Pro Bike Gallery: Jeremy Powers’ and Gabby Day’s Rapha-Focus Mares

Jeremy Powers, the current U.S. cyclocross champ, gets special paint jobs on his Focus race bikes. Here is is Mares disc bike. Photo: Jeff Rowe

The WD40 sticker on the chainstay is interesting. There are rumors that WD40 is moving into the cycling market with new formulas. There is also talk of a neutral wash and lube service at major 'cross races. If you look closely, you can also see an Enduro ceramic bearing pulley for the front derailleur. Photo: Jeff Rowe

That is a Vittoria Cross Evo XG tire on Powers' bike. According to Tom Hopper, his mechanic, Powers has been testing prototypes from several tire manufactures this summer. The team does not have a tire sponsor, and will use Dugast "97 percent" of the time. It's hard to miss the Powers sticker on the seatstay. While it looks like a Lone Star, the Massachusetts native gets the star for his national title. Other Rapha-Focus riders will have the colors of the team next to their names, instead of country flags. Photo: Jeff Rowe

The Mares fork always had a burly look to it. With disc brakes, it looks cleaner than ever. Powers will use an aluminum Easton cockpit. Photo: Jeff Rowe

Powers runs the nose of his fi'zi:k Aliante saddle a mere 4.8 cm behind his bottom bracket. Note too, the full length brake cable housing for the rear brake and snazzy stars and stripes seat height tape (also used on the handlebar tape). Photo: Jeff Rowe

Easton produced specially-made disc brake wheels for the Rapha-Focus team. After much testing, Easton decided to use a 38mm deep tubular rim laced via 24 Sapim spokes, front and rear, to Easton's M1 SL mountain hubs. Interestingly the wheels use the same length spokes front and rear, drive and non-drive sides, like all Easton mountain bike wheels. Easton throws on larger than normal decals because there is no brake track on the rim. Bad news is they won't be made available to the public, though Easton is launching its EA90 XD alloy disc tubeless 'cross wheels in September. Photo: Jeff Rowe

Avid BB7s are to be expected for the SRAM-sponsored Rapha-Focus riders. They use lighter XX rotors with titanium bolts to save weight. Photo: Jeff Rowe

While the crank says "Red" the arm appears to be an S900 model, as used on Quarq cranks. Using it gives SRAM a normal five-arm spider and makes using current 'cross ring offerings possible. Powers is also using a Red Black front derailleur with a steel cage and Crank Brothers Candy pedals. Photo: Jeff Rowe

Focus didn't want to give an "official" weight on the disc version of its Mares. But we managed to learn that the frame and an uncut fork tip the scales at 1,800 grams. Photo: Jeff Rowe.

Welsh rider Gabby Day and Sabrina Schweizer of Germany will join Julie Krasniak of France on the Rapha-Focus women's squad this year. Pictured is Day's Mares rim brake bike in team livery (which Focus will make commercially available). Photo: Jeff Rowe

Crank Brothers Candy pedals are a favorite among off-road riders for their excellent mud clearing. The bowed legs of the Mares fork are very distinctive. Photo: Jeff Rowe

Rapha and Focus made sure to maximize the number and placement of their logos. Photo: Jeff Rowe

Day rides fi'zi:k's Vitesse women's saddle on her Focus 'cross bike. The cream, blue and pink colors have become Rapha's calling card. Photo: Jeff Rowe

Day, like all her Rapha-Focus teammates, uses a combination of Red 2012 and Red Black components. Just like the guys on the team, the women use Easton wheels and cockpits. Photo: Jeff Rowe