The up to date Focus Raven hardtail is constructed for journey

With the cross-country season forward and the Olympics on the horizon, it appears that evidently loads of manufacturers are updating their cross-country bike ranges to swimsuit the rigours of contemporary racing. Focus is not any exception, remodeling the Focus Raven hardtail with trendy geometry, an extended attain, extra journey and inner body storage…and it’s not simply geared toward XC.

Must know:

• Journey boosted to 120mm
• Inside body storage
• Up to date geometry
• 29er wheelsize
• Built-in cockpit design
• S, M, L, XL

Nonetheless, Focus not describe this bike as an out-and-out cross-country race bike; in its personal phrases, Focus stats that the Raven ‘connects the mountain bike world with the quick gravel world’.

So are we prone to see the Raven tackling a number of the extra technical gravel races on the market? Perhaps. And with it’s trendy geometry its actually moved in direction of the extra downcountry finish of the spectrum, a improvement that’s been prompted partly by market demand and likewise the growing technicality of World Cup cross-country programs.

A whole lot of the imagery Focus used to advertise the brand new Raven is round journey and exploration, which means that the model additionally see the Raven as an journey bike for longer, off-road bikepacking journeys.

Body and geometry

There are three fashions of the brand new Focus Raven, and all three are constructed across the similar carbon body that has been extensively up to date. Dropped seatstays add extra compliance on the rear finish, and the attain has been prolonged with it coming in at 440mm on the scale medium, with a prime tube size of 621.

Geometry is adjustable by rotating the headset cups, which can change the pinnacle angle between 66.5° and 67.5°. Seat tube angle is 74°. All however the base mannequin are fitted with dropper seat posts, and there’s room for 2 water bottles throughout the fram – or bikepacking baggage if that’s extra your type.

And eventually, Focus have joined the body storage occasion by together with an inner compartment within the downtube.

Extra journey, larger wheels

Focus has boosted the journey as much as 120mm, with journey on the range-topping Focus Raven 8.9 provided by Rock Shox SID Choose 29. And according to nearly all of cross-country hardtails, wheels are actually 29er, with many of the vary fitted with XC and trail-ready Maxxis Rekon or Rekon Race tyres.

One other new improvement is the C.I.S or Cockpit Integration System. That is an built-in cockpit design which routes cables from the handlebars via and down the stem for a clear entrance finish.

Focus Raven hardtail vary

There are three bikes within the Focus Raven vary, accessible now by way of Focus or Focus-affiliated retailers.

Focus 8.9

• Worth: €3,599 / £3,499
• Body: Carbon expertise body
• Forks: Rock Shox SID Choose 29, 110×15 mm, 44mm rake
• Drivetrain:  SRAM GX Eagle & XG, 12-speed, SRAM Stage TLM brakes
• Parts: Selle Royal Groove saddle with Submit Moderne dropper put up, Aluminium handlebars 760 mm
• Wheelset: DT Swiss X1900 with Maxxis Rekon Race tyres

Focus 8.8

• Worth: €2,799 / £2,799
• Body: Carbon expertise body
• Forks:  FOX 34 Float Rhythm 29, Grip, Sweep-Adj., 110×15 mm,
  44 mm rake
• Drivetrain: Shimano Deore XT, 12-speed with Shimano SLX M7100 brakes
• Parts: Selle Royal Groove saddle with Submit Moderne dropper put up, Aluminium, 760 mm handlebars
• Wheelset: RaceFace ARC27 rims with Novatec hubs and Maxxis Rekon tyres

Focus 8.7

• Worth: €2,199 / £2,199
• Body: Carbon expertise body
• Forks: Rock Shox Judy Silver TK 29, 110×15 mm, 46 mm rake, 120 mm
• Drivetrain: SRAM SX Eagle, 12-speed with SRAM Stage brakes
• Parts: Selle Royal Groove saddle with aluminium seatpost, and Aluminium 760 mm handlebars
• Wheelset: RODI TRYP25 rims with Novatec hubs and Maxxis Rekon tyres