At the first World Cup in Nove Mesto, Red Bull TV was already able to see strange stickers on the race bikes of Markus Schulte-Lünzum and Florian Vogel. At the German World Cup in Albstadt, the Erlkönig hide-and-seek game came to an end. Focus presented its new Raven Max to the public there. It had been rumoured in advance whether it would be a similar "softtail" to the the recently introduced BMC Teamelite. It has become nothing of the sort. Nevertheless, the Raven Max takes the Raven family to a new level.
Raven remains technology pioneer at Focus
Since the first Raven in 2009, the carbon hardtail has always been something like Cloppenburg's flagship model and technology pioneer. The last revision followed in 2012 with the 27.5-inch version. But with the new Raven Max, Focus has gone one better: the new 29er frame is said to be 30 per cent lighter than its predecessor. In figures: the naked frame weighs 885 grams - without thru-axle and bearing shells. Anyone who remembers the frame weights of the high-end racers from our last bike test at the turn of the year will know that this is an absolute top value. Thomas Trapp's development department has worked intensively on the carbon layup in particular: "We have an employee on the team in Stuttgart who deals with nothing but carbon layups."
Focus on maximum comfort
The Focus engineers have worked particularly hard on the comfort of the carbon fibre hardtail. "Initially, we thought in the direction of a softtail, but then rejected the idea again. Now we have solved the issue purely through the shape and layup of the carbon fibre," says Product Manager Philipp Klein. Specifically, this means that the seat stays do not dock onto the seat tube, but instead lead directly into the steeply sloping top tube. This gives the seat tube more room to flex. In addition, the seat tube tapers into a flat, elliptical tube above the bottom bracket. Another point of the comfort package is the seat junction, i.e. the connection of the top tube to the seat tube. The bridge is largely hollow on the inside. Last but not least, Focus has developed its own seatpost, the Concept CPX Plus Post. The hole in the post head is designed to transmit the frame flex directly to the saddle and the rider. The 340 millimetre long carbon post weighs 192 grams.
What professional racers say about the Focus Max
Markus Schulte-Lünzum and Florian Vogel were able to ride the new Raven Max for the first time at the first World Cup. "I'm impressed by the comfort and surprised because I wasn't involved in the development process. It's amazing how comfortable a hardtail can be," says Florian Vogel. However, Focus worked closely with Schulte-Lünzum during development. He was involved right from the start, tested many prototypes and incorporated his views into the geometry.
Geometry and sizes of the Focus Raven Max
Instead of the previous three, the Raven will be available in four frame heights in future. In 27.5 inch Focus offers sizes XS-L, with 29 inch wheels the Raven Max is available from S to XL. Compared to its predecessor, the rear triangle has been shortened a little, the seat angle is slightly steeper and the reach is shorter. Thanks to the steeper seat angle, it should climb better on ramps. As usual with Focus, the frame stiffness goes hand in hand with the sizes. This means that the tube diameters grow with the larger frame heights. In addition, there will be two versions of the Raven Max frame: one clean for single drivetrains and one with a front derailleur mount so that double cranks can be used.
R.A.T. quick-release axle for changing in seconds
A detail from the Focus cross bike sector has been incorporated into the Raven Max: the R.A.T. (Rapid Axle Technology) thru-axle system. This in-house development from Focus makes it possible to change the rear wheel as quickly as with a quick release - with better stiffness. This is particularly important for World Cup pros in the event of flats during races. But the bayonet system is also easy to use in everyday life - if you know how it works. Open the quick release, turn it a quarter turn and pull it out: you can remove the wheel as soon as the tension of the rear derailleur allows.
Models of the Focus Raven Max
Eight 29-inch Raven Max bikes will be available, with prices ranging from 1899-5999 euros. As a 27.5-inch bike, the Raven will be available in four equipment variants. Here too, prices will start at 1900 euros, with the most expensive costing 3000 euros. According to Focus, the 27.5-inch hardtails sell very well, especially in the Asian market - but not so much in Germany. There will also be a ladies' model in a turquoise colour with special grips, a ladies' saddle and the Raven Max frame with front derailleur mount. However, the "Factory" version for 3500 euros should once again be very exciting. Thanks to its own carbon rigid fork, the Raven Max Factory weighs just 8.4 kilos.
Top model Raven Max Team
We were able to test the team version with a total weight of just 8.1 kilos at the Albstadt World Cup. An RS-1 fork from Rock Shox is located in the head tube, which connects to the bulky, angular top tube. Focus calls this design feature the "Boost Box", which with its voluminous appearance should also provide the necessary steering head stiffness. However, if you push the bike aggressively in the saddle, your knees will quickly bump against the protruding edges. DT Swiss Spline One wheels ensure light-footed acceleration when pedalling, while the 1x11 drivetrain from SRAM (XX1) matches the racing aspirations. The Concept CPX components fit in well: the 720 flat bar with a nine-degree backsweep sits comfortably in the hand and allows for a low cockpit. The brakes on the Team version are XX brakes with 160 mm discs at the front and rear. The Continental Race King tyres in the Race Sport version with a width of 2.2 inches round off the successful, but also expensive, overall package.
