Focus Cayo versus Planet X SL Pro Carbon SRAM Red deal

spamheid

Hi All,

I want to order a bike this weekend. I intend to get back into cycling and want to do several decent rides a week (10-20 miles building up to 30-50 miles at a time).

My budget is £1000 but I can stretch to £1200 for a great deal. I have three options (links below) and would appreciate the thoughts of more experienced riders/bike owners.

Planet X SL Pro Carbon SRAM Red:
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... n-sram-red

Focus Cayo 105 Compact 2010:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus ... 360045299/

Focus Cayo Expert Compact 2010:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus ... 360045301/

Any advice welcomed.

Cheers

nax-ian

Beware the Sram deal, all is not as it seems!

bazbadger

The PX is a good bike (I have one) but the frame has been around for donkeys and whilst light, the front end can be twitchy.

The SRAM Red offer is only for the shifters, rear mech and front mech, rest is a dogs dinner. To me the brakes are a key part - and you don't get the RED ones.

I think if you want to build a frameset up - the PX is worth considering, but since you are choosing a complete bike I would personally go for the Focus Expert. Ultegra is top notch and you get more of the groupset than with PX too. On top of this you get BB30 and the 30 days test ride from WIggle.

PS the current PX pantjob sucks.

daveplanetx

some interesting points , just to comment - when speccing carbon bikes down towards the 1000 pound price point there is usually a need to "chop out some fat" and in both the planet x and focus you can see where its been done - in my mind of course clearly we believe the planet x to be better value and better specced , but a detailed analysis can see which model has better parts in which area

the px sram red spec includes sram red shifters , front mech and rear mech - cranks are fsa gossamer compact and brakes are planet x forged - these brakes are a forged version of our cnc brakes which we sell lots of (same power , few grams heavier, probably stronger) , and they were extremely well rated by bikeradar (i think)when marketed under the Kurve brand -
(http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... eset-31673 and http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/bike-revie ... /4288.html).

So I think theres not a lot in the specs of brakes / cranks between the 1299 focus and the 1099 px sram red , youd have to say sram red shifters / gears trump , ultegra , unless your a shimano stalwart)

the focus ultegra also isnt a complete group - fsa energy cranks are one model up from gossamers , and mavic aksium wheels are lets just say at almost 2kg robust
Tyres on the focus are very nice ultremo folding and the prologo nago saddle is a lovely saddle - so on tyres and probably saddle the focus is winning the spec battle) .


I think we are still able to spec a 999 ultegra sl bike and well be getting our shimnano specs tweaked next week , plus of course theres campagnolo and we have an 11 speed athena procarbon coming with khamsin wheels at circa 1100 or 1200). The campag bikes is actually full campagnolo groupset with no fat chopped out .







The SRAM Red offer is only for the shifters, rear mech and front mech, rest is a dogs dinner. To me the brakes are a key part - and you don't get the RED ones.

I think if you want to build a frameset up - the PX is worth considering, but since you are choosing a complete bike I would personally go for the Focus Expert. Ultegra is top notch and you get more of the groupset than with PX too. On top of this you get BB30 and the 30 days test ride from WIggle.

STEFANOS4784

P-X at that price point, no choice and i even skipped Dave's blurb

itchieritchie

I actually bought a Focus Izalco Expert in 2008 with full Campag Chorus gruppo. Bloody marvellous bike, comfy, fast and light.

Not tried a Ribble, but I hear only good things about them too.

I'm selling my bike as I just haven't used it since the 2008 London Tri so let me know if you might be interested in second hand. Very good nick and quite a few additions to it.

Focus is always great value, go for the Cayo I reckon. Only thing I would say that the Ribbles always have the edge with is looks - they're undeniably sexier IMO...!!

Good luck and let us know which way you go!

