New “fastest ever” Focus Izalco Max compromises comfort to cut weight and drag

Focus claims the new Izalco Max is its “fastest ever bike” thanks to redesigned tube shapes inspired by aeroplane wings.

Acorn-shaped tubes contribute to the new Izalco Max being 6.6 watts more efficient at 45km/h compared to the previous generation, according to the brand.

Focus says the Izalco Max’s improved aerodynamics and increased stiffness have not imposed a weight penalty.

Therefore, it remains an all-round race bike, being fast on the flat and climbs, according to the German brand.

The Focus Izalco Max 8.7 starts the range at £2,899 / €2,999. The top-spec Izalco Max 9.9 costs £8,699 / €8,999 – that's £1,300 / €500 cheaper than the previously most expensive model.

Bikes are available now in Europe, with international availability and pricing to be confirmed.

“1 minute 45 seconds faster over 45km”

Focus has overhauled the Izalco Max frame shape, most prominently the head tube and down tube, to enhance aerodynamics.

Before, the head tube tapered sharply backwards into a pointed edge behind the down tube-top tube junction.

Now, the front of the head tube remains slightly rounded but curves backwards more smoothly.

The cylindrical down tube has been replaced by more angular tubing, the cross-section of which resembles an acorn.

A 500ml water bottle in the down tube bottle cage is almost completely concealed from the front and adds only 0.3 watts of drag, according to Focus.

The acorn-shaped tubing is inspired by the truncated NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) airfoil design, borrowed from aeroplane wings.

Focus says its wind tunnel testing indicated the NACA shape produced a smaller area of turbulent air than the previous Izalco Max’s rounder tubes.

Focus also claims this shape is lighter and stiffer than the teardrop-shaped tubes used on some of the best aero bikes.

Extrapolated over 45km, the 6.6-watt saving at 45km/h would make the new Izalco Max 1 minute 45 seconds faster than its predecessor.

Focus says it calculated this figure based on computational fluid dynamic and wind tunnel testing, but not in real-world conditions.

Increased stiffness, less comfort

As well as being more aerodynamic, the new, fourth-generation Izalco Max frame is stiffer, lighter but also less comfortable, according to Focus.

It says bottom bracket stiffness was 69 Newtons per millimetre (N/mm) on the third-generation bike, versus 79N/mm on the new bike, representing an increase of 15 per cent.

The head tube is eight per cent stiffer on the new bike, at 110 Newton metres per degree compared to 102Nm.

However, the new Izalco Max frame is 48 per cent less comfortable, recording 156N/mm versus 105N/mm, according to Focus’ tests.

Focus claims the new fork is 14g heavier, laterally stiffer and less comfortable than the previous generation.

In a bid to compensate for the stiffer frame, Focus says it has compensated by improving seated comfort through the seatpost.

The shorter seat tube exposes more seatpost, enabling it to flex more, adding to the compliance afforded by its set-back design, according to the brand.

The seatpost clamp integrates into the top tube and has a rubber cover. Focus says the new clamping design prevents seatpost slippage because pressure is applied directly to the seatpost.

An aero-optimised, customisable front end

Focus says the Izalco Max cockpit delivers the aerodynamic benefits and clean aesthetics of internal cable routing, with more flexibility than one-piece bars and stems.

Focus pairs its own CIS (cockpit integration solution) stem with an Easton EC70 Aero Handlebar.

The CIS stem integrates with the top cap so brake and gear cables (for mechanical or electronic groupsets) run under the stem, through the headset and into the frame.

You can swap in a shorter or longer stem and move spacers to adjust handlebar height without the need to open brake lines, according to Focus.

Focus supplies the Izalco Max with an integrated out-front mount compatible with Garmin and Wahoo bike computers. A front light or GoPro can be fitted underneath the mount.

Focus Izalco Max geometry

The Focus Izalco Max's geometry is long and low, in line with racier road bikes, allowing the rider to adopt an aerodynamic position.

Compared to an aero bike such as the Canyon Aeroad CFR Di2, in a size medium, the 552mm stack is 8mm lower and the 380mm reach is 13mm shorter.

