Bike Check: Parker’s Mares CX

dsc_1240

Bike Check: Parker’s Focus Mares Ultegra

Parker’s really stepped up his cyclocross this year, consistently pushing his way onto podiums both on the Island and around the Mainland, as well as making trips down to MFG Cross in Seattle and even a couple races down in California. All of which has been capped off by the Expert series championship at Cross on the Rock, clinched last Sunday at Saanich Fairgrounds! We were pretty stoked to see Parker take the series win, so we thought it’d be a great time to take a look at his bike for this year and get into some of the details you might not have noticed at the races.

dsc_1233

This years Mares sees Focus making a few important refinements over last years model. These changes have been guided by American CX presence, Jeremy ‘J Pow’ Powers (And the rest of Focus’ really quite successful roster of cx riders.) The Mares is still a through-axle disc bike, but Focus has stepped up the stopping power to hydraulic discs. Others key refinements, like a slight slackening of the head tube angle and narrower tubing throughout the frame, have made significant improvements in how the bike rides. The slacker head tube angle reduces the risk of toe overlap and, more importantly, really lets the Mares carve through high speed corners. Narrower tubing has improved the ride quality, taking some of the sharp edge off the bikes feel off road. Some smaller improvements for this year include internal routing of all cables, including running they front hydro line through the fork, and moving to flat mount disc brakes.

dsc_12862

While the Mares Ultegra’s stock build is already quite sharp, Parker’s made a couple changes to further dress up his Focus. First, there’s Shimano’s XTR Di2 rear mech wired into the shifting in place of the stock Ultegra mechanical shifting. Shimano’s Di2 bits have been matched with SRAM Red carbon cranks and a SRAM narrow-wide chainring. The benefits of this unholy marriage? Shimano Di2’s reliably precise shifting, even in the worst conditions, combined with the clutch mechanism of XTR and narrow-wide tooth profile of SRAM for chain retention keep Parker rolling on any course. Say… Port Alberni? Beban Park?

Parker has also moved to hand sewn cotton casing Slalom tubulars from French tire makers, FMB, glued to HED Belgium Black rims. François Marie Boyeax tires are hand made in the Brittagne town of Plurien by François Marie himself. The incredibly soft casing lets Parker run unconscionably low tire pressures, and grants velcro-like cornering traction.

dsc_1236

These big changes are rounded out by a couple more minor preferences: like a Thomson Elite seatpost, and swanky “Super Sticky Kush” bar tape from the boutique Californian bar tape collective, SUPACAZ. ‘Super sticky kush’ – like weed, because they’re so laid back they’re super casual. Get it? We’re not sure whether Parker likes it because Sagan and Nibali use it, or because he gets a little adrenaline high every time he’s reminded of their mildly transgressive drug-based marketing strategy, but this stuff feels pretty nice. Or dank. Or whatever…

dsc_1241

Focus’ Mares bikes have always featured a stout fork, keeping the front end stiff and responsive

dsc_1254

Moving to hydraulic disc brakes leaves plenty of mud clearance out back

dsc_1256

More clearance at the chainstays, but looks plenty stiff to keep the power on

dsc_1237

That’s that Super Sticky Kush

dsc_1234

Parker’s blasphemous assembly of Shimano XTR Di2, 105, and SRAM narrow wide. We like it.

dsc_1244

Hydro hoses and Di wires: there’s not a cable to be found on Parker’s Mares

dsc_1300

Focus has moved to flat mount dist brakes for Mares, and kept the well reviewed R.A.T. axle

dsc_1301

Flat mount discs up front too, giving the fork a very clean look

dsc_1251

Shimano’s XTR Di2 adds clutch derailleur reliability. Zipties for Macgyver pre-race fixes

dsc_1271

French FMB Slalom tubulars are mounted to HED Belgium Black rims

dsc_1277

The fast rolling FMB Slaloms are hand made, still, including the stamps on the cotton sidewalls.

dsc_1258

SRAM Red cranks, with celeste details. It’s all about the details.

dsc_1263

A 40 tooth narrow-wide chainring from SRAM keeps the chain on, and moving forward. Fast.

dsc_1280

Beep-boop. The diminutive ‘brain’ of Shimano’s Di2 electronic shifting

dsc_1235

It wouldn’t be one of Parker’s bikes without a Thomson Elite post on it

dsc_1257

Shimano’s XTR pedals are still quite simply the best. They’re better than all the rest.

dsc_1291