Test 2016 winter road bikes: Focus Mares AX Disc Commuter - Focus Mares AX Disc Commuter on test

It does not live up to the claim of the model designation "Commuter" (commuter), at least with regard to the standard lighting system; it is not compliant for German roads - and even apart from that, it is not a recommendation. While the detachable front headlight, powered by three R6 batteries, has a poor light output and stopped working after the first ride in the rain, the Fizik light under the saddle can only be used as an additional light at best. Otherwise, the bike works perfectly and has a strong argument in its favourable price. The fact that the bike is quite heavy at just under twelve kilos is not only due to the functional but heavy Tiagra groupset, but also to the bulky aluminium fork, which actually weighs almost a whole kilo.

CONCLUSION Very inexpensive but heavy bike with off-road tyres and mudguards, inferior standard battery light

Price 1,099 Euro
Weight 11.7 kilos
Available in specialised shops
Info www.focus-bikes.com

Weight frame/fork/steering bearing** 1,590/986/74 grammes
Frame sizes*** XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL
Seat/top tube/head tube 580/550/149 mm
Stack/Reach/STR**** 574/377 mm/1.52

EQUIPMENT

Drive/Circuit Shimano Tiagra (50/34 t., press-fit)
Brakes Shimano BR-R517 (160/160 mm)
Hubs/rims/tyres Concept SL/DT Swiss R522 db/Schwalbe Rocket Ron 33C

*The frame set accounts for 40 per cent and the equipment for 60 per cent of the overall grade. The grades are calculated with all decimal places up to the final grade; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are given with rounded decimal places.
**Weighed weights.
***Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.
****Stack/Reach projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube; STR (Stack to Reach) 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 an upright riding position.

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