X-LinkedRider

On a budget for kick ass lightweight hand built wheels that look nice? I ended up buying a set of Fuzion F1's and they are fantastic. for 175 shipped at 1700 grams for the set. Great wheels. I have no affiliation with them, other than I am a satisfied customer.

https://fuzionwheels.com/f1.html

Edit: +100 for the for Focus.

helgi

I'd get the wannabe-Milram version:



SRAM Force, slightly nicer wheels (?), white hoods and what looks to be a custom color Arione saddle (blue stripe on top).

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Fo...10/5360049152/

FlashBazbo

Unfortunately, that FOCUS isn't FULL Ultegra. The crankset is what makes 6700 Ultegra a better choice than most -- and that FOCUS doesn't have the Ultegra crankset.

Still, I would go with the FOCUS . . . then change out the crankset.

Munk69

Focus

Saw one at a Performance Store. Nicely specced for the price.

mazdaspeed

I don't know, but you did post a comment that needs clarification, unless of course you really don't have anything worthwhile to say and just go around posting vaguely elitist sounding comments...

merlinextraligh

How difficult is it to figure out? De Rosa, looks pretty, cool Italian heritage, good conversation, display piece; Focus superior racing bike.

mazdaspeed

How is the de rosa a display piece? It's a f'ing bicycle, it can be ridden every bit as much as the focus or anything else can. Obviously the focus is a superior racing bike, but not everyone races (or are fast enough for the bike to even matter if they do). If the OP wanted a bike strictly for racing I doubt there would be any question between the two.

BillyD

You said that like it's a bad thing.

Everybody that hops on a bicycle doesn't want to race. MOST bike riders don't race, so aesthetics is a valid measure.

De Rosa ftw.

bostongarden

Focus

Tulex

I have a bike, so it would be the De Rosa for me. If it were my only bike, the Focus, probably.

merlinextraligh

The point is that the advantage of the De Rosa is aesthetic, and the cache.

There's nothing wrong with the De Rosa, but the Focus is going to outperform it. So if the money's equal, and both bikes fit well, the only case you can really make for the older, used De Rosa, would have to be aesthetics.

So the OP has to pick what matters to him. Does he want a great looking bike, with heritage (and a crappy group) or does he want a modern racing bike.

It's somewhat absurd to even be picking between these 2 bikes because they are so apples and oranges. Thus the advice that the OP needs to figure out what he wants in a bike.

Tulex

Again, for 90% or more of the people here, there isn't a mechanical difference between the bikes. It's like buying a corvette or a chevette. Yeah, if you are going to race them, it makes a difference. But they both will go fast enough to get you up the road.

So for many people, actually most, the De Rosa will do what they want AND look good doing it.

BillyD

Shall we throw in durability?

Tulex

Oh, you're nasty....

Rocket-Sauce 

De Rosa, unless you want to race. That is not "all Athena" either. The cranks and hubs are definitely not Athena. And that is not a first gen Athena set up either. OP said 8 speed, dual pivot brakes, brifters....

Assuming they cost the same now, the De Rosa will hold its value or maybe even go up in value. That is a marquee name there, and C&V bike prices have been rising a lot lately. The Focus *might* go up in value in 15 or 20 years, but likely will just drop value like a stone.

The Focus is undoubtedly faster. The De Rosa is cooler by a mile.

TMonk

You know, you don't have to be a racer to be concerned with performance.....

Some non-racing people like going fast, or so i've heard.

merlinextraligh

You guys don't get it. I'm not saying there aren't reasons to like the De Rosa. I am saying they are radically different bikes, and you need to figure out what you want in a bike before you could choose between these 2.

Botto said it in about 8 words. I've tried to explain it in many more. And rather than try to grasp the point, you just want to argue over "which is better"

longbeachgary

These 2 bikes cannot be any more different.

slothlike

Well,
I just bought that Focus from JensonUSA and was delivered this week. Mine actually came with a Sram carbon crank which I did see in pictures from overseas sellers. I am pleased with this and am not in the least unhappy about not having the Ultegra crank. In fact, aesthetically, I hate the new Ultegra crank even though I am sure it performs well. Buy the Focus, it is an amazing value and no need to pay more. I swapped out the saddle and seatpost and dropped 8 ounces. This is the exact bike they sent me. I am swapping out bars for 44cm Ritchey WCS but am keeping the FSA OS150 Stem with carbon faceplate. Pretty sweet looking and not heavy.

slothlike

BTW,
The Focus is currently 17lbs 2 ounces without pedals and with saddle and seatpost swap. I am moving my Easton EASLXs wheels over which will save another 13 ounces. This frame can easily build up into a 16lb complete bike with pedals. My Giant TCR Advanced is lighter with Sram Force, but I am looking forward to trying out compact gearing. Never had it before.

milliron

Either bike is sweet. Get both.

In a minor crash, I put a huge dent in the TT of my De Rosa with the bars.

FlashUNC

Its odd to cross-shop these two. Supremely.

Nachoman

That would seem to be a perfect solution.

achoo

And if you're not a racer, the performance difference between those two bikes will hardly be measurable.

mollusk

I'd get the de Rosa. I think that it would be hard to pedal the Focus as pictured.