Are Focus really that good?

tim_wand

I m back in the market for a new bike. I picked up a copy of C plus at the Airport on my way on Hols and now to the original question.

The Focus Izalco pro Won C plus bike of the year in last months issue.

This months issue has the Izalco Erogride 4 winning a sportive grouptest with 4.5 stars and Focus Cayo EVO 2.0 winning a UDI2 test with 4.5 stars.

I ve only ever riden a Cayo 105 descent enough bike , but it didnt blow me away. This was back in the days when Focus was considered just a value online brand from Wiggle.

Have things really changed that much. Focus' seems to win every test it touches in C plus at the moment, or are they just contributing more to advertising at Future Publications than every one else?

Would normally have posted in road buying advice, but without being arrogant I know how to choose a bike, I m just a bit suspect about how One brand tends to be flavour of the month with all the testers in a certain Magazine all of a sudden.

I will endeavour to get a test ride (Or are they still just on line) as I like the look of the Ergoride.

GiantMike

I can't really feel the difference between different bikes. A powertap assessment lets me know which one seems to be more efficient and one seems to be a bit faster, but without the stats I couldn't tell the difference.

Don't forget, it's not about the bike. Cycling is getting so expensve because people think it is.

Peddle Up!

Decide for yourself.

alihisgreat

I Generally find C+ to be pretty good with their reviews -> My Giant Definitely does what they say it does... and they seem consistent with the ratings given by competitors.

GiantMike wrote:

I can't really feel the difference between different bikes. A powertap assessment lets me know which one seems to be more efficient and one seems to be a bit faster, but without the stats I couldn't tell the difference.

Don't forget, it's not about the bike. Cycling is getting so expensve because people think it is.

It is about the bike because you're going to enjoy it more if you're riding a light, fast, comfortable bike that handles well.

ShutUpLegs

As the OP says, they seem to have gone from value brand to best brand without actually changing much

RideOnTime

Peddle Up! wrote:

Decide for yourself.

Hocus Pocus... the lead singer is doing something very dodgy

Frank the tank

Frank "the cynical" Tank says:- Advertising revenue probably has more than a little influence in scores given, thing is it'll never be proven.

napoleond

Have a look at the price of UDi2 Canyons

Pross

Frank the tank wrote:

Frank "the cynical" Tank says:- Advertising revenue probably has more than a little influence in scores given, thing is it'll never be proven.

Beat me to it

monkeydan

ShutUpLegs wrote:

As the OP says, they seem to have gone from value brand to best brand without actually changing much

Doesn't the fact that they are such good value make them a good brand? I know very little about road bikes but had some test rides recently with a view to purchasing on in the near future. The Focus Cayo with 105 was by far the best bike I rode (in my opinion) and also the cheapest for the spec.

In other news, meh

ShutUpLegs

monkeydan wrote:

I know very little about road bikes

"

Ben6899

What NapD says. When I have cash to drop on my new Sunday best, it'll be a Canyon.

Gizmodo

Pross wrote:

Frank the tank wrote:

Frank "the cynical" Tank says:- Advertising revenue probably has more than a little influence in scores given, thing is it'll never be proven.

Beat me to it

+1

But I still like reading the reviews, but any bike in their top 10 has to be a good choice, probably a gnats whisker between them. Just buy the one that you like the look of is my motto. My next bike will have to be electronic shifting, but then I'm a nerd.

phreak

I've had a 105 for a few years and am generally very happy with it. Can't compare it with anything else, but as someone else has said I dare say you'll get more gains from training more/eating better than you will from worrying too much about your kit.

nathancom

Gizmodo wrote:

Pross wrote:

Frank the tank wrote:

Frank "the cynical" Tank says:- Advertising revenue probably has more than a little influence in scores given, thing is it'll never be proven.

Beat me to it

+1

But I still like reading the reviews, but any bike in their top 10 has to be a good choice, probably a gnats whisker between them. Just buy the one that you like the look of is my motto. My next bike will have to be electronic shifting, but then I'm a nerd.

Not sure about the whole electronic shifting thing. How easy are they going to be to maintain? Aren't we being dragged into a world of disposable parts when there is no need to move away from mechanical systems?

I wasn't massively impressed by the Focus Izalco when i tried it out but I it really is good value for money. Then again so are Mekks, Canyons, Boardmans etc.

tim_wand

Have similar concerns about electronic groupsets, Put a thread on here a while back about wether starting a bike Mechanic/Restoration business would prove difficult in the long term due to the sealed box/ Solid state nature of electronic groupsets.

As I stated then I can remember when I first started driving , Minis/ Mk2 Ford Escorts and the like , you could find your way round them with a set of ring spanners and an oily rag. Now a days unless your a tech with the right software youve no chance.

Saying this however , I m sure some clever bugger in the future will replicate the software for all to download.

Technology nowaday does however seem to lead to a culture of replace rather than repair.

In response to my own original post, I m defo sticking with a mechanical gruppo.

