweight and Campagnolo.
Cyclo-cross bikes
Cyclo-cross bikes are similar to road bikes, they are lightweight, with narrow tyres and drop handlebars. They also share characteristics with mountain bikes as they use knobby treaded tyres for traction, and cantilever style brakes for the clearance needed due to muddy conditions. They have to be lightweight because the competitors need to carry their bikes to overcome barriers or slopes too steep to climb in the saddle. The sight of competitors struggling up a muddy slope with bikes on their shoulders is the classic image of the sport, although un-ridable sections are generally a very small fraction of the race distance. Cyclo-cross bikes also make good winter bikes or commuters, their frames have plenty of clearance which allows for mudguards, while the upright angles make them agile around town, meaning you can hit the trails at the weekend and then fit some road tyres and commute on them during the week.
Focus disc brake bikes
Focus bikes have been tested and ridden to cyclo-cross victories by world champions since 2005 and no-one understands the needs of cyclo-cross riders better. Each bike is crafted to use the very best components at a price that will not break the bank. Although disc brakes are not legal for use in UCI competitions, this model is extremely popular due to the increased stopping power and reduced fouling in wet conditions where traditional rim brakes quickly fill up with mud and stop working!
Cross Disc 2008
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Focus Cross Disc 2008 cyclo-cross bike.
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The Cross Disc was well equipped with Shimano 105 components, an extra set of Tektro brake levers on the tops, Shimano Disc Alex XD Lite wheels with Schwalbe Racing Ralph tyres, Shimano Road Disc brakes and FSA finishing kit.
Specifications of the Focus Cross Disc 2008 bike (PDF, 132 KB).
Mares Disc 2009
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Focus Mares Disc 2009 cyclo-cross bike.
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The Mares Disc 2009 used the race-proven Focus 6061 alloy frameset to provide a reliable and stiff platform for your pedalling efforts with the lightweight and durable Concept SL 2800 cyclo-cross wheels. Drivetrain components were Shimano 105 (10-speed, 12 – 27 T) for dependable shifting under load, with an FSA Gossamer Pro chainset in compact rings (50/34 T) and Concept SL finishing kit.
Specifications of the Focus Mares Disc 2009 bike (PDF, 128 KB).
Mares Disc 2010
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Focus Mares Disc 2010 cyclo-cross bike.
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The Mares Disc has received a make-over for 2010, Focus has 'beefed' up the front end to withstand the rigours of cross riding by using a 'tapered' head tube. This features a 11⁄8" steerer at the top which tapers into 11⁄4" at the crown, resulting in a frame which responds directly to your every command.
The usual top routed cables allow the frame to be shouldered when needed and keeps the brakes and gears running smoothly. The frame is finished in a tough cannon grey matte powder-coated finish, which helps to withstand the rigours of cross riding. Focus bikes will not always be treated well, but they should look as good after the hardest tour as they did on their first day. Every frame is electrostatically charged and spray-coated with a special powdered varnish that is extremely tough and hard-wearing. Once cured the resultant finish has enormous mechanical strength as well as the very highest scratch- and shock-resistance.
The specifications remain high for 2010 with Shimano's 105 components being used in abundance, 105 components offer exceptional performance for the money and are the ideal choice for a cross bike due to its durable nature. FSA Gossamer Compact chainset is combined with a FSA Gossamer Mega Exo external bottom bracket to transfer your power to the wheels, the 50/34 T chain ring combination matched to a wide ratio 12 – 27 T cassette provides you with the perfect range of gears to get up or down hills and over most obstacles.
Focus have chosen FSA's oversized OS190 stem and matched it to a pair of their Vero Comp RD320 bars, then provided you with a pair of Tektro cross top brake levers to provide as much control as possible when navigating technical sections or urban traffic. Both brake levers control a pair of Shimano R505 mechanical disc brakes, which pull up the Rodi Stylus Race wheels with minimal effort. The whole package is then rounded off perfectly with a pair of 35 mm wide Continental Cyclocross Speed tyres and Concept SL seat post with a Concept Extreme saddle.
Specifications of the Focus Mares Disc 2010 bike (PDF, 156 KB).
Focus Road catalogue 2010 (page 32 and 38) (PDF).
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Written by Sigurd Humerfelt (10thOctober 2009, last updated 20th December 2009) (48).
