Focus Cayo or Planet X?

ChickenBalls

Can anybody help me pick which one I should go for?

Planet X Link
http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/SL_Pro_Carbon_Road_999.html

Focus Cayo
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360032366&N=Focus%20Cayo%202008

It would be great if someone had one of these bikes to let me know there experience on them.
Any advantages \ disadvantages?
I dont know much about groupsets as I'm a novice to this bike stuff maybe suggest what extras I should get for each bike.

Appreciate any input.

tunney

itsnot about the groupset or the components. start with a solid frame and everything else can be upgraded.

unionman

See blorg and BUACHAILL's posts on both these bikes.

I have to declare an interest, I made the decision yesterday (after reading blorg's comments and words of encouragement from TinyExpolsions) to go for the Cayo.:)

TinyExplosions

unionman wrote: »

I made the decision yesterday (after reading Blorg's comments) to go for the Cayo.:)

*ahem* :eek:

You won't regret it sir!

PeadarofAodh

Going for the same myself, just trying to see if Wiggle can order me in a 63cm frame...they've discontinued selling their 'XXL' (60cm) so my chances of them agreeing to it are pretty slim!

unionman

TinyExplosions wrote: »

*ahem* :eek:

You won't regret it sir!

See my edit! I gave you credit...:rolleyes:

BUACHAILL

I couldnt decide between them so in the end went with what i thought looked better, sad i know but there ya go... Planet x in my eyes

ChickenBalls

PeadarofAodh wrote: »

Going for the same myself, just trying to see if Wiggle can order me in a 63cm frame...they've discontinued selling their 'XXL' (60cm) so my chances of them agreeing to it are pretty slim!

I might have a problem then with the Focus as I'm 6ft 4in and I'd probably need the 63cm - need to get measured up first thou.

Anyone know if the online measuring calculators are reliable?

TinyExplosions

keith123 wrote: »

I might have a problem then with the Focus as I'm 6ft 4in and I'd probably need the 63cm - need to get measured up first thou.

Anyone know if the online measuring calculators are reliable?

The wiggle one worked out ok for me

PeadarofAodh

I got myself measured up for my previous bike in Cyclogical. I'd probably feel safer spending money knowing I'd been measured up by someone in person - for example I'm 6ft5" but my height is in my torso rather than my legs (not that I look out of proportion!)

As I said in my 'bike got swiped' thread, wiggle were no help when I asked them could they either order me one in or point me in the direction of someone on the mainland I could get it from (Wiggle being the only UK supplier of Focus) but they were no help with either so I'm pretty much stuck...

ChickenBalls

Just read your bike being swiped thread... sorry you got robbed.

I know the Focus bikes come from Germany if thats any help, maybe not.
I'm gonna check now with them to see if my measurements will suite the sizes they have left.

Might be in the same boat as yourself

TinyExplosions

PeadarofAodh wrote: »

I got myself measured up for my previous bike in Cyclogical. I'd probably feel safer spending money knowing I'd been measured up by someone in person - for example I'm 6ft5" but my height is in my torso rather than my legs (not that I look out of proportion!)

As I said in my 'bike got swiped' thread, wiggle were no help when I asked them could they either order me one in or point me in the direction of someone on the mainland I could get it from (Wiggle being the only UK supplier of Focus) but they were no help with either so I'm pretty much stuck...

Try emailling Focus direct? Or have a look at Canyon bikes -that was my second choice when I got the focus

blorg

I doubt Wiggle will order something in for you. One of the reasons I went for the Cayo was that I knew the geometry was roughly comparable to something I knew I was happy with. Either are great bikes, the Planet X is very appealing too.

I checked some EU prices when ordering my Focus from Wiggle; they are _substantially_ higher than Wiggle (€1,300 vs. €1,900/€2,000 for the Cayo.)

PeadarofAodh

Just looked up Focus website - it's a big mix of Germo-English so pretty hard to get around. The 'kontakt' link doesn't work so I found some other email adress under 'impressum' and sent them my query instead...hopefully they're connected to Focus in some way...

