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Tech feature: 2011 Focus MTB introduction

  • The Focus Thunder 2.0 uses the same frame as the 1.0 but a more affordable build kit.

    The Focus Thunder 2.0 uses the same frame as the 1.0 but a more affordable build kit.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The extended seat tube lends more support for the carbon seatpost on the Raven 1.0.

    The extended seat tube lends more support for the carbon seatpost on the Raven 1.0.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Seat stays on the Raven are relatively small, suggesting a reasonably smooth ride.

    Seat stays on the Raven are relatively small, suggesting a reasonably smooth ride.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Post mount disc brake tabs on the Raven will fit either 160mm or 180mm rotors depending on the adapter used.

    Post mount disc brake tabs on the Raven will fit either 160mm or 180mm rotors depending on the adapter used.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The tapered head tube on the Raven includes internal cable ports.

    The tapered head tube on the Raven includes internal cable ports.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Focus says the demand for high-end carbon 26" hardtails is as strong as ever and the company is responding with more models for 2011.

    Focus says the demand for high-end carbon 26" hardtails is as strong as ever and the company is responding with more models for 2011.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Focus includes a wide and flat 3T Xida bar on the top-end Raven 1.0 - but the color-coordinated fi'zi:k grips are too slippery for our taste.

    Focus includes a wide and flat 3T Xida bar on the top-end Raven 1.0 - but the color-coordinated fi'zi:k grips are too slippery for our taste.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The carbon stays on the Raven hardtail frame leave a generous amount of room for wider rubber.

    The carbon stays on the Raven hardtail frame leave a generous amount of room for wider rubber.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Tire clearance is pretty good on the Raven carbon hardtail frame.

    Tire clearance is pretty good on the Raven carbon hardtail frame.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Focus Raven 1.0 includes a BB30 bottom bracket. Note the internal routing for the rear brake, too.

    The Focus Raven 1.0 includes a BB30 bottom bracket. Note the internal routing for the rear brake, too.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Photo credit © James Huang

  • US customers won't see the top-end Project 1.0 but the 2.0 will be brought in at a consumer cost of US$4,800.

    US customers won't see the top-end Project 1.0 but the 2.0 will be brought in at a consumer cost of US$4,800.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The US version of the Raven 3.0 will include a Fox fork and Shimano Deore XT componentry.

    The US version of the Raven 3.0 will include a Fox fork and Shimano Deore XT componentry.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • 2x10 drivetrains are featured heavily on Focus's high-end off-road range for 2011.

    2x10 drivetrains are featured heavily on Focus's high-end off-road range for 2011.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Color-matched components are a common theme in the Focus line-up.

    Color-matched components are a common theme in the Focus line-up.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Crankbrothers' new stem design makes its way on to the Focus Thunder 1.0.

    Crankbrothers' new stem design makes its way on to the Focus Thunder 1.0.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Color-matched Crankbrothers components are included on the top-end Thunder 1.0.

    Color-matched Crankbrothers components are included on the top-end Thunder 1.0.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The rear suspension design on the Thunder is compact and has a low center of gravity but in our experience, is also a bit flexy.

    The rear suspension design on the Thunder is compact and has a low center of gravity but in our experience, is also a bit flexy.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Thunder is Focus's 130mm-travel mountain bike platform for enduro-type riding.

    Thunder is Focus's 130mm-travel mountain bike platform for enduro-type riding.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Focus simply doesn't yet have the market share in the US to bring in its complete line so some appealing-looking models unfortunately didn't make the cut.

    Focus simply doesn't yet have the market share in the US to bring in its complete line so some appealing-looking models unfortunately didn't make the cut.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • American versions of the Super Bud will get seat stay-mounted dropout pivots.

    American versions of the Super Bud will get seat stay-mounted dropout pivots.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Tapered head tubes will be used on the upper end Super Buds while the more economically priced models will continue with straight steerers.

    Tapered head tubes will be used on the upper end Super Buds while the more economically priced models will continue with straight steerers.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Focus has decided to bring some of the 100mm-travel Super Bud range into the US but not with a Horst Link rear end.

