Canyon ultimate cf sl 9 or Focus Cayo Evo 3.0

tamaskan

Hey lads,
I'm in the process of upgrading to a new bike and have it down to two choices. One with my LBS and one online from Canyon. The lbs option is the 2014 Focus cayo Evo 3.0 which comes in at €2200 with 11 speed Ultegra. 11 speed is important for me as it's somewhat future proofed so I won't get a bad case of upgrade-itis down the line. Nice bike though the bright yellow and black makes it hard to love. However it gets great reviews and is comfortable yet racy.
2nd option is the Canyon, (€2199)also 11 speed and a over a pound lighter with Ksyrium Elite S Wts wheels (but I already own Dura Ace C24's so wheels aren't important).
I'll be mainly using it for duathlons and fast Sportives. My heart says the Canyon for spec and looks, but my head says the Focus for comfort and supporting my lbs.

Anyone own either of these two? Or anyone else have an opinion. I can always change Lbs as he's not in my town anyway.
Thanks in advance.

mcgratheoin

There may be a pretty long wait for a Canyon, you probably won't get it until June if that might help you make up your mind.

tamaskan

mcgratheoin wrote: »

There may be a pretty long wait for a Canyon, you probably won't get it until June if that might help you make up your mind.

I'm wiling to wait for the right bike as I'll have it long enough. Just feel a little guilty for not supporting lbs.

omri

tamaskan wrote: »

Hey lads,
I'm in the process of upgrading to a new bike and have it down to two choices. One with my LBS and one online from Canyon. The lbs option is the 2014 Focus cayo Evo 3.0 which comes in at €2200 with 11 speed Ultegra. 11 speed is important for me as it's somewhat future proofed so I won't get a bad case of upgrade-itis down the line. Nice bike though the bright yellow and black makes it hard to love. However it gets great reviews and is comfortable yet racy.
2nd option is the Canyon, (€2199)also 11 speed and a over a pound lighter with Ksyrium Elite S Wts wheels (but I already own Dura Ace C24's so wheels aren't important).
I'll be mainly using it for duathlons and fast Sportives. My heart says the Canyon for spec and looks, but my head says the Focus for comfort and supporting my lbs.

Anyone own either of these two? Or anyone else have an opinion. I can always change Lbs as he's not in my town anyway.
Thanks in advance.

I have focus cayo and recently put 11speeder. It's few years old frame but can't complain and if I was to get a new bike I would go with focus again. They were good value when they weren't a "famous" brand - today I don't know. The ultegra groupset is around €650 - so you just need to look at the value/spec of the remaining components to judge how good deal it is. Unfortunately it's very difficult to buy focus frame set alone these days.

I would go with focus just because I own it already and Im quite happy with my frame.

tamaskan

omri wrote: »

I have focus cayo and recently put 11speeder. It's few years old frame but can't complain and if I was to get a new bike I would go with focus again. They were good value when they weren't a "famous" brand - today I don't know. The ultegra groupset is around €650 - so you just need to look at the value/spec of the remaining components to judge how good deal it is. Unfortunately it's very difficult to buy focus frame set alone these days.

I would go with focus just because I own it already and Im quite happy with my frame.

Thanks for that. The focus is still good value for 11 speed. I'd take it no problem, but the colour of it just puts me off a little. It's got everything I need, but I'd find it hard to love it. Shallow I know, but if I'm gonna spend that much I should at least like how it looks. I'd get over it, but I saw some Canyons at the Etape Ras Mumhan last week and I was in love: )

Welshkev

Being honest what you're going to get here is owners of Focus' telling you to go for that one, and owners of the Canyon telling you to go for the Canyon.
I have that Canyon and really like it. From personal experience, Canyon are a pleaure to deal with, despite being online only, and have had no problems at all with the bike.
As the specs are the same (will you really notice the pound in weight difference?) it's probably going to come down to asthetics and which you prefer the look of.
If there's anything specific you'd like to know about the Canyon, feel free to PM me though.

tamaskan

Kevinleeowen wrote: »

Being honest what you're going to get here is owners of Focus' telling you to go for that one, and owners of the Canyon telling you to go for the Canyon.
I have that Canyon and really like it. From personal experience, Canyon are a pleaure to deal with, despite being online only, and have had no problems at all with the bike.
As the specs are the same (will you really notice the pound in weight difference?) it's probably going to come down to asthetics and which you prefer the look of.
If there's anything specific you'd like to know about the Canyon, feel free to PM me though.

Do u bring your Canyon to your original lbs for servicing, and if so how did they take it?

Welshkev

tamaskan wrote: »

Do u bring your Canyon to your original lbs for servicing, and if so how did they take it?

