Focus Mares - More than 25 years of cyclocross experience from Focus.
The Focus brand, which is part of Derby Cycling GmbH, was officially introduced in 1993 as a premium brand with which you have always found increasing appeal. One of the reasons for this, for example, is the strict testing procedure, which is above the industry level and ensures extremely durable bikes. The bikes are designed in Stuttgart and production takes place at the parent company in Cloppenburg to create synergies in manufacturing.
The Mares bikes represent more than 25 years of experience in the cyclocross field of Focus and are available as Focus Mares 9.8, Focus Mares 9.9, Focus Mares 6.9, Focus Mares CX 1.0 Disc or even the Focus Mares AX. The bikes are a good mix of road bike and mountain bike and feel even slightly more comfortable off-road than gravel bikes. The newer models are available in frame sizes XS to XXL, so there should be a suitable size for both women and men.
The carbon frame of the Mares 9.8, which is equipped with the R.A.T. thru axle, convinces with its light weight and robustness. Despite its excellent stability, the carbon frame plus flat mount carbon fork weighs only 1420 grams, for which the mixture of stiffness and resistance is decisive. The frame itself weighs 970 grams and the carbon fork 450 grams. The weight refers to the frame size M and without pedals. It has been adapted to the UCI rules and can be ideally used for official cyclocross races, where you will have his joy by the agile driving behavior. The Mares 9.8 is the perfect mid-priced cyclocross bike, while the Mares 9.9 can be found in the upper price range, as it has been equipped with even better components to be able to ride at the very front. If you find the right seller, you can get the Mares 9.9 and 9.8 delivered to your home without shipping costs. One should always pay attention to whether pedals are included. The cable routing leads directly from the gearshift into the down tube, which creates less noise and the cables are better protected.
The Mares 6.9, on the other hand, can be found in the lower price range and it can be used well as an entry-level bike. The frame is made of 7005 aluminum and was equipped with a carbon fork including the R.A.T thru axle. It is best suited for muddy surfaces and the full carbon fork and CX frame geometry provide sufficient speed, while the disc brakes ensure that you can brake in time even on wet surfaces. The excellent workmanship, with the choice of the right tires, equally guarantee a high speed on flat tracks, so as not to lose touch with the top.
In the even slightly older models, there are, for example, the Mares CX or also the Mares AX, whereby the CX has a carbon frame and the AX has an aluminum frame. Here, too, the size M of the frame height is used to determine the weight, which is about 10 kg for the Mares AX. Also in the Mares AX, the axle with the fast plug-in closure can be found and it also shows its ability on the trail. Normally you choose a hardtail or full-suspension MTB for this, but with the Mares AX you fight, apart from a few minor blisters, even so relatively bravely through challenging terrain without having to give up. The good handling does not let you down even when it is a little harder to the point and the right tires provide the necessary grip. The Mares AX overcomes stereotypes and provides plenty of riding fun instead of just sluggishly plowing through the terrain. It delights in the forest as well as in the urban jungle and also cuts a very good figure in terms of price, so that nothing stands in the way of the next adventure. One minor drawback is the components, which are more of a road bike's draw, making it a bit more difficult in competitions, but on the whole, the Mares AX as well as the CX are excellent cyclocrossers for a reasonable price.
All of the models presented here are already equipped with the modern disc brakes, but you will certainly still find some of the older models with rim brakes if you prefer them for simplicity's sake.
Other bikes in the Focus range include MTBs, which are available as fully and hardtail, as well as road bikes and gravel bikes. The e-bikes are also available as fully and hardtail MTBs and other models can also be found in the all-round category.
Depending on the model, you will find components of different quality classes.
From inexpensive entry-level models to bikes with high-quality components, there's something for everyone. Just because the equipment is cheaper, however, does not have to mean that the bikes are less reliable. The more expensive the components, the lighter and more technically proficient they are, but especially for beginners or hobby riders, the cheaper products are often suitable. In the choice of suppliers, among others, Shimano, SRAM, Alex Rims Prologo or even DT Swiss is relied on and also the Focus own products are used again and again.
Derailleur groups & brakes
In the rear derailleur, shift lever and other modules of the shifting groups are used, among others, the SRAM Apex, SRAM Force, Shimano 105 or even the Shimano Ultegra series. The Shimano Ultegra is superior to the 105 in terms of weight and finer processing or more expensive materials, but the 105 shows an almost equal performance on the track. For several years now, Focus has relied on disc brakes such as the Shimano 105 or Shimano R517 disc brakes on its Mares bikes, as they deliver the usual performance even in mud and wet conditions. Rim brakes are usually still found on older bikes, but are virtually no longer used on new premium bikes.
Saddle / Seatpost & Handlebar / Wheels
When it comes to the saddle, among other things, the Prologo Scratch or even the Focus SL is placed on the BBB Basic, aluminum seatpost, which is used on a large number of Mares cyclocross bikes. Stem and handlebars are, for example, the BBB Rider BHS stem as well as the BBB Basic, aluminum handlebars at the Mares 6.9, Mares 9.8 or also Mares 9.9 and at the Mares AX, the CEX Alloy Oversize 46 cm is also used.
For the wheels, for example, the Alex Rims CXD-6 wheelset is used and with the Focus R.A.T thru axle you can change the wheels in no time without losing much time. This allows you to have an additional and fully strung wheelset at home, with a different tire width, which can then be changed as needed in a few seconds. Thus, nothing stands in the way of spontaneous trips with colleagues, no matter where the journey leads. Another wheelset is, for example, the Shimano WH-RS171, 622/19,disc, centerlock, front: 100x12 mm. rear: 142x12 mm or also the DT Swiss R23. Also in the tires you will find various products from different manufacturers, such as the Schwalbe Rocket Ron, the Vittoria Terreno Mix as well as the Continental Cyclo-X King.
Additional equipment
In cross operations, you should always have the right clothes on in any case, so that half the distance must not be driven soaked to the end. If necessary, you can also put protective clothing in the shopping cart, should you plunge into a trail adventure.
Do I take a Mares cyclocross bike or rather a pure road bike?
For friends of high speeds, Focus offers the Izalco Max, and for those who prefer gravele inserts, for example, the Focus Atlas is ready. The Fully mountain bikes are available as a trail and touring bike with the Focus Throne and as an all-mountain with the Focus Jam and if you prefer to ride a hardtail, then the Focus Whistler is best suited for everyday use or the Focus Raven, if you again place more value on speed. As e-bikes, there are also the full-suspension MTBs, such as the Focus Thron², Focus Jam², Focus Jam² SL or the Focus Sam² for enduro use and as a hardtail, the Focus Jarifa² is available. The all-rounder e-bikes include the Focus Aventura², which is great for trekking tours, and the Focus Planet², which is your faithful companion in the city. If you need your bike faster, then you should pay attention to the delivery times, as these can be a bit longer, especially with new bikes.
Whether it's a new or used bike, we at Buycycle are always available to answer any questions you may have about the various models and brands.
