Pro bike: Jeremy Powers’ Focus Mares CX

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=45&resize=320%2C416 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=45&resize=480%2C624 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=45&resize=640%2C832 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 375px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=90&resize=190%2C247, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=45&resize=380%2C494 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=45&resize=570%2C741 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=45&resize=692%2C900 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 425px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=90&resize=215%2C279, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=45&resize=430%2C559 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=45&resize=645%2C838 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=45&resize=692%2C900 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 768px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=90&resize=295%2C383, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=45&resize=590%2C767 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=45&resize=693%2C900 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 992px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=90&resize=136%2C176, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=45&resize=272%2C353 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=45&resize=408%2C530 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=45&resize=544%2C707 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(min-width: 993px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=90&resize=155%2C201, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=45&resize=310%2C403 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=45&resize=465%2C604 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=45&resize=620%2C806 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <img class="wp-image-284964 size-portrait_thumbnail image-handler__image image-handler__image--aspect no-wrap js-gallery-grid-src-image" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673.jpg?quality=90&resize=556%2C723" width="556" height="723" data-crop-width="" data-crop-height="" alt="Jeremy Powers (Aspire Racing) has a fleet of red-white-and-blue Focus Mares CX carbon 'cross racers to celebrate his status as the current US national champion" title="1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-8451673" style="width: auto; height: 100%;"> Jeremy Powers (Aspire Racing) has a fleet of red-white-and-blue Focus Mares CX carbon ‘cross racers to celebrate his status as the current US national champion James Huang / Immediate Media

After a dominant victory at the US national championships last January, Jeremy Powers (Aspire Racing) now gets to the enjoy the spoils of that win by flying the red, white, and blue all season.

‘J-Pow’ is off to a strong start, too, with a third place finish at CrossVegas and two more wins just days later in Boulder, Colorado.

Powers’ new Focus Mares CX certainly isn’t subtle about its patriotic motif with the stars and stripes adorning nearly every corner of the frame and fork: around the head tube, at the bottom of the fork blades, and back by the rear dropouts, plus red, white and blue accents on the down tube, seat tube and seat stays. There’s even matching tape finishing the bar wrap and marking the saddle height.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547080-17se6h8ek2eof-1000-90-c2d525a.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547080-17se6h8ek2eof-1000-90-c2d525a.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547080-17se6h8ek2eof-1000-90-c2d525a.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547080-17se6h8ek2eof-1000-90-c2d525a.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547080-17se6h8ek2eof-1000-90-c2d525a.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547080-17se6h8ek2eof-1000-90-c2d525a.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> Focus is ahead of the curve in terms of cyclocross frame design with the new mares cx featuring not only disc brakes but thru-axles with slick quick-release skewers: The stars-and-stripes motif is used throughout the bike

Component sponsors have gotten into the game as well with a red-and-white fi’zi:k Aliante VS saddle and custom-configured red-and-blue Crankbrothers Candy 11 pedals. In fact, the only departures from the theme are the bright pink sidewalls on the FMB Super Mud tubular tyres.

As if that weren’t enough, Powers and mechanic Tom Hopper have adopted a novel way to record race wins this year, too. Bikes used to notch UCI C2 victories get a little visage of former US president George Washington on the seat tube, while UCI C1 wins get an Honest Abe sticker instead. UCI World Cups earn a portrait of Ulysses S Grant.

Perhaps as a sign of how he is feeling this season, Powers had sponsor Victory Circle Graphix print up quite a few of each.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547063-1ssj93bf6nige-1000-90-8ec0f16.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547063-1ssj93bf6nige-1000-90-8ec0f16.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547063-1ssj93bf6nige-1000-90-8ec0f16.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547063-1ssj93bf6nige-1000-90-8ec0f16.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547063-1ssj93bf6nige-1000-90-8ec0f16.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547063-1ssj93bf6nige-1000-90-8ec0f16.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> Jeremy powers is using ex-american presidents to mark race wins this year: We expect to see a lot more of these stickers applied to Powers’ bikes as the season progresses

Powers may have been looking to the past when it comes to notching his victories, but his bike is undoubtedly looking ahead. Focus ‘s latest Mares CX has adopted a more engineering-centric approach to its design this year. Nominally round tube profiles and higher grade carbon fibre boosts pedaling efficiency while the slimmed-down seat stays and fork blades supposedly lend themselves to a smoother ride than its predecessor.

