Review from
Bicycle Buyer
Noted as one of the first bike companies to smash the glass ceiling on the cost of complete carbon bikes, German outfit Focus are the supplier to their country's sole team in the Tour De France, the boys with the cow print jerseys, Team Milram. Distributed in the UK by Internet supremos Wiggle while the Milram chaps will be riding the Izalco Pro model we got hold of its entrylevel patriot.
What's it actually like to ride then?Reassuringly responsive and nimble of foot, the Germans' re-tooling of a bike already much loved by us Brits eager to snap up a bargain has definately paid off. Now featuring the BB30 bottom bracket standard along with a subtely re-worked geometry, tube shapes and refined carbon lay-up contruction the new Cayo is a more obedient and more effective at transferring pedal power to where it matters. Light, fast and compliant are thewatchwords with worthy performance road bikes and this has all three in abundance.
What we liked...Well, where do we start? Arguably offering the best bits and bobs attached to the frame of any of the bikes we tested the Shimano Ultegra groupset is a real steal on a bike of this price, as is the Prologo Saffle, Schwalbe Ultemo tyres (complete with Continental inner tubes), FSA stem and bars, and the list goes on. We love hoe the Jagwire cables are colour matched to the frame logos and offering an 11/28t cassette is a really considered touch for a bike that's likely to tackle potentially hilly sportive races.
...And what we didn'tThere's very littl to falut on this bike, particularly at this price, and our only longstanding gripe about it being only available online, thus making test riding/sizing problematic has now been rendered redundant as Wiggle have started offering a 30 day test ride option. You order and pay for the bike and if you don't like it you can have it collected for free and your money refunded. So basically we have no gripes left.
What could make it better?Again we're struggling here, stuff it, there's not much that could make this a more tempting proposition other than it coming with a free case of post ride 'recovery' Weiss Beer.
In conclusion...
Would we buy it?
Yes, yes and yes. Ignoring the presence of a higher spec groupset than seems to be the norm at this price point this is a great performance rig in its own right. Add in the phenominal groupset and out of the ordinary compnents and you've got a recipe for a happy online shopper.
Rating: Unbeatable Value!