Focus Mares CX Disc Ultegra – 2016
Yes, it is ridiculous, but we’re just over half way into 2015 and already 2016 bikes are arriving. But it’s all good, because it’s a cross bike from Focus. hashtag cxiscoming, right? So anyway, here’s the Focus Mares CX 2016 model. Ultegra hydro discs from Shimano, fancy new Ultegra drivetrain, OEM exclusive gumwall tires and a host of other nice details are hiding all over this bike.
Focus has put their Rapid Axle Technology (R.A.T.) system on the Mares as well. RAT gives the Mares the stiffness of a through axle system, which is also key to centering the rotors to prevent brake rub, but with the speed of a quick release axle so mid-race wheel changes are still competitively quick. Focus uses 15mm front axle and a 142x12mm rear axle standard, which means you can use a mountain bike hub on the Mares, if you already have a fancy set sitting around. That being said, Focus ships the Mares with DT Swiss’ rather nice R 23 Spline Disc wheelset, which are 18mm wide, 23mm deep and a very reasonable 1655gr. Definitely not a wheelset to turn your nose up at.
Attached to Fi’zi k Cyrano parts, Shimano’s Hydro levers give plenty to hold onto when racing gets muddy
With heat dissipating fins on the pad and rotors, Ultegra disc’s are sure to stay smooth in what is probably going to be a hot, dry September of cx racing. Or at Blubbler Burn
Without Canti bosses, Focus provides gobs of clearance on the Mares CX 2016.
Cosmetic? No: having World Championships host cities on the Mares will guaranteed to make you faster
With disc brakes firmly established in the CX World Cup’s, though axles are going to be more common
Focus’s R.A.T. axle system gives the benefits of through axles, but allow for quick wheel changes mid-race
Full Ultegra drivetrain. Until you replace it with a proper singlespeed setup, of course
More shiny bits from Shimano
Focus ship the Mares CX with this chain retention system, because nothing is worse than digging through a muddy drivetrain to fix a dropped chain
Schwalbe’s classic look gumwall Rocket Ron’s match well with polished silver DT Swiss hubs. They’re also OEM only, so any extra sets that’ve come though the shop have been snapped up immediately.
