Focus Black Forest 29r 2.0
For 2012, Focus bikes have stepped up their 29er range to provide stunning value for money in a market flooded with marketing spiel and over-the-top prices. The Black Forest 29r 2.0 is the mid-range model with a beefed up parts spec that will put it on the radar of more serious riders and budding racers. The Black Forest range is based on the high end Carbon Raven bikes from Focus, and so shares the same modern 29er geometry to provide a nimble handling bike that will leave other brands mid-level hardtails in your dust. Using a lightweight Hydroformed Aluminum Alloy frame, the Black Forest is built in Germany and the attention to detail is exactly what you expect from German engineering. The frame gets an internal headset, clean welds and well-thought out cable routing for a super streamlined look that is a nice change in the world of fancy carbon profiles, suspension links and lockout cables.

Compared to the cheaper 3.0, the Black Forest 2.0 gets a lighter weight RockShox Recon fork that is also smoother and stronger in its performance on the trail, and XC racers will take notice of the handlebar remote lockout that provides you with a rigid fork at the flick of a lever. Shifting duties are handed to Shimano Deore XT for the rear derailleur, and a lighter weight 10 speed Deore-level crankset puts the power down from your pedals. With 100mm of RockShox travel up front and a 70 degree head angle, the Black Forest is surprisingly stable on rough and steep terrain. Focus employ a short 'n' stubby head tube up front with an internal headset so the rider can position the handlebars nice and low for a racier position, which places more weight onto the front wheel for faster cornering speed and nimble climbing. Cockpit duties are given to the Concept brand for simplicity, lightweight and rider comfort, with the beautiful single-bolt seatpost being a classic example of high quality components you get for your money. The big story about this bike though is really the frame, as getting a German made frameset at this pricepoint is otherwise unheard of in the industry and will give you plenty of confidence in upgrading the parts as you see fit, knowing that the frame will back you up for seasons to come. 

For a race-ready 29er or just a solid lightweight hardtail you can depend on for weekend mountain biking, the Focus Black Forest 2.0 ticks all the boxes and provides you with a high quality ride that belies its pricetag.



Focus 29er mountain bikes provide nimble handling and quality components