    Focus has decided to bring some of the 100mm-travel Super Bud range into the US but not with a Horst Link rear end.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Red Skin's triple butted and hydroformed aluminum frames will feature smoothly finished welds - but no tapered front end.

    The Red Skin's triple butted and hydroformed aluminum frames will feature smoothly finished welds - but no tapered front end.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • New for 2011 is the 29" Red Skin aluminum hardtail range.

    New for 2011 is the 29" Red Skin aluminum hardtail range.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Sorry, folks, but US consumers won't get to see the stunning two-tone green paint job of the Raven 4.0 in person - unless they go to Europe.

    Sorry, folks, but US consumers won't get to see the stunning two-tone green paint job of the Raven 4.0 in person - unless they go to Europe.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Focus Project's rear suspension design is also shared with the DiamondBack KnuckleBox - both companies are owned by Derby Cycle.

    The Focus Project's rear suspension design is also shared with the DiamondBack KnuckleBox - both companies are owned by Derby Cycle.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Focus's Project 1.0 offers 150mm of rear wheel travel and all-mountain geometry and componentry.

    Focus's Project 1.0 offers 150mm of rear wheel travel and all-mountain geometry and componentry.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Focus is hoping pedal-assist e-bikes will gain in popularity as they have in Europe.

    Focus is hoping pedal-assist e-bikes will gain in popularity as they have in Europe.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Post-mount disc tabs on the FSL 1.0 are compatible with either 160mm or 180mm rotors - but not 140mm.

    Post-mount disc tabs on the FSL 1.0 are compatible with either 160mm or 180mm rotors - but not 140mm.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The bare swingarm of the new FSL shows off the direct-mount front derailleur and pass-throughs for the cable and rear brake line.

    The bare swingarm of the new FSL shows off the direct-mount front derailleur and pass-throughs for the cable and rear brake line.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Large-diameter cartridge bearings are housed in the swingarm yoke and a BB30-compatible shell is fitted below.

    Large-diameter cartridge bearings are housed in the swingarm yoke and a BB30-compatible shell is fitted below.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Flat and relatively wide 3T Xida LTD carbon bars are included on Focus's FSL 1.0 flagship.

    Flat and relatively wide 3T Xida LTD carbon bars are included on Focus's FSL 1.0 flagship.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Telescoping seatposts are included on many of Focus's full-suspension mountain bikes.

    Telescoping seatposts are included on many of Focus's full-suspension mountain bikes.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Though the frames are light, the spindly linkage on the First Extreme looks a bit underbuilt to us.

    Though the frames are light, the spindly linkage on the First Extreme looks a bit underbuilt to us.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Focus's First Extreme range boasts 120mm of travel front and rear for the marathon or trail categories.

    Focus's First Extreme range boasts 120mm of travel front and rear for the marathon or trail categories.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Electric pedal-assist bikes are an enormous segment for Focus. The US market will see just a few of them but there are literally dozens on tap for Europe.

    Electric pedal-assist bikes are an enormous segment for Focus. The US market will see just a few of them but there are literally dozens on tap for Europe.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The only major disappointment in Focus's 2011 range is its women's range, which is limited to just a handful of models and almost all of which are restricted to low-end offerings.

    The only major disappointment in Focus's 2011 range is its women's range, which is limited to just a handful of models and almost all of which are restricted to low-end offerings.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Focus says the production Black Forest aluminum hardtail will feature more properly smoothed welds than on this early sample.

    Focus says the production Black Forest aluminum hardtail will feature more properly smoothed welds than on this early sample.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Focus says demand for 26" hardtails is still very strong, especially at the mid-to-high end. This Black Forest 1.0 features a triple-butted hydroformed aluminum frame with a tapered head tube, a SRAM X0 group, a RockShox SID fork and DT Swiss wheels.

