Focus Variado Expert Compact 2010

StanwaySteve62

plus of course 105 is 10 speed

alim0229

Apologies for the awful typo's in my post - used voice dictation without much luck!

What would be the bottom line be then

Focus Variado Expert

or a similarly priced non-sale item bike eg.

Allez 16 or 24
Trek 1.2

night_porter

If you liked the Specialized with 105 then it is the same 105 that will be on the Focus but I am guessing the Focus is cheaper.

For those who know lots about these types of bikes then by all means buy online and use the 30 day test period to decide if it is the bike for you.

However, if you feel you need the local bike shop to help with fitting the bike to you, making adjustments when things have bedded in, guide you with all the other related Road Cycling things, etc. then buy from them and steer clear of distance purchasing.

Saving money by reducing direct customer services is best left to people buying their 2nd, 3rd, n+1 bikes. Who know exactly what they are looking for and their experience can feel if everything is right.

For someone in your shoes I would recommend the Specialized from a real person and just get the one that fits your budget and don't worry what groupset is on it.

All aluminium Allez's have the same frames so you could always upgrade to a more expensive groupset when you have ridden enough miles to wear out the original ones.

antlaff

Just to throw another good bike offer in - CRC have reduced the BeOne Briza with full 105 kit to £630 - only 55 size though
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=45888

bendertherobot

alim0229 wrote:

Apologies for the awful typo's in my post - used voice dictation without much luck!

What would be the bottom line be then

Focus Variado Expert

or a similarly priced non-sale item bike eg.

Allez 16 or 24
Trek 1.2

Simple really.

The 105 Variado is £599

and the 105 Allez is £1299

Over twice the price.

pantsani

Got one as a winter bike, turned up yesterday, looks the business, did a quick 30 miler - seems a nice ride - bargain for £599.

father_jack

£600 is bargain for 105 kit, noticed price of bikes has gone up considerably. Seen some £600 Sora bikes! Tiagra are easily £600 if not some around £800, or maybe more if it's a big name brand.

southernfriedchicken2001

Took delivery of my bike today - very impressed!

After some quick tinkering and adjusting (thanks Phil!) and replacing two inner tubes (first one popped when inflating it and the second pinched) I managed to get a few minutes riding in.

Such a different experience from my hybrid but after a few minutes it felt like I'd been riding it for ages and I even managed to unclip my feet in time. Just.

Big_Ste

Am i too heavy for one of these at 20 stone? Im currently dropping weight whilst doing the 30mile commute on my Kona Hoss MTB (with slick tyres). I've been looking at getting a roadie, and at £600 this looks a bargain!

So am i going to flatten one at my weight? Should i hold off and wait until ive lost a bit more blubber? I could just buy one and put it away in the conservatory until im lighter maybe....?

Buckled_Rims

Big_Ste wrote:

Am i too heavy for one of these at 20 stone? Im currently dropping weight whilst doing the 30mile commute on my Kona Hoss MTB (with slick tyres). I've been looking at getting a roadie, and at £600 this looks a bargain!

So am i going to flatten one at my weight? Should i hold off and wait until ive lost a bit more blubber? I could just buy one and put it away in the conservatory until im lighter maybe....?

It might be too late, there's only a few sizes left. I doubt you'd flatten one, but I'd probably suggest you put 25mm tyres on to help.

father_jack

What's the difference between cayo and variado?

Buckled_Rims

Father Jack wrote:

What's the difference between cayo and variado?

There frames are Carbon Fibre and Aluminum respectively.

Tony Mc

Buckled_Rims wrote:

Big_Ste wrote:

Am i too heavy for one of these at 20 stone? Im currently dropping weight whilst doing the 30mile commute on my Kona Hoss MTB (with slick tyres). I've been looking at getting a roadie, and at £600 this looks a bargain!

So am i going to flatten one at my weight? Should i hold off and wait until ive lost a bit more blubber? I could just buy one and put it away in the conservatory until im lighter maybe....?

It might be too late, there's only a few sizes left. I doubt you'd flatten one, but I'd probably suggest you put 25mm tyres on to help.

I dithered and missed out :roll:

what next for the winter trainer ?

father_jack

^always the SRAM Force £1400 Team model ;-)

KingCustard

Well, I was absolutely loving my Variado - until this evening.

0.6 miles from home (thankfully not more) changed down a gear & the rear mech sheared off where it fixes to the frame.

Any thoughts on what Wiggle are likely to do about it? I don't want to be off the road for too long or I'll lose what little fitness I've built up.

redvision

KingCustard wrote:

Well, I was absolutely loving my Variado - until this evening.

0.6 miles from home (thankfully not more) changed down a gear & the rear mech sheared off where it fixes to the frame.

Any thoughts on what Wiggle are likely to do about it? I don't want to be off the road for too long or I'll lose what little fitness I've built up.

wiggle are pretty good. when i had my focus from them last year there were a couple of issues and wiggle arranged collection, sorted the bike and redelivered within 7 days.

KingCustard

Just sent them an email, so hopefully I can get it sorted asap. I know they pride themselves on their CS. Annoying thing is that they've just processed my order for a Camelbak bottle, rainproof jacket, & thermal SaxoBank LS jersey today!

father_jack

hmm something to remember if I buy a bike, check all bolts.

