Right this moment, Genesis has introduced the overhaul of its fairly Iconic Croix de Fer gravel bike.
A staple of the British model’s vary, the Croix de Fer has now been modernised with elevated tyre clearance, dropped seat stays and via axles, whereas sustaining its rugged metal DNA. The model has additionally opted for inner cable routing, however not in a method that may create a headache for dwelling mechanics. And, there are flat bar fashions accessible.
Genesis has been busy; alongside the Croix de Fer, it is also up to date the Tour de Fer and Genesis Vagabond – which actually is a tractor of a gravel bike.
New Genesis Croix De Fer
The star of the present, nevertheless, actually is the Genesis Croix de Fer. The bike launched all the best way again in 2009, with the unique temporary claiming that “drop bars don’t at all times imply tarmac. ‘Regular using’ shouldn’t be a definition of accepted limits.”
Since then, Genesis has adopted this philosophy, and it has in fact turn out to be mainstream. So what precisely has modified?
New options of the Genesis Croix De Fer
The brand new Croix de Fer is ‘iteration not innovation’, however the silhouette is barely completely different
(Picture credit score: Genesis)
The primary and most evident change must be the transfer to inner cable routing. The place the outgoing mannequin selected to remain extra mechanically easy, the Genesis group has determined that cables ought to be hidden from view.
The engineers have not gone loopy right here although, and that is one thing I’m very pleased about. Now, a single exterior cable runs from shifter to derailleur with the downtube being the one actual inner routing. This steadiness drastically cleans up the aesthetic, while conserving upkeep – particularly for dwelling mechanics – loads less complicated.
Genesis has additionally included inner routing ports for dropper seat posts too, which as I will come onto in my first trip evaluation, I feel would actually swimsuit this bike. The exterior routing across the headset additionally implies that Genesis has been capable of stick to commonplace parts on the entrance of the bike.
The bike I rode, full with welsh mud, in a beautiful inexperienced colourway
(Picture credit score: Genesis)
As bike design continues to evolve, tyre sizes appear to hold on rising, and it Genesis is effectively and really on the bandwagon. The brand new Croix de Fer now options 47mm tyre clearance, up from 45 on the outgoing mannequin. Higher nonetheless, is which you could match a set of 45mm tyres along with full-length entrance and rear mudguards, nonetheless leaving ample clearance for mud to disperse.
A product supervisor did let on that you just would possibly have the ability to go barely greater than a 47mm tyre too, however push the bounds an excessive amount of, and it begins to be dependant on rim and tyre mixtures.
One other good function is that throughout all bikes (besides framesets in fact), Genesis suits its Amplitude subsidiary tubeless wheelset with a tubeless prepared tyre. The edges additionally come taped from manufacturing unit too, so this bike genuinely is tubeless prepared – fairly than the same old required tyre buy or rim tape caveats.
The Croix de Fer now options via axles, full with a neat lever that folds inside the axle
(Picture credit score: Genesis)
Wheel requirements have modified barely too, because the Croix de Fer now options increase spacing on the rear. This wider commonplace is an evolution for gravel, coming from the mountain bike world; the promise is larger stiffness, however it’s going to restrict wheel alternative. The Croix de Fer presents 180mm rotor clearance entrance and rear, which ought to present all of the stopping energy mandatory for bike packing journeys and touring alike.
Dropped seat stays and inner gear cable routing give the bike a a lot cleaner aesthetic
(Picture credit score: Genesis)
On the rear of the bike, Genesis has dropped these seat stays too, which the model says was partly an aesthetic resolution, but in addition carries the good thing about enhancing vertical compliance to the bike. The dropped stays are mixed with an ovalized prime tube, which improves stiffness while sustaining comparatively low weight.
Body choices
As talked about earlier than, Genesis has been fairly busy over the past two years of growth for the brand new Croix de Fer, maybe proven finest by the variety of bikes which are launching right now.
A complete of 4 framesets can be found for the brand new Croix de Fer, every utilizing a barely completely different materials sort.
The Croix de Fer is on the market in full bike builds with a Chromoly metal chassis, which gives the good trip really feel and dampening qualities that you’d anticipate from the body materials.
