FocusIzalco Max
The cheaper 8-series version of Focus's fourth-generation Izalco Max race bike. It shares the 9 series' fork and published geometry but uses a heavier carbon layup (1,050 g claimed against 865 g) and keeps the C.I.S. aluminium stem with a separate alloy bar instead of the one-piece Reserve cockpit. Builds run from mechanical Shimano 105 to SRAM Rival AXS with Reserve carbon wheels, none with a power meter.
- From
- €4,299€4,299€4,299
- Builds
- 3
- Sizes
- 7
- Frame weight
- 1,050 g2.31 lb
Our verdict
Overall
out of 100, average of 7 categories
The affordable way onto Focus's current race frame: same fork and geometry as the 9 series, a heavier but still sub-1.1 kg carbon frame and fair prices from mechanical 105 up. You give up the one-piece cockpit, so the front end is less aero, and only the Rival AXS build gets carbon wheels; no build has a power meter.
Scored Nov 2026
- + Affordable way in
AI-drafted from the specs on this page and reviewed before publishing. Scores are relative to every bike in the catalog when they were given, so they drop as newer bikes and parts raise the bar.
- Aero
- 68/100
- Frame
- 70/100
- Components
- 58/100
- Fit
- 74/100
- Practicality
- 72/100
- Price
- 100/100
- Weight
- 72/100
Aero claims and front-end integration
Carbon grade, weight and warranty
Groupset, wheels and power meter
Sizes and adjustment range
Travel, standard parts, servicing
From the cheapest complete-bike MSRP
From the lightest claimed weight (8.2 kg, size M)
Bike duel
Frame & platform
Frame & fork
- Frame material
- Carbon ('MAX technology', 8 series)
- Fork material
- Carbon (same fork on the 8 and 9 series)
- Frame weight
- 1,050 g2.31 lb
- Weight measured on
- Frame, as listed on Focus's 8-series product pages (size not stated)
- Max system weight
- 110 kg242.5 lb
- Frame sizes
- XXS (470), XS (500), S (520), M (540), L (560), XL (580), XXL (610)
- Colours
- Red or Black (8.9), Black or Blue (8.8), Grey (8.7)
- Also available as
- Izalco Max 9 series with a lighter carbon frame (865 g claimed) and a one-piece Reserve cockpit
- UCI frame approval
- On the UCI list of approved framesets as 'IZALCO MAX G4' (code DCW-IZ06) and 'IZALCO MAX G4 V2' (code DCW-IZ07), both approved 7 Jul 2021 in sizes XXS-XXL (7) (UCI list version 2026.10.02); the list doesn't say which entry is the 8 series. Focus says every Izalco Max complies with UCI rules and carries the sticker
Compatibility & standards
- Brake type
- Hydraulic disc, flat mount (160 mm front, 140 mm rear mount; 160/160 mm rotors fitted)
- Max rotor size
- 160 mm
- Wheel size
- 700c
- Max tire width
- 30 mm
- Bottom bracket standard
- BB86 press-fit (SRAM DUB86 PF41 / Shimano Pressfit BB86 as built)
- Rear axle
- 12x142 thru-axle
- Drivetrain compatibility
- All road groupsets, electronic or mechanical; designed for 2x but 1x is possible
- Mechanical shifting possible
- Yes
- 1x compatible
- Yes
- Cable routing
- Internal through the Focus C.I.S. headset system
Fit & adjustability
- Cockpit
- Focus C.I.S. 2.0 integrated aluminium stem with a separate alloy Road Bar; cables run internally through the C.I.S. headset
- Seatpost type
- Focus Aero Carbon D-shape seatpost; 0 mm setback on XXS-L and 15 mm on XL-XXL
- Fit notes
- Each size comes with one stem length and bar width (80-120 mm stem, 380-420 mm bar). The C.I.S. stem comes in 70-120 mm lengths and can be swapped through a dealer without removing cables; spacers can be moved above the stem to lower the front.
Travel, maintenance & warranty
- Headset bearings
- Acros IS52 top and bottom (integrated C.I.S.)
- Maintenance
- Disc mounts are flat mount 160 mm front and 140 mm rear; Focus fits 160/160 mm rotors.
- Proprietary parts
- C.I.S. stem and headset parts, D-shape seatpost, derailleur hanger
- Frame warranty
- 6-year warranty on the carbon frame and fork for the original owner (2 years on paint)
- Sold via
- Through Focus dealers, and online from Focus in some countries (e.g. Germany)
Photos
Builds & components
Highlighted rows differ between builds. Green marks the best value.