DirkVoodoo

Seems to be part of the boards kit now, you must have the jersey and a Focus Cayo...damn! Can I still be in the team?? :rolleyes:

Bambaata

i put a hole in my boards jersey last monday :-(

PeadarofAodh

blorg wrote: »

I doubt Wiggle will order something in for you. One of the reasons I went for the Cayo was that I knew the geometry was roughly comparable to something I knew I was happy with. Either are great bikes, the Planet X is very appealing too.

I checked some EU prices when ordering my Focus from Wiggle; they are _substantially_ higher than Wiggle (€1,300 vs. €1,900/€2,000 for the Cayo.)

The Planet X website is impossible for me to understand. I've never been an accessories nerd so never really understood what's worth paying for etc etc. Having a list of choices just confuses the crap out of me...

FrankGrimes

PeadarofAodh wrote: »

The Planet X website is impossible for me to understand. I've never been an accessories nerd so never really understood what's worth paying for etc etc. Having a list of choices just confuses the crap out of me...

Fully agree - it's pretty offputting for the novice as you really need to know what you're after for every specific component.

Have to say both of these look like fantastic bikes for the money and if I thought I'd get a decent price for the Giant SCR 2.0 I bought 6 months back, I'd defo go for one of these 2. Will probably let the head overrule me on it though.:D

Hungrycol

Bambaata wrote: »

i put a hole in my boards jersey last monday :-(

Don't worry. I think it was Blorg who ironed his and put new iron shaped vents in it. Sorry Blorg.

There's a moral in there somewhere :rolleyes:

blorg

PeadarofAodh wrote: »

The Planet X website is impossible for me to understand. I've never been an accessories nerd so never really understood what's worth paying for etc etc. Having a list of choices just confuses the crap out of me...

That is true, but TBH I'd appreciate being able to upgrade stuff at the point of sale that I'd want to upgrade anyway. Even on the base Planet X build there are several things I'd upgrade straight away, starting with the tyres. There is an argument in general that buying online is best in general if you already have a good idea of what you want.

PeadarofAodh

Well, looks like I'll be going Planet X - got a quick reply from Focus saying the 62cm frame is completely sold out. Now I just need to figure out what parts are worth buying...

ChickenBalls

you seem to get quick replies - they haven't come back to me at all!

what email did you use?

BUACHAILL

my bike arrived today from Planet x. I upgraded all my gearing to Dura Ace only to find that the crankset is a FSA. There was no options for cranksets etc so on a Dura Ace offer you assume it will be Dura Ace.

They replied saying no lok at the picture yet you cant see what make it is in the picture and is unwilling to do anything for me. Not great service considering I spent €1500 in his shop.

I recommend elsewhere

ChickenBalls

BUACHAILL wrote: »

my bike arrived today from Planet x. I upgraded all my gearing to Dura Ace only to find that the crankset is a FSA. There was no options for cranksets etc so on a Dura Ace offer you assume it will be Dura Ace.

They replied saying no lok at the picture yet you cant see what make it is in the picture and is unwilling to do anything for me. Not great service considering I spent €1500 in his shop.

I recommend elsewhere

I'm new to this bike buying - Whats with the difference upgrading to Dura Ace over whats standard on it already. I'm thinking of getting a Planet X bike too but what you point out wouldn't bother me or is there something I should know?

Quigs Snr

Bit dramatic there Buachaill. Its clearly not Dura Ace in the picture. Its black for a start, Dura Ace is silver (FSA cranksets are fine by the way, I rode the etape on one). I agree the contents of the build kit should be mentioned (they are somewhere on this site and used to be more prominent till they did the redesign), I guess thats why they say buying from the web is only for people who are sure of what they are doing.... You should relax though, you still got a great deal, get out there and enjoy it.

Keith123, Dura Ace Cranks = more expensive, slightly lighter, Stiffer. The few grams saved will not matter, the stiffness won't be an issue unless you are Tom Boonen and even at that you won't notice. I ride Dura Ace Cranks, love them. Rode FSA cranks for a long time, loved them too.

The standard Planet X build kit has PlanetX branded Stems, Bars, Seatpost and Saddle (all good quality and light). FSA cranks and planet x wheels are also standard, again pretty standard mid-range stuff. The only Dura Ace parts are the shifters and derailleurs. The chain and cassette are 105, which again are fine.

