Genesis Bikes Alpitude 2010 Mountain Bike Reviews » Bikes » Hard Tails Free Mountain Bike Magazine IMB

Genesis bikes are popular because they include high-quality frames that are built to last and come with generous warranties. As with the Day One, there are mudguards, rear pannier rack, and an internally geared rear hub for all weather dependability. If you want more control over exactly what components your bikes is built with, both of these are available to buy as just the frameset.

Product PresentationFrom free-ride, long-travel mountain models to fun city bikes, the presentation is a key attractor on the sales floor. In the years that followed, Hess and his company constructed one of the world’s first purpose-built factory stock BMX bikes, allowing BMX fans to buy new wheels without having to alter a mountain bike. An MTB’s suspension forks absorb most of the shock when it hits a bump. This long-distance mountain bike is a cross-country racer’s dream. Genesis makes road, mountain, gravel, adventure, and commuter bikes.

A rim brake version is available in addition to the disc option and both come with Shimano Ultegra 2×11 groupsets. The maximum tyre size on bike is 28c, typical for rim brake set ups but relatively narrow for a bike with discs. But for races that are solely on roads, this should be more than adequate.

The drivetrain is still a performance oriented 1×11 set up and, in all, this is still a competitive racing machine. There aren’t mounting points for front or rear pannier racks; strap on bike-packing bags are the weapon of choice here. Some practically remains, with downtube bottle bosses (useful for holding extra water or a tool keg) and discrete mudguard mounts. genesis bicycles The frame is fully carbon and the cables are integrated into the frame for a cleaner look and better aerodynamics. Given the versatility of this frame, it is perhaps to be expected that there is a large number of different builds on offer. It is available with flat bars and drop bars, carbon forks and steel forks, there’s even a titanium frame option.

The Alpitude needs to be ridden hard to get the best from the frame, if you hit rough sections too slow then the bike can stall and you have to work to get back up to speed. Once set and on the bike the first thing that you notice is the high front end, the high rise bars and 6º rise stem are the reason for this and can easily be changed if you prefer to go wide and low. Wheels are built around SLX hubs with Alex XED-44 rims, these are shod with Maxxis High Rollers 2.35 tyres.

The Fugio is a rowdier bike than the Croix de Fer, more suited to playing around on the trails and using the bumps as a platform to get some air. The dropper seatpost, slacker head angle, shorter chainstays and clearance for tyres up to 50mm wide on 650b wheels are responsible for this more playful handling. The aero features of more expensive bikes are present, with cables are routed internally and the leading edges of the frame are smoothly rounded. The groupset is Shimano Tiagra with a 2×10 drivetrain while the maximum tyre size is 25c. The Day One — its inaugural bike from 2001 — is still going strong as a low maintenance singlespeed with disc brakes and mounts for mudguards. The Genesis Datum is another versatile bike that could serve as a gravel-cruncher or mile-muncher, depending on the tyres you choose to run.

At 25% sag the head angle is 68.5º and the seat angle is 73º. On our 16.5inch frame, which is a virtual 17.5inch, the effective top tube length is a shortish 578mm, chain stays are 425mm and the wheelbase is 1120mm. Additionally, these bikes are pleasant to ride and are available in a range of body sizes and styles. It makes a good commuting bike since it can tolerate some punishment.

If you’re in the market for a more porteur-style bike, the Brixton is where Croix de Fer meets cargo. Its 1×9 drivetrain keeps things simple, while the swept back riser bars give the rider a more upright position. The CDA on the other hand is less race and more sportive, with relaxed endurance geometry and massive tyre clearance for knobblies so you can truly take it anywhere. The Mantle  is the brand’s XC and endurance bike, and is a full carbon 29er hardtail with 100mm travel.