Focus Izalco Max 9.8: Robust all-rounder - Competition road bikes up to 7000 euros on test
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In the 2010s, the name Izalco stood for consistent lightweight construction among experts in the field. Focus once designed the lightest production racing bike with disc brakes under this label: a bike tested by TOUR in 2016 weighed just 6.7 kilograms, a spectacular figure.
With the introduction of the fourth Izalco generation in 2019, Focus said goodbye to its speciality and followed the aero wave, but refrained from diversifying into different race categories. The Izalco Max, still the only competition platform in the programme, should be sufficiently aerodynamic, light and comfortable to meet all racing ambitions.
The fifth generation on show, which was launched on the market last year with a fresh renovation, aims to achieve this balancing act even better. Focus also sent the model to the market once before. TOUR test, most recently the cheaper 8.9 version with Shimano's mechanical 105 drivetrain for 4499 euros part.
The 9-series tested here is based on a lighter frame set with higher carbon quality, and these models all have electronic shifting. The lighter frame and higher quality components result in a weight saving of around 500 grams. Compared to its competitors, the Focus is a good 200 grams heavier than average in this price range, but this is not a major handicap.
Slowly in the wind tunnel
In the wind tunnel, however, the bike loses important points. The tested version with slightly faster wheels and a hydrofoil handlebar from Easton was able to gain almost ten watts compared to the mediocre performance of the cheaper bike. But the majority of the competition is faster: with 222 watts, it occupies one of the lower places.
There is hardly any hidden aero potential in the bike, the ERC rims from DT Swiss are already relatively fast. Only a more streamlined handlebar unit to replace the rather clunky stem could, in our opinion, bring the bike even further forward. However, this is not even offered on the top model.
Good all-rounder?
Despite the slightly higher weight, the bike feels very lively, which is due to the firm, race-orientated riding position and the sensitive but predictable steering behaviour. The Izalco can also be steered very precisely around fast, tight bends and conveys a lot of confidence. The extremely torsionally stiff frame should play its part in this and provide a solid base even with a heavy rider.
One of the Izalco's strengths is its good comfort; the seatpost in particular offers better suspension than many of its competitors. However, the Izalco does not match the rear comfort of current endurance models. With these characteristics, the Focus would still be a good all-rounder that is equally suitable for fast hobby races and Alpine marathons if you like the sporty riding position.
However, you should keep an eye on the mounted gear ratio for the mountains: At 36-30, the lowest gear is tightly chained, and it may be advisable to upgrade to an 11-34 mountain cassette and/or smaller chainrings.
In terms of equipment, the Focus scores points with its high-quality wheels and well-chosen components for tyres, saddle and handlebars. Unfortunately, there is no power meter on board, only the top model with Sram Red AXS for 9999 euros offers one. The entry-level model is the Izalxo Max 8.7 with mechanical Shimano 105 and aluminium rims for 2799 euros.
Focus Izalco Max 9.8: Info & test grade
- Price: 6499 Euro >> available here
- Weight of complete wheel: 7.9 kilos
- Frame sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL (test size greased)
- TOUR grade: 2,2
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 535/570/157 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 571/396 millimetres/1.44
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 628/597 millimetres/1.05
- Wheelbase/caster: 1010/63 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Ultegra (2x12; 52/36, 11-30 t.) | Shimano Ultegra (2x12; 52/36, 11-30 t.) Grade: 1.0
- Brakes: Shimano Ultegra (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Tyres: Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TLR 28 mm (eff.: 30 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Impellers: DT Swiss ERC 1600 Dicut 45
- Impeller weights: 1263/1729 grams (v./h.)
Measured values
- Weight of complete wheel: 7,880 grams | Grade: 3.0
- Aerodynamics: 222 Watt | Grade: 3.0
- Driving stability: 9.3 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
- Rear comfort: 136 N/mm | Grade: 2.0
- Comfort front: 71 N/mm | Grade: 2.0
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 74 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
Advantages and disadvantages of the Focus Izalco Max 9.8
- Plus: Very stable ride, precise steering behaviour, good comfort in the saddle
- Minus: moderately aerodynamic frame set
How TOUR tests
Weight (25 per cent of the overall grade): The weighed complete wheel weight in the standardised test wheel size of 56-57 centimetres counts for the evaluation. However, we also show the wheel weights for orientation purposes. The grading scale is designed so that the physical effect of weight and aerodynamics on the average speed is comparable for an average route profile of 1,000 metres in altitude per 100 kilometres. For orientation: the aerodynamic optimisation of the bike can compensate for up to almost four kilograms of weight on such a route. Simultaneous top marks in weight AND aerodynamics are mutually exclusive, but there are racing bikes that find a very good compromise. If the route is more hilly than our reference route, weight becomes more important; if the route is flatter, aerodynamics become more important.
Air resistance (25 per cent of the total score): Dynamically measured in the wind tunnel, with TOUR dummy, rotating wheels, moving legs and over a wide range of flow angles. Summarised to an aerodynamic grade for typical environmental conditions.
Front stiffness (10 per cent of the total score): Important parameter for steering precision and confidence in the bike at high speeds, determined in the TOUR laboratory. The overall stiffness is determined on the fully assembled frame set, i.e. including the fork. The stiffness values are capped. The aim is not an infinitely stiff frame, but one that is sufficiently stable to ride.
Bottom bracket stiffness (10 per cent of the total score): Reveals how much the frame yields under hard pedalling, for example when sprinting. This measurement also takes place in the TOUR laboratory, with realistic clamping, in which the frame can deform as it would when riding.
Rear comfort (10 per cent of the overall score): A measure of compliance in the event of road shocks, measured in the TOUR laboratory. A suspension travel is measured when the seatpost is loaded. The measured value correlates very well with the riding impressions and the feeling of comfort. Good marks also mean decent riding dynamics, which have a positive effect on speed on poor roads.
Comfort front (5 per cent of the overall score): The deformation of the handlebars under load is determined in the same way as for the rear. A good score means a lot of suspension comfort, which takes the strain off your hands on long rides. However, strong sprinters who want a lot of stiffness should look for stiff handlebars.
Switching (5 per cent of the total score): The shifting characteristics are determined in the driving test. It is not the price or the quality impression of individual components that is assessed, but exclusively the function of the entire gearbox. For example, the cable routing, the quality of the cables and the mounted chain also play a role.
Brakes (5 per cent of the overall score): As with shifting, the test on the road also counts here, and the experience from our countless tests of brakes is also incorporated into the assessment. It is not the component itself that is assessed, but the function of the interaction between the brake body, pads and discs: How well can the brakes be modulated? How durable are the brakes, how long are the braking distances?
tyres (5 percent of the overall score): Rolling resistance and grip are evaluated - if known from one of our independent tyre tests or based on driving impressions. The overall score is calculated arithmetically from the differently weighted individual scores (percentages in brackets). It primarily expresses the sporty qualities of the tyre.
The overall score is calculated arithmetically from the individual scores weighted differently (percentages in brackets). It primarily expresses the sporting qualities of the bike.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
