New bike advice

GradMed

My apologies if this is in the wrong section and if you're already sick of threads like these.

I finally decided to make the switch to road bikes and decided to get an entry level one through the bike to work scheme for commuting during the week and for longer cycles at the weekend.

I'm really not familiar with road bikes at all so was hoping I might get some advice regarding the bike below, as I can't seem to find any reviews online.

http://eurocycles.com/ie/product/focus/variado-3-0-trp-30g-new-white

Price 800 euro.

Tried it and like it, although it'll take a while to get used to road bikes.
I was just wondering is there any glaring downside to the above bike that I'm not seeing.?


Thanks

Lumen

Lovely bike. Is it 9sp or 10sp Tiagra?

GradMed

10sp I believe

ckeego

Nice bike indeed. My brother is upgrading and I have sent him in the direction of Focus as well.

It might be just my imagination though, but the angles/geometry on this one look quite harsh, particularly for an entry level road bike?

Cee-Jay-Cee

Nice bike and everything you would need as a starter bike, the 10spd tiagra won't give you any trouble and is every bit as good as 105 these days so no need to pay extra for the sake of a few grams weight difference.

Craig06

I have full tiagra 10 speed on my bike and it doesn't miss a beat ever.

GradMed

Thanks for the feedback. Really appreciate it.

route66

GradMed wrote: »

My apologies if this is in the wrong section and if you're already sick of threads like these.

I finally decided to make the switch to road bikes and decided to get an entry level one through the bike to work scheme for commuting during the week and for longer cycles at the weekend.

I'm really not familiar with road bikes at all so was hoping I might get some advice regarding the bike below, as I can't seem to find any reviews online.

http://eurocycles.com/ie/product/focus/variado-3-0-trp-30g-new-white

Price 800 euro.

Tried it and like it, although it'll take a while to get used to road bikes.
I was just wondering is there any glaring downside to the above bike that I'm not seeing.?


Thanks

The bike in the picture is the older model - it's also a compact and not the triple (TRG) advertised. Note that the only sizes left are 50 and 52 which are on the small side - have a look at the size guide for further info.

I have the actual bike in the picture, picking it up secondhand about a year ago. Here's some edited comments I made about it in another thread:

I have a 2009 model year Focus Variado. I bought it secondhand but I understand it had a list price of €1,000 when it was purchased new in mid-2010. It's my first road bike so I have little first-hand experience of others to compare it against. But I can say the following:

• My bike is heavy at 10KGs
• My wheels were Focus Concept SLs. Although I'm not an expert on wheels, I can say that they were poor quality. Or more specifically, I'm talking about the hubs which lasted about 1,000 kms before disintegrating.
• The Headset - despite having a cap which stated "Cartridge Inside" - had bottom of the barrel bearings. These were ball bearings which Focus didn't see fit to even put in a cage. I'd say the metal in the ballbearings had the constituency of a sugar lump and this probably resulted in them lasting for about as long as the wheels.
• Reliable "Square-Taper" Shimano bottom bracket
• Tiagra Front and Rear deraileur and brakes
• The saddle is comfortable
• I've emailed Focus directly a few times with various queries and am impressed with their customer service.
• The Variado is set up as a "sports" bike and it not designed with a comfortable upright geometry; it's stiff and rigid and handles well. Despite being a bit of a mamil, I find it grand and comfortable enough; I'd no complaints after completing a 136km charity cycle last year.

Overall I'm very happy with the bike. I've replaced the wheels and the headset with decent quality items so all is well on the quality front. It's just very annoying that for about an extra 20-30 Euro (manufacturers prices) Focus could have made a bike with decent quality components but spoiled the overall effect by penny pinching.

This is a Bikeradar review of the bike: link As the Tiagra groupset on the one you link to is now 10 speed, this review of the 10-speed 105 (also a triple) should be representitive.

€800 is a decent price and I don't think you'd go too far wrong - even allowing for replacing the bits that I've had to.

But.

It mightn't be the best for a commuter. The main problems are the lack of any room for mudguards, and the racey geometry which isn't ideal for traffic work.

A good alternative would be the Pinnacle Arkose Cyclocross Bike, which is available in Tiagra spec for € 1057.09 from Evans (link) and would be a much better fit for your dual commuting / weekend fitness needs. It won a recent Bikeradar group test of CX bikes (not online yet) and there are very positive comments elsewhere online - e.g. here & here.

If you're keen to stick with a pure road bike then what about the Mekk 2G Poggio P2.0 105 from Wiggle: link. It's an upgrade on the Variado on 2 fronts: Carbon Frame and 105 groupset. You could then buy this to do your commuting: link or pick up something secondhand from adverts.ie or donedeal, etc

Woops, we're up to €1,300 now. Must. Stop.

GradMed

Thanks route 66 for the advice, sorely testing my ability to adhere to a budget and for my current state of confusion

I was actually going to hand in the paperwork to get the variadio 3, had a size 58 at another store but will hold off and give the shop a call in the morning.

