The frame has internally routed cables for better aerodynamics and a wide section down tube for better torsional stiffness. The frame is also compatible with Shimano Di2 internal routing. Over ten years the range expanded beyond commuter bikes to include road, mountain, cyclo-cross, gravel, kids and fat bikes. Finally, for the bikepackers, the Longitude is a fully rigid, steel-framed mid-fat expedition adventure bike.
You feel confident handling the bike at any speed because of the reliable brakes. You’ll receive an email and/or text when your repairs have been completed, and we’ll be sure to give you a call if anything pops up along the way. Plus, if our turnaround time exceeds 24 hours, we’ll set you up with a complimentary demo bike. With a new bike, I don’t think the front forks should be squeaking. I wasn’t totally sure if that was just how it was, or if they were actually bad.
The angles are steep, the front end is low and there aren’t mudguard or pannier mounts. 33c tyres are specced (the maximum permitted in UCI sanctioned cyclocross races), while the maximum tyre size recommend is 35c. 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.
A single step down from the range-topping titanium model, the Croix de Fer 50 mixes cyclocross and touring DNA while maintaining a passable sideline as a very posh commuter. The most notable additions to the line-up are a new top-spec Croix de Fer 50 made of Reynolds 853 tubing. This is joined at the other genesis bicycles end of the range by a second flat bar Croix de Fer, a commuter-orientated model that follows on the success of the initial upright version of the well-established platform. 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 16 years old brand is mainly known for the conception of durable bicycles made of quality materials. Most of these bikes are reported by users as comfortable and reliable, some of which are record-breakers (bicycle touring in particular). Essentially an aluminium version of the Croix de Fer, the CDA features a genesis bicycles 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. Given the versatility of this frame, it is perhaps to be expected that there is a large number of different builds on offer.
Check out our electric bike buyer’s guide to learn about the benefits of e-bikes, how to choose the right one for your riding style, and the best maintenance tips and tricks. While aesthetically, the quality of the bike was fantastic, I did run into quality issues. The front shock squeaked when I went over bumps, and the front derailleur wouldn’t shift through all of the gears. It had many of the similar specifications, such as 29″ wheels, however was definitely not quite the quality I was looking for.
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.
This includes new forks, better derailleurs, better handlebars and so much more. In contrast to the earlier bike though, it offers 7 speeds, with 1 on the front and 7 on the rear. I must say, a lot of people don’t like low end bicycles with a full suspension, as supposedly the rear shocks tend to bounce and it makes for a pogo stick affect.
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. 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. The CDA line takes the Croix de Fer’s proven geometry and applies it to an aluminium frame. The wheelset is lightweight with an internal rim width of 19mm that will take good sized rubber which means you could add some float to the ride with some high volume tyres.
So what made me finally decide that I wanted to go through the trouble of returning the Incline, and trade it for the Boundary? Now there aren’t many things I don’t like about this bike, other than the following. This in the end though, is more of a personal preference thing, and you may have no problem with it! Other than some issues with the front derailleur I had, the shifters themselves did function as they were supposed to. After a lot of research, I had decided on the Schwinn Boundary, however once I arrived at the store the one I had just seen there had been