German brand Focus Bikes have launched their first 29er. The new Raven Pro shows the company’s commitment to bigger wheels, with a state-of-the-art carbon fibre frame that will be a racers dream bike.

Raven Pro

It’s an exquisite looking bike which ever angle you look at it from. Delicate leaf spring seat stays are a striking visual identity, designed to offer a degree of bump taming flex. Handling is kept in check with a short wheelbase, with the seat tube bending to tuck the rear wheel in closer to the front.

The 29er movement has been led by the superlight carbon hardtails, and the Raven is the latest of the breed. It’s a stunning looking frame and is threatening to challenge the offerings from Niner, Specialized and Santa Cruz for the title of the best carbon 29er in the world.

All the modern details are there, including a Press-Fit 30 bottom bracket shell, Post Mount disc mounts, integrated cable routing and the option for an adjustable height seat post. It also has a tapered head tube.

Focus Brand Manager Jens Haug says of new Raven: “With the Raven 29r, we’ve succeeded in building an extremely attractive and sophisticated bike. The frame really highlights the defining features of useful functionality and beautiful design.”

Three frame sizes will be offered and the choice of three builds. The Raven 1.0 will cost £4,499 and feature Fox 32 FIT 100mm forks, CrankBrothers Cobalt 3 wheels and Continental Race King tyres, Shimano XTR and FSA and Fizik finishing kit.

The Raven 2.0 (£2,399) drops down to a Shimano XT groupset, Avid Elixir 7 brakes and a RockShox Reba RL fork with Fulcrum Red wheels, while the Raven 3.0 (£1.899) gets a Shimano SLX/XT, Fox 32 Float and Concept parts mix.

Thunder – 140mm full-susser

Focus has also been working on the Thunder, a brand new full suspension model that uses a Knuckle Box setup (looks a little like a Commencal doesn’t it?). It’s got 140mm on tap and looks to be the perfect UK trail bike, and features a tapered head tube, 12mm bolt-through rear axle and a hydroformed tubeset.

Sitting at the top of the Thunder range is the Thunder 1.0 which with a full XTR groupset, Fox 32 Talas RL forks and Fulcrum wheels will cost £3,199. The range will include the £2,399 Thunder 2.0 and the £1,899 Thunder 3.0.

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