This Ordinary Life

Buying your first proper road bike is like asking a woman to marry you. Get it wrong and you could be stuck with something that is a "pain in the arse" and bleeds you dry. Therefore, me deciding to make this online was like deciding on a mail order bride. Does anyone know someone who is in a successful mail order marriage?

However, having thoroughly researched sub-£1000 road bikes, the Focus Variado's German craftsmanship, Shimano 105 set-up and great price won my heart. Despite the fact that the Variado is the middle-class of the Focus range, I didn't feel like a cheapskate when it arrived (I had originally toyed with the thought of buying the full carbon Cayo).

At the moment you can buy the Variado from Wiggle for £699 including £70 of free kit. I used this allowance to pick up a pair of Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL pedals and some other equipment, which was a lot of bike/kit for the money. This may sound too good to be true, but don't forget that in the UK Focus can only be purchased online from Wiggle and I think the price is designed to overcome their lack of reputation and aftersales service.

The Buying Process

Buying any bicycle from Wiggle is quite and experience. A huge double thick box gets delivered to your house at an inconvenient hour meaning you have to take some time from work, but it's made up for by the fact that the bike is ready to ride out of the box. A word of warning, Wiggle have a funny returns and warranty claim policies. If you want to send something back, you have to return it in the original packaging all the way down to the reusable zip-ties. However, in all honesty, I think that a well worded email straight to Focus would get a favourable response to any warranty claim you might have...

Sizing

Sorry for digressing about buying from Wiggle, I'll get back to my review of the Variado. I sized the bicycle based on the sizing guide given on Wiggle's website. As I am 5'10" with a 33in leg, I ordered the Medium. I have to hand it to the guide, the bike fits me like a glove. Of course, I have common measurements so if you have stumpy or legs that don't quit (hey, women ride road bike too!), you might have to be a bit careful.

Handling

Regarding handling, I have to agree with other reviews that the Variado is very nimble and at times a bit unstable. However, on London's often thirdworld standard of roads this helps you wave around the worst of the potholes. I have ridden approximately 100km on it so far. The longest ride was 50km (2hrs) from North London around Richmond Park and back. I was neither saddlesore nor did I have backpain. I even managed a lap of Richmond Park (10km) in 20 min reaching a top speed of 52kph, which is miles faster than on my old Barracuda Azzuri may she continue to bring her new owner years of commuting joy).

Climbing

Climbing is a dream with the compact 50-34 chainset performing very well on every hill that Central London and Richmond Park could throw at me. By the end of the ride I was actually looking forward to hills and will be esting it out on Box Hill in a few weeks time. That will be the Variado's opportunity to truely show what it's made of, that is if I don't die of exhaustion first.

Styling

The bike does look good. The azure blue is very appealing and the contrast with the white bar tape does give it a bit of white glove poshness. The only downside to the Variado is that Focus did get a little carried away with the decals, but I think this might actually be part of a brilliant marketing ploy making sure people know what make of bicycle it was that just raced past them.

Summary

Focus is a great newcomber to the UK bicyle market. The German passion of producing quality products at great prices means that we are likely to see many more of their models on the roads and trails in the coming years. It would also better if they toned down the Focus decals and if you could get "local bike shop" after sales service to go with them. But as a frugle German, I was happy to make do without. If you are willing to take a risk on the sizing and give up some of the after sales service, this is the ideal first road bike for anyone looking to take their cycling to the next level.

There is a risk of buying the Variado as I have already set myself the challenge that if I can cycle 5000km in the first 12 months, I will sell it and buy the full carbon, mostly Ultegra Cayo. Let's see how things go as the Cayo is my Ivana, that hot Russian Mail order bride...