The Focus Izalco Max Disc 8.6 may be painted in what’s best described as ‘primer grey’, but it’s most certainly the finished article. To extend the analogy, it’s the road cycling equivalent of the ‘Nardo grey’ Audi RS3, where a flat, innocuous colour scheme belies a bellyful of gut-punching acceleration and otherworldly handling.
Leaving the world of motoring behind, and before this comparison becomes any more strained, the Focus Izalco Max Disc 8.6 represents one of the most affordable examples of a sorted, aero-focussed road bike I’ve ridden since… well, probably since we were last allowed to shake hands and hug total strangers.
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The gains game
To achieve as slippery a frameset as possible, Focus – like so many bike companies these days – took to the wind-tunnel to hone its frame tech. The resultant kamm tail tubing in the carbon frame and forks contributes to Focus’s claim that this most recent incarnation of the Izalco Max is a whopping 90 seconds faster over 50km at a consistent 200 watts.
In aero frame-building terms, the kamm tail profile has assumed the throne once occupied by the late-20th century favourite, the aerofoil.
Essentially, while an aerofoil tapers to a point, a kamm tail has the same frontal shape, yet ends abruptly at its tail, rather than coming to a point.
Where this gives the Focus Izalco Max Disc 8.6 an advantage over bikes of yore (I’m looking at you, Cervelo S1), is that the frame profile is optimised for better performance at wider yaw angles. In practice, that means crosswinds, in fact anything that’s not a block headwind.
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Successful integration
Also unlike many lower-rung offerings in bike brands’ performance road ranges, the neatness of finish is not forgotten on the Focus Izalco Max Disc 8.6.
The front brake cable is neatly channelled through the fork leg, emerging on the inside mere centimetres from the Shimano 105 flat-mount calliper.
Buy the Focus Izalco Max Disc 8.6 from JE James Cycles now
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Cables for the rear brake and both derailleurs enter the fist-thick down tube via a neat guide on the tube’s upper (crucially, out of the airflow). And when it comes to functional details, beyond the fact that a Shimano 105 groupset is a thoroughly dependable choice here – with the possible exception of the heavier RS510 50/34 chainset, Focus has employed a RAT (Rapid Axle Technology) thru-axle front and rear.
Its quarter-turn closure is quicker and less fiddly than any quick-release, and certainly any thru-axle I’ve used.
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Throw anything at it
Focus claims the high modulus Izalco Max Disc 8.6 frame weighs 1040g, with the forks adding another 376g. The all-up weight of our size M test bike of 8.98kg is thanks mainly to a wheelset that borders on 2kg, and the fact it’s wearing a mid-level 11-speed groupset.
That aside, it still feels eager when you ask it to do the business. Modern aero bikes need to also be all-rounders, so the fact that this bike can climb as well as rocket along on rolling roads is a huge bonus.
An 11-30 Shimano 105 cassette at the rear offers more than enough scope for steep hills, but the stiffness of the frame makes ascending borderline-enjoyable.
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Descents are thrilling, even in November. A 72° head angle offers quick steering when needed, but retains enough manners to at least signal its intention to drop into a corner before doing so.
Applying some gradual pressure to the pads to grip its 160mm rotors results in finely modulated braking performance when lining up corners, while a handful of panic-braking doesn’t unsettle the Focus (said panic-braking involved gravel and mud approaching a sharp, downhill left-hander. Because it was November; because I live near farmland…).
Buy the Focus Izalco Max Disc 8.6 from JE James Cycles now
While the low bottom bracket (it’s a 78mm drop) is actually rather comforting in the depths of late autumn, it might cause some mid-corner consternation in the height of grippy tarmac season. If in doubt, don’t pedal through…
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Comforting thoughts
Aero was once a byword for ‘crippling discomfort and numb hands’ (again, Cervelo S1…), but in the past five years, a number of aero road bikes have shone for their considerable comfort. The Bianchi Aria is notable in this area, and so, too, is the Focus Izalco Max Disc 8.6.
Vittoria Zaffiro tyres wrapped around the 30mm alloy rims of the Novatec wheelset are ideal partners for November to March riding, with their slow wear-rate, easy grip and puncture-resistance. The 25c clinchers on the Focus Izalco Max Disc 8.6 run best with around 85psi at this time of year, which felt to me at my weight like it offered a good combination of feel for the road surface and road-flattening squish.
There is frame clearance for 28mm tyre options, should you wish to go ‘bigger volume, lower pressure’ for greater comfort and confidence.
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Narrow, dropped seatstays have just enough flex in their aero profiles to dial out butt-numbing vibrations; whether the D-shaped aero seat tube is contributing much to the party is honestly hard to discern.
Buy the Focus Izalco Max Disc 8.6 from JE James Cycles now
Geometry-wise, a stack and reach of 544mm and 390mm on this size M frameset, allied to a 997mm wheelbase, makes the Focus Izalco Max Disc 8.6 fairly compact.
Match this to a set of shallow drop 420mm alloy bars up front and all-day rides (albeit with a few food stops) are within range.
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Basis of truth
It’s true, you can buy many Shimano Ultegra-equipped bikes for the same price as the Focus Izalco Max Disc 8.6. But very, very few of them have a frame this good.
Even when wearing a 105 groupset (chainset notwithstanding), you can appreciate just how good the heart of this bike is. And, importantly, it offers one hell of a basis for performance upgrades later down the line.
Plus, it doesn’t matter what manner of fancy, shiny or altogether gaudy baubles you hang off this bike – everything goes with grey.
Spec
| Frame | MAX technology carbon disc frame with carbon fork |
| Groupset | Shimano 105 |
| Brakes | Shimano 105, hydraulic discs |
| Chainset | Shimano RS510, 50-34 |
| Cassette | Shimano 105, 11-30 |
| Bars | BBB Deluxe, alloy, 420mm |
| Stem | BBB Rider BHS-109, alloy, 100mm |
| Seatpost | Focus Aero, carbon |
| Saddle | Prologo Scratch |
| Wheels | Novatec 30 CL, Vittoria Zaffiro tyres, 700 x 25c |
| Tyres | Schwalbe One TLE 30mm |
| Weight | 8.98kg (size M) |
| Contact | focus-bikes.com |
All reviews are fully independent and no payments have been made by companies featured in reviews
