We’d always advise going to your local Genesis dealer, where they can see the bike and diagnose any technical or mechanical issues that you’re having with your bike. Freewheel features a growing Reserve and Collect network made up of regional independent bike shops. Each shop is highly regarded within their local communities and provides customers with many value added bike related services. Collectively know as the Freewheel Union, each participating bike shop retains their own bricks and mortar identity and are not owned by Freewheel or Madison. Freewheel.co.uk simply brings together professional cycle shops to give our customers extra service and peace of mind. Over ten years the range expanded beyond commuter bikes to include road, mountain, cyclo-cross, gravel, kids and fat bikes.
It offers decent power and operates smoothly without creating much noise. The drawbacks here are weight and size because the motor relies on big magnets inside to create power. Also, when coasting or pedaling without assist the magnets may create some drag vs. a geared motor with a freewheeling mechanism. It also does not take advantage of regenerative genesis bicycles braking which some other gearless systems offer but overall it’s durable and gets the job done. Versatility still pervades the frame, with downtube bottle bosses and mounts for a rear rack and mudguards. Although this bike can take on the commuting duties or a bit of cycle-touring, it is more suited to lively riding in the woods and on bridleways.
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. With a 2×9 Shimano Sora groupset and mechanical disc brakes, there are notable differences to the higher end Croix de Fer. But these won’t present an impediment to getting out and using the frame for the huge variety of applications it has the capability for. Gravel riding, endurance road riding, cycle-touring, commuting, these are all still possible on this bike – it’s just a more accessible platform to get started with.
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. Not quite mainstream, yet still hugely popular, genesis bikes are a British brand loved by steel-aficionados and adventurers alike. Well thought out geometry, good looks and great handling make the Genesis Core 26.4 stand out as a great bike at a good price. The first thing you notice is that the cockpit is comfortable, it just feels right. Not too long and well balanced with none of the ‘too much weight on the wrists’ feeling that sometimes comes on trail hardtails.
For the entry level, you’ll get a Shimano Claris 2×8 drivetrain, an aluminium frame and carbon fork. Whilst the 30 model gets a Shimano 105 2×11 drivetrain, along with the aluminium frame and carbon fork. As the name suggests, these are bikes that are designed for the explicit purpose of riding on the road. Some are more race oriented, meaning mudguard and pannier mounts are forgone and the geometry is longer and lower. Others have more of an endurance focus, better suited to long rides and have all the mounts you need for light cycle-touring.