Help, brakes on Focus and am i happy with new bike purchase?

LAW4778

Firstly i finally made my decision and recieved my new Focus Black Forest today, now i want to know if when you get your new bike should you be all excited and like a big kid because when i opened up the box to take my bike out i didn't get that excited feeling, does this mean its not the bike for me?

I did take it out for a spin becuse its on the 7 day test ride thingy from wiggle and everything felt good but to be honest i don't really know what i am looking for being a newbie, i know the fox fork is the probably the selling point, but the bike just doesn't feel special.

Another thing do disc brakes wear in because the Augira Comp don't feel that urgent not like other bikes i have tested with the likes of Juicy and Formula fitted.

My other choice of bike was the Specialized Rockhopper Expert i am even thinking of going for another look at that tomorrow.

I know this sounds stupid but the focus doesn't feel special enough to upgrade things on it in the future not like the Specialized am i being stupid and should i just give the Focus a chance?

Thanks for reading.

Northwind

Brakes do take a wee bit of bedding in, auriga comps shouldn't lack power at all... Modulation, maybe, a wee bit, but not power.

I know nothing about the Focus though, but I would say that I got very excited about building my Scandal and it didn't work out too well, while I was less excited about the Soul and it's turned out to be pretty much a perfect match for me. it's not all eyes across a crowded room

GHill

Bikes aren't just spec alone. Neither do all first impressions last.

OH NO Dan

LAW4778 wrote:

Firstly i finally made my decision and recieved my new Focus Black Forest today, now i want to know if when you get your new bike should you be all excited and like a big kid because when i opened up the box to take my bike out i didn't get that excited feeling, does this mean its not the bike for me?

I did take it out for a spin becuse its on the 7 day test ride thingy from wiggle and everything felt good but to be honest i don't really know what i am looking for being a newbie, i know the fox fork is the probably the selling point, but the bike just doesn't feel special.

Another thing do disc brakes wear in because the Augira Comp don't feel that urgent not like other bikes i have tested with the likes of Juicy and Formula fitted.

My other choice of bike was the Specialized Rockhopper Expert i am even thinking of going for another look at that tomorrow.

I know this sounds stupid but the focus doesn't feel special enough to upgrade things on it in the future not like the Specialized am i being stupid and should i just give the Focus a chance?

Thanks for reading.

My brakes didnt feel great at first but after a 2 hour ride they felt alot sharper.

Have you gone out for a proper ride? My bike felt ok riding round my street at first but when you get it on the rough stuff your opinion might change. Id use the 7 day test period and have a good old thrash about.

Si78

Hi,

Is it just the look of the bike that doesnt excite you?
Hope your feelings change, would be a shame to have to go through the hassle of sending it back.

And I remember in one of your other posts that I wrote that the Specialized had better brakes

Dont worry tho, the Tektro Auriga Comps do improve when they have bedded in... Just dont badly over-heat your back brake like ive done... :oops:

Si

LAW4778

Si78 wrote:

Hi,

Is it just the look of the bike that doesnt excite you?
Hope your feelings change, would be a shame to have to go through the hassle of sending it back.

And I remember in one of your other posts that I wrote that the Specialized had better brakes

Dont worry tho, the Tektro Auriga Comps do improve when they have bedded in... Just dont badly over-heat your back brake like ive done... :oops:

Si

Hey i wouldn't really say its the look i think it looks good and feels good, its more it being a focus than a specialized i suppose becuase i loved specialized when i was a kid but could never afford one and they were the first bikes i started looking at a few months ago when i got back into biking and just thought i would end up buying one, but then i started looking at the focus and all the good things i read and spec made me think it would be a good bike for myself as a beginner.

Si78

LAW4778 wrote:

Hey i wouldn't really say its the look i think it looks good and feels good, its more it being a focus than a specialized i suppose becuase i loved specialized when i was a kid but could never afford one and they were the first bikes i started looking at a few months ago when i got back into biking and just thought i would end up buying one, but then i started looking at the focus and all the good things i read and spec made me think it would be a good bike for myself as a beginner.

Whenever Im excited about something its because ive been wanting it for ages, thinking about it, imagining it etc

If you have been wanting a Specialized for years, and they excite you, go get one!

Just because someone likes a certain bike doesnt mean you will.

Personally, I would give the focus a go, and if you're still not convinced then send it back. Then go get urself a Specialized.

Its your money, you deserve to get the bike you really want with it

Si

P.S. When I bought my Boardman common sense was teling me to get a Carrera Fury. Cheaper and some better components ...But it didnt excite me!

The Boardman did, and still does, so I know I made the right choice!

fourcrossjohn

if your girl friend didnt excite you before a ride would you give her a ride ... no

get something that appeals and feels good to you

_Ferret_

My opinion - get a bike you really want. I get that excited feeling when I still look at my bike and it's a year old!
If you have a bike that you like the look and feel of then you'll be encouraged to ride more often.

zero303

A £900 alu german hardtail is only going to be so 'exciting'... A couple of grand of 'french fancy' is a different ball game so I don't think Ferret's opinion can be considered too strongly - I bet everyone would love one of those if they could afford it!

I'm not sure a specialized is going to feel any more special though tbh...

If you're looking for a bit of excitement, you might be better off looking at an Orange P7 or a Genesis Altitude. I've got a single speed version of the Altitude (the iO) - they're bloody superb, ride well, are exciting, and look pretty special.

Not ridden a P7 since about 2001 so can't comment but the reviews speak for themselves.

LAW4778

cheers for the replies im off to look at the specialized again after just to compare a few things, there is defo one thing i now i prefer on the spec and that is the juicy brakes, don't like the Augira levers on the focus just a tad too long i ve moved them further down the bar and i still have to use 2 fingers the Avid ones seem more compact and ypu can use just 1 finger.

Si78

LAW4778 wrote:

there is defo one thing i now i prefer on the spec and that is the juicy brakes, don't like the Augira levers on the focus just a tad too long i ve moved them further down the bar and i still have to use 2 fingers the Avid ones seem more compact and ypu can use just 1 finger.

Lol, only a little bit of tinkering needed to sort that!

I moved my tektro levers in-board of the shifter levers, set up lovely for me now...one finger ok, but can still use two if I need to! Find the modulation/feel of the lever is much better too, cos getting the full 'leverage' advantage.

And to echo others, Im looking at my bike now and Im excited!...Just a shame my P7 torch hasnt arrived yet, so I cant ride to work tonight

Si