    Focus says demand for 26" hardtails is still very strong, especially at the mid-to-high end. This Black Forest 1.0 features a triple-butted hydroformed aluminum frame with a tapered head tube, a SRAM X0 group, a RockShox SID fork and DT Swiss wheels.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Angular contact ceramic bushings are installed inside the dropout pivots for better stiffness relative to conventional radial cartridge ball bearings.

    Angular contact ceramic bushings are installed inside the dropout pivots for better stiffness relative to conventional radial cartridge ball bearings.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Focus's new FSL range of carbon full-suspension bikes builds on the existing First platform but with lighter weights and a more cross-country oriented 100mm of travel.

    Focus's new FSL range of carbon full-suspension bikes builds on the existing First platform but with lighter weights and a more cross-country oriented 100mm of travel.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Focus builds its new FSL frame with a tapered head tube.

    Focus builds its new FSL frame with a tapered head tube.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The bar-mounted computer on the Jafira Speed indicates speed and distance but also battery life and boost level.

    The bar-mounted computer on the Jafira Speed indicates speed and distance but also battery life and boost level.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The seat tube-mounted Panasonic battery and drive system on the Focus Jafira Speed takes up a lot of room so the frame is built with extra-long chain stays.

    The seat tube-mounted Panasonic battery and drive system on the Focus Jafira Speed takes up a lot of room so the frame is built with extra-long chain stays.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Seriously? Oh, yes - Focus has decided to bring to the US market an electric pedal-assist mountain bike.

    Seriously? Oh, yes - Focus has decided to bring to the US market an electric pedal-assist mountain bike.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Focus opted for the BionX rear hub system given its more torque-laden power curve.

    Focus opted for the BionX rear hub system given its more torque-laden power curve.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Focus-designed quick-release seatpost collars are very lightweight but yet impressively smooth to operate and capable of generating ample clamping force.

    The Focus-designed quick-release seatpost collars are very lightweight but yet impressively smooth to operate and capable of generating ample clamping force.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Focus will offer the FSL cross-country platform in several different models, depending on your budget. And interesting, none of them have the specific '1.0', '2.0', or '3.0' designations - Focus doesn't want buyers to feel bad about upgrading a mid-level bike, especially when it uses the same frame as the top-end models.

    Focus will offer the FSL cross-country platform in several different models, depending on your budget. And interesting, none of them have the specific '1.0', '2.0', or '3.0' designations - Focus doesn't want buyers to feel bad about upgrading a mid-level bike, especially when it uses the same frame as the top-end models.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Though striving to reduce weight, Focus's product managers have nevertheless refused to compromise on stiffness. Thru-axles are featured heavily throughout the line, even on some of the hardtails.

    Though striving to reduce weight, Focus's product managers have nevertheless refused to compromise on stiffness. Thru-axles are featured heavily throughout the line, even on some of the hardtails.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Both the seat stays and chain stays are carbon fiber on the Focus FSL. Claimed frame weight is around 1.7kg (3.75lb) with rear shock.

    Both the seat stays and chain stays are carbon fiber on the Focus FSL. Claimed frame weight is around 1.7kg (3.75lb) with rear shock.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The asymmetrical seat tube on the new FSL helps bolster pedaling stiffness.

    The asymmetrical seat tube on the new FSL helps bolster pedaling stiffness.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The top tube-mounted linkage looks unusual but Focus says it makes the controls easier to reach and also leaves plenty of room for two water bottles. Plus, the open triangle is easy to portage, too.

    The top tube-mounted linkage looks unusual but Focus says it makes the controls easier to reach and also leaves plenty of room for two water bottles. Plus, the open triangle is easy to portage, too.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • There are five internal cable ports at the head tube on the new FSL - two for the derailleurs, one for the rear brake, one for the optional rear shock lockout, and another for an optional telescoping seatpost remote.

    There are five internal cable ports at the head tube on the new FSL - two for the derailleurs, one for the rear brake, one for the optional rear shock lockout, and another for an optional telescoping seatpost remote.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Focus's urban, commuter and utility range is enormous in Europe.

    Focus's urban, commuter and utility range is enormous in Europe.

    Photo credit © James Huang