Focus Izalco Dura D12 -2012 Model

Gazspurs
Gazspurs Posts: 122
edited December 2012 in Road general
Bike shop currently have the above on a 40% saving from list price at £3,400, reckon I could get another £200 off paying cash there & then.

Purchased a Ribble Sportive 7046 about 8 months ago, love it to bits, can't fault it, but that voice in my head is Niggling away at me telling me that I need full carbon etc, etc...

I’ve stepped up the cycling these last 10 months regularly competing in sportives, long weekend rides. Im hoping to be successful in claiming a place in London Ride100 & more sportives next year already booked with the long term goal of being match fit for Lands end to John o groats in 2014.

Having recently come into a decent some of money the Ribble was meant to be my little treat to myself, do I upgrade my little treat further & sell the Ribble (all without the Mrs knowing!) and eat a little more into our house deposit money or be happy with what I have.

Apologies if this sounds all very Dear Deidre, but is Carbon/circa 3k bike going to change my world when I’m already happy on my aluminium/carbon folk Ribble.

I’m never going to break any records but I’m thinking a 5k bike for 3k is a very good opportunity not to turn down.
It doesn’t help that all the reviews on the Focus have been spot on.

Cheers

Comments

  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    Yes it is a good deal from the money you are saving point of view.

    However is it going to change your world, maybe. The reason I say maybe is I have a 15 year old Dale that I will never get rid of and is probably worth very little, my race bike cost me around £4,500 and is super light, fast and all the things I could want. I am still and will always be in love with my Dale and keep on coming back to it time and time again.

    Put it this way it is a lot of money but you would be getting a great bike (I know some one who has one) and they do ride, handle etc very well, but is it worth it? Only you can answer that one as its your money your spending.
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • bobbydazzla
    bobbydazzla Posts: 289
    I'm in exactly the same situation as you and have been giving much thought to the same dilemma.

    I say go for the new bike. That's what I'm going to do !
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    Gazspurs wrote:
    Apologies if this sounds all very Dear Deidre, but is Carbon/circa 3k bike going to change my world when I’m already happy on my aluminium/carbon folk Ribble.

    I’m never going to break any records but I’m thinking a 5k bike for 3k is a very good opportunity not to turn down.
    It doesn’t help that all the reviews on the Focus have been spot on.

    As you already know, ofcourse it will not change your world but as you say it is too good to turn down - as long as you can afford it, why not.

    Just do not expect to drop 2 mins of your 10 mile TT time 8)
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • Gazspurs
    Gazspurs Posts: 122
    aaahhhh!!! I knew posting that would be a bad idea! You guys have made me justify it to myself even more now!!! :lol:
  • Camus
    Camus Posts: 189
    Liking Focus bikes the more I see of them, they weren't really in my thoughts when I bought a new bike recently; not saying I'd swap what I eventually got for one but if I was making the decision now an Izalco Pro would be on the list.

    As for your predicament, it sounds like a great deal but I would be thinking can I make significant upgrades to the components on the alu/carb Ribble that would outweigh/compete with the benefits of all carbon. You didn't say what groupset, wheels, pedals etc are on the Ribble, but with 3k you could get some serious hardware and drop a lot of weight.

    It all depends on your needs of course, do you want a winter bike, does your riding have enough variety to warrant another bike? Only that voice in your head can say!
  • bernithebiker
    bernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    Do it!

    You only live once!

    (And the country needs your VAT!)
  • Cheshire Celt
    Cheshire Celt Posts: 137
    I've got a focus izalco pro and totally love it stunning bike Just suits me perfect my next new bike will deffo be another focus. . The other good thing is you don't see them about all the time it's good to be diffrent . Pics of my bike are on here just fitted some carbon rims .. Go for it
  • Camus
    Camus Posts: 189
    Cheshire Celt wrote:
    I've got a focus izalco pro and totally love it stunning bike Just suits me perfect my next new bike will deffo be another focus. . The other good thing is you don't see them about all the time it's good to be diffrent . Pics of my bike are on here just fitted some carbon rims .. Go for it

    Ah, I saw it over in the 'your road bikes' area, tis a sweet steed, I like the matte black/grey colour scheme, most of your commenters seem to be more interested in the bag though, maybe they enjoy a touch of cross-dressing on the side and it's not a patch on their purses. I saw one Izalco that had electric blue highlights on black which really popped, when I'm in the market for a second bike I'll give it a test.

    They do have a certain niche appeal; when I bought my Specialized I thought there'd be quite a few around being such a big and well marketed brand, but I actually haven't seen many on my training routes, I mainly see students commuting around the city centre on allez's that are a couple of years old or hybrids. I also like the 3T on the Focus forks, they seem to be well specced stock as well - Fulcrum wheels for instance.

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