Disc brakes are coming to the pro peloton, and Focus is ready.
The Focus Izalco Max Disc grabbed headlines when it launched earlier this year for its astonishingly light 790g thru-axle disc frame. Unlike some road disc bikes, the Max Disc was designed from the ground up, and the front triangle is 60g lighter than the rim-brake version.
Now Focus has revealed its full road range, and there are some interesting models at impressive prices.
Focus Izalco Max
One noteworthy bike is the Izalco Max Disc Dura-Ace, which blends a Dura-Ace drivetrain with an FSA carbon four-arm SL-K crank with the new Shimano flat-mount RS805 brakes. Throw in classy DT Swiss R23DB wheels, a carbon CEX stem, and carbon comfort post all for £3299 and we may be looking at one of 2016’s biggest bargains.
At the top of the tree is the Izalco Max 0.0, a flyweight race machine with standard caliper brakes that includes feathery 995g DT Swiss RRC32T carbon wheels, THM Fibula brakes, and a Schmolke TLO carbon post. The complete bike weighs just 4.95kg (in a size 56) and is priced at £7699.
Disc brakes may be coming to the pro peloton, but it's brakes like these that really impress on the scale
Focus’ road product head honcho Peter Kinzle has always been keen to adopt new technologies. Focus was one of the first brands to develop a true pro-level disc machine. Now, Kinzle has introduced two tubeless-equipped models for 2016 with the Ultegra Tubeless at £2999, and the Dura-Ace version at £3499. Kinzle said that the next generation of road and cyclocross bikes coming from Focus will be disc only, along with embracing the forthcoming wireless drivetrain systems from SRAM, FSA and even some further brands — though he wouldn’t say which ones.
Focus Izalco Max Disc - First ride review (4.5 stars)
Focus Cayo
The Cayo performance range has grown with the introduction of a lower-priced carbon model, so you can now get the impressive Cayo carbon frameset (860g frame) at just £1149 for a complete bike, with a women’s version available too. The Cayo range tops out in standard brake form with the Ultegra Di2-equipped model at £2599. The twin thru-axled disc frameset starts at £1799 for the 105 hydraulic disc model, rising to £2299 for the Ultegra disc model.
The alloy version of the Cayo starts at £599 for the Sora model, rising to £1049 for Ultegra.
The women's Cayo Dona Ultegra Disc
Check out the massive gallery above for a closer look at the full 700c range, including the Mares cyclocross bikes.
