Focus........

davelakers

A New Year means a new bike for me and I was set on getting a Ribble Sportive with Chorus 11, until, I spotted this beauty on Wiggle. Ive got a Roubaix Elite at the moment and I do like it but it doesnt feel that special anymore now I class myself as a more experienced cyclist (if that makes sense) it feels dull and unexciting, and I dont like the groupset!!

The focus looks like a fabulous bargain but the one thing that concerns me is the "aggressive" riding position that everyone mentions. If I was to go for the 56" frame, the geometry seems not that far different to the Roubaix as far as I can see. How much difference does 10mm here or there make?

If there are any Focus owners out there I would love to hear your thoughts please.

stu99

Focus bikes are brilliant (I have two).

You can easily effect a more upright riding position by stacking the spacers and/or flipping the stem.

cookiemonster

40mm difference in head tube length between the 56 focus @ 150mm and the 56 roubaix at 190mm; thats a fair lump. You're not going to get the same position on the focus without silly stem angles and a carton of spaces (assuming also that you've a reasonably flat stem and no spacers on the roubaix to begin with). However if you want a much lower front end then thats the bike to go for.

Maybe something like a cervelo rs (funny i just happen to know someone with a 58cm to sell ) which has the longer head tube but still a stiff bb, etc, will give you a similar set up to the roubaix but feel a bit more special

I thought my focus was a great bike but very stiff and jarring ride in comparison with some of the other carbon frames.

jon

vision267

Focus have an aggressive riding position.I went from a giant scr to a focus cayo,the scis more upright but a little boring.The cayo once you get used to it is much more fun,but it has a racing geometry.I thing it is ok thought maybe not for everyone.

jam7952

I own the Sram version of this bike, have since fitted the entire Red groupset to it.....I love this bike hands down! the riding position is a little aggressive, but you'll appreciate it when riding head on in a strong wind!

Go for it, you wont regret it!

Not Another Hill

The Focus Cayo is my first road bike after 5 years of MTBing. Had it 2 years and I love mine. It is a 'racy' position but I don't find it particularly uncomfortable over long rides (100 + miles). I find the frame is a good compromise over stiffness and comfort and it's a blast to hammer along. Another lad at our club got himself one a few weeks ago and he loves his.

brit66

I bought my Izalco a couple of years ago and it's a great bike. It's good to see they still represent great value for money. Mine came with Force, Kysrium SLs and came in at just 7.2kg.

You might want to consider the 2010 Izalco for another £200. It hasn't got Red but it has got a frame with a BB30 and better wheels. It's also a nicer paint job imo.

seagulljez

got a milram edition of the cayo, with a nice set of wheels and an upgrade over time on the sram rival to red groupset its hard to beat for value, and also probably one of the most comfi bikes I've had..

galatzo

Got the Campag variant and very happy with it.
Fork steerers come precut (contact Wiggle and they'll tell you how many spacers on the size you want).
Get a Deda Newton 31/86 stem and it'll tilt the bars just a little upwards without looking out of place.

gkerr4

i think it'll be deadly uncomfortable after your roubaix - very racy geometry. When you say 56 focus - which size roubaix do you have? - going up a size in the focus to get the front end height wil surely end up with a very stretched out position?

Why not go for either a higher model roubaix? or a tarmac? (which isn't that much different to the roubaix these days)

or (and I'm a big fan of the roubaix - I have an S-works with record) keep your frame, sell the shitmano stuff and buy new group and wheels - same comfort, new better group and more lively wheels!

the roubaix elite frame will be at least as good as the sportive racing if not better. and if it is last years colours - the silver black is it? - you could end up with a very classy looking bike indeed!

davelakers

gkerr4 wrote:

i think it'll be deadly uncomfortable after your roubaix - very racy geometry. When you say 56 focus - which size roubaix do you have? - going up a size in the focus to get the front end height wil surely end up with a very stretched out position?

Why not go for either a higher model roubaix? or a tarmac? (which isn't that much different to the roubaix these days)

or (and I'm a big fan of the roubaix - I have an S-works with record) keep your frame, sell the shitmano stuff and buy new group and wheels - same comfort, new better group and more lively wheels!

the roubaix elite frame will be at least as good as the sportive racing if not better. and if it is last years colours - the silver black is it? - you could end up with a very classy looking bike indeed!

My major concern about the Focus is the position because Ive got a suspect back and I find the Roubaix comfortable, but boring!!

So many things are going through my head and Ive so many options. Like I said earlier I am leaning towards the Ribble with Chorus 11, ( Im really wanting a Campag g/set tbh) and Zondas, until your suggestion of swapping out the groupset and keeping the frame. I hadnt really thought of that because I thought it might be a pain in the arse but I can see the advantages. Cost being one!!

edit; What wheels would you recommend? Zondas, Euros Kysrium SL Premiums? I can spend a bit more on the wheels if I go down the route of keeping the frame.

Ive got a couple of months to make my mind up so I'll keep thinking.

Thanks for all your replies.

gkerr4

see what cash you have left - start selling off your shimano stuff off the roubaix about now - wheels, groupset etc - see how much cash that puts in your 'fund' - get the campag groupset you want and then whats left determines your wheels - I have Eurus wheels and find them very light and stiff - smart looking too!

one thing to note - don't try and run 13-26 / 13-29 campag on your frame - it doesn't fit (or at least it doesn't on my s-works and I ruined one frame by fitting it) the 13 tooth is too big for the smallest sprocket and causes the chain to foul the seatstay! Actually it might work OK on yours but do some serious testing before you road test it!

davelakers

gkerr4 wrote:

see what cash you have left - start selling off your shimano stuff off the roubaix about now - wheels, groupset etc - see how much cash that puts in your 'fund' - get the campag groupset you want and then whats left determines your wheels - I have Eurus wheels and find them very light and stiff - smart looking too!

one thing to note - don't try and run 13-26 / 13-29 campag on your frame - it doesn't fit (or at least it doesn't on my s-works and I ruined one frame by fitting it) the 13 tooth is too big for the smallest sprocket and causes the chain to foul the seatstay! Actually it might work OK on yours but do some serious testing before you road test it!

My intention is to run 12-27 Chorus 11 unless I can convince myself Super Record is worth and extra £600

gkerr4

good prices here:
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/campagnol ... groupsets/

and just down the road from you at leyland

I think chorus would be ideal and like you I don't think I'd get record at the moment so if I was in your position it would be between chorus or super record too. and chorus would get it - fixed to a set of top end wheels it would be ideal - and chorus would leave you some cash to change the finishing kit on your bike too - nice bars / stem and seatpost.

davelakers

Thanks for all your input gkerr4, you have been a great help, quite a surprise that it comes from someone from Blackpool............... 8) 8)

Im going to strip down my bike at weekend clean it all up and advertise the bits and take it from there, it makes a lot of sense. Im handing the money over to help pay towards our skiing holiday and then buying the new stuff when we get back from Switzerland in the new year!!