In relation to an all-rounder race bike, such as a 54cm Specialized Tarmac SL8, the Izalco Max has the same stack (including the stem height) and similar reach.

Focus says raising the bottom bracket and steepening the head tube angle (by half a degree to 72.5 degrees) has made the Izalco Max stiffer and more responsive.

However, the seat tube and head tube angles are still slacker than the Tarmac SL8’s, by half a degree in a size 54.

Focus Izalco Max builds and specifications

There’s no room for SRAM Red eTap AXS or Campagnolo Super Record Wireless at the top of the Izalco Max range.

Focus specs the highest-tier Izalco Max bikes exclusively with Shimano – the 9.9 gets Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 and the 9.8 comes with Ultegra Di2 R8170.

The German brand sees Dura-Ace as the “benchmark” groupset. It feared a SRAM- or Campagnolo-equipped Izalco Max 9.9 could eat into the sales of the Dura-Ace equivalent.

SRAM Rival eTap AXS comes in on the third-rung Izalco Max 9.7.

There are two tiers of the Focus Izalco Max frame and three builds in each.

The Focus Izalco Max 9 series frame weighs a claimed 865g in size medium,

Made from lower-grade carbon, the Izalco Max 8 series frame is claimed to weigh 1,050g in the same size.

Focus says the two frame tiers have identical geometry and stiffness.

Both are available in seven sizes, with a choice of six stem lengths from 70mm to 120mm.

The Focus Izalco Max can fit up to 30mm road bike tyres and comes with tubeless-ready 28c Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TLR tyres fitted with inner tubes.

Both Izalco Max series bikes use thru-axles and 160mm front and rear disc brake rotors.

Focus Izalco Max 9.9

A complete Izalco Max 9.9 build is claimed to weigh 7.2kg in size medium.

• Frame: Max Technology Carbon Frame with NACA shape
• Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200
• Wheelset: DT Swiss ERC 1400
• Tyres: Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TR, 700x28c
• Cockpit: Focus CIS stem and Easton EC70 Aero Handlebar
• Price: £8,699 / €8,999

Focus Izalco Max 9.8

Owing to its lower-spec DT Swiss ERC 1600 wheels and Shimano Ultegra R8150 Di2 groupset, the Izalco Max 9.8 is 700g heavier than the 9.9 at a claimed 7.9kg.

• Frame: Max Technology Carbon Frame with NACA shape
• Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8150
• Wheelset: DT Swiss ERC 1600
• Tyres: Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TR, 700x28c
• Cockpit: Focus CIS stem and Easton EC70 Aero Handlebar
• Price: £6,599 / €6,799

Focus Izalco Max 9.7

• Frame: Max Technology Carbon Frame with NACA shape
• Groupset: SRAM Rival eTap AXS
• Wheelset: DT Swiss ERC 1600
• Tyres: Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TR, 700x28c
• Cockpit: Focus CIS stem and Easton EC70 Aero Handlebar
• Price: £5,999 / €6,199

Focus Izalco Max 8.9

• Frame: Carbon Frame with NACA Shape
• Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 R7100
• Wheelset: Novatec R4 45mm Carbon
• Tyres: Vittoria Rubino, 700x28c
• Cockpit: Focus CIS stem and Easton EC70 Aero Handlebar
• Price: £4,699 / €4,799

Focus Izalco Max 8.8

• Frame: Carbon Frame with NACA Shape
• Groupset: Shimano 105 R7100
• Wheelset: Novatec R4 45mm Carbon
• Tyres: Vittoria Rubino, 700x28c
• Cockpit: Focus CIS stem and Easton EC70 Aero Handlebar
• Price: £3,899 / €3,999

Focus Izalco Max 8.7

• Frame: Carbon Frame with NACA Shape
• Groupset: Shimano 105 R7100
• Wheelset: Alexrims Boondocks 5
• Tyres: Vittoria Zaffiro, 700x28c
• Cockpit: Focus CIS stem and Easton EC70 Aero Handlebar
• Price: £2,899 / €2,999