Notably, the 1.4kg chassis is said to be nearly 400g (0.88lb) lighter than last year’s model.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547266-13tcy6ir0ltx1-1000-90-ecbe4a0.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547266-13tcy6ir0ltx1-1000-90-ecbe4a0.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547266-13tcy6ir0ltx1-1000-90-ecbe4a0.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547266-13tcy6ir0ltx1-1000-90-ecbe4a0.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547266-13tcy6ir0ltx1-1000-90-ecbe4a0.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547266-13tcy6ir0ltx1-1000-90-ecbe4a0.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> The squared-off head tube surrounds a 1 1/8-to-1 1/4in tapered steerer: Focus says the new frame’s more efficient design has yielded roughly 300g in weight savings compared to the previous edition

In addition to the stiffness, weight and ride quality gains, Focus has also unabashedly baked some thoroughly modern features into the bike’s design. Disc brakes are included front and rear, the PF30 bottom bracket shell incorporates ISCG05 tabs for an optional chainguide, and both wheels are secured with thru-axles.

Focus has even headed off complaints about slow wheel changes with its clever Rapid Axle Technology (RAT) dropout design, which requires just a flick of the lever and a quarter-turn to remove each skewer, making it nearly as a fast as a traditional quick-release but with the inherent stiffness and rotor alignment advantages that a thru-axle provides.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547275-tu9jpssty3n4-1000-90-f39b2c9.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547275-tu9jpssty3n4-1000-90-f39b2c9.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547275-tu9jpssty3n4-1000-90-f39b2c9.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547275-tu9jpssty3n4-1000-90-f39b2c9.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547275-tu9jpssty3n4-1000-90-f39b2c9.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547275-tu9jpssty3n4-1000-90-f39b2c9.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> Focus didn’t just include thru-axles on its new mares cx; it developed its own skewer that requires just a flip of the lever and a single quarter-turn for installation or removal: Special dropouts make the Focus RAT thru-axle system anything but slow to operate

Componentry is on the cutting edge of technology, too, including SRAM’s new Force CX1 1×11 cyclocross drivetrain and matching hydraulic disc brakes – but with narrower (and substantially lighter) Red 22 cranks to provide more clearance for Powers’ big feet. SRAM has provided the national champion with prototype Zipp 303 Firecrest Disc carbon tubular wheels as well, complete with oversized thru-axle hubs that neither the company nor anyone on the team were willing to talk about.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547214-10w1b0zol3j5h-1000-90-3402425.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547214-10w1b0zol3j5h-1000-90-3402425.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547214-10w1b0zol3j5h-1000-90-3402425.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547214-10w1b0zol3j5h-1000-90-3402425.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547214-10w1b0zol3j5h-1000-90-3402425.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547214-10w1b0zol3j5h-1000-90-3402425.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> The sram 11-32t cassette provides a reasonable amount of total range for ‘cross racing when paired with a single chainring: 11 gears, no waiting

Nor were we allowed to weigh the bike, but we’d guess it was somewhere in the neighborhood of 7.2kg (15.87lb). Whatever it weighs, it sure looks good.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-1000-90-136c808.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-1000-90-136c808.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-1000-90-136c808.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-1000-90-136c808.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-1000-90-136c808.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1410754547010-19u8e349a7zwo-1000-90-136c808.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> Jeremy powers (aspire racing) has a fleet of red, white, and blue focus mares cx carbon ‘cross racers to celebrate his status as the current us national champion: Complete bike specifications Frame: Focus Mares CX Disc, size M Fork: Focus Mares CX Disc Headset: 1 1/8-to-1 1/4in tapered, integrated Stem: Zipp Service Course SL, 110mm x -7 degrees Handlebar: Zipp SL, 42cm (c-c) Front brake: SRAM Force hydraulic disc w/ 160mm Centerline rotor Rear brake: SRAM Force hydraulic disc w/ 160mm Centerline rotor Brake levers: SRAM Force CX1 hydraulic Rear derailleur: SRAM Force CX1 Shift levers: SRAM Force CX1 Cassette: SRAM PG-1170, 11-32T Chain: SRAM Red 22 Crankset: SRAM Red 22 BB30 w/ 44T SRAM Force CX1 chainring, 172.5mm Bottom bracket: SRAM PF30 Pedals: Custom Crankbrothers Candy 11 Wheelset: Prototype Zipp 303 Firecrest Disc thru-axle Front tyre: FMB Super Mud tubular, 33mm, 26psi Rear tyre: FMB Super Mud tubular, 33mm, 26psi Saddle: fi’zi:k Aliante VS, carbon rails, carbon shell Seatpost: Zipp SLSpeed, 0mm offset Critical measurements Rider’s height: 1.80m (5ft 11in) Rider’s weight: 68kg (150lb) Saddle height from BB, c-t: 730mm Saddle setback: 52mm Seat tube length (c-t): 535mm Seat tube length (c-c): 490mm Tip of saddle nose to center of bars (next to stem): 519mm Saddle-to-bar drop: 74mm Head tube length: 130mm Top tube length (effective): 536mm Weight: 7.2kg (15.87lb, estimated)