Buy used Focus bikes from £800. Izalco Max road, Paralane gravel, Jam MTB and Thron e-MTB. German engineering, WorldTour proven. Pricing and buying guide.
Focus is a German brand founded in 1992 by Mike Kluge, a former cyclo-cross world champion, and that racing pedigree still runs through their range. The Izalco Max is their flagship road frame and has been ridden at WorldTour level by AG2R Citroen. If you're looking at a used Focus, you're getting a bike designed by people who understand performance cycling at the highest level, but at prices that sit below the usual premium German brands.
The Izalco Max is the bike that built Focus's reputation. It's a pure race frame: stiff, light and aggressive in geometry. Used Izalco Max models vary hugely in price depending on the version and groupset. A 2018-2020 model with Shimano Ultegra sells for £1,200 to £2,000. Earlier models with 105 can be found for £800 to £1,200. The carbon layup is well-executed on all versions, and the frame weight is competitive with bikes costing significantly more new.
The Paralane is Focus's endurance and gravel bike, and it's arguably the more interesting buy on the secondhand market. It's comfortable enough for long rides, has clearance for wider tyres and on some versions comes with the clever R.A.T (Rapid Axle Technology) thru-axle system that allows tool-free wheel removal. Used Paralane models sell for £800 to £1,800, with carbon versions at the top of that range.
The Jam is Focus's trail mountain bike. It's a full-suspension design with 150mm travel front and rear, positioned squarely in the all-mountain category. Used Jam models sell for £1,200 to £2,500 depending on spec level. They're well-regarded but not as common on the used market as comparable bikes from Canyon or YT.
Focus's e-bike range includes the Thron and Jam2 (the electrified Jam). These use either Fazua Evation or Bosch motors. The Fazua system is lighter and can be completely removed, turning the bike into a normal ride, but it's less powerful than Bosch CX. The Thron e-MTB with Bosch CX sells for £1,800 to £3,000 used. Fazua-equipped models are slightly cheaper because the motor system is less well known.
The spec-to-price ratio on used Focus bikes is genuinely strong. They don't carry the resale premium of Specialized or Trek, but the engineering and component choices are frequently better at the same price point. Focus uses Project Y carbon construction on their high-end frames, with specific layup schedules for different frame sizes rather than the one-size-fits-all approach used by some competitors.
On Focus road bikes, start with the frame. Check the carbon carefully, especially around the bottom bracket, chainstays and headtube. Focus uses high-quality carbon, but race bikes get ridden hard and crashed occasionally. Use a torch and look for dull spots, cracks or inconsistencies in the finish. A coin tap test (lightly tapping the frame and listening for changes in tone) can reveal delamination, though it's not foolproof.
The R.A.T thru-axle system on Paralane models is clever but check it works smoothly. The mechanism should release and tighten without excessive force. If it's stiff or sticky, it may need a service or replacement. This is a Focus-specific component, so replacements come from Focus dealers.
For Izalco Max frames, verify the seatpost size. Focus uses a proprietary aero seatpost on some versions, and replacements are expensive. Check the seatpost for scoring or damage, and make sure the clamp mechanism tightens properly.
On e-bike models, the motor choice matters for long-term ownership. Bosch CX-equipped Focus bikes have the advantage of a massive UK service network. Fazua-equipped models are lighter and more elegant, but Fazua has a smaller service network and parts can take longer to source. Check whether the Fazua motor removes cleanly and the cover plate fits properly. If you plan to ride without the motor regularly, the Fazua system is worth the trade-off.
Drivetrain wear is standard on any used road or mountain bike. Check chain stretch, cassette tooth profiles and chainring wear. On high-mileage road bikes, also check the jockey wheels in the rear derailleur, as worn jockey wheels cause poor shifting that's often blamed on cable stretch.
Wheel condition matters, particularly on the Izalco Max. Some come with deep-section carbon wheels that are expensive to replace. Check for spoke tension, rim damage and brake track condition on rim-brake versions. Carbon clincher rims can develop heat damage from prolonged braking on descents. On disc-brake versions, check rotor thickness and pad wear.
Ask about crash history. Race bikes get crashed more than commuters, and Focus owners tend to ride hard. Any signs of bar tape replacement on one side only, scuffed levers or repainted sections should prompt further investigation.
Cyclesite is more than a marketplace. It’s a UK-wide community of riders buying, selling and talking bikes every day.
Share feedback with the team, vote on ideas for new features, or chat with fellow cyclists about a bike you’re eyeing up, a build you’re proud of, or what sold in a few days.
The best way to make Cyclesite better is to hear from the people using it. Tell us what’s working and what you’d like to see next. Every post reaches the team and we reply to all of them.
