Commute on a Focus?

russello

As a new joiner of Bike Radar, and having waded through various "What Bike?" moments, I've had my head turned by the reviews and current offer for the Focus Cayo 105 on Wiggle.

This will be my first real road bike, but I want to use if for commutimg 20 miles per day from SE London/Kent into London.

I've looked at the Specialized Allez and Roubaix due to ride height and reported forgiving ride, but could do with an opinion or two on whether a cardon framed Focus could be a bit much for a first road bike being used for a London commute.

Any advice really appreciated.

Steve_b77

Can't se any reason not to.

Maybe fit some Crud Road Racers and a set of Conti Gator Skin tryes.

It's a bike afterall

russello

Thanks Steve

Just need the snow to melt and get going.

redvision

i have a cayo 09 and i love it! however, it does have a very race orientated frame and set up, so just bare that in mind.

just a word tho, if you are getting one for commuting is it worth spending a nearly a grand given the current conditions? the salt and cr@p at this time of year will rot the components.
you may do better to look at the raleigh avanti on wiggle, down from £1000 to £600.

If you do go with the cayo i guarantee you will love it! its an amazing bike. just make sure you wash it down after your commute (in winter).

cougie

It is a nice bike - but not really an ideal commuter.

I'd be looking at a bike thats a bit cheaper - has room for mudguards and lights to be fitted.
You will need to buy all the riding kit to go with it - and that will be another few hundred probably.

As a weekend ride or summer commute - fine - but not really a good all year round.

I'd go for more of workhorse bike (certainly at the moment) and maybe thing about getting a summer bike later on in the year.

20 miles a day is doable on any bike really.

Up to you really though.

lifecyclist2010

Only thing i would say that if its your first road bike i would go to your local bike shop and get some advice from them, buy it from them and start building a good relationship...they are then more likely to do free jobs and emergency things for you as and when you need it.

nolf

RussellO wrote:

As a new joiner of Bike Radar, and having waded through various "What Bike?" moments, I've had my head turned by the reviews and current offer for the Focus Cayo 105 on Wiggle.

This will be my first real road bike, but I want to use if for commutimg 20 miles per day from SE London/Kent into London.

I've looked at the Specialized Allez and Roubaix due to ride height and reported forgiving ride, but could do with an opinion or two on whether a cardon framed Focus could be a bit much for a first road bike being used for a London commute.

Any advice really appreciated.

I;'d start with something a bit cheaper, have a look at an audax bike- they're still fast with sinny tyres, good handling and fairly light.
2 main benefits to this, an audax bikes will be equipped with mudguards and built a bit more robustly than a pure racer, better for commuting miles and rainy miles.

Secondly if you do upgrade, you can justify getting a nice and shiyn bike, as you've already got something robust for rubbish weather.

blorg

I'd generally say no, don't use a Focus Cayo for a commute, use something a bit cheaper, but 20 miles each way is long enough I think the Cayo would be perfectly justified.

If someone said they wanted to pop out for an hour spin on their Cayo twice a day I think that wouldn't sound so weird.

Steve_b77

Saying that and taking into account the later posts a cheaper rigid hybrid may be a good idea for riding to work although at 20 miles they may be a fair bit slower.

I run a Boardman Hybrid Comp for my commuting hack, it's fitted with 28mm Maxxis Detonators tyres, SKS chromo-plastic guards front & rear, topeak rear rack, it probably weighs in at 30lbs when I've got my work gear in the Pannier but it's fine for my 9 mile each way hack through central london.

The 36H wheels and disc brakes help too.

When I get on my roadie (Raleigh Airlite U6 Race) it feels so damm quick it's mad

blackhands

I used to commute about 15 miles into the city every day from Bexley and used an old 6 speed mountain bike on which by using bar ends I could get my position almost the same as on my road bike. With slicks I could average about 17mph (about 18mph on my road bike.) It had a pannier rack so that on Mondays I could take all the clothes I needed for the rest of the week. I was in my mid 50s then but found I could keep up with most people on road bikes.

