Focus Mares CX 2.0 Carbon Cyclocross
Embrace the cyclocross revolution! Whether you're looking to get into the madness of CX racing, the in-vogue dirt road rides or just want a versatile training bike, Focus have you covered with their Mares CX range. Being at the pointy end, the 2.0 gets a carbon fiber frame & fork decked out with trick Fulcrum 700c wheels, Ultegra 10 speed shifting and the powerful Avid Shorty 4 brakeset for a race-ready setup that gets you all the right gear without having to resort to an expensive custom build. The Mares CX range from Focus Bikes is squarely aimed at racing CX market, with lightweight and responsive framesets that are designed to provide pinpoint handling and maximum power transfer. Like their alloy frames, the Carbon Mares is built in their German manufacturing plant with a level of detail unmatched by mass-produced Asian brands. Nice touches like the short 'n' stubby Tapered headtube, the integrated rear brake cable guide that doubles as the seatpost collar and the massive BB30 assembly provide noticeable performance gains whilst adding to the overall sleekness of the Mares bike.

If you're looking at a cyclocross bike around the $3k mark, chances are you're pretty quick on the racetrack and getting onto a lightweight, efficient race bike could mean the difference between making the podium and missing out. Decking out the lightweight carbon frame is a Shimano Ultegra 10 speed drivetrain that is mated to a set of FSA Energy cranks that get a CX-specific 46-36t chainring ratio. Avid Shorty 4 brakes provide oodles of mud clearance and impressive stopping power, while being easy to setup and maintain. While the Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels are not superlight, they are stiff and super responsive under power, which makes them ideal as a race wheelset, and the additional sealing compared to the road-specific models means they'll last through many muddy rides and subsequent washes. It all adds up to a balance between lightweight, frame stiffness, durability and race-day performance. And when you factor in you're getting a high quality German engineered frame & fork, you will realise that the Mares CX 2.0 is damn good value.



Focus bikes provide nimble handling and quality components