Focus unveils the new Raven Max

With the improved Raven Max, Focus is launching a new race hardtail whose frame has not only been slimmed down to 885 grams, but also offers the rider more comfort. The Raven Max comes with 27.5 and 29-inch wheels and its own thru-axle system.

After the first Raven in 2006 and its successor with 29-inch wheels in 2011, Focus is coming up with the latest generation of this model and is also launching a 27.5-inch version. The German bike brand has already attracted attention to the new bike in the run-up to the presentation with its strikingly embroidered prototype: another softtail was expected.

However, Focus is not relying on the revived softtail technology, but is instead building a flexible seat combination consisting of a specially shaped seat tube in the lower section and the Concept CPX Plus seat post. This results in more flex in the seat, which reduces the stress peaks placed on the rider when riding off-road. The shorter chainstays ride directly to the top tube, where they are most strongly supported. This in turn generates more stiffness. This also results from the specially shaped headset, which is designed to ensure precise steering. The cables also disappear into the inside of the frame. You also have the option of fitting a Kind Shock dropper post and routing the cable internally. This brand is currently the only one that has an adjustable post with a diameter of 27.2 millimetres. Like the Concept CPX Plus seatpost, the carbon handlebars and carbon stem also come from the same company.

The concept seems to be working, as Focus Team rider Florian Vogel, who is experiencing his second sporting spring on these bikes, speaks enthusiastically about the new Raven Max: "I was surprised at how much riding comfort this bike offers." This bike is also designed for racing and has been continuously further developed. This also results in the low unladen weight of the frame. 885 grams is truly a good value for this bike and the 8.1 kilogram total weight of the team bike is also impressive. It is also interesting to note that Focus has adapted the stiffness of the Raven to the respective frame sizes. In other words, a large frame has high stiffness - a small frame has less stiffness. Focus calls this "SSPS - Stable Stiffnes Per Size". This prevents the frames from being too hard for small, lightweight riders or too soft for heavier riders.

Internal thru-axle and size-dependent wheel selection
Focus is also presenting a new thru-axle with its new Raven. This comes from our own development and fixes the wheel with a bayonet lock. The Thru Axle "R.A.T." is locked in place with half a turn and clamped using a quick release. Its clamping strength can be easily adjusted with an adjustment screw.
The "R.A.T." axle has the advantage that it clamps the wheel perfectly and straight, but more importantly, assembly and disassembly is much faster than with bolt-on axles.

With the new Raven, the customer has the choice between 27.5 and 29-inch wheels - with one small restriction. The small wheels are available from frame size XS to L, while the large wheels are available from size S, but up to XL.

The Raven frames are available from Focus in two versions. The Max, which is designed for racing, is only compatible with 1x systems. There is also a cheaper version designed for two chainrings. Despite the fact that the chain usually remains securely on the chainring on the 1x systems, Focus plays it safe and protects the frame on the chainstay and down tube with protective plates.

A women's version of the Raven is also available. However, with components from the cheaper categories. Focus also caters for the "tough" mountain bikers. For those, the Raven Max is equipped with the specially developed rigid fork, thanks to which the weight drops by almost a kilogram.