Big_Ste

Gutted...was going to place my order tonight for the last 60cm they were showing. Just had a look and they're now all sold out

father_jack

The Focus Cayo Team Replica 2010 is available in 60cm ;-)

Big_Ste

Id be scared of snapping that lovely carbon frame with my 20stone bulk! ;(

Steve I

There may be a 56cm (large) one of these going back on sale soon as I am returning mine. I knew the wheels would be cheap, but even then I was surprised just how heavy the front one was. Just 400g lighter than my disc equipped, 2.1" tyred, mtb front wheel! As a comparison I weighed a budget Shimano RS10 front wheel complete with 23mm tyre and it was 300g lighter than the Focus' wheel.

The real disappointment for me was the standard of welding on the frame. Around the bottom bracket area the welding is sloppy and untidy. Not enough filler material has been used at the top seat tube junction, meaning I can feel some undercut at the ends of the seat tubes. The welding is nowhere near the standard on my Specialized and Kona bikes. The frame stickers look a bit cheap with a few bubbles visible. Bike Radar were correct in saying the bike looked cheap, it does.

In my opinion a 105 groupset does not compensate for a poorly welded frame and cheap, heavy wheels. I'd rather have a Tiagra group with a nicer frame. I'll be looking at the Giant Defy or Cannondale Caad 8.

zebulon

On my bike (a medium sized) the welding is very well done, consistent, and there are no bubbles under the decoration. I am wondering if we are talking of the same bike Maybe the quality check is not consistent?

KingCustard

Monday it will be 5 weeks since my derailleur snapped, & I've still not had my Variado back from Wiggle. It was allegedly despatched on Wednesday.

Have to say that I'm not overly impressed with Wiggle's allegedly great customer service...

Gazzaputt

Steve I wrote:

There may be a 56cm (large) one of these going back on sale soon as I am returning mine. I knew the wheels would be cheap, but even then I was surprised just how heavy the front one was. Just 400g lighter than my disc equipped, 2.1" tyred, mtb front wheel! As a comparison I weighed a budget Shimano RS10 front wheel complete with 23mm tyre and it was 300g lighter than the Focus' wheel.

The real disappointment for me was the standard of welding on the frame. Around the bottom bracket area the welding is sloppy and untidy. Not enough filler material has been used at the top seat tube junction, meaning I can feel some undercut at the ends of the seat tubes. The welding is nowhere near the standard on my Specialized and Kona bikes. The frame stickers look a bit cheap with a few bubbles visible. Bike Radar were correct in saying the bike looked cheap, it does.

In my opinion a 105 groupset does not compensate for a poorly welded frame and cheap, heavy wheels. I'd rather have a Tiagra group with a nicer frame. I'll be looking at the Giant Defy or Cannondale Caad 8.

Strange as my 2009 Variado the welds are perfect on it.

I would have expected an RS10 wheel to be quite lighter than that supplied as standard.

At the end of the day RS10 do have an RRP of £175 and normally are seen on £1500+ bikes

bendertherobot

Been using mine all week (last Variado in stock? took a while for the voucher to get sorted).

Great bike. YES, it's heavy. Of course it is. Part of that's the frame, most of it's the wheels.

Gonna run it next week with my RS80's to see what it's like with them on there.

As far as ligthtening it I have done the following:

Better tyres, Ultremo DD, removed around 150g or so.

Getting new stem and bars (3T stuff) cos I prefer that, reckon on saving another 300g or so there.

So up to about 450g so far. Should take it a shade under the 9kg mark at that point. Around 8.3kg if I put my RS80's on there.

So, it's really those wheels. Bombproof but heavy.

But hey? You could probably hock them for £60-£70 and get some light wheels for just over the £100 mark easily enough.

And my Variado was £568.

Show me a bike as good at that price.

bendertherobot

New bars came today. Staggering how heavy the others were. Stem didn't arrive but I expect a similar tale there.

Front end already hugely lighter just with new bars. Bike feels much more lively, can't wait for the stem! (3T in black/white).

Think I'll plump for some Fulcrum 5's in black/red at some point.

Total saving will be around 1kg in weight for a £200 spend. Total cost £750 or so to get a 105 bike to around 8.5kg levels.

someeric

Hi everyone, I bought a Focus Variado as my first road bike about three months ago.

The bike is definitely not light with pedals, saddlebag and a compact pump (close to 10kg), the handling was good, the frame feels solid and strong but welds are very average.

The Rodi Stylus back wheel was visibly out of true after 200km (I am a relatively heavy rider weight 83kg), despite its heavy weight. I am awaiting my Fulcrumm R5 wheels to come.

I am also considering getting lighter seat post, stem and handlebar to bring it down to around 8.5kg. Any suggestions what I should get?

bendertherobot

Well, you could start with the post above?

someeric

Hey Bendertherobot, thanks very much, it seems we are doing similar upgrades however I have to do it bit by bit due to budget constraints

bendertherobot, do let us know if your bike reached 8.5kg after all your upgrades!

In terms of parts, eventually I wish to get rid of all the "Concept" stuff which seems to be a low cost alternative comparing to higher models, unless someone can tell me they have good experience with them?