Other bikes might have the specificity to perform better in a single one of these uses, but very few bikes would be able to perform as well as the Croix de Fer in all of them. It is the combination of a vast array of mounts, a robust steel frame and wide tyre clearances that allow this bike to be such a jack of all trades. 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 frame has internally routed cables for better aerodynamics and a wide section down tube for better torsional stiffness. The Vapour is Genesis’ CX race machine and there are three models available (10, 20 and 30). There’s the option of having a full carbon frame at the higher end of the spec too, or a more affordable version with an aluminium frame and carbon fork. Owners of the .1R will be invited to visit Aston Martin’s genesis mountain bike headquarters in Gaydon, where they will experience a personalized fitting session with J.Laverack’s founders. Furthermore, an integration with the automaker’s online configurator allows anyone to design their dream bicycle. This digital tool lets users personalize the color of the tubes, lugs, forks, stem, seat post, and handlebar drops, as well as choose to leave the carbon fiber exposed for its natural beauty.
He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he’s riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun genesis mountain bike and fitness rather than training for competitions. 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. Part of this is down to the different frame material, but cheaper components are also a factor.
Indeed, the bike looks sleek and harmonious thanks mostly to the absence of fixing points or raw weldings. Also, not a single cable or hose mars the sleek appearance thanks to the unique integration of the brakes. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too.
The bikes are available either with rim brakes or hydraulic discs, but there is only one spec level with these bikes. The rim brake version can take tyres up to 28c, whereas the disc version can handle 30c. 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. The Lotus Type 136 is equipped with top-notch components such as the Sram Red eTap AXS groupset, as well as the DT Swiss ARC 1100 wheels.