I have taken it in once, and no problems - did get the comment "nice bike" too! Mind you, my old bike was in and out of the shop a lot with them, and they were always super helpful which made me "encourage" my wife to buy her new bike from them. Probably helps!

zindicato

had 2 focus bikes had an cayo ( sold) and now have a culebro1.0 (cycle to work) saving up for an izalco so as you can see loyal focus fan here, but try test riding both bikes first and then decide on what you really want:-)

smiggyontour

Kevinleeowen wrote: »

Being honest what you're going to get here is owners of Focus' telling you to go for that one, and owners of the Canyon telling you to go for the Canyon.
I have that Canyon and really like it. From personal experience, Canyon are a pleaure to deal with, despite being online only, and have had no problems at all with the bike.
As the specs are the same (will you really notice the pound in weight difference?) it's probably going to come down to asthetics and which you prefer the look of.
If there's anything specific you'd like to know about the Canyon, feel free to PM me though.

Which colour did you go for ?

Cee-Jay-Cee

I'd go with the Canyon on looks alone. I do t think it's shallow to choose a bike on looks, I chose mine purely in looks and absolutely love it over all other bikes.

Welshkev

smiggyontour wrote: »

Which colour did you go for ?

The shark silver - cyan one. Forgot to mention, put all my mesurements in the website when buying it and the size recomended was spot on too.

omri

Kevinleeowen wrote: »

Being honest what you're going to get here is owners of Focus' telling you to go for that one, and owners of the Canyon telling you to go for the Canyon.
I have that Canyon and really like it. From personal experience, Canyon are a pleaure to deal with, despite being online only, and have had no problems at all with the bike.
As the specs are the same (will you really notice the pound in weight difference?) it's probably going to come down to asthetics and which you prefer the look of.
If there's anything specific you'd like to know about the Canyon, feel free to PM me though.

Don't listen to him get focus

Welshkev

omri wrote: »

Don't listen to him get focus

Told ya!

tamaskan

CJC999 wrote: »

I'd go with the Canyon on looks alone. I do t think it's shallow to choose a bike on looks, I chose mine purely in looks and absolutely love it over all other bikes.

So the message seems to be fcuk the LBS and follow my heart. So next question, can I order a black seat and bar tape from Canyon. Not mad into white.

Welshkev

tamaskan wrote: »

So the message seems to be fcuk the LBS and follow my heart. So next question, can I order a black seat and bar tape from Canyon. Not mad into white.

I wouldn't go that far now! I'm a big fan of LBS's. I'm pretty certain you can't customise the bike, but you may be able to change the seat (not sure though). You could get a new seat and bar tape from the LBS?!

tamaskan

Kevinleeowen wrote: »

I wouldn't go that far now! I'm a big fan of LBS's. I'm pretty certain you can't customise the bike, but you may be able to change the seat (not sure though). You could get a new seat and bar tape from the LBS?!

Yeah I'm a fan of my Lbs too and don't want to betray them as they lent me a lovely Felt AR4 for a duathlon last year. On the other hand, is it really a good idea to buy a bike that I just don't like the look of. See attached image. What do ye guys think of it?

tamaskan

Another thing I've heard is that the Canyon isn't the most comfortable over long distances. BikeRadar even say the Canyon Ultimate AL is more comfortable than it carbon brother. Anyone?

zindicato

tamaskan wrote: »

Yeah I'm a fan of my Lbs too and don't want to betray them as they lent me a lovely Felt AR4 for a duathlon last year. On the other hand, is it really a good idea to buy a bike that I just don't like the look of. See attached image. What do ye guys think of it?

mate of mine had exactly the same one he came from a specialized tarmac elite 2012 is spesh was his baby for years till he decided for a change he tried a cannondale which he loved but price was bit high for him so he found the focus he was gonna dismiss it till he tried it now he totally loves it that the spesh was passed on to his son:)

pelevin

I think it would be ridiculous to buy a good bike for that money you don't like the look of. Feeling that way is nothing to feel guilty about.

tamaskan

zindicato wrote: »

mate of mine had exactly the same one he came from a specialized tarmac elite 2012 is spesh was his baby for years till he decided for a change he tried a cannondale which he loved but price was bit high for him so he found the focus he was gonna dismiss it till he tried it now he totally loves it that the spesh was passed on to his son:)

Is it the same fluoro yellow Cayo Evo 3.0 as the picture file I attached? I know from the reviews that the Cayo is everything I need, light, fast and comfortable. The Canyon is even lighter and will probably shave a few seconds off the hills, but over 150k it's probably not as comfortable. Tight call as comfort is probably more important than looks. Thing is beauty is only skin deep, but ugly cuts to the bone.

tamaskan

I've just e mailed Canyon to see if I could buy a bike without wheels as I already have Dura Ace C24's on my current Alu bike. It'll be interesting to see what they say. If I could save €200 there I could buy a higher up model.
Anyone any ideas on their policy on wheels?

furiousox

tamaskan wrote: »

Yeah I'm a fan of my Lbs too and don't want to betray them as they lent me a lovely Felt AR4 for a duathlon last year. On the other hand, is it really a good idea to buy a bike that I just don't like the look of. See attached image. What do ye guys think of it?