All in its a fine race ready bike that you can upgrade to your hearts content or ride as is and ride to a very high standard, it wouldn't stop you winning a pro race right out of the box. The same could be said of the Focus and most other bikes of similar spec. It could be worse, you could be spending twice as much on a trek covered in Bontrager parts !

I have no bias in any of this by the way, I ride a Cervelo R3 SL and a Trek 5500, both full dura ace with mavic wheels. I have a set of planetx cages and wheels, found their service great and am considering a Stealth TT frameset at the minute.

Chips Lovell

Did you ask for Dura Ace cranks? I don't see any box there to be ticked for them.

Lilphich

TinyExplosions wrote: »

Try emailling Focus direct? Or have a look at Canyon bikes -that was my second choice when I got the focus

For the sizes that you are looking at canyon would be good. I looked at canyon for a 54 or a 55 cm frame but the wait time was somewhere in the new year as they were completely sold out. There seems to be more in stock of the xxl bikes

Hungrycol

BUACHAILL wrote: »

my bike arrived today from Planet x. I upgraded all my gearing to Dura Ace only to find that the crankset is a FSA. There was no options for cranksets etc so on a Dura Ace offer you assume it will be Dura Ace.

They replied saying no lok at the picture yet you cant see what make it is in the picture and is unwilling to do anything for me. Not great service considering I spent €1500 in his shop.

I recommend elsewhere

FSA ain't bad stuff. Don't worry too much about it. Dura Ace stuff is due to come down in price when it's updated 2009 stuff come through this autumn and you could pick yourself one cheaper then to match your gruppo. You still got a great bike for your money.

PeadarofAodh

keith123 wrote: »

you seem to get quick replies - they haven't come back to me at all!

what email did you use?

I went directly to Focus on: info@derby-cycle.de and found them helpful.

Found Wiggle have 60cm Focus Cayo triple coming in mid July but not sure that'd fit me...will be doing leg measurements etc this evening!

ChickenBalls

Cheers for the email - they just got back to me a few mins ago.
There looking for me to remeasure my inseam - was too small first time.

Yeah I saw that Triple version was going to be available in mid-july
Could be a good alternative to go for - around 90% the same as the normal cayo.

PeadarofAodh

Yeah I'd probably just convert it to a double, no big deal. It's either that or destroy my head trying to go through the Planet X options...all I want is a decent bike to get on the road again!!

BUACHAILL

Quigs Snr wrote: »

Bit dramatic there Buachaill. Its clearly not Dura Ace in the picture. Its black for a start, Dura Ace is silver (FSA cranksets are fine by the way, I rode the etape on one). I agree the contents of the build kit should be mentioned (they are somewhere on this site and used to be more prominent till they did the redesign), I guess thats why they say buying from the web is only for people who are sure of what they are doing.... You should relax though, you still got a great deal, get out there and enjoy it.

Keith123, Dura Ace Cranks = more expensive, slightly lighter, Stiffer. The few grams saved will not matter, the stiffness won't be an issue unless you are Tom Boonen and even at that you won't notice. I ride Dura Ace Cranks, love them. Rode FSA cranks for a long time, loved them too.

The standard Planet X build kit has PlanetX branded Stems, Bars, Seatpost and Saddle (all good quality and light). FSA cranks and planet x wheels are also standard, again pretty standard mid-range stuff. The only Dura Ace parts are the shifters and derailleurs. The chain and cassette are 105, which again are fine.

All in its a fine race ready bike that you can upgrade to your hearts content or ride as is and ride to a very high standard, it wouldn't stop you winning a pro race right out of the box. The same could be said of the Focus and most other bikes of similar spec. It could be worse, you could be spending twice as much on a trek covered in Bontrager parts !

I have no bias in any of this by the way, I ride a Cervelo R3 SL and a Trek 5500, both full dura ace with mavic wheels. I have a set of planetx cages and wheels, found their service great and am considering a Stealth TT frameset at the minute.

Yeah sorry for the rant i have calmed down a bit. Its more annoying that if its not standard cosidering its a Dura Ace special offer that the option for the upgrade to Dura Ace is there. Nowhere is it mentioned.

