Lightning Bolt-on Axle – 12mm thru axle for FOCUS R.A.T. Bikes – 12×142

(34 customer reviews)

$ 58.00

After years of mountain biking with thru-axles with bulky handles that seemed to strike every trailside obstacle we needed a better option. Our Lightning Bolt-On thru axles offer the highest quality, simple, lightweight alternative to that bulky handle. Available in a range of sizes that fit both front and rear wheels on all types of thru-axle equipped bikes. Compatible with Hexlox security systems.

This thru axle is compatible with bikes that have the FOCUS R.A.T. thru axle system and 12×142 hub spacing. M12x1.5 threaded replacement nut included, to replace the FOCUS R.A.T. nut that came on your bike.

In stock

SKU: LIG604.F Category:

Description

  • Be free. No longer are you constrained by the proprietary FOCUS R.A.T. axle. Simply replace the R.A.T. nut with our threaded nut and thru axle. A complete solution for a standard threaded axle for your R.A.T. equipped bike.
  • Lightning is Better. Our front and rear Lightning Bolt-On axles offer a stronger, more durable, lower profile and lighter weight option to replace your stock thru-axles.
  • Low Profile. No more bulky handles to strike trail obstacles. Aerodynamic design.
  • Light Weight. Our axles are internally bored to remove unnecessary material without compromising strength.
  • Easy to install. Our matching front and rear Lightning Bolt-On Axles only require a standard 6 mm hex wrench for easy installation and removal.
  • Better Tolerances. Manufactured in the USA to the tightest tolerances using aerospace materials and CNC manufacturing. No longer will your axle loosen while riding.
  • Available Security. Compatible with Hexlox bike security systems.

This is NOT an axle for attaching trailers or trainers.

 


 

Prop65 Warning icon

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including nickel acetate, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Specification

  • This axle is compatible with bikes that have the FOCUS R.A.T. thru axle system and 12×142 hub spacing.
  • Weight: 45 grams, included replacement axle and replacement for the RAT nut.
  • The axle is precision CNC machined in the USA from 7075 aluminum and hard anodized for rugged durability. Our axles are built to the tightest standards in the industry.
  • No special tools required. Design allows for installation or wheel removal using your standard 6 mm hex wrench.
  • Designed, built and quality tested in the USA. Proven around the world.
  • Compatible with Hexlox security systems.

 

Support

Need more information about how our axles work?

34 reviews for Lightning Bolt-on Axle – 12mm thru axle for FOCUS R.A.T. Bikes – 12×142

  1. Tore (verified owner)

    Great axle/nut that replaced the not-so great R.A.T. – axle that my Focus Mares came with. Finally I can change wheels without swearing, sweating and the use of several tools. R.A.T is OK as long as you don’t have to change wheels.

  2. Gonzalo (verified owner)

    Very good quality
    You save 50 grams of weight orginal focus axle.
    Black anonized nut. Much better than aluminum color.

  3. Gonzalo (verified owner)

    Very good quality
    You save 50 grams of weight on the orginal focus axle.
    Black anonized nut. Much better than aluminum color

  4. Terry Evans (verified owner)

    The Robert Axle Project Company and their front and rear axle opinion , I have a 2015 Focus Mares CX Bike with the R.A.T. thru axle system. By replacing the rear R.A.T. thru axle with the Lighting Bolt-On Axle I have removed all of the inconsistency that I was having. The fit and finish of the lightning bolt-on axle is top of the market.

  5. Leithen M’Gonigle

    Really great product. My Izalco Max Disc was having issues with the RAT thru axles and I couldn’t find replacements here in Canada, despite trying. While I did like the RAT axles, these are a far superior and more durable solution. Also, really great build quality. Thank you!

  6. Dion (verified owner)

    Great product, allowed me to utilize my direct drive trainer with my RAT Focus Izalco Max. Great quality. Love it.

  7. Jason Brummels (verified owner)

    The perfect solution to the “perfect” solution from Focus! High quality, easy to use, and great fit. Thank you!

  8. Viacheslav Andzhich (verified owner)

    The original axle on Raven is a night mare. Not only it’s almost impossible to install a wheel during a race, when everything is covered in mud and your hands are shaking like crazy. But it also can’t create enough grip to prevent some hubs from creaking in the frame. And when you tighten the axle more, the thread on the adjuster strips, leaving you in a middle of a marathon without your bike, nice 🙂
    This Robert Axle piece is just great, and, I believe, it’s a must have for anyone who unlucky enough to get a bike with RAT 🙂

  9. Josh Robinson (verified owner)

    What a wonderful product. Makes removing and installing wheels so much easier than the RAT axles that originally came on my Focus Mares CX. Also gives me much greater confidence that they are on securely when installed. Installation was a breeze as well. I’m a believer! Thanks guys!

  10. AK (verified owner)

    Could not have been any easier to install (Focus Izalco Max Disc). Great, precise construction too. The instructions were a little bit outdated but I didn’t really need them. An must-buy if you’re using Focus R.A.T. axles.

  11. Gary Bergal (verified owner)

    RAT replacement fit perfectly. Shipping was practically immediate. All is well in the Focus Mares axle world. Highly recommend if you are frustrated with your RAT axle.

  12. Matt Bootsman (verified owner)

    After breaking a couple of R.A.T. axles and having the rear axle creak and shift, and struggling with rotor rub on my front brake I lost all confidence in the R.A.T axle.