Not Another Hill

I've a Cayo and it is a fantastic bike. I don't however use it for commuting apart from the odd sunny summer day when I don't have to carry anything to work or back. You'll be restricted to carrying everything you need in a rucksack which isn't ideal. I converted my MTB to a commute bike along with rigid fork, slicks, full 'guards and rack so that I could comfortably carry stuff. The wider tyres and tough wheels ensure that potholes etc don't cause problems. My commute is only 4 miles though and 20 miles on a 30lb bike wouldn't be ideal.

phreak

I've got the same bike and it is a lovely machine. I used a Giant 1.5 for commuting though as it's a bit more ruggid, leaving the Focus in good shape for when it's needed.

morstar

I was commuting between 22 and 44 miles perday for 3 years using a ridgeback (now genesis) road 02. Alu frame, carbon fork. Not a hybrid as such but a road bike with flat bars.

I specifically wanted the flat bar for the urban elements of the ride and I never regretted the decision. Reckon the split second faster braking saved me umpteen times. Only got taken out once and that was by a passenger door when I was in a cycle lane passing cars.

At £500 the bike is absolutely perfect for the job. Comfortable, fast and hardy enough to take a bit of stick. The roads I covered were dreadful.

Still functions as my winter trainer and will hopefully joined by a new carbon machine for the summer.

If you're only ever likely to own one road bike, I can see the appeal of going for drop bars but, if it is most likely going to be spending 90% of it's working life as a commuter, I'd strongly recommend a straight bar machine.

Headhuunter

I've got an 07 Cayo and it's been brilliant. I don't use it for commuting because it's my "special weekend" bike for club rides, but there's no reason why you shouldn't commut on one if you're happy with road bike geometry and body position. To be honest the Cayo has a more sportive orientated geometry anyway, it's not strictly a hardcore racer or time trialler.

You cuold go with something cheaper like a hybrid of some sorts but Wiggle is doing good deals on Cayos at the moment so if yuo can get one at the same price you would pay for some hybrid, I would go for it. I commute on a road bike with race geometry, steel 531c tubing, no mudguards or panniers, stripped back to the bare minimum and I find it perfect, but it depends on whether you are more comfortable with mudguards, panniers and flat bars with a more "heads up" riding position.

prawny

If it's what you want why not. I ride a Boardman Road Comp 20 miles each way, you can get some pretty big seatpacks these days, mine is 12l enough for clothes (shoes and trousers stay at work) , lunch and tools. I didn't even get any guards until christmas and I used it all last year.

It's not great at the moment though, if you're planning on riding all year round snow and all you'd be better off with something that puts your weight a bit further back and has better brakes. Croix de Fer or a hybrid or something. That said it doesn't snow that often, there's always the train for a couple of weeks.

Headhuunter

I've been riding in London continuously through this weather on the aforementionde 531c framed road bike and have had no problem - main roads in London are pretty much ice free, just a bit wet. I suppose out in the sticks a road bike may be less useful...

blorg

Winter conditions are worth considering all right, I am commuting on my MTB at the moment in the snow but like wider tyres in general for the winter (have 700x35c on my commuter.) Having said that I was on 700x23s or x25s all last winter (excepting snow) without too many problems.

Actually if it is 20 miles total, e.g. 10 miles each way, I would consider a dedicated (and cheaper) commuter. 20 miles each way would be Cayo territory.

fnegroni

Not Another Hill wrote:

I've a Cayo and it is a fantastic bike. I don't however use it for commuting apart from the odd sunny summer day when I don't have to carry anything to work or back. You'll be restricted to carrying everything you need in a rucksack which isn't ideal. I converted my MTB to a commute bike along with rigid fork, slicks, full 'guards and rack so that I could comfortably carry stuff. The wider tyres and tough wheels ensure that potholes etc don't cause problems. My commute is only 4 miles though and 20 miles on a 30lb bike wouldn't be ideal.

I am in the same situation, converted my old MTB and to be honest, it has been fine on my 25 mile round trip commute with panniers.

And in this lousy weather, it's great to be able to shop for food without getting stuck in the shop's car park!