Senior are you telling me that you would buy a bike by looking at a picture? By the way if you click on all there first couple of offers they have the same pic.

I am very fussy as you might have gathered and i dont mean to have a go and I am very aware that I have got a good deal but when you get one line short answers from someone who you have just spent money with its very annoying. I sell cars for a living and I would never treat a customer that way.

Anyway I am delighted with the bike and cant wait to get going.

Quigs Snr

Hi Buachaill,

All of us are fussy when it comes to parting with this amount of cash. I wouldn't buy a bike from a picture thats for sure, but I would research it as extensively as possible and the picture would cause me to question what I was getting. When I bought my Cervelo the picture showed a Wolf SL fork on it, so I damn near went into orbit when I got a 3T Funda with it instead, so I understand how you feel ! Ultimately though the bike just won me over in the end. I still got great value for my money so I was happy enough.

Now I do agree PlanetX need to make the crankset choice or lack thereof more visible (on the older site they specifically mentioned it, it was very clear whilst on the new one they are falling down badly)

You are going to love that bike, anyone who has one of these bikes raves about it, really good word of mouth. Goto bikenames.com and get your name tags made up for it so we can recognise you out on the road !

BUACHAILL

Quigs Snr wrote: »

Hi Buachaill,

All of us are fussy when it comes to parting with this amount of cash. I wouldn't buy a bike from a picture thats for sure, but I would research it as extensively as possible and the picture would cause me to question what I was getting. When I bought my Cervelo the picture showed a Wolf SL fork on it, so I damn near went into orbit when I got a 3T Funda with it instead, so I understand how you feel ! Ultimately though the bike just won me over in the end. I still got great value for my money so I was happy enough.

Now I do agree PlanetX need to make the crankset choice or lack thereof more visible (on the older site they specifically mentioned it, it was very clear whilst on the new one they are falling down badly)

You are going to love that bike, anyone who has one of these bikes raves about it, really good word of mouth. Goto bikenames.com and get your name tags made up for it so we can recognise you out on the road !

Hi Senior,

Thanks for your comments. I was more annoyed earlier at the guys comments more so than the fact i hadnt got what i expected. I really feel they need to be more clear on their website and they agree with me and said they are going to change it. I had done a lot of research into what bike i wanted and that's one of the reasons I had picked them in the first place as I could pick specific parts.

Please dont get me wrong here I am not unreasonable and I am chuffed with my new machine but I dont see how they can call it a Dura Ace Offer and yet nothing on it comes with it?? Yes I agree I should have questioned the bike in the picture but as I said earlier it was a stock picture.

Anyways to be fair to them they came back and offered me the Dura upgrade at a fee but i am going to decline as what I have is more than good enough for me and I have already spent enough. So i do commend them for the offer.

I must go and order up the plate now and cant wait to get out on it tomorrow, although i need to purchase a computer first. ha it never ends

I will try get some pictures up tomorrow !!

Quigs Snr

I do love dealing with Planet X, the 2 times I have they have been great, but their website was a disgrace, the new one is better but still has work to do. When I got my wheels they were one price in the "road wheels" section but cheaper (significantly) in the triathlon section. I think the problem with a company like PlanetX which is run by lads who love bikes and riding bikes is that they are a bit sloppy when it comes to the professionalism of selling online. Its not intentional as far as I can tell and they are trying to improve, but I would always be cautious buying from them.

They have a great deal on an ergomo power meter today. Damn them.

Re: Computers, I got my CS400 on Ebay. At the time I was 300 euro in Ireland (the cheapest I could find it), I got mine from the states for about 180 euro. I am sure similar savings could be made on the lower end models... To be fair though a Cateye Strada wireless or micro would be grand for you if you don't want anything fancy like HR.

BUACHAILL

yeah i am not sure if i should go for HR or not. I am thinking of going for one anyway as its better to have it and not use than having to go spend more money on another one if I decide i do want one, plus I am a gadget freak and if i buy one I know i wont be able to help but use it ha ha.

