Bike of the Month

FOCUS December bike of the month

L.B. › 04.01.2011

FOCUS Izalco Ultimate: lightweight construction to perfection

FOCUS Rennräder sind für ambitionierte Radfahrer perfekt ausgerüstet. Ideal aufeinander abgestimmte Rahmengeometrien und Komponenten bieten jedem Radrennsportler das passende Sportgerät.

Many sceptics maintain there are no end of high-end bikes. However, at the very pinnacle of bicycle construction there are just a few that stand out in this rather more sparsely populated segment. With the Izalco Ultimate, FOCUS shows just what can be done when building racing bikes, reducing the weight to under five kilograms.

Simply open the cycle shop door, give a big grin and say: "I'd like to choose a bike. I don't care what it costs!" – One way or another this must be the kind of thing many keen cyclists dream of. There's (almost) no price limit and there are quite a number of top-class bikes to choose from. At this point people often start discussing the bikes ridden by the pros in the Pro Tours. From 2011 onwards FOCUS will be kitting out Team Katusha with Izalco Team Katusha bikes. Due to the rules of the International Cycling Union, the UCI, the bike weighs in at 6.8 kilograms. With its unique carbon frame, SRAM gear components and DT Swiss wheels - the FOCUS Izalco Team - what is in fact a totally pro bike can now be bought by amateur cyclists.

FOCUS Rennräder sind für ambitionierte Radfahrer perfekt ausgerüstet. Ideal aufeinander abgestimmte Rahmengeometrien und Komponenten bieten jedem Radrennsportler das passende Sportgerät.

But FOCUS does not stop there. Engineers at FOCUS have reduced the weight of the Izalco Ultimate to less than five kilos. So this bike is not made for cyclists who hold a professional licence. The frame has been further updated. Although the current structure is lighter than its predecessor, it has even more lateral rigidity. If you then think about where you could use the Ultimate, you come to two conclusions: The racing bike is released for a total weight of up to 90 kilograms. Cyclists who are not all that heavy can therefore use it as a full-blown racing bike. At the same time any technology fan may feel the urge to keep this ultralight bike in a glass case in the sitting room or anywhere where it can be seen. The bike seems just too perfect. Matte black wherever you look. The black Tune Big Foot cranks are just as shiny as the contrasting FOCUS lettering, also in black, on the down tube. The decals in a discreet red provide colourful highlights on the rims, seatpost and gear and brake levers.

The Izalco Ultimate is the 'ultimate' dream bike and, as such, of course or unfortunately, it comes at a price. The bike comes with DT Swiss RRC 32 or Lightweight Standard Black Edition wheels, depending on your individual preference. Price: €8,999.00 (approx. £7,634.00) or €9,999.00 (approx. £8,482.00 )