1992 Mike founded the brand FOCUS in the Black Forest in Germany. As a successful professional cyclist in different bike disciplines, he used his extensive knowledge to develop new bikes. 1993 he sold the first FOCUS bike – the birth of FOCUS as a bike manufacturer. 

To celebrate 25 years of FOCUS Mike created a MARES with parts he would choose for racing. The result is an eye-turner.

"For me, carbon is the best material for offroad use. It not only offers low weight, but also flexibility and stiffness at the right position of the frame."

The optically to the MARES Design fitting Sqlab 611 carbon saddle also anatomically fits to Mike Kluge. Why he's loving it? "Maximum sitting surface and best comfort."

With a lot of love and handicraft designer Martin Grey painted the MARES. Watch his full artwork in the video.

Eastons's E100 Handlebar on the MARES measures 46 cm for optimum power transmission and best control in compression sections.

"For me, the mix of Shimano and Trickstuff disc brakes with 140/140 mm measuring are the best disc combination. If you can stop with the right timing, you have a big advantage in crucial racing situations. 

As World champion Mike Kluge is allowed to wear the rainbow stripes. Of course they decorate the 25 years MARES.

"Glued tubular tyres by Dugast perform well under all circumstances. Depending on the underground I ride really low pressure around 1.3bar/1.4bar, no regular or tubeless tyres can cope with that."

Tune was one of the first brands Mike teamed up with for FOCUS. Of course the stiff and lightweight high profile wheels are part of the 25 years MARES. Why they are Mike's choice? "Great acceleration and less resistance in deep sand fields."

25 years ago only a dream, now a reality. "Electric shifting is fast and precise, perfect for adverse conditions – especially due to the low maintenance."