My Genesis Croix de Fer

lovely! no detailed ride report/route? :)

Missus and I love our light tour in the Lake District, the fact it only 3 and a half hour to get to Windermere is a bonus.

Got a route?

spotter have you got any routes/where abouts did you ride in the lakes?

Yup I'll do a proper report in this thread later today, once i work out how to embed strava routes

Just installed the compressionless outter cable, the front feels good but I can't seem to get the rear working well. It 'slows' but doesn't stop. Looks nice though

Yup I'll do a proper report in this thread later today.

Four days ago, report!

Compressionless work better with cable pull disc than that hydraulic convertor.

Spotter with many bags and missus with no bags evens out to light touring.

Thinking of buying a CDF, the cheaper reynolds 520 version of the croix de fer. Anyone ridden one of these? There's only a 200g weight difference, I'm wondering what benefits I'll get shelling out another £300 for the reynolds 725 version.

Scoble had one which he sold to jb who rode it for a few weeks.

*months. A few months. With that said mine probably got ridden more in a few months than all of your bikes have in the last year. #feabletroll

*months. A few months. With that said mine probably got ridden more in a few months than all of your bikes have in the last year. #feabletroll

How was the ride? Sluggish or not too bad? How heavy were the wheels?

Am I right thinking it comes with Sora?

Mine was slightly different. It had Hope Pro 2s laced to ZTR Arch's. Real nice wheels, light too. The ride isn't quick, it doesn't accelerate fast, it doesn't climb well, but it's hella comfy and a fantastic bike for touring (I just rode the Californian coast on mine and it did a fantastic job) handles well under load, soaks up road buzz. But yeah, not light. I'd look at this, it's basically the same for less:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/verenti-substance-sora-2014-free-lifeline-basic-kit/

FWIW, the 725 version won't be that much faster/lighter.

^^that would be a massive downgrade from what I'm riding. But looks like a good deal, thanks for the link.

Yeah, the weight difference wont be noticeable until I buy the 953 version, which I can't afford. Also thinking about the Kona Sutra, which is much slacker geo, but I like the idea of the MTB group.

Sick of rear derailleurs and chains on ten speed road groups wearing out.

I want Low rider bosses, MTB parts, disc brakes, 'cross geo. Does such a thing exist?

Well, mine has a Deore rear derailleur, it wouldn't be difficult to put in a mountain double. Yes, it does. Salsa Vaya - kinda. It's more tour geo, but has everything else you want. Tbh, it might be easier for you to just build yourself, that's quite specific.

I don't know of any bike that comes OTP with that spec. Probably best finding the frame and building it up.

Surly Straggler? Still probably quite heavy.

FWIW, the 725 version won't be that much faster/lighter.

To be honest, it felt a little bit dull, 520 is pretty basic stuff, the 725 is worth going for a springier ride*.

*laterally stiff, vertically bouncy, whatever it is.

FWIW, the 725 version won't be that much faster/lighter.

To be honest, it felt a little bit dull, 520 is pretty basic stuff, the 725 is worth going for a springier ride*.

*laterally stiff, vertically bouncy, whatever it is.

Am I right thinking it comes with Sora?

Modern groupset nowadays are capable up to 32t, the Shimano Claris budget derailleur are designed to go up to 32t for example.

the Deore is useful if you want to go more than 32t, which is why I put it on JB's CdF, except I end up sticking with the 32t.

I'd look at this, it's basically the same for less:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/verenti-substance-sora-2014-free-lifeline-basic-kit/

Great value but got a really small headtube for the size (Genesis' equative is 15-20mm longer).

*months. A few months. With that said mine probably got ridden more in a few months than all of your bikes have in the last year. #feabletroll

feeble troll is feeble because he knows that no longer true and also becuase he can't spell feeble

1st degree at best

Should I be grabbing my popcorn?

Shit. You got me. I know bro, just playing.

I keep going back to this thread as I really do love this bike, it's perfect. I'm very tempted to sell my pomp and build one of these.

^^that would be a massive downgrade from what I'm riding. But looks like a good deal, thanks for the link.

Yeah, the weight difference wont be noticeable until I buy the 953 version, which I can't afford. Also thinking about the Kona Sutra, which is much slacker geo, but I like the idea of the MTB group.

Sick of rear derailleurs and chains on ten speed road groups wearing out.

I want Low rider bosses, MTB parts, disc brakes, 'cross geo. Does such a thing exist?

Sirrus + whatever handlebar setup you feel like would be one solution if the geo suits you.

I have a 2009 Sirrus which has low rider bosses, MTB group etc. and I put drops and bar end shifters on, and hey presto I had my perfect touring bike (except now they do a Sirrus with discs).

Now looking to replace it as I'm doing more commuting miles than touring, but it's done around 5000 miles and handled it well.

I'm not sure how I feel about alu and fully loaded touring, doesnt sound like a great idea

I'm not sure how I feel about alu and fully loaded touring, doesnt sound like a great idea

I did 1500 miles to scotland and back, carrying full camping gear and paintbox, approx. 40kg, on an aluminium genesis Vapour with a long haul trucker fork. It worked, but I would rather have had a steel bike, with the spec I described above.

I got the vapour very cheap a few years ago when I had a bike stolen and needed to get back on the road, and slowly rebuilt it as a tourer.

Spotter just wondering what rear rack you used? Think it looks like a tubus disco, correct?

Building up one of these for a unsupported LEJOG this summer.

Non, tubus Vega with this:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tubus-rear-rack-extension/