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A Focus Question...

sfullersfuller Posts: 628
in General Chat
Hi all,



Just a quick question for my curiosity....



Are Focus bikes used by any Pro Cyclists or Pro Duathletes/Triathletes?



Thanks
«1

Comments

  • paulfitzpaulfitz Posts: 67
    none that I know of, but they still seem to get great write ups. Think more to do with the fact that Wiggle is only distributor and they dont really have a UK event/sponsorship arm. Saying that Wiggle do now have a tri team so maybe they use them,



    Will definitely consider it on my next bike purchase
  • JasonBJasonB Posts: 303
    I am sure I heard a Pro Triathlete using one. Maybe a female, but I cant remember.



    They always good get write ups.



    I personally am not a big fan becuase of the simple reason that Focus reminds me of the name Ford Focus, and they are not exactly great cars.

  • sfullersfuller Posts: 628
    just that.... i cant decide on which bike to go for.... and I was assuming if Focus aren't used by pros then are they really that good?
  • JasonBJasonB Posts: 303
    Like I said whenever I have read about them, they always get good reviews. albeit not the 2000-3000 pund type bikes. But my end of the market they always get good reviews. (My market being 0 -2000)
  • sfullersfuller Posts: 628
    Yeh Ive read them...



    Ill tell you my problem....



    The bikes Im looking at are.... Felt F3, Focus Cayo Pro and the Trek Madone 5.2..... what do you think?
  • TommiTriTommiTri Posts: 879
    Correct me if Im wrong but doesn't Stuart Hayes ride a focus, i think he races on an Izalco extreme.



  • bendertherobotbendertherobot Posts: 5
    JasonB wrote:


    I am sure I heard a Pro Triathlete using one. Maybe a female, but I cant remember.



    They always good get write ups.



    I personally am not a big fan becuase of the simple reason that Focus reminds me of the name Ford Focus, and they are not exactly great cars.





    Sort of.



    Ford, and the magazine Focus, both license the name from Focus Bikes.



    So, they were there first.

  • bendertherobotbendertherobot Posts: 5
    TommiTri wrote:


    Correct me if Im wrong but doesn't Stuart Hayes ride a focus, i think he races on an Izalco extreme.







    http://www.focusbikesuk.com/focus_latestnews.php



    Yep

  • BritspinBritspin Posts: 1,655
    Do bear in mind that a sponsored rider may ride a particular brand of bike, but under the skin it is a different bike than what the badges/decals say..
  • bendertherobotbendertherobot Posts: 5
    Britspin wrote:


    Do bear in mind that a sponsored rider may ride a particular brand of bike, but under the skin it is a different bike than what the badges/decals say..

    Difficult to see how you can make that Izalco much better under the surface!

  • TommiTriTommiTri Posts: 879
    can someone please explain the point of this re-branding thing to me?
  • paulfitzpaulfitz Posts: 67
    all about the marketing lol.

    Some people may not make certain things. For instance noticed Vanessa Fernandez with Addidas on her suit, but doubt they make it

    .

    However, in the case of Focus, they are right up there from £500 roadbikes to £3k TT bikes, so think its likely to be a genuine Focus bike.



    I have a review from 220 Mag in Feb where Focus Izalco is the stand out bike in a sub £1000 test. Can scan in and send if you like??



    Cheers
  • BopomofoBopomofo Posts: 980
    Andrea Whitcombe: racing a Focus Izalco Extreme