Izalco Max 8.9 | Izalco Max 8.8 | Izalco Max 8.7 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | |||
| Price (MSRP) | €4,299€4,299€4,299 | €3,299€3,299€3,299 | €2,499€2,499€2,499 |
| Weight | 8.2 kg18.1 lb | 8.4 kg18.5 lb | 8.3 kg18.3 lb |
| Weight measured on size | M | M | M |
| Type | Complete bike | Complete bike | Complete bike |
| Notes | Colours Red and Black. Claimed weight in size M without pedals. EUR price from Focus's German shop. No power meter. | Colours Black and Blue. Claimed weight in size M without pedals. EUR price from Focus's German shop. Focus lists the saddle only as a FOCUS model. No power meter. | Colour Grey. Claimed weight in size M without pedals (Focus lists 8.3 kg, lighter than the 105 Di2 8.8). EUR price from Focus's German shop. Focus lists the saddle only as a FOCUS model. |
| Drivetrain | |||
| Groupset | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | Shimano 105 Di2 R7100 | Shimano 105 R7100 |
| Launched | 2025 · current generation | 2022 · current generation | 2023 · current generation |
| Speeds | 12-speed | 12-speed | 12-speed |
| Electronic | Yes | Yes | No |
| Wireless | Yes | — | — |
| Drivetrain | 2x | 2x | 2x |
| Shifters | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | Shimano 105 Di2 ST-R7170 | Shimano 105 ST-R7120 |
| Notes | Combined shift and hydraulic brake levers | Combined shift and hydraulic brake levers | Mechanical shifting with hydraulic brake levers |
| Crankset | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | Shimano 105 R7100 | Shimano 105 R7100 |
| Chainrings | 48/35 | 50/34 | 50/34 |
| Crank lengths available | 165 mm (XXS-XS), 170 mm (S-L), 172.5 mm (XL), 175 mm (XXL) | 165 mm (XXS-XS), 170 mm (S-L), 172.5 mm (XL), 175 mm (XXL) | 165 mm (XXS-XS), 170 mm (S-L), 172.5 mm (XL), 175 mm (XXL) |
| Bottom bracket | SRAM DUB PF86 | Shimano Pressfit BB86 | Shimano Pressfit BB86 |
| Standard | BB86 press-fit | BB86 press-fit | BB86 press-fit |
| Front derailleur | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | Shimano 105 Di2 R7150 | Shimano 105 R7100 |
| Rear derailleur | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | Shimano 105 Di2 R7150 | Shimano 105 R7100 |
| Cassette | SRAM Rival XG-1250 | Shimano 105 R7101 | Shimano 105 R7101 |
| Range | 10-36 | 11-34 | 11-34 |
| Speeds | 12-speed | 12-speed | 12-speed |
| Chain | SRAM Rival E1 | Shimano CN-M6100 | Shimano CN-M6100 |
| Brakes | |||
| Brake calipers | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | Shimano 105 BR-R7170 | Shimano 105 BR-R7170 |
| Type | Hydraulic disc, flat mount | Hydraulic disc, flat mount | Hydraulic disc, flat mount |
| Rotors | SRAM Paceline | Shimano RT-CL700 | Shimano SM-RT54 |
| Front rotor | 160 mm | 160 mm | 160 mm |
| Rear rotor | 160 mm | 160 mm | 160 mm |
| Mount | — | Center Lock | — |
| Wheels & tires | |||
| Wheelset | Reserve 40|44 Road | DT Swiss A1800 | DT Swiss R500 |
| Front rim depth | 40 mm | 30 mm | 23 mm |
| Rear rim depth | 44 mm | 30 mm | 23 mm |
| Internal rim width | 25 mm | 22 mm | 22 mm |
| Material | Carbon | Aluminium | Aluminium |
| Hubs | — | — | Alexrims BRD503 (front) / BRD-504 (rear) |
| Notes | Internal width 25.5 mm front, 25 mm rear | — | DT Swiss R500 rims laced to Alexrims hubs |
| Tires | Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TLR | Vittoria Zaffiro Evo | Vittoria Zaffiro Evo |
| Tire width | 29 mm | 28 mm | 28 mm |
| Notes | Listed by Focus as Corsa N.EXT wide, tubeless ready | — | — |
