This, folks, is the new Cayo 5.0 from German bike maker Focus and this particular rig was freighted from head office just for this test. And, as with the other bikes on test this issue, the Focus would present no trouble to baggage handlers…
The Cayo is Focus’s everyday performance roadie line, and it comes in a variety of builds – including two disc-brake options – to suit all pockets. This isn’t the first time we’ve tested a Cayo, but there’s a host of difference between this model and last year’s rig. Most noticeable is its all-new carbon frame build, which has resulted in a frame that weighs – wait for it – an average of 880g across its five sizes. Anything under 1kg is seriously light and dipping below 900g is verging on black magic.
Without getting too technical, Focus’s engineers have worked on how much carbon material is needed in critical junctions like the bottom bracket and head tube, and have also refined the inside surfaces of each tube to shed excess carbon sheets and resin. Combined with larger-diameter tubes, Focus has kept the Cayo light and strong, and, crucially, still affordable. It also specifies a different carbon layup for each frame size; a bigger size generally suits a heavier rider, who more stiffness and strength.
The front end bears this theory out, with its massive aero-shaped tapered head tube and large-diameter down tube. The bottom bracket, too, is oversized and equipped with a BB30 press-fit bearing shell. The seatstays, though, are willow-thin stalks designed to add some vertical compliance to the ride through the rear end.
Shimano’s Ultegra 11-speed mechanical group performs brilliantly, with noticeably less shift effort required up front and seamless, light cog-swapping out back. Even though the Cayo is specc’ed with a standard 53/39t crankset, the 11-28t cassette provides enough ratio width to climb with relative ease. The frame can also be retrofitted with electronic bits, thanks to the cable guide plates fitted to the frame.
The finishing gear and overall package is very convincing. The flat-top compact bars, the Zero tape and narrow but comfy Zero saddle lend the Focus a very cohesive feel straight off the shop floor. Just add pedals and cages and you’re ready for a big-number ride that same day.
The new Cayo’s geometry has been significantly tweaked and it shows as soon as you give it a rip up the road. It’s impressively stable and confident at both high and low speeds, and it changes directions with alacrity. A swap to 700x25c tyres this year does wonders for responsiveness and ride quality, too. Despite its lack of weight, it’s not flighty or nervous. It’ll respond to a sprint too, but you’re giving away a modicum of rigidity on such a light build, despite that massive downtube and BB30 bottom bracket shell.
The Focus has a ride quality that few carbon frames have; it’s nimble and agile, with a playfulness that’s reminiscent of a good steel bike. It’s supple over rough road surfaces, and filters out coarseness and bumps with ease. Yet it’ll respond instantly to a kick, and grind up nasty climbs calmly and serenely. As an all-day machine that can turn up the wick when required, the Cayo matches bikes far above its RRP. – Tim Robson
Groupset
Shimano Ultegra 6800
Wheels
Fulcrum WH-CEX 6.5
Weight
7.09kg (size M)
Price
$2999