    http://www.wiggleblog.com/andrea-whitcombe-profile/



    Michelle Dillon (mmmmm) : racing a Focus Izalco Extreme

    http://www.wiggleblog.com/michelle-dillon-profile/



    Emma-Kate Lidbury : racing a Focus Izalco Chrono

    http://www.wiggleblog.com/emma-kate-lidbury/



    Ritchie Nicholl : racing a Focus Izalco Extreme

    http://www.wiggleblog.com/ritchie-nicholls-biography/



    Stuart Hayes : racing a Focus Izalco Extreme

    http://www.wiggleblog.com/stuart-hayes-profile/



    The pages also tell you what changes they've made to their bikes. This would suggest that there's very little re-branding going on.... so they're probably not all riding P3Cs with Focus stickers. (Yes, I know we'd spot that, but you see what I mean [:D]). Nicholl was on the cover of 220 on board a Focus.
  • treefrogtreefrog Posts: 1,242
    Rebadging as its called goes on in cycling all the time. It hit its hey day when alloy frames and steel frames were the best available, but it still happens in the current carbon climate. Famous examples were ... Eddy Mercks allegedly always rode a De Rosa despite the name on the down tube, Ullrich TT bike from 2003? was a Walser (as is Nicole Cookes) witha Bianchi sticker on the down tube. Pantani and Indurain and most of the TdF winners throughout the 80's and 90's rode bikes built by Dario Pegoretti, Davide Reellion rode a rebadged Scott instead of a Willier and Cipolini does not ride a De Rosa in the Rock 'n' Road team. Today the peleton has rebadged Storcks, Cervelos and Scotts, and top end time triallists may rebadge Walsers & Cervelos. Also many pros rebadge componentry example Schmolke handlebars are a regular on super light climbing bikes. It is a secret business as it is effectively a vote of no confidence in the sponsor's kit. You can spot it if you know what to look for in some phots and at start/finish venues. Why does it happen? Because the rebaded kit is better, more comfortable, lighter, faster, perfroms better. Why is it so clandestine? Because not only are athletes in danger of losing lucrative contracts, but also a huge amount of sales hinge on ok bikes being seen under top end pro's. Giant and Specialised reportedly have very strict clauses in their contracts regarding redaging. say no more!
  • paulfitzpaulfitz Posts: 67
    Michelle Dillon eh bopomofo?



    is it wrong to prefer Hollie Avil or Vanessa Raw ;)
  • STAPLEHURSTTRILOVERSTAPLEHURSTTRILOVER Posts: 66
    Hollie Avil is legit since she turned 18 a few weeks back and Ness Raw has been amazingly hot ever since I first gained any interest in the sport bout 3 years ago. Despite only being 21 myself I somehow think I would find it hard to say no to Michelle. With stars like these I am sure the future is bright for British triathlon.
  • TommiTriTommiTri Posts: 879
    mmmmm ness raw.
  • JasonBJasonB Posts: 303
    Dont forget Tucker :)
  • BopomofoBopomofo Posts: 980
    Good point, JasonB.

    http://www.giant-bicycles.com/_generated/_generated_uk/news/helentucker080108.jpg



    This thread has become completely derailed in a far more entertaining way than the usual shaving/carbon/porridge derailments.
  • paulfitzpaulfitz Posts: 67
    tucker, though lovely is a bit too girl next door for me.

    however, they are obviously all brilliant athletes and it would be wrong of us to reduce them to pieces of meat ;)



    that said, I did a 10k run the other week and Lucy Hassell was there. My mates (non triathletes) couldnt understand my attraction to the very toned, slim, athletic leggy blonde in a two piece!!
  • BoycieBoycie Posts: 189
    Is it me or has this thread gone off track a little? Probably a more interesting subjuect though.
  • BopomofoBopomofo Posts: 980
    It's not just you, Boycie. Check a few posts up. [:D]
  • TommiTriTommiTri Posts: 879
    I hate to say it, but i see a separate thread coming on, crudely 'hot girls in tri' I will not be starting it though! This is not a men only forum!
  • STAPLEHURSTTRILOVERSTAPLEHURSTTRILOVER Posts: 66
    How could we forget dear Helen - World Standard Distance Triathlon Champion
  • Bristol newbieBristol newbie Posts: 149
    I have a 08 focus cayo and love it, i get more for my effort and its very smooth. the only things i changed was the saddle (too sharp!) tyres and handle bar tape, You really get value for money with focus. The only downside was not being able to try it before you buy it but you could always send it back if you dont like it!
  • TommiTriTommiTri Posts: 879
    I was just about to say that I think you posted on the wrong thread, but then I realised this was originally a thread about focus bikes not women in tri!
  • Bristol newbieBristol newbie Posts: 149
    Sorry to throw you! i should have quoted something near the top!



    Ms Tucker has my vote, I'd burn some serious calories with her!
  • sfullersfuller Posts: 628
    This thread has gone a little leftfield from the title... all good though, i got my answers!
  • IanfIanf Posts: 23
    Looking at the Focus Cayo Expert 08. I've heard that focus bikes tend to be a bit on the small side ie you need to go one size up: anyone who bought one experienced this?



    BRgds,



    Ian



    ps. Can I order a Michelle Dillon too please!?
  • SwimminTukkerSwimminTukker Posts: 38
    Hey JasonB..Not sure if you meant me, SwimminTukker. I did post a note last week re. the Focus Cayo Pro issues that I ran into. To recap, bought a this bike from a German dealer, who sent it over. Once assembled, my local and I discoverered 2 major issues: 1) the steerer tube was cut so short that the top clamp on the headset was not making contact and we could not fit any risers. 2) inside the front part of the frame carbon and glue had build up during the manu. process, which prevented the fork to turn freely. We have sent bike back for replacement, which is major pain in the rear. I have now been told that Stuart Hayes (who does ride a Focus, has encountered the exact same issue and is none too pleased..



    Will let you know how I get on, once I DO ride this bike finally. Had only heard good things up until now.

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