STEFANOS4784

HAS ANY-ONE ACTUALLY BOUGHT A BIKE THEY'RE DISAPPOINTED WITH RECENTLY????????????????? OTHER THAN THE USUAL BAD LUCK/CUSTOMER SERVICE ISSUES. Look at the spec and buy the P-X imo...............

syncro

I've just bought a Cayo Expert and really like it. It's very good value at it's list price (£1750). So at £1299 it's a steal!!

flanners1

Had a Cayo, still have the PX SL. No contest for the money the PX. Cayo is a harsh/hard ride IMO, nice bike though and frame is well made, just not worth the extra.

pabosotf

I am also looking for a bike around the £1K mark and had narrowed it down to Boardman Team Carbon, Cayo, or Planet X. The Boardman just went up to £1200 as I was about to order it. I have been very close to ordering the Cayo but though I would monitor the stocks and wait a while just in case the expert came down in price a little. There was no stock of the Planet X SL Cabron frame in my size and I was told approximately 6 weeks wait for a frame which would appear to be this batch.

From a quick google a full RED groupset appears to cost virtually £1000, so I cant see that you will ever get a decent bike with full RED set for £1100, you cant supply a carbon frame, wheels and all the other components needed to build a full bike for £100 :shock: .

Just to mention also the OP stated that his buget is £1000 and could stretch to £1200 for the right deal, the Cayo Expert is £1300, so above his stretched buget. Is the Planet X worth £100 more than the standard Cayo? Is the Expert worth £200 more than the Planet X? I

I think the frame in both Cayo's is the same, is it a better quality frame than the Planet X one and is the BB30 important to have?

There are 3 Planet X deals for £1099, what is the best quality / value for money? SRAM RED, SRAM Rival or Campag Athena?

Gazzaputt

Flanners1 wrote:

Had a Cayo, still have the PX SL. No contest for the money the PX. Cayo is a harsh/hard ride IMO, nice bike though and frame is well made, just not worth the extra.

Cayo is an excellent frame and harsh is stiff. Better power transfer and not anywhere near the flex you get in a Planet X frame.

The Focus frame and forks is imo well worth the extra ££££ over the Planet X

spamheid

Hi All,

Thanks for all your esponses. Seems it is between the Cayo Expert and the PX. Even the poll is deadlocked. I have pretty much given up on the standar Cayo - would like to avoid the 105's.

The PX is probably edging it at the minute, but now a bit confused about whethe to go for the SRAM Red (limited), the Campag Athena or the cheaper Ultegra (not sue if it is the Sl or the 6700). However the Cayo Expert looks nicer to me but I just noticed it is out of stock in my size at the £1299 price! May be a good thing....at this point in life a very stiff frame may do me more harm than good, not been on a race bike for a few years and can't afford the botox to plump up my scrotum!

As Dave from PX says the guts of the SRAM Red are there and it would be cheaper in th elong run to improve the frame.

Any firther comments appreciated.

Cheers.

daveplanetx

we do have a showroom full of display bikes not on the website in a mix of specs , if your interested mail me your size and i might be able to find you a bargain that you can have right away
dave@planet-x-bikes.com

flanners1

Gazzaputt wrote:

Flanners1 wrote:

Had a Cayo, still have the PX SL. No contest for the money the PX. Cayo is a harsh/hard ride IMO, nice bike though and frame is well made, just not worth the extra.

Cayo is an excellent frame and harsh is stiff. Better power transfer and not anywhere near the flex you get in a Planet X frame.

The Focus frame and forks is imo well worth the extra ££££ over the Planet X

Yes fine for racing but not for big Sportives or cycling enjoyment, far too harsh. It is however all subjective isn't it?

Focus were a veritable bargain when I got mine don't feel they are as good VFM anymore. Aesthetically the frame styling is poor.

Back to back riding I favour the PX and it's 'flex' for I am no Thor Hushod nor counting seconds. For most of us here all these bikes are far and beyond what we need surely? It comes down to styling, VFM, ride and how you feel or what you want to spend....Both great bikes.

gsk82

love my cayo. done 100miles plus on it numerous times with no problems, i've also started racing on it this year as well.

i'd reconsider your dislike of 105, general concensus seems to be that its no less a groupset than ultrega other than been a bit heavier, people on here certainly don't indicate that there's a noticable difference in performance.

letap73

Can I throw a curve ball for my first ever post?

How about this then:

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/giant ... ed_3_.html

I have one of these, it is very comfy and handles very well which I think is down to an excellent carbon frameset which is maybe better than both the cayo and ther planet x although they probably have superior componentry.

bendertherobot

Flanners1 wrote:

Aesthetically the frame styling is poor.

