As the leaves turn, watch the pedals turn too—and fast—on Focus' Mares AL Tiagra. The triple-butted aluminum frame is light, so run-ups seem effortless, and it's stiff for stellar cornering and climbing. Speaking of great cornering, DT Swiss rims dive into corners, cutting through sand and mud so you stay speedy throughout the entire course. A workhorse Shimano Tiagra drivetrain provides the push with a wide range of gears and smooth shifts no matter how sticky the muddy course gets. And when you approach the barriers, Shimano's hydraulic disc brakes easily modulate speed every time. Top it off with rugged Concept components, and you've got a cyclocross partner that thrives in the muck.