I've seen two of these recently.
One in a bike shop and one in a sportive.
I thought it was a nice looking bike, not as garish as you might think.

tamaskan

furiousox wrote: »

I've seen two of these recently.
One in a bike shop and one in a sportive.
I thought it was a nice looking bike, not as garish as you might think.

I checked it out in the lbs and while it's not garish, nor is it anything to be proud of. It will get looks, but not necessarily the right type of looks. It's probably one of those love it or hate it type of bikes.

Ole Rodrigo

Giant, Trek, Focus and Cube ( with a yellow jacket ) . Thats pretty much your options at the LBS.

Sometimes it feels like North Korea.

tamaskan

ror_74 wrote: »

Giant, Trek, Focus and Cube ( with a yellow jacket ) . Thats pretty much your options at the LBS.

Sometimes it feels like North Korea.

What do you ride?

Lumen

I own a Canyon AL and like it a lot, but they're not without issues. The forks can't be purchased separately which means if you damage them you need to buy a whole frameset, and the headset is proprietary and replacement bearings are only available from Canyon @ €50 a shot.

Sizing can also be a bit tricky to get right, particularly since they seem to change geometry from year to year (unlike Colnago, for instance, who seem to have been using the same geometry for decades because, eh, bicycle geometry is a solved problem).

Focuses used to be a bit agricultural but they've come on a lot since I owned one in 2008 ish.

Maybe just buy a bike that's pretty and has the groupset and wheels you want.

zindicato

tamaskan wrote: »

Is it the same fluoro yellow Cayo Evo 3.0 as the picture file I attached? I know from the reviews that the Cayo is everything I need, light, fast and comfortable. The Canyon is even lighter and will probably shave a few seconds off the hills, but over 150k it's probably not as comfortable. Tight call as comfort is probably more important than looks. Thing is beauty is only skin deep, but ugly cuts to the bone.

same as that one ill post a link to his fb page he's from the other side of the border great ol filipino chap
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202339482903149&set=pb.1074360908.-2207520000.1398798930.&type=3&theater

tamaskan

zindicato wrote: »

same as that one ill post a link to his fb page he's from the other side of the border great ol filipino chap
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202339482903149&set=pb.1074360908.-2207520000.1398798930.&type=3&theater

Thanks for the link. It actually looks pretty sweet outside the shop. Could have been the lighting on the fluorescent yellow bringing out its disco side:) You could have changed my mind. Nice one.

smiggyontour

tamaskan wrote: »

So the message seems to be fcuk the LBS and follow my heart. So next question, can I order a black seat and bar tape from Canyon. Not mad into white.

Ordered an ultimate cf 9.0 in March asked about swapping white saddle and bar tape to black
Told it couldn't be done
Ill change the bar tape to black but think the white saddle like look good against all the black and grey

tamaskan

smiggyontour wrote: »

Ordered an ultimate cf 9.0 in March asked about swapping white saddle and bar tape to black
Told it couldn't be done
Ill change the bar tape to black but think the white saddle like look good against all the black and grey

Thanks for that. Any photos of your bike? Is it the SL or the SLK?

smiggyontour

tamaskan wrote: »

Thanks for that. Any photos of your bike? Is it the SL or the SLK?

Any photos?
Ill stick some up when the Germans get the finger out and ship it out
Website said it was in stock but as soon as I ordered it the shipping date jumped to week 19 which is next week then it's 5 to10 days to arrive here after that
Hopefully it will be worth the wait

smiggyontour

tamaskan wrote: »

Thanks for that. Any photos of your bike? Is it the SL or the SLK?

Sorry I ordered the SL 9.0

tamaskan

smiggyontour wrote: »

Sorry I ordered the SL 9.0

Unbelievable what you can get for €1999. The wait sound ridiculous. Congratulations. It'll be fantastic I'm sure, especially when u look at what's available at that price.

thekidfrom69

Ultimate CF SL 9.0 SL being delivered tomorrow, waiting since end of January but this was made clear when ordering, however think that the current wait time is much lower.

tamaskan

thekidfrom69 wrote: »

Ultimate CF SL 9.0 SL being delivered tomorrow, waiting since end of January but this was made clear when ordering, however think that the current wait time is much lower.

