Golden MARES / 25 Years of FOCUS Bikes

What a year. We launched a lot of bikes and our heads are already packed with ideas and innovations for the future. But sometimes you have to take a deep breath and enjoy the past. We have turned 25 this year. 25 years of success and bike inventions. Needless to say, there is a lot of exciting stories - especially, when FOCUS founder Mike Kluge starts telling anecdotes... To celebrate 25 years of FOCUS we gave Mike the chance to build up a MARES his way and finish it with a paint job made of real gold.

"For the perfect finish of the MARES frame
I used 24 Karat gold."

Golden handicraft
by ETOE / Martin Grey

Inspired by the 1992's world cup

The design of the MARES is inspired by Mike Kluge's 1992 world title in Leeds, Great Britain. The bike he won the professional world champion title was also a self-built cyclocross bike.

25 years of FOCUS

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.

Mike's choice

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

Ode to carbon

"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."

Golden thron

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."

Handcrafted

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

Wide handlebar

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

Best breaking combination

"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.

Stripes for the World champion

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

The right pressure

"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."

From the very first days

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 later

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."

"I have chosen the parts
out of functionality, durability, weight,
optics and design reasons.

FRAME:	FOCUS Carbon, Disc, PF30 BB, 142x12mm Through Axle R.A.T. Evo Technology, Flat Mount 140 mm, internal cable routing
FORK:	FOCUS Carbon, Disc, 100x12mm RAT Through Axle R.A.T. Evo Technology, Flat Mount 140 mm, internal cable routing
SEAT POST:	Tune Starkes Stueck 27,2mm
SADDLE:	Sqlab Carbon 611
DRIVETRAIN:	Shimano Dura Ace Di2, 11-Speed
BRAKES:	Shimano Dura Ace Hydraulic/ Trickstuff Disc 140/140 mm
TYRES:	Dugast Reno
WHEELSET:	Tune Schwarzbrenner with Princess Skyline & Prince Hubs
CRANK:	Shimano Dura Ace 172,5mm, 38/46T
STEM:	Tune Geiles Teil 110m / Tune Cap
HANDLEBAR:	Easton E100 48mm, Focus Handlebar Tape