The carbon frame of the "Mares CX3" is genuine professional material. Weighing in at around 1,900 grams including fork and steering bearings and with very good technical values, it is the top performer in this test. In order to keep the price in check with this great base, we had to save on the equipment. However, apart from the high weight of the wheels, the rider doesn't notice this too much.
Although the bike doesn't react as light-footedly to acceleration as some of the others in this test, it spoils you with its superior smoothness and noticeable suspension comfort on the saddle. The braking distances are manageable in both dry and wet conditions, and fork stuttering is not an issue thanks to a special rebound adjuster from Wolfgang Berner's workshop. The stretched seating position is particularly appealing to sporty riders.
Price1,699 Euro
Weight: 9,2 Kilo
Reference/Info: Derby Cycle GmbH, phone 04471/9660, www.focus-bikes.de
Weight frame/fork/headset bearing*: 1,292/550/72 g
Frame sizes**: S, M, L, XL
Seat/steering angle: 73°/71°
Seat/top/head tube: 560/555/125 mm plus 15 mm headset cover
Wheelbase/caster: 1,015/70 mm
Stack/Reach/STR ***: 553/387 mm/1.43
Equipment
Fork: Focus
Steering bearings: Cane Creek, top 1-1/8, bottom 1.5 inch
Brakes: Avid Shorty 4 (Cantilever)
Gear system: Shimano 105
Bottom bracket: FSA Gossamer BB30 (46/36 t.)
Wheels/tyres: DT Swiss R1900/Racing Ralph tyres
Handlebar/stem: Concept/FSA OS190
Saddle/post: Concept (27.2 mm)
*Weighted weights; **Manufacturer's specification, test frame size greased; ***Stack/Reach: projected vertical or horizontal measurement from centre of bottom bracket to top of headset cap; STR: (Stack to Reach) values between 1.45 and 1.55 indicate a sporty riding position, values below are race-like, above are comfortable.
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