Focus Izalco Team - 9/10 on RCUK!
The Izalco Team from Focus has always been one of our stand-out racing bikes, with a full carbon frame packing a SRAM Red groupset. Many of our sponsored athletes have choosen them in their fleet of race and training bikes including Stuart Hayes and Andrea Whitcombe and now we have our first official review from the fanatical testers over at RoadCyclingUK.com….
“When the 2008 Focus range was first revealed to RCUK, the Izalco Team immediately stood out as the pick of the bunch, combining a reasonable price and a cracking spec. The Team sits third from the top in the Izalco range, and the frame, aside from the integrated seat mast, is virtually identical to the two above.
Rarely does a bike manage to pack such a punch on paper, with the Team’s spec comprising a full SRAM Red groupset, Fulcrum 1 Racing wheels and top-end FSA carbon finishing kit, not to mention the full-carbon frameset nestled in between the sparkly components.
Happily the Team delivers once it is being ridden as its looks demand. The oversized carbon tubes give the frame huge torsional stiffness, steering is well-balanced and out of the saddle climbing is a joy. The low weight makes ascending something to savour, and in the sprint for the town name signs it’s a match for any other bike.
A short headtube promotes a low, racy and aggressive position, so hands on the drops and head down is the position of choice, and it is when in this mode that the Team most excels. Around race circuits, it absolutely thrives, pitching you out of corners with a frightening velocity. There’s just enough flex in the frame to soften imperfections in the road, but don’t expect the Team to reward those seeking a comfortable long distance cruiser for sportives. It’s just not the Team’s cup of tea. Racing is where it’s at.
So for the budding racer seeking a well priced and top-specced bike revel in the Izalco Team, and it offers an engaging ride for riders seeking that quality.”