BUACHAILL

BUACHAILL wrote: »

yeah i am not sure if i should go for HR or not. I am thinking of going for one anyway as its better to have it and not use than having to go spend more money on another one if I decide i do want one, plus I am a gadget freak and if i buy one I know i wont be able to help but use it ha ha.

My new machine

planet x.JPG

planet x1.JPG

Caroline_ie

BUACHAILL wrote: »

My new machine

planet x.JPG

planet x1.JPG

Very Nice!!!!! Congrats on the baby! Hopefully we'll see you at the spins now as well eh?

BUACHAILL

Yeah hopefully so caroline just need to get the next few sats out of the way as I am working . Did you go for a spin today?

Caroline_ie

BUACHAILL wrote: »

Yeah hopefully so caroline just need to get the next few sats out of the way as I am working . Did you go for a spin today?

Was outside Dublin last night, I was too tired to drive back so late and only came home this noon. I am really tired after driving 350k, so I am just watching the tour de France on tv. Maybe I'll go later tonight just around the park, but not sure. I am going for a spin for the early tomorrow AM.

By the way, don't worry about working saturdays, there are also spins on Sundays :cool:

BUACHAILL

Yeah but my sundays are normally hang over days. just like right now. Had a few last night and head is thumping. Dear god why we do it

paddyb

BUACHAILL wrote: »

Yeah but my sundays are normally hang over days. just like right now. Had a few last night and head is thumping. Dear god why we do it

have you been out on the bike yet?

BUACHAILL

No not yet hope to get out on it later today but if not my commute starts tommorrow

Drapper

BUACHAILL wrote: »

No not yet hope to get out on it later today but if not my commute starts tommorrow

you know what lance would say about this situation?

blorg

BUACHAILL wrote: »

yeah i am not sure if i should go for HR or not. I am thinking of going for one anyway as its better to have it and not use than having to go spend more money on another one if I decide i do want one, plus I am a gadget freak and if i buy one I know i wont be able to help but use it ha ha.

Get HR, it is a very useful training aid. You can get a simple (non-logging) HR monitor for far less than 300, to give you an idea of how cheap even Aldi/Lidl do them periodically for around €20 or so.

blorg

PeadarofAodh wrote: »

Yeah I'd probably just convert it to a double, no big deal. It's either that or destroy my head trying to go through the Planet X options...all I want is a decent bike to get on the road again!!

Don't get a triple if you want a double, it is a big deal to convert and would be expensive. You would need definately new front shifter (and they generally sell as a set), crankset, bottom bracket and front derailleur, plus a swap on the rear derailleur for a short cage if you wanted that benefit.

Swapping compact for a standard road double should just be a matter of the crankset (still not cheap, but considerably easier than changing a triple.)

You would likely be better off just spending the extra now and getting a more expensive bike with the gearing you want. Personally though I have a triple and am perfectly happy with it (reckon I would be as happy with a compact either.)

PeadarofAodh

Thanks for the heads up Blorg, I was obviously misinformed!

I think I'll plump for the Planet-X, just trying to figure out what components I should go for etc. It's going to take a while for me to try and decipher it all!

stuf

blorg wrote: »

Get HR, it is a very useful training aid. You can get a simple (non-logging) HR monitor for far less than 300, to give you an idea of how cheap even Aldi/Lidl do them periodically for around €20 or so.

Can also be a good kick up the arse to increase your gear or cadence when cycling on the flat

ChickenBalls

BUACHAILL wrote: »

My new machine

planet x.JPG

planet x1.JPG

How are you getting on with the bike?
I thinking of ordering today but not sure what to upgrade on it or maybe just leave it as is.

BUACHAILL

keith123 wrote: »

How are you getting on with the bike?
I thinking of ordering today but not sure what to upgrade on it or maybe just leave it as is.

I have no complaints at all with the bike its the business, was out on it last night again and just gets better. I find the standar wheels and tyres that are on it quite good, they are planet x wheels not Reynolds.

i upgraded quite a lot on it though

PeadarofAodh

Planet X for me as well, finally decided what I'm going to upgrade etc based on a friend's recommendations. Hopefully will get it ordered today or tomorrow

PS: Could you imagine spending £26 on bar tape??!