Witchkraft Racing: The Search for Speed

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Focus…

Amidst my down time, I opted to put my trusty and reliable mountain bike up for sale. It was a Jamis 26 full suspension that I had bought a couple seasons prior and had ridden a great deal on. I loved the bike. I listed it because I kind of wanted to try a 29er hardtail – a bike with bigger wheels and without the shock on the back. I didn't really want to sell the bike, but I figured if the right buyer came, it would justify trying something new. Well after one day on the MMBA forum's classifeds, I got a call from an interested buyer – a WERA racer no less. 24 hours later the bike was out of my garage and I was left without my favorite outdoor training partner. Damn, I should have listed it higher. :)

The hunt began for a replacement. Andrew (Burry) and I went to a Jamis bike demo in Brighton and tried out all their bikes they had to offer. 29 full suspension, 29 hardtail, 27.5 hardtail, 27.5 full suspension. It was great to try everything and actually take the bikes out on a mildly-technical trail to compare the differences (with a wrist brace I was still riding one-handed for much of it). I was left wanting to buy a Jamis, but after a fair bit of research and talking to people, found that Focus (made in Germany) has some really nice and well-built bikes. I found a dealer out in PA looking to move a 2012 model they had, which happened to be the exact one I was looking for – a Focus Raven 3.0. It had the big wheels, an ultra-sexy carbon frame and a really nice set of Shimano XT components – which are higher-tier in quality, without getting crazy in the amount of money you can spend for the top-tier components to save a few grams of overall weight. The acquisition was complete after finding a new set of pedals, water bottle holder and aftermarket seat for a little more comfort on those soon-to-be long rides.

So just what I needed .. another disassembled bike in the garage. That makes three currently. The R6 is awaiting a tank and her finished painted bodywork, while the XR100 is getting the forks and shock freshened up by dad. I can't wait for some warmer weather and this wrist to get better.

Thursday, April 25th, 2013 | POSTED AT: 5:52 AM
FILED UNDER: General