DawL

My first post so Hi All

I have quite a dilemma. Searched almost every resource possible and read all the review but need some users' input.
Got around $4000 AUS ( £1900 GBP, $2700 USD) to spend on new road bike.

What I ride now: old alu Trek 2.3 with Zonda wheels. Great first bike but I need carbon.
I ride casually with a club. Rolling hills. Love climbing but I am better at descending. No racing. I am looking for lightweight, great handling bike.
What I need: carbon frame with Shimano 105 5800 as minimum. I don’t care about stock wheels. I do care about frame quality, warranty if something goes wrong, handling, weight and also looks.

I am 180cm with 87 inseam. I have done the GURU fit for Cervelo and Emonda. Sizes 56 are perfect.


After months of cons/pros I am between these bikes:

Cervelo R2 2015/2016 (size 56, stack 580, reach 387) - very good frame, great geometry for me (stack/reach), only ok components (not full 105, FSA added-brakes), top of my budget, Light at 7.7 kg

Focus Cayo Ultegra 2016 (size 57, S: 569, R: 400) - good price/value for money, a bit aggressive geometry, heard that the frame is really good, full Ultegra, weight 7.7kg

I will test both in next month.

Question: Is Focus really as aggressive as sometimes described? Are owners happy with it? What size do you ride for your measurements?
Is there anything else I could consider? I was looking at bianchis, giants, cannondales, specialised but not fun of those brands. I don’t want canyon as I cannot test it.

Bikes that I previously considered:
Trek Emonda sl5 (tested) - was my first option but now dropped as: too heavy - 8.1kg, not worth the money (only 105 shimano). I also have trek at the moment and want something different.
Cervelo R3 - same as R2 but full Ultegra and different vrank/fork. Above budget.

Thanks in advance

MakiNn

I am right now on a Focus Cayo Evo 3, it is one of the last years that they had an even more aggressive style with one of the stiffest frames. I came from track bikes so I really liked the straight top tube and such. I am 5'9" and currently riding a 56 with a proper fit. I love the ride and don't find it too aggressive for my liking I am running 105s on it with SLK cranks and Zipp 404 wheels. Before this bike I came from Bianchi which I loved as well but it was a C2C and I wanted to get back into that race/aggressive style like a track bike. I would say try it and don't rule it out of the picture because they are great bikes and built very well. They also have a decent warranty and I believe they have a replacement program as well.

Here is a picture of mine to make your decision harder ahha This was before the new cranks and slamming the stem

DawL

MakiNn, you really didn't help with this bike photo.Great looking bike. I love the colour combination.
Focus have now different sizing: 54 and 57. Nothing in between. I am same height as you are hence think that 57 should be ok.

Focus Cayo Ultegra 2016:


Cervelo R2:

Sy Reene

FWIW Ribble is supposedly decent value, eg.
Ribble Bikebuilder | Frames | Wheels | Groupsets

mawashi

It's very difficult to say as I believe testing out a bike yourself is vital. What works for me might not be suitable for you. I personally prefer aero bikes and they might not be suitable for you.

Focus, canyon, fuji, giant, merida all make excellent bikes. Since, you are in Oz, why not check out giant and merida, they might be cheaper as their factory is around the region.

An alternative would be you get a 2015 model as the new 2016 stuff will be out soon and dealers will be desperate to get rid of old stock.

gjhsu

I have a 2015 Cayo (full Force groupset), and really love the ride and value. It's aggressive when compared to a traditional endurance/sportive bike, but not nearly as aggressive as their Izalco Max, which really puts you down low. I'm also 5'9", and mine is a 54. Having not ridden a Cervelo, I wouldn't be able to help you compare them, but I did ride a number of Treks and Giants, and went with the Focus because, for the same money, I was getting a better groupset and a ride that I feel is a great balance of sportiness and compliance.

DawL

Thanks gjhsu, I know the bike size depends on other measurements and flexibility but can you let me know your inseam (mine is 87cm), arm lenght (74cm). Also how many spacers you have on your bike and seat hight from the crank? It is just to compare the geometries. I will have roper measurements anyway. Regards

tangerineowl

1. Fuji Altamira (SL is 6.2kg)?

Not sure about weights for the various models.

Size L is stack 580, reach 387; very similar to the reach/stack you liked on the Cervelo.

Last years', or prior, higher-end models may be in your price range, if you can find one in Melbourne e.g. There's a couple on the Bikexchange site at the moment in your price range, including an SL model.
Though you may want to double-check the geo of previous years' bikes.

2. BH Ultralight RC: stack 583, reach 386.

DawL

Thanks for everyones input. I will update on the test rrides and the purchase in few months.