If I'm understanding you correctly. The picture of the bike is the 2009 model and the specs are for the newer model?
I'm pretty sure the bike from the picture is the one i tested in the shop.

route66

Yes.

As far as I know, the older basic Variados had the red & white colour scheme. They newer ones had a number between 3 and 1 in the name where 3 was the most basic. The older models had no such numbers; there was the Variado (Tiagra) (mine, as per the picture) and the Variado Expert (105) which is white as per the Bikeradar link above.

You need to make sure you're not buying v.old stock.

Email Focus (from their website) if you are unsure - I found them helpful

GradMed

I suppose the silver lining in all this is the Mekk you linked above. It looks like it would be well worth some overtime at work and any resolve I had regarding my budget is dwindling.
Thank you for you help, wouldn't have realised any of this until after I had bought the bike.

route66

GradMed wrote: »

I suppose the silver lining in all this is the Mekk you linked above. It looks like it would be well worth some overtime at work and any resolve I had regarding my budget is dwindling.
Thank you for you help, wouldn't have realised any of this until after I had bought the bike.

Are you planning on using it for both commuting and fitness? It's all very possible, but some compromises will be involved. Some also like to use a "beater" for commuting - less lightly to be stolen :eek:

Elsewhere in another, similar thread, the Cannondale CAAD8 7 Sora Bike 2013 is described as "At under a grand, this is about the best deal you will get in Ireland." I'd agree - have a look here: link

Anyway, best of luck with your deliberations!

GradMed

a little update. Thanks for all the advice.
Went with the giant defy 2 and in the 24 hours or so since i got it I now realise just how unfit I really am.

Plutonium Kun

Very nice bike, hope you enjoy it.

First upgrade should be the pedals - its unnerving when you start, but having clipless pedals really improves comfort and efficiency as you ride.

Normally, the most cost-effective upgrade is the tyres, cheaper bikes usually have quite poor tyres, something really nice like Schwalbe Krylions will greatly improve the feel of the bike.

Forecast is nice for tomorrow, so enjoy a good ride!

cython

Plutonium Kun wrote: »

Very nice bike, hope you enjoy it.

First upgrade should be the pedals - its unnerving when you start, but having clipless pedals really improves comfort and efficiency as you ride.

Normally, the most cost-effective upgrade is the tyres, cheaper bikes usually have quite poor tyres, something really nice like Schwalbe Krylions will greatly improve the feel of the bike.

Forecast is nice for tomorrow, so enjoy a good ride!

Have Schwalbe and Michelin undergone a merger that I missed? :pac:

All joking aside though, OP, I would agree with the recommendation on the tyre change, as a lot of the own brand tyres shipped on entry level bikes can be very poor for puncture protection alone, and that will get old very fast!

GradMed

groan....my bank balance is having an especially unpleasant month. (Thanks though)
Seeing as I'm on a budget

Shimano R540 SPD-SL Road Pedals
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=5369

Schwalbe Durano
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=63346

Shimano shoes
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=69973

Would those be reasonable starting out?

Will pop into my local shop to see about shoe sizes and if they have any deals.

cython

GradMed wrote: »

groan....my bank balance is having an especially unpleasant month. (Thanks though)
Seeing as I'm on a budget

Shimano R540 SPD-SL Road Pedals
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=5369

Schwalbe Durano
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=63346

Shimano shoes
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=69973

Would those be reasonable starting out?

Will pop into my local shop to see about shoe sizes and if they have any deals.

The tyre you picked won't go on a road bike, as it's the wrong size. You want a 700c one. I have the same pedals, and they're perfectly fine, though if you want to commute on the bike some would favour SPDs rather than SPD-SLs, due to the facility for recessed cleats with MTB shoes.

route66

GradMed wrote: »

a little update. Thanks for all the advice.
Went with the giant defy 2 and in the 24 hours or so since i got it I now realise just how unfit I really am.

I don't know much about Giant bikes but they are one of the world's biggest bike brands and are well respected. A recent Cycling Plus group test put the Defy 1 (a little upgrade from your bike) @ no. 1: www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-giant-defy-1-12-45849

Nice one - hope you have some fun on it!

Edit: Agree with above comments on pedals - SPDs are much handier for non-specialized use as you can still walk around in the shoes. I got some Shimano A530 Pedals and can recommend them. I'd leave the tyres for the mo - the ones you have will be ok and you can get something better when they wear out. Oh, & don't forget a pump and a puncture repair kit!

GradMed

Thanks, I'm sure I will. (assuming I survive the potholes in my area)
Thank you for your advice, was very useful for somone that's new to the area.

My apologies Cython, wrong tyre link
Schwalbe Durano plus ( trying to decide between this and the standard Durano)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=83215

Didn't realise the difference between the spd and spd SL.
the spd may be a bit better for me
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28051