Felt Z45 2009 vs Focus Cayo 105 2009

dizz07
dizz07 Posts: 13
edited January 2010 in Road buying advice
Both great bikes.
My needs are commuting and weekend longer rides and training.
Looking to do some longer tour rides, such as Lands End to John o Groats.

Felt is reduced from £1,350 to £877.00,
Cayo is reduced from £1,099.00 to £824.00.

What would you go for? Want it to be comfortable, but fast.

Thanks.

Comments

  • rogerthecat
    rogerthecat Posts: 669
    The Focus, better gear range also sporting a 105 Groupset rather than a Tiagra.
  • ceeque
    ceeque Posts: 52
    am so tempted by the Felt, mainly because of the comfort factor/frame shape ....
  • edeverett
    edeverett Posts: 224
    "Looking to do some longer tour rides..."

    In that case I'd question the suitability of either bike as the don't appear to have mounts for either mudguards or a rack. I doubt the frames can fit slightly larger tyres either.

    You might not think you'll want mudguards, but after a full day riding in the freezing rain (which is inevitable if you do some sort of touring) it's the sort of thing that can make the difference between wanting to go home and riding the next day.

    I don't know how you ride, but make sure you are getting a bike that actually fits your needs not just a nice discount.
  • nickyboy7
    nickyboy7 Posts: 1
    I bought the Felt Z45 before xmas for £980 and thought that was great value. At £880 that's amazing value. This is my first road bike after doing loads of research. I agonized over groupsets, frame geometry, Italian exotica vs german vs US bikes. In the end I decided on the Felt because the frame is the most important bit of the bike. Groupsets etc can be upgraded and after reading reviews, comments etc the differnece between Tiagra and 105 is apparently barely noticable. The felt Z45 frame is high modulus carbon, single monocoque- i.e. what you see on much more expensive bikes. To keep the price affordable, they use Tiagra which is no bad thing. The bike has exceeded my expectations - nice and light, comfortable but stiff and fast. wheels are very solid for training etc and in about 6 months to a year I will upgrade to lighter wheels. The Focus looked good, but probably not as good a frame and more set up for out and out racing. You don't see too many Felts around and that appealed also- the bike also looks superb in the flesh- great carbbon frame, forks and seat post! I didn't try before I bought and took a risk, but luckily it fitted fine. Speak to Wiggle etc first if you are worried, they're pretty helpful. anyway, give me a shout if you want to know anything else.

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