My original concern was best summed up by a response on here about how all off a sudden has Focus gone from Best Value brand to Best in test Brand, my limited riding experiences of their kit doesnt confer.

Cleat Eastwood

Theyve shut down by ours - only B&q open now.

Wirral_paul

tim wand wrote:

Have similar concerns about electronic groupsets, Put a thread on here a while back about wether starting a bike Mechanic/Restoration business would prove difficult in the long term due to the sealed box/ Solid state nature of electronic groupsets.

As I stated then I can remember when I first started driving , Minis/ Mk2 Ford Escorts and the like , you could find your way round them with a set of ring spanners and an oily rag. Now a days unless your a tech with the right software youve no chance.

In the good old days, cars used to break down with little niggling faults like burnt out points etc, but now they are generally incredibly reliable with most issues being down to faulty sensors etc. Harder to fix for the amateur but much less likely to happen.

I get the feeling that it will be the same with groupsets - and from all accounts they seem incredibly reliable. We'll all progress sooner or later to electronic groupsets on higher end bikes.

Only question for me is what will be the price point at which all new bikes have electric groupsets in 5 years time?? I'd say £2000+, maybe even £1500+

Frank the tank

Even if that becomes true, I would hope there would always be the good old cable option available.

RowCycle

I don't know if Focus are really good, but when I tried bikes in my price range, the Focus was the best value - had the best kit for the money - which probably made it the best. Whether their top-of-the-range bike is better than any other brands top-of-the-range bike I don't know.

rick_chasey

Ben6899 wrote:

What NapD says. When I have cash to drop on my new Sunday best, it'll be a Canyon.

I just did

tim_wand

No good without Pictures Rick (or are they in "YOUR ROAD BIKES SECTION) what with you being a mod?

or are just scared that NAP D and the OCP brigade will flame it?

tim_wand

Ah!!! Nice Box, get it built and pictured man.

Here was I feeling all lazy for not looking across on "Your Road Bikes" before prompting you to put pictures in the "wrong place" and you havent even got it out the box.

Whats up you still looking for a white garage door to lean it against in case Nap D picks on you?

rick_chasey

tim wand wrote:

Ah!!! Nice Box, get it built and pictured man.

Here was I feeling all lazy for not looking across on "Your Road Bikes" before prompting you to put pictures in the "wrong place" and you havent even got it out the box.

Whats up you still looking for a white garage door to lean it against in case Nap D picks on you?

Only got it late this morning.

Still at work innit?

pauldavid

I have a few friends who ride Focus bikes, they're all Tories and suggested I get one as well so we could all be in it together (the local focus owners group), most probably just the thing for you Timwand

tim_wand

pauldavid, Your fibbing, I know that any Tory Focus group will be too busy riding ex police horses lent to them by their media chums and eating the children of poor people to enjoy an innocent activity such as cycling.

Except Boris of course, he's ace and he makes me laugh, Even if he was in the Burlington Club with D.C

Frank the tank

tim wand wrote:

pauldavid, Your fibbing, I know that any Tory Focus group will be too busy riding ex police horses lent to them by their media chums and eating the children of poor people to enjoy an innocent activity such as cycling.

Except Boris of course, he's ace and he makes me laugh, Even if he was in the Burlington Club with D.C

Well, if anybody's gonna focus the tories will focus. :P

tim_wand

Classic Frank, Hows the hip obviously didnt remove the Humerus.

You back on the bike yet?

Frank the tank

Cheers Tim.

Funnily enough I experimentally climbed on the turbo today just to see if I would be able to do owt. It went well, pretty sure I'll get on it tommora light resistance, for a few minutes. All about small steps it lifted my spirits.

Aggieboy

Frank the tank wrote:

Cheers Tim.

Funnily enough I experimentally climbed on the turbo today just to see if I would be able to do owt. It went well, pretty sure I'll get on it tommora light resistance, for a few minutes. All about small steps it lifted my spirits.

Turbo!!!! Show Mrs Tank this -

NHS Hip recovery
How will it affect my sex life?

If you were finding sex difficult before because of pain, you may find that having the operation gives your sex life a boost. Your surgeon can advise when it is OK to have sex again. As long as you are careful, you should be able to have sex after six to eight weeks. Avoid vigorous sex and more extreme positions.

Frank the tank

Aggieboy wrote:

Frank the tank wrote:

Cheers Tim.

Funnily enough I experimentally climbed on the turbo today just to see if I would be able to do owt. It went well, pretty sure I'll get on it tommora light resistance, for a few minutes. All about small steps it lifted my spirits.

Turbo!!!! Show Mrs Tank this -

NHS Hip recovery
How will it affect my sex life?

If you were finding sex difficult before because of pain, you may find that having the operation gives your sex life a boost. Your surgeon can advise when it is OK to have sex again. As long as you are careful, you should be able to have sex after six to eight weeks. Avoid vigorous sex and more extreme positions.

Reckon I'll wait a bit.

Well, until she comes home anyway.