| Cockpit | |||
| Handlebar | Focus Road Bar | Focus Road Bar | Focus Road Bar |
| Widths available | 380 mm (XXS-S), 400 mm (M-L), 420 mm (XL-XXL) | 380 mm (XXS-S), 400 mm (M-L), 420 mm (XL-XXL) | 380 mm (XXS-S), 400 mm (M-L), 420 mm (XL-XXL) |
| Bar reach | 74 mm | 74 mm | 74 mm |
| Bar drop | 116 mm | 116 mm | 116 mm |
| Flare | 4° | 4° | 4° |
| Material | Aluminium | Aluminium | Aluminium |
| Notes | 31.8 mm clamp | 31.8 mm clamp | 31.8 mm clamp |
| Stem | Focus C.I.S. 2.0 | Focus C.I.S. 2.0 | Focus C.I.S. 2.0 |
| Stem length | 80-120 mm by size | 80-120 mm by size | 80-120 mm by size |
| Notes | Integrated C.I.S. stem, -8°, with Garmin/Wahoo computer mount | Integrated C.I.S. stem, -8°, with Garmin/Wahoo computer mount | Integrated C.I.S. stem, -8°, with Garmin/Wahoo computer mount |
| Headset | Acros IS52/IS52 (ICR), FOCUS C.I.S. | Acros IS52/IS52 (ICR), FOCUS C.I.S. | Acros IS52/IS52 (ICR), FOCUS C.I.S. |
| Saddle & seatpost | |||
| Saddle | Fizik Vento Antares R5 | — | — |
| Seatpost | Focus Aero Carbon D-shape | Focus Aero Carbon D-shape | Focus Aero Carbon D-shape |
| Offset / setback | 0 mm (XXS-L), 15 mm (XL-XXL) | 0 mm (XXS-L), 15 mm (XL-XXL) | 0 mm (XXS-L), 15 mm (XL-XXL) |
| Material | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon |
Ownership checklist
2 of 3 known checks pass, 1 not published by Focus. Why these checks
- ✕
Threaded bottom bracket
BB86 press-fit (SRAM DUB86 PF41 / Shimano Pressfit BB86 as built)
- ?
UDH derailleur hanger
- ✓
Standard 12×142 mm rear axle
12x142 thru-axle
- ✓
Works with mechanical shifting
Izalco Max geometry
| XXS | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stack | 500 mm19.7″ | 513 mm20.2″ | 531 mm20.9″ | 552 mm21.7″ | 571 mm22.5″ | 592 mm23.3″ | 611 mm24.1″ |
| Reach | 370 mm14.6″ | 375 mm14.8″ | 378 mm14.9″ | 380 mm15″ | 399 mm15.7″ | 401 mm15.8″ | 420 mm16.5″ |
| Seat tube angle | 75° | 74.5° | 74° | 73.5° | 73.5° | 73° | 73° |
| Head tube angle | 70° | 71° | 72° | 72.5° | 72.5° | 73° | 73° |
| Head tube length | 90 mm3.5″ | 100 mm3.9″ | 115 mm4.5″ | 135 mm5.3″ | 155 mm6.1″ | 175 mm6.9″ | 195 mm7.7″ |
| Effective top tube | 505 mm19.9″ | 517 mm20.4″ | 530 mm20.9″ | 543 mm21.4″ | 568 mm22.4″ | 582 mm22.9″ | 607 mm23.9″ |
| Seat tube length | 455 mm17.9″ | 475 mm18.7″ | 495 mm19.5″ | 515 mm20.3″ | 535 mm21.1″ | 555 mm21.9″ | 585 mm23″ |
| Chainstay | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ |
| Wheelbase | 975 mm38.4″ | 976 mm38.4″ | 975 mm38.4″ | 979 mm38.5″ | 1,004 mm39.5″ | 1,008 mm39.7″ | 1,033 mm40.7″ |
| BB drop | 72 mm2.8″ | 72 mm2.8″ | 72 mm2.8″ | 72 mm2.8″ | 72 mm2.8″ | 72 mm2.8″ | 72 mm2.8″ |
| Fork length | 371.5 mm14.6″ | 371.5 mm14.6″ | 371.5 mm14.6″ | 371.5 mm14.6″ | 371.5 mm14.6″ | 371.5 mm14.6″ | 371.5 mm14.6″ |
| Fork offset | 46 mm1.8″ | 46 mm1.8″ | 46 mm1.8″ | 46 mm1.8″ | 46 mm1.8″ | 46 mm1.8″ | 46 mm1.8″ |
| Standover | 746 mm29.4″ | 762 mm30″ | 778 mm30.6″ | 795 mm31.3″ | 814 mm32″ | 835 mm32.9″ | 857 mm33.7″ |
| Wheel size | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c |
| Crank length | 165 mm6.5″ | 165 mm6.5″ | 170 mm6.7″ | 170 mm6.7″ | 170 mm6.7″ | 172.5 mm6.8″ | 175 mm6.9″ |
| Stem length | 80 mm3.1″ | 90 mm3.5″ | 100 mm3.9″ | 110 mm4.3″ | 110 mm4.3″ | 120 mm4.7″ | 120 mm4.7″ |
| Handlebar width | 380 mm15″ | 380 mm15″ | 380 mm15″ | 400 mm15.7″ | 400 mm15.7″ | 420 mm16.5″ | 420 mm16.5″ |
Side view
Drawn to scale (how to read it).
