2013 Focus Culebro SL 2.0 Great performance at an excellent price. Superior quality and responsiveness doesn´t have to come with a steep price tag. The best example is the FOCUS Culebro. With its hydroformed aluminum frame, this racer is a logical choice for anyone who wants a fast and fun ride without having to clean their bank account.
From the off it’s obvious that Focus have determined to travel for upscale Ultegra gears because the killer take up their high worth Culebro. although don’t overlook the new, light-weight triple butted frame once you’re gazing the flowery carbon levers, because the combination creates a awfully well sorted – if not to a fault characterful – race-style ride.
Highs: Ultegra can attractiveness to specification checkers. Triple butted frame and tight kit build into {a light-weight|a light-weight} racer
Lows: Harsh ride doesn’t combine well with rough United Kingdom roads, whereas its position created it one or two for novice riders initially
Buy if: you wish a well kitted out, lightweight, firm- feeling racer at a awfully smart worth
The carbon Ultegra brake levers, sleek derailleurs (and even matching cassette) area unit undoubtedly an enormous draw for those whom high Trumps best bits could be a major a part of their shopping for call. Focus definitely haven’t place all their element eggs in one basket, however, and also the supporting solid of Tiagra chain, Focus-branded FSA compact chainset and conception brakes with cartridge pads all do their jobs well.
The terribly shallow drop FSA compact bars were appreciated by many of our less experienced riders WHO found them far more useable than commonplace deep drops.
Otherwise the long stem and steep seventy three.5 degree parallel frame Associate in Nursinggles provide the new Culebro frame an old-school Continental racer feel. It will introduce some handling traits you would like to be cautious of although, significantly a bent for the forepart to tuck and dive at slow speeds on climbs and corners, that contrasts dramatically with a stubborn angle to steering at higher speeds.
But once you’re wont to it it’s Associate in Nursing correct ride and that we had no hassle staying the correct aspect of the grip line even in greasy conditions. It’s not ideal as a completely fledged winter/commuter as there aren’t any mounts for either guards or a rack on the frame. Frame alignment was additionally out by one or two of millimetres across the can, that isn’t nice.
The conception brakes with cartridge pads area unit effective stoppers
As a comparatively light-weight bike, it spins up to hurry nicely and doesn’t mind pushing the pace on climbs either. Its firm ride overall undoubtedly favours power tool road decisions than rattling around the backroads, and potholes we have a tendency to did not dodge came through the bars and face pretty savagely, often breaking our rhythm and concentration on rough surfaces.
As a result, whereas it innocent itself well in terms of speed the least bit times, the cruel hammer on typical United Kingdom tarmac and slightly contrived handling feel meant it continuously got okay instead of irresistibly positive reports from our check team.
Image Credit: © Focus
