Gravel bikes are what everyone wants right now, says Erin Fagan, the events coordinator (and more) at in Easton. For Erin, being so close to the trail is a huge advantage since beginners are nervous riding on the road with cars. 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. Essentially an aluminium version of the Croix de Fer, the CDA features a similar plethora of mounts and wide clearances but comes in at a significantly lower price.
If there are any issues with your bike, return it for a full refund or receive a replacement bike for free. 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. Next up is the endurance-focused Zeal, which is full carbon, so you can ride longer and faster with less effort. The first Genesis bike was produced under the Ridgeback brand as the Day One model in 2001. Due to its popularity, Genesis became a label in its own right in 2006. Finished with 37mm tyres and in a glorious forest green colourway, this is an enduring bike and one worthy of the Day One moniker.
As with the Day One, there are mudguards, rear pannier rack, and an internally geared rear hub for all weather dependability. But more than that, there’s front and rear dynamo lights, so you never need worry about forgetting/neglecting to charge your lights. An internally geared hub goes a long way to weather proofing the drivetrain, as do the full housed gear cables that help stop dirt degrading your shifting performance.
Last year, the Children’s Home of Easton received a check for $2,460. The Datum comes with 32c tyres, which is a bit closer to the ‘road’ end of the spectrum. But there is clearance for up to 38c, so if the conditions require it, this bike is able to handle the rougher stuff. Some adventures are about taking your time and drinking in your surroundings, others are about getting there fast. This bike is designed for lightweight bike-packing, able to tackle ultra-distances on mixed terrain.
In contrast to rim brakes, disc brakes can handle tyres up to 30 c. The Croix de Fer is probably Genesis’ flagship bike, much loved by adventurers and commuters alike. It’s the ultimate all-round all-terrain machine, with a hardy steel frameset, disc brakes, relaxed geometry and mounts for all the additional fittings you might need. The Croix de Fer comes in three steel options (10, 20 and 30) as well as a titanium model.
Moving into the racier end of the spectrum, the Zero and Zero Disc are full-carbon road bikes with aggressive geometry. As the price increases, so does the level of tech, with Di2 included in the top-end model. Though we’re a bike shop that sells, builds and fixes bicycles, they’re really just the means to an end; albeit a beautifully designed means to an idyllic end. Our job most importantly is to encourage as many people as we can to get out and ride for transport and enjoyment.
The bikes are available either with rim brakes or hydraulic discs, but there is only one spec level with these bikes. Both come with 2×11 genesis mountain bike Shimano 105 drivetrains and carbon forks. The rim brake version can take tyres up to 28c, whereas the disc version can handle 30c.