.

In what respect?

bendertherobot

bazbadger

Credit to Dave from Planet X for pitching in on here.

PX are good to deal with - that should be said.

PX are bring out the Pro SL in new paint job (red I think) with new graphics so that's good, though I'm not sure if that means they are discontinuing the Pink version

Whichever you choose - you'll end up with a good bike.

bendertherobot - that looks grand.

spamheid

Hi All,

Thanks for all of your input, advice and votes.

It looks like I'll be opting for a PX. Sveral reasons.

1. The Focus sounds a bit stiff for a fat returner to cycling like me
2. I am more lilkely to upgrade a frame than an entire groupset in the future
3. The Focus Cayo Expert isn't avaible in my size (the team carbon is too expenisve)

and

4. Dave from PX has been very good to deal with

Thanks again, I'll be sure to update on how my quest ends and how the new bike works out.

Cheers.

prawny

bendertherobot wrote:

That really is lovely.

jimbomay

So I was decided on the PX Campag, I went online to order it today (after waiting several weeks for it to be restocked) and then noticed the PX Red.

At my level I dont know if I will really get to feel much difference, but I am riding more and improving all the time, and so I want a bike with components that I will grow into rather than need to upgrade.

So what bike would you lot prefer>?

James

mudslinger

I've just received my Cayo 105 & took it out for a 20 mile ride yesterday. Spent the first half getting used to 105 compared to Sora but still beat my previous best time by just over a minute. This is only my 2nd road bike so haven't got much to compare to but I found it extremely responsive especially going uphill & absorbed the road vibrations much better than my other bike. I was slightly concerned that this frame might be a bit harsh for long rides but based on this ride it seems extremely comfortable. I'm off to South West France tomorrow & am taking the Cayo so can go for some long rides towards the Pyranees.

I wouldn't dismiss the 105 groupset as it is very good & fairly standard on £1K bikes. Also you may need to budget for decent shorts & other accesories.

Good luck but whichever you choose will be a great bike.

spamheid

Hi again,

Thanks mudslinger, hope the cayo works out in the hills down there.

I ordered a PX today (before your post!).

Big thanks to Dave from PX who came up with an excellent deal for me and put me onto Andy at Bike Science Bristol. Couldn't have asked for better service so far. I have ended up with the PX SL Pro Carbon with full SRAM red (except the cassette and calipers - good alts though). It'll be here next week, will let you all know how I get on.

Thanks again for all your input, much obliged.

This place is an excellent resource for novices like me.

Cheers

bazbadger

Excellent!

You'll have to post some pics for us all now

STEFANOS4784

I don't remember posting either of those comments :?

I really need to lay off the communion wine :oops:

dUNC

Spamheid, have they got new stock in then, or did the the old stock fit you?

I disagree that they're so great to do business with TBH but maybe my expectations may be too high. I didn't get much/very good advice re: sizing - having now got the bike and had it fitted by Racescene, the handlebars were far too narrow and the overall length too long so I've had to replace stem and handlebars. Fair enough they're not going to get it right over the internet, but my sizes were pretty inline with average and they could have shown some interest rather than referring me to the (poor) FAQ on their website all the time.

When the bike arrived (in blue) they'd packed it badly with the handlebars resting on the top tube without padding (thus cracking it) in transit so it had to go back. Turned out they had no more stock other than pink which I wasn't happy about, so was told I'd have to wait 6 weeks or upgrade to a Nanolight. They then found a black frame from "somewhere" which I've now got (over 2 weeks after the return, which was a fairly slow turnaround). And the black looks very poo compared to the blue IMO, but I'm trying to tell myself that I love it

Still, once it's been adapted, etc it'll be a quality bike and I'm sure you'll like yours too. I went with PX based on all these "great customer service" comments but in my experience I didn't think they were particularly hot stuff (not super bad either, just a bit meh).

spamheid

Hi Dunc,

Sorry to hear about your time.

I think the bike I got was one of the ones they had left over from a previous build. It is a medium black. I haven't bothered with the fitting etc as I haven't sat on a race bike for several years, I'lll probably look into sorting that out after a few months of getting into it again.

I await delivery of the bike (next week) will let you know how it goes.

Cheers,