Cycling team sponsors come from all walks of life, and often from outside the industry. But a yoghurt company? And in particular, one that’s so decadent that many would hardly consider it for anything other than a post-ride treat.
Nevertheless, Colorado company Noosa tossed its hat into the cyclocross scene last year and looks to be having a heck of time in the process. Meet here the equally decadent Focus Mares CX of team rider Meredith Miller.
The Noosa team comprises just two racers: Miller and fellow Coloradoan Allen Krughoff. Yet despite the very short roster, the pair is exceptionally well outfitted with bikes that even top-shelf teams would find droolworthy.
There may just be two riders on Noosa's cyclocross team but they sure aren't hurting for equipment
Forming the backbone of the team’s bike is the latest Focus Mares CX, a carbon frameset that’s both exceptionally lightweight and remarkably comfortable and efficient. In addition, it’s also one of more progressive designs available with its disc-specific layout and quick-to-operate RAT thru-axles. Focus has even provided the team with full custom paint, featuring a striking red, black, and yellow scheme with custom artwork by local outfitter Victory Circle Graphix.
Wheels are custom built using Enve 29XC carbon tubular rims and DT Swiss hubs, all wrapped with Clement tubular rubber. Enve also provides the full-carbon cockpit and seatpost, as well as carbon clinchers for training duty.
Wheels are handbuilt using Enve carbon tubular rims and DT Swiss hubs and spokes, all wrapped with Clement tires
Meanwhile, SRAM fills out the bulk of the componentry list with Force 1 groups for racing and two-chainring groupsets for training.
“I use a double chainring on my training bike,” says Miller. “For much of the year I use it as my road, gravel and ‘cross bike, so I need those two chainrings (46/36t) to get over all the rolling terrain in Colorado. I also use the Clement Strada LGG 32 for most of riding because I can use it on just about any ride – pavement or dirt. The versatility of this bike is one of my favorite features!”
Miller and Krughoff both race exclusively on SRAM Force 1 single-ring drivetrains
Filling out the rest of the spec sheet is a Fizik Kurve Chameleon saddle, Shimano XTR Race pedals, a suite of low-friction bearings from CeramicSpeed, and SRAM handlebar tape – which Miller insists on wrapping herself despite full mechanical support from The Service Course, a local service-only boutique shop manned by two former pro team mechanics, Daimeon Shanks and Eric Greene.
“All I ask of Daimo is that I wrap my bar tape myself,” says Miller, “which he doesn’t like since he considers himself the best ‘wrapper’ alive.”
It's not often that a racer insists on wrapping the bars themselves, particularly when there's a pro mechanic at their disposal
Total weight is a scant 7.46kg (16.45lb) – especially impressive when you consider that SRAM’s Force 1 group isn’t the lightest around.
One can’t help but wonder, however, how this team even came to be. After all, yoghurt and cycling doesn’t necessarily seem like a natural combination.
“In late May of 2014 Allen and I had a chance meeting on the way up to Ned[erland – a small mountain town in Colorado] to ride mountain bikes,” Miller explained. “At the time we were both looking to make some changes for the upcoming 'cross season but didn’t have any answers yet. At that moment the idea was conceived to start our own team. It really couldn’t be that hard, right?! Of course, we needed a cash and product sponsor to make it all happen, so the search began.
“In no time, Noosa Yoghurt had signed on to be our title sponsor. Noosa was already a sponsor of the 1st City Cycling Team and various cycling events in Fort Collins so cycling was not new to them. I suppose they already knew just how insane-in-the-membrane cyclists are for Noosa and, hey, it may be just me and Allen but we know how to put the ‘H’ in yogHURT.”
For more information, visit www.focus-bikes.com.
Complete bike specifications:
- Frame: Focus Mares CX P2T 10 Carbon Disc, size S/54cm
- Fork: Focus Mares CX P2T 10 Carbon T4 Disc
- Headset: CeramicSpeed 1 1/8-to-1 1/4in tapered
- Stem: Enve Composites, 90mm x -6°
- Handlebar: Enve Composites Compact Road, 44cm (c-c)
- Tape: SRAM
- Front brake: SRAM Force 1 hydraulic disc w/ 160mm Centerline rotor
- Rear brake: SRAM Force 1 hydraulic disc w/ 160mm Centerline rotor
- Brake levers: SRAM Force 1 DoubleTap
- Front derailleur: n/a
- Rear derailleur: SRAM Force 1
- Shift levers: SRAM Force 1 DoubleTap
- Cassette: SRAM PG-1170, 11-32T
- Chain: SRAM Red 22
- Crankset: SRAM Force 1, 172.5mm, w/ 38T SRAM X-Sync chainring
- Bottom bracket: CeramicSpeed PF30
- Pedals: Shimano XTR PD-M9000
- Rims: Enve Composites 29XC tubular, 28h
- Hubs: DT Swiss 240s Centerlock
- Spokes: DT Swiss Aerolite
- Front tire: Clement PDX tubular, 33mm
- Rear tire: Clement MXP tubular, 33mm
- Saddle: Fizik Kurve Chameleon
- Seatpost: Enve Composites
- Bottle cages: n/a
- Other accessories: Enve Composites Garmin computer mount
Critical measurements:
- Rider's height: 1.73m (5ft 8in)
- Rider's weight: 68kg (150lb)
- Saddle height from BB, c-t: 742mm
- Saddle setback: 79mm
- Seat tube length (c-t): 540mm
- Seat tube length (c-c): 490mm
- Tip of saddle nose to midpoint of bars (next to stem): 534mm
- Saddle-to-bar drop: 84mm
- Head tube length: 130mm
- Top tube length (effective): 544mm
- Weight: 7.46kg (16.45lb)