My Genesis Croix de Fer

Do you need to carry stuff? If yes the get the CDF
If no equilibrium

Light touring only, probably rear rack with bulky light stuff on, saddle bag frame bag and maybe bar bag...

The weight difference, is it mainly in the wheels anyway?

Love this bike. Custom panniers is pretty hot.

Had the equilibrium 853, nice frame, not much room for anything bigger than 28c with guards, if you wanna run bigger rubber go cdf. Can get a nano 40c in the 2015 frame.

He's talking about the Equilibrium Disc, which will have slightly more clearance (28mm + mudguard definitely will fit).

edit - @TM here's the Equilibrium Disc with 30mm tyres, go for that, they make excellent gravel bike with that clearance;

I think that's what I said.

Fair, didn't read that part, oop.

FWIW, the current rims brake version is already tight with 25mm + mudguard.

Can get a nano 40c in the 2015 frame.

You can? The clearance must be tight

@larsenroad & @jontea thanks both.

I'm currently ideally wondering if its worth trying bars like this:

Then I could use fully hydraulic brakes....

Or get the TRP Hylex and bar end shifter instead.

Yup. You can. Wouldn't get a guard in, but enough room to not worry about a bit of mud. Built mine up Saturday, just threw the nano on out of interest, and was greatly chuffed to see it fitted alright.

Are we all getting old? Building bikes for comfort, rather than speed and performance. I was looking at the wife's bike last night, and thought about a change of bars, maybe something straighter, possibly with microshift thumbies.

As I said, its just idle wonderings, its nothing to do with age, just embracing the fact that its not a mega fast bike....and I've already got a XTR front brake...

Im more likely to get riva 22 hydro...

Ah, I put my wonderings down to age, quite like pootling about in a more upright position, my days of head down going for it are long gone, may even get some trouser clips and leather elbow patches.

Just embracing the fact that its not a mega fast bike.

Hah, I get you, my tourer felt like a slow bike, but doesn't beat me up as much as the roadie.

Get the Rival 22 if you can, the difference is night and day, also great for touring being able to stop without any effort with a loaded bike.

This basically.

I love my Equilibrium Disc, which isn't even built with particularly decent parts.

Next build will def be something like that surly for around town use. But with front basket.

Requested my cycle scheme voucher today so should be ordering one of these within the next few weeks. I know @psee 's Rych is lush but I really don't think I'm going to get better than this as a package, and on bike to work it's affordable too. So excited for hydro.

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Why did you go for the cdf over the equilibrium in the end? I'm currently trying to decide between the two.

Low rider mounts on forks, clearances enough for 32c with guards for winter, inside triangle rear caliper mounting, better versatility, shimano chainset.

I've already got a road bike so this is very much a tourer/all road/explorer/commuter bike for me.

I disliked the colour of each equally, I'd rather black, or grey, for this kind of bike, but yeah the blue is growing on me.

5 weeks on and still waiting for the bastard cyclescheme voucher though! The bike is built and waiting for me 2 miles up the road...

So far I've got a PMP carbon post, a black Antares, a red white and blue CK headset, and a black 110mm x4 to go on. Will also be de stickering the wheels pronto. Think it's going to be rad.

I originally ordered the equilibrium disc 10 and test rode it the other day. I liked it even though it is relatively low spec build.

I have my voucher now but haven't spent it yet as I'm considering building either up from their frameset option as I have a group and I want a dynamo wheelset which means the cost of starting from scratch and the c2w voucher near enough equal out. hmm...

1. 700c wheelset with 32-35c light touring tires
   
2. 650b wheelset with 2"knobbies
   
   

Winning combination for a disc brake CX bike

I disliked the colour of each equally, I'd rather black, or grey, for this kind of bike, but yeah the blue is growing on me.

I can tell you the blue will grow on you as it's a nice inoffensive shade.

If you're not too keen on the modulation of the brakes, ask the mechanic at your LBS to bleed it a bit more (usually involved leaving the brake pads in).

I want effortless 1 finger power from all bar positions, can't see there being an issue... @edscoble