You won't get much sleep tonight. Stick some photos up when u get it please. After you take it for a spin of course. I can't wait to hear all about it.

frazzledazzle

I bought a Canyon this year, I went from a Trek Madone to the CF SLX (same geometry as the CF SL), I have to say it was the single best bike decision I ever made ............ the Canyon ride well over distance, climb especially well (compared to anything I had before), the spec is outstanding value including the frame and seems euro for euro spectacular value ..............

The only slight downside I found was that their PPS system for sizing is c*ap ............ however if you talk to them in UK Sales office and tell what you ride currently they will put you on the right bike, then just get it fitted correctly at a good bike shop for spot on position ............. I find Dom in Base2Race excellent !

Finally - never EVER buy a bike that you dont like the look of !!!!!!!!

Absolutley Finally - check the outlet page and see if you can get a better deal .............

cheerspal

Canyon CF SL 9.0 should be here early next week! Will post a pic

Ken1975

tamaskan wrote: »

Another thing I've heard is that the Canyon isn't the most comfortable over long distances. BikeRadar even say the Canyon Ultimate AL is more comfortable than it carbon brother. Anyone?

As Karl Pilkington would say ..."Bullsh*t"

I ride an Aeroad CF 7, many a race over 120km and several spins over 160km mark. No noticable vibration transfer to any part of my body, and I suffer from a dodgy C6, C7 and T1 vertibrae after an old biking accident.

frazzledazzle

Same as the post above my CF SLX 7.0 is perfect on long spins of 120km's - I dont need or have the desire to ride any further - the CL is a softer frame and would imagine even more comfortable ...................

omri

zindicato wrote: »

same as that one ill post a link to his fb page he's from the other side of the border great ol filipino chap
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202339482903149&set=pb.1074360908.-2207520000.1398798930.&type=3&theater

Buy focus dont listen to other branders

tamaskan

Ah lads, I had my mind made up to get the Focus for 2 reasons, but now you're after confusing me.
Reason 1: I could never go back to my lbs with the canyon. It would feel like I was taking the piss a bit. Also if something goes wrong with the Focus, the Lbs will sort it out.

2: I thought the Canyon might be a bit stiff for 140km+ sportives, but from what somebody was saying above, that's not necessarily true. Besides, I currently ride an Aluminium steed, and never really feel uncomfortable, though it's far from a magic carpet ride.

Ah well, if this is the biggest problem in my life right now, I'm not doing too bad.

Ole Rodrigo

Comfort is for wussbags - get the Canyon. :pac:

tamaskan

ror_74 wrote: »

Comfort is for wussbags - get the Canyon. :pac:

And what about my poor lbs? Has nobody around here have any sympathy for the grease monkeys of the world?

macbane66

Do the canyon cohort out there think a small in the cf or cf slx range at 537tt is an accurate reflection in reality? Have been riding a cube gtc 531tt for past few years, 5ft 9. Have given couple of lbs a Craic at getting a good deal but canyon r hard bet IMO

cheerspal

You lbc probably makes most of its money from servicing so they will be happy to take any bikes in.

Get the Canyon, my mate said it was like he was being pulled alone when he had it for a 150k spin at the weekend.

furiousox

cheerspal wrote: »

..my mate said it was like he was being pulled alone.....

:eek:

Ken1975

macbane66 wrote: »

Do the canyon cohort out there think a small in the cf or cf slx range at 537tt is an accurate reflection in reality? Have been riding a cube gtc 531tt for past few years, 5ft 9. Have given couple of lbs a Craic at getting a good deal but canyon r hard bet IMO

Im 5ft 10, I ride a Small Aeroad which has a 541 or 545tt with a 100mm stem. No complaints. I remember measuring tt when I got it and it was what they said it was. Hope this helps

cheerspal

furiousox wrote: »

:eek:

True story

Ole Rodrigo

tamaskan wrote: »

And what about my poor lbs? Has nobody around here have any sympathy for the grease monkeys of the world?

LBS does a brisk trade servicing mine. Does a much better job.

tamaskan

ror_74 wrote: »

LBS does a brisk trade servicing mine. Does a much better job.

Fair play to you. Had you a good look over what he was offering before u decided on the Canyon ? How did he take it.?
If anyone thinks I'm being a bit over the top about the Lbs, please let me know.

"Does a much better job" than who... You?
That's the other thing, bar the bare essentials maintenance , there's not much servicing I can do to a bike.