MakiNn

And dont forget some pictures

inspclouseau

I love the way the 2015 Cayo looks, I really want to upgrade badly while there are some still available.

vwchad

I'm a fan of Focus. I have a Focus Izalco and a Mares (Cyclocross). The Izalco is a more aggressive geometry than the Cayo from what I've heard. I find it quite comfortable though. Extremely happy with both of them. Also, I had an issue with the first Izalco frame I had and Focus replaced it, no questions asked, with the current year model. Both of my Focuses (proper plural being Foci?....) are 54cm frames. I'm 5'10". Both bikes fit perfectly. If I could change 1 thing about the Izalco it would be the tire clearance. It is tight. With my H Plus Son Archetype rims being of the wide variety, the 25mm GP4000S is just too close to the frame for comfort. I had to switch to a 23mm tire. Hope that helps. Enjoy the search.

DawL

Helps a lot. Thanks vwchad. Nice collection of Foci (?)
Izalco is a bit too aggressive for me and I use 25mm tires. Cayo would be perfect than.
I am still choosing the size. I have 34 inseam and 29 arm length. Are you similar?

macca33

Focus make a very nice rig - I love my Mares CX! Do not discount the Fuji Altamira - they, too are a nice rig and they are NOT as common here as Specialized and Giant are .....those are blardy everywhere!

You could also look at Avanti - the Corsa SL is a nice rig, or Cannondale SuperSix, BMC, etc, etc...

Which part of Melbs are you from ... SE???

Lastly, tap in $4000 to www.bikeexchange.com.au and see what they suggest. We are fortunate to have a myriad of choices here, so take your time and pick the best bike for you. At your pricepoint, you should be comfortably into a good carbon frame with Ultegra groupset and half decent oem wheels.

cheers

DawL

I'm in N (fairfield). There is plenty of choice here fortunately.

DocLiv

I have a 2013 Focus Cayo Evo with Sram Force group. I absolutely love it! It has such a smooth ride. The frame does a great job of dampening vibrations, but it's stiff at the same time. It's a little on the aggressive side with the geometry but I like it that way. I'm 182cm tall and the 57cm fits me well. I've rented the Trek Madone and Specialized Roubiax recently and felt that the Focus was the better bike.

vwchad

You're a bit taller than I am I think. Been a while since I measured and I don't recall exactly what my actual measurements are. A standover height of 32.5 is max for me without standing on my toes and I wear 30" inseam in jeans, if that helps at all. Not sure about arm length.

Initially, I was concerned with how aggressive the geometry was on the Izalco, but it actually feels great with some time spent adjusting my fit. Didn't get a professional fit, though that may make it even better. I'm comfortable on the bike as it is, so I haven't felt the need.

cyclinggerrydee

I just purchased a 2015 Cervelo R2 today in grey/orange--it looks much better in person, as I had my doubts and wanted the white scheme:



This is my first real road bike, particularly when it comes to a carbon frame. The bike is very fast and is a size 58, and very light! I test rode a Trek Emonda S5 back to back just to see, but the Cervelo felt better. I also considered a TCR Advanced 2, but since the R2 was on sale for $2300, I figured I couldn't resist. Bike shop did a great fit and I look forward to my next ride

DawL

Looks great. I have seen it live and it is true that the photo doesn't give a justince to this great look. How are the brakes? I heard that there are so so in comparison to 105s.

cyclinggerrydee

The Trek Emonda S5 I tested immediately after was full 105 and yes, the brakes were way better than the ones on the R2. I noticed the difference immediately.

jordanair45

Cervelo!

redfooj

bikes arent fast , but people can be fast.... :-x

cyclinggerrydee

haha...okay in that case, I'm very fast

CarbonPothole

Buy a bike that fits your geometry, and for the frame. You can always upgrade components, but you can't upgrade a frame until it's time for a new bike. I love my Specialized Roubaix SL4 Comp Disc. Fits me, descends well, climbs well, etc.. Whatever you get, get it professionally fitted, and leave some money for pedals, cycling computer, clipless shoes, gloves, bibs/shorts, and emergency equip,, etc..... That $3300 bike cost me $4000 after taxes, and everything else.

DawL

Hi all again. I still haven't bought a bike (read: not enough savings yet) so I continue to browse. I had Guru fitting for Trek Emonda and Cervelo R2 and both would fit me in size 56. Unfortunately I have removed these bikes from my list. I am now considering Focus Cayo 5.0 or Scott Addict 20; both with Ultegra. It seems that these are much more value for money and have great frame reviews. I will have a test rides at my LBS soon.
If you have any info about 2015 models for above bikes please share.

Sizing: Focus size 57, Scott size 56. I believe 54 would be too small.