Improved 725 metal (£899.99/€ 999.00), 931 stainless-steel (£ 2,499.99/€ 2,999.00), and titanium bikes (£ 2,699.99/€ 3,199.00) are additionally accessible, nevertheless, these will presently be offered as frameset solely bikes.
Fascinating too is that the chromoly metal totally constructed vary kicks off with two flat handlebar builds. The CDF 10 and 20 flat bar will use 1×9 pace Shimano Cues, and 1×11 pace Cues respectively.
Flat bar choices cater for nearly any rider
(Picture credit score: Genesis)
The vary continues all the best way as much as the CDF 40 and 40, that are each drop bar solely, and have a newly designed carbon fork which saves a whopping 900 grams over the metal providing.
New Genesis Vagabond
Genesis has additionally launched a brand new Vagabond gravel bike, which is absolutely aimed toward these desirous to go, effectively, just about anyplace.
Additional blurring the traces of mountain biking and gravel using, the Vagabond options 27.5 inch wheels for sizes XS and SM, and 29 inch wheels there above. The bikes additionally come fitted with Maxxis Ikon TR 2.35″ tyres to match the brand new geometry.
The brand new Vagabond, in its pure habitat
(Picture credit score: Genesis)
The Vagabond incorporates a tremendous slack 69 diploma head angle, which ought to offer you confidence on tremendous steep terrain. At launch, the Vagabond will likely be accessible in two completely different builds, the Vagabond 10 costing £1,799.99/€1,999.00 and the 20 costing £2,299.99/€2,699.00.
Tour de Fer lives on
Genesis hasn’t forgotten in regards to the Tour de Fer both. The model’s touring bike nonetheless options within the vary, and has acquired some minor tweaks too.
The bike nonetheless incorporates a extra conventional seat keep design, and is on the market in only one frameset possibility spanning 4 completely different builds – none of which function a triple entrance chainset. Touring lovers will likely be pleased to notice although, that the bike nonetheless comes totally outfitted, full with a pair of spare spokes on the left seat keep.
The Tour de Fer remains to be within the vary, full with 18kg of bags up entrance, and 27kg on the rear
(Picture credit score: Genesis)
The Tour de Fer vary begins from £1,299.99 /€1,499.00, for the TDF 10, all the best way as much as the TDF 40, at £2,199.99/€2,599.00.
For extra data, head to the Genesis web site.
Genesis Croix De Fer first trip evaluation
I used to be fortunate sufficient to get to trip the brand new Croix de Fer forward of launch, on some completely splendid gravel roads within the coronary heart of Wales. A 4 hours jaunt across the Hafren forest, only a few miles inland from Aberystwyth, allowed me to check out the brand new trip on every part from fireplace roads within the moorlands, to steep, and at occasions sketchy single observe.
And I have to say, the bike actually stunned me.
Many shades of inexperienced to be seen on my first trip on the bike within the Hafren Forest
(Picture credit score: Genesis)
The brand new Croix de Fer is a very succesful bike – that’s clear from KM0. Our trip began with a brief tarmac part, the place I shortly learnt that this isn’t a gravel race bike, however that is okay, as a result of it’ not attempting to be. The bike immediately supplied me with confidence and a fairly imperious trip really feel on the highway.
As soon as we turned off into the forest and traded tarmac for free packed fireplace roads, I used to be impressed with the dampening qualities of the metal body. The bike may not have been essentially the most full of life I’ve ever ridden out of the saddle, however I discovered that to not be mandatory, staying comfy, and with traction because of the broader tyres, over all surfaces.
(Picture credit score: Genesis)
After some enjoying round within the moors, our information Phil took us down a number of a lot narrower tracks, the place a mountain bike would have been overkill, however maybe solely simply. Right here was the place the Croix de Fer shone for me. The bike stayed completely composed over some pretty harsh bumps, and was steady within the air too on the couple of events I used to be capable of bounce. The frameset as soon as once more does a stellar job of staying planted, with out completely shaking your fingers to items.
Total, first impressions are nice. The Croix de Fer feels bombproof, rugged, and definitely has a excessive enjoyable issue.
