Focus Cayo or Felt z25???

Westerberg

I'm looking for a step up from my Alu 105 gruppo steed which has done me great for 1 year. Need a 'special bike' for Sportives and Sunday rides. I'm very taken by either of these 2:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Felt_Z25_2009/5360038956/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Cayo_Expert_SRAM_2009/5360037586/

Both seems to be very highly thought of and both heavily discounted.

Anyone with any observations or personal experiences?

Cheers

itchieritchie

Hey mate,

never ridden a Felt but only hear good things about them.

I have a Focus myself, check out the extensive review here;

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... t-07-21271

As you can probably tell I was pretty pleased with my purchase...!!

Seems to me that the Felt will be more comfortable, a touch bit lighter and I'd say the carbon fibre is better quality too. BUT...it'll definitely be less aero and if you want to do any racing, you'll get a better tuck on the Focus Cayo.

Tell you what else. You can't try the Cayo, but you may be able to get the Felt under your legs if you get yourself down to the LBS.

One thing's for sure. At that price, if it doesn't feel magic, you've got the wrong bike so go for the other one.

Hope that helps, probs about as much use to you as a chocolate fireguard but let me know how you get on...!! ;-))

galatzo

I opted for the Chorus version and it was a close run thing as I like the look of the Sram levers but having a full Chorus groupset swung it for me. Is it the compact chainset that's has made you go for Sram over Campag ? I was using a compact and went back to standard with the Chorus and haven't really noticed the difference due to the 27 on the back (did have a 25 on the rear with the compact). The 27 doesn't look any different to the 25 either - nobody wants to be seen with a dinnerplate of a rear cassette !
No complaints with the bike at all. Gears were perfect out of the box and haven't needed adjusting yet (got it at the end of August). I've changed everything apart from the frame, forks and groupset to bits off my old bike I preferred. Bars and seatpost are basic and I wanted a black stem. Saddle is good, I just like my SLR. Sold the wheels (which were fine, but my Easton Ascent II are better) and the rest as brand new to go towards paying for it. Nothing wrong with finishing kit on it I just knew what I wanted.
Not gonna give you all the siff, responsive, compliant, bull, I'll just say I love it. Plenty comfy. Did a 90miler the day after it came and felt fine. Previous bikes include De Rosa, Isaac and TCR and it's as good as all them.
If you get either of the Cayo options there a great price as is the felt. I'd sell the wheels off whichever you choose (or save them as trainers) and get some better ones. I noticed the difference with mine straight away, save you 300grams if your that way inclined too.
Wiggle do allow you to try the bike for a week on any brand now and send it back if not happy as long as its undamaged, they then sell them as demos so keep an eye on that catergory.
Go for Chorus - you won't be dissapointed.

Westerberg

thanks for the advice guys.

I don't have much extra to spare for upgrades so might have to make do with the wheels that come with the bike. There are a few that are very similar, the top end one just about within price range:

Expert Sram: Mavic Ksyrium Equipe: £15730
Expert Chorus: Fulcrum Racing 5 £1686.75
Expert Compac (Ultegra)t: Aksium Clincher: £1750
Pro Dura Ace: DT Swiss R-1900 £1819.35

Not sure if there's much difference with the Wheelsets?.

I favour a 'racier' setup so I think prob the Expert Sram, Expert Compact or Expert Pro might be good bets.

I favoured the Sram version simply cos I'd heard so many good things about Sram Red. I don't know mich about Chorus - is it of equivalent quality (aside from personal preference issues)? I use Shimano currently.

galatzo

C+ said Chorus 11speed was the best groupset they've ever tested.
Wiggle do buy now pay next year interest free so if your a bit short you could do that.
You can make interim payments if you want or you could pay a really big first payment say £1200 then you'd have some left for new wheels.
Checkout the Izalco ex demo Wiggle have. Brilliant spec and it's in green too ! (well I like it).
Not much to choose between the groupsets however the Sram isn't a full set and has some Force and lower spec included.
Its the shift action that will decide it for you. Try LBS or see if someone will let you have a go on a Sram or Campag bike.

Westerberg

Thanks Galatzo - interesting news on the payment options.

Ohh - the Izalco is a beauty! little bit out of my league - i wonder if it will come down in price (if no-one else sees it - shhhh)

Clockworkali

Hi

If its any help, i got a Cayo 105 yesterday (couldnt quite stretch to the cayo expert) and the quality and overall finish of the frame is outstanding. I decided to go for the cayo as its got quite a short head tube which will be quite handy for getting low on my tri bars. Also the service from wiggle was great and the bike came in a massive box with only the handle bars to put on. I would just order the one you want and if its not what you expected just send it back as they do a 7 day test ride.