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Review of my new Focus Cayo - 24/06/2008
Only got bitten by the cycling bug last year. This year I decided to commit fully and started researching carbon bikes. I went throught the usual suspects, even test rode the specialized Roubaix and Tarmac.
When I went onto Wiggle and saw the Focus Cayo, there was no way I was going to buy anything else, I trawled the internet and could not find a bad review. Went it arrived I was blown away with the ride quality. You might think for the price the Cayo wouldn't ride all that nicely, but it's quite the opposite. I found it a far superior ride to those I test rode.
I agree with another review I read, the pictures on Wiggle do not do the bike justice, the finish is excellent and it has turned a few heads on the road.
Allen Dodds
Paisley
Focus Cayo's - 19/06/2008
I am the VERY proud owner of both a 2006 Focus Cayo Expert and a 2008 Focus Cayo Triple.
I bought my 2006 Cayo Expert JUST prior to embarking on a 9day 900mile Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle ride after recommendations from a friend who had seen the positive reviews in magazines.
The bike was, and still is, a joy to ride and is my pride and joy. The frame is gorgeous to look at and the quality of finish is superb. All the equipment is top quality stuff and I haven’t felt the need to particularly upgrade anything, other than a Selle Italia SLR XP saddle (personal preference), a new SRAM rear cassette and an ultralight KMC X10-SL chain. The ride is brilliant. Very comfortable, due in no small part, to the quality carbon frame which soaks up the undulations in the road far better than my previous Specialized Aluminium framed bike.
The 2008 Cayo triple is, in a way even more impressive, due to the quality of components supplied at the lower pricepoint. The 2008 frame is slightly more conventional in appearance but the carbon finish has already received some glowing praise from my £2.5k Litespeed owning friends! I’m not so keen on the 31.8mm seatpost, however, as I prefer the sleeker thinner post on my 2006 model, but other than that the level of kit is superb. Full Ultegra groupset with the exception of the crankset being a Truvativ, but it’s all top quality stuff and far, far better than you would get on bikes costing £400-£500 more from other brands.
I took this bike with me to France recently when I did an 8day 840mile Calais to Cannes charity ride and really enjoyed riding it. It does have good acceleration (although I don’t quite understand why the large chainwheel is a 50tooth affair on a triple chainset – surely this should be a 53?) and the Mavic Aksium wheels ran really smoothly. I did the famous Mont Ventoux mountain climb on this and it was a fabulous, albeit tough, experience!
Basically I can’t give enough praise to Focus and their bikes. I enjoyed my first one so much that I went out and bought another! These are top quality bikes, there is nothing ‘budget’ about them, and I would echo another writers comment about the website pictures not doing justice to the gorgeously finished frames!!
Cheers
Neil Armitage
Killer Bee Disc 2008 - 29/05/2008
After a bonus at work, I decided to treat myself to a new bike. I've seen very good reviews in magazines and online about Focus bikes so I decided I'd give them a go.
I purchased the 2008 Killer Bee Disc and am in no way disappointed! The bike handles superbly and is such a fast-paced bike. The componentry is top-notch for the price and for the bike too; they are well chosen and work together well. The choice of fork is a nice one too, whilst the fork performs very well as a fork, together with the rest of the bike it's a great choice.
Whilst the componentry is top-notch for £900 there is still room for minor upgrades if you ever wanted to which makes this bike great: it's a well spec'd bike as it stands but if you want to shed even more weight off it you can! Just make sure you tie it down in the wind!
So far, it's been happy days out on the trails and I'm sure it's only going to get better.
Gregor Comrie,
Glasgow
Focus Cayo 2008 - 08/02/2008
I recenty bought a Focus Cayo 2008 from Wiggle after a lot of deliberation. I had considered bikes by Scott, Specialised and the usual suspects but I soon realised that the best value for money by far in the world of carbon bikes is to be found with Focus.
I thought I was getting a £700 saving by choosing the Focus but I was wrong. I've not got a cut-price clone. I'm a proud owner of a fully-fledged carbon road bike that rides better in my view that the overpriced competition. Just compare the specifications and it doesn't seem to add-up on paper. But those figures are correct. It is a whole lot of bike for the price tag.
One thing I would say is that the photos on the Wiggle website do not do the bike justice. It is a very good looking bike, proudly displaying the carbon construction. Turn a few heads as you overtake them on the climbs and then tell them how much you paid for it.
I don't hesitate in recommending it.
James Hickman
Brentwood, Essex
Focus First Expert 2007 - 19/12/2007
Earlier in the year I was looking for a new XC bike. I looked at thousands of bikes on thousands of websites and trawled hundreds of shops but nothing could touch the Focus.
I was thinking that there must be a catch somewhere but there wasn't any! I use the bike as much as possible on long distance rides and it takes it all in it's stride. Even on hills which could be classed as freeride I'm still very happy on the bike.
I would defiantly urge anyone looking for a great new bike to have a look at focus, the frames look stunning and are practical and best of all its fitted out with great gear for the money.
Andrew Greenhill
Clackmannanshire
Thanks for such a great bike
Focus Raven Pro Ltd - 02/11/2007
Earlier this year I was looking around for a new XC race stead to get myself back to fighting form for the coming season after taking a year out to finish uni. Having previously raced for a team I was used to a high level of bike but due to uni I never had high level funds.
I had been looking around for a couple of weeks trying to find the best bike I could get for my money. With no bikes really jumping out of the crowd I noticed a report on the singletrack website which spoke of Focus bikes. I had only ever seen these before at cyclo cross races with the german team racer coming over to the nationals here. After taking a look I was astounded at what my money could get me if I went for a focus. Within a day of looking at the bike I had ordered myself one and despite worries as to what I could expect from a bike which boasted an amazing spec for the money I was keen to receive. To say on my first ride I was amazed would be correct, the geometry and the componentry really complemented well and the look of the bike is stunning.
I would recommend anyone to definately give great consideration to any Focus bike especially as my girlfriend now has a Focus Fat boy and she loves it. So if you want a high spec XC bike for a lot less money than similarly spec'd bikes that still gives you that smile ever time you throw your leg over the saddle then go for a FOCUS.
Mark Russell
Kent
Focus Cayo - 02/03/2007
Before buying my new Focus Cayo, I spent a long time researching alternatives but nothing could touch it in terms of value for money. Similarly spec'ed bikes are going for twice the price. "What's the catch?" I thought . There isn't one.
The frame just screams quality. German engineering has a reputation for being good and that is definitely apparent in this bike. Stand up and put power through the cranks and the bike leaps forward and doesn't stop. The ride is exhilarating and extremely fast. Carbon is know for its ability to absorb shocks, so the bike is very comfortable. I plan to ride some long sportives this year on it. Going downhill feels safe, and the frame inspires confidence. It is a bike that demands to be ridden. Be prepared to want to ride a lot when you buy this bike.
The bike definitely attracts attention. The raw carbon finish looks great, heads turn when out on the road!
If you want a bike that is fast, comfortable, looks great and won't break the bank what are you waiting for?
P. Godfrey
Manchester
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