Focus Signs New Dealers

Focus Bikes, part of Derby Cycle Australia, recently ran a series of road shows in major capital cities to launch their 2013 range.

Derby’s Mark Chadwick showed us their new range at Focus’ Sydney show.

“The new Izalco Team SL has a new system where it uses a silicone mould instead of a bag mould to inflate and compress the carbon,” Mark said. “That way it compresses the carbon a lot harder, so you can use less carbon and also less chance of it having bubbles. Bubbles are where the cracks form, so less chance for warranty issues.

“Normally we have aluminium cups to house the bearings in the headset and bottom bracket. This year we’re using carbon cups. This frame is 200 grams lighter than last year’s model, on average 950 grams. (depending upon frame size) Our top of the line is a SRAM Red model is 6.1 kg out of the box.

Mark also showed us the new Focus Planet urban bike with belt drive. “We can’t keep up with that as far as back orders,” he said. “It’s quite popular, especially in Sydney and Melbourne. 2011 was the first year we had it. We didn’t realise it was going to be so popular, so we doubled the order for 2012, but we keep running out and re-ordering.”

“We signed up a few more dealers while I was in London and I think we’re up to 50 Focus dealers,” said Mark, who had only just returned from the London Olympics where he watched his wife, Anna Meares win well earned bronze and gold medals.

The 2013 Focus Izalco Team SL with a Campagnolo Record EPS 11 speed electronic groupset features a 200 gram lighter frame than the previous model.

Focus also offer a full range of mountain bikes including the carbon fibre framed Raven 29R with internal cable routing.