    NOW I get what the big deal is about through axles. The Robert Axle Project axles noticeably improved the ride quality of my Focus Mares. And now I’m not worried about another mid ride failure. Fit and finish are perfect.

    TRAP the R.A.T. You won’t go back.

  13. Yao (verified owner)

    Its make my focus more lighter and easy to change tire.

  14. Alex (verified owner)

    Used this axle to put my Focus Paralane on a direct drive trainer, works like a charm. Thanks to great support that helped advised me on choosing this axle among the rest. Will ride with it too, and probably, get a front one 😉

  15. Kierstyn (verified owner)

    The Robert axle is a great replacement for the original RAT axle that came with the 2015 Focus Mares CX bike. Now, I have both front & rear Robert Axle replacements that should outlast the bike’s requirements for me.
    Perfect fit for my Direto Elite trainer
    Well done

  16. Jacek (verified owner)

    Super oś!
    Wreszcie normalne mocowanie koła a nie walka z głupkowatym R.A.T.
    Przesyłka do Polski w cztery dni oś zakupu!

  17. Sandor Szabolcsi (verified owner)

    Bought to replace my rat axles on my focus paralane and glad I did was having problems getting correct torque and had rear axle problems would not tighten. Now no guess work Robert axles fit perfect! Quality is wonderful and half the weight and much easier and safer than old rat system IMO. Thank you Robertaxleproject.com for saving my butt

  18. Chris Campbell (verified owner)

    I have a Focus Mares set up with two sets of wheels to be my perfect do-it-all machine. I was struggling with finicky brake alignment issues any time I swapped out wheels, and was also experiencing brake rub issues if I didn’t get the quick releases tight enough. I finally figured out that at least some of my problem was related to the R.A.T. axle quick releases. I ordered the Robert Axle replacements and I couldn’t be happier.

    The axles are very high quality and a perfect replacement for the R.A.T. axles. They were simple to install, and wheel changes are easier now. Just thread them in and torque them down and you’re ready to roll.

  19. Roma G Velasco

    The RAT axle on my Focus Mares cross bike was great until it wasn’t and finding a replacement for both front and rear was a bit scary. I’ve read and heard good things about Robert Axle Project so I went with these.
    Now, with these new axles on my cross bike, I don’t have to worry about realigning my brakes whenever I have to switch between wheelsets. These replacement axles fixed the issues I’m getting with the original RAT. These are probably easier to put back on than the original RAT axles that usually take a few minutes if moving around to get tightened right. Feels and looks pretty solid on the bike. Overall happy with these axles! Worth the cost and love supporting locally made products.

  20. Ben Mort (verified owner)

    Absolutely top notch piece of kit. Ordered on Friday evening and arrived by Monday lunch time all the way to the UK! The team were great and answered any questions I had instantly. Sure it’s a reasonable cost but the product is a fit and forget situation. The wheel spins truer and feels far stiffer. Also a must buy to replace the visually displeasing focus RAT levers. Thanks again and I’m one satisfied customer!

  21. Gal (verified owner)

    Great axle system that completely transformed my bikes!
    My Focus Mares AX used to rely on a carefully placed, precisely tensioned zip tie to function and keep the original R.A.T axle system sort of tightened in place. It always came loose or got stuck, always gave a rattly and noisy ride, and was a totally miserable experience.
    Now with the Robert axle project – my bike finally rides silently and precisely. It even looks better! This changed everything and i’m so happy that this simple solution exists. Thank you!

  22. Dave (verified owner)

    Game changer!! Totally upgraded the bike with these axle additions. Much stiffer feel, lighter and more reliable than the RATs. Great service from the team at Robert Axle Project also.

  23. Bo (verified owner)

    I fully agree with all the rewievs written.
    Now it is easy to put back the wheel after
    a puncture.
    Regards Bo

  24. Cole Sims (verified owner)

    So much better than the R.A.T. ? Really Awful Tech?
    Great quality and finish. Easy install.

  25. Pawel (verified owner)

    This is what I needed instead RAT. I wasn’t even waiting until RAT will be loosen. No problem with shipment to Poland. One week and my bike is upgraded. Great product and service!

  26. Nathan Wilburt Detering (verified owner)

    Why did I wait so long to get this?? Love my Focus CX but the RAT skewers have been a total pain. New axles were super easy to order, quick shipment, fits great, looks great.

  27. David

    Lightweight and simple! It took me less than 2 minutes to install the end nut and I was ready to go.

  28. Mikaela (verified owner)

    Grateful for how easy the Robert Axle Project made replacing the back axle on my Focus Mares. Thank you!

  29. Rajiv (verified owner)

    Excellent fit on Focus Izalgo max

  30. Louis Looij, Holland (verified owner)

    Excellent substitution of the initial (worn out) axle (with handle) of my Focus Raven Max Factory. I’m very glad with it.

  31. Brook Henderson (verified owner)

    BRILLIANT. Perfect replacement for the wonky RAT on my 2013 Focus Mares. Came just in the nick-of time too. Just days after receiving the axle, it worked flawlessly on the Stupid Pony 200 and Salty Lizard 100. 300+ gravel miles with zero issue. Thanks.

  32. Thomas Jones (verified owner)

    Fast Shipping, had a question on installation that was answered very quickly! Very satisfied with the product

  33. Carlo (verified owner)

    Perfetto per la focus izalco max

  34. Jodok Güller (verified owner)

    Replaced my Focus RAT System with the solution from Robert Axle Project. It’s Plug and play and works perfect. Thank you!

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