How the geometry rides
The Izalco Max in size M against the middle size of 65 other bikes: tendencies from geometry, not a ride review (how to read this).
- Wheelbase979 mm38.5″
shortestlonger than 19% of 65 bikeslongest
Short wheelbase: tends to feel more agile in corners and less planted on long straights.
- Chainstay410 mm16.1″
shortestlonger than 63% of 73 bikeslongest
Good to know
Compatibility
Focus gives a 30 mm maximum tyre width with 4 mm of clearance, 160 mm front and 140 mm rear rotor mounts (160/160 mm rotors from size M) and approves the 8 series for direct-drive smart trainers.
SourceHistory
The fourth-generation Izalco Max launched in October 2023 as a 2024 model; the 8-series frame is the cheaper layup of the same design.
SourceVersions
Focus's FAQ says the 8 and 9 series use the same fork and the same aluminium C.I.S. stem, and that both work with electronic or mechanical groupsets. The 8-series product pages list a 1,050 g frame against 865 g for the 9 series.
Source
Izalco Max FAQ
Is the Focus Izalco Max UCI legal?+
Yes. The Focus Izalco Max is UCI legal, so it can be raced in UCI-sanctioned road races.
How much does the Focus Izalco Max cost?+
Manufacturer prices (MSRP): €2,499–€4,299 across 3 listed builds and framesets: Izalco Max 8.9, Izalco Max 8.8 and Izalco Max 8.7.
How much does the Focus Izalco Max weigh?+
The lightest complete build listed (Izalco Max 8.9) weighs 8.2 kg (18.1 lb) in size M. The frame weighs 1,050 g (2.31 lb) (Frame, as listed on Focus's 8-series product pages (size not stated)).
What sizes does the Focus Izalco Max come in?+
7 sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL.
What is the tire clearance of the Focus Izalco Max?+
Up to 30 mm tires on 700c wheels.
Which groupsets are compatible with the Focus Izalco Max?+
Drivetrain compatibility: All road groupsets, electronic or mechanical; designed for 2x but 1x is possible. Mechanical shifting can be fitted. 1x drivetrains are supported. Bottom bracket: BB86 press-fit (SRAM DUB86 PF41 / Shimano Pressfit BB86 as built).
What builds of the Focus Izalco Max are available?+
Izalco Max 8.9: SRAM Rival AXS E1; Izalco Max 8.8: Shimano 105 Di2 R7100; Izalco Max 8.7: Shimano 105 R7100.
What warranty does the Focus Izalco Max frame have?+
6-year warranty on the carbon frame and fork for the original owner (2 years on paint)
Sources
- https://www.focus-bikes.com/int/izalco-max-8-9
- https://www.focus-bikes.com/int/izalco-max-8-8
- https://www.focus-bikes.com/int/izalco-max-8-7
- https://www.focus-bikes.com/de_de/izalco-max-8-9
- https://www.focus-bikes.com/de_de/izalco-max-8-8
- https://www.focus-bikes.com/de_de/izalco-max-8-7
- https://www.focus-bikes.com/int/bikes/road/izalco-max
- https://www.focus-bikes.com/int/service/warranty
- https://assets.ctfassets.net/761l7gh5x5an/7jA9krKzzy3lRXPzlm4uyn/7982d7114b9d62978cb87876ea476535/58780c70-6247-4448-8384-b145fa30aba9.pdf
Focus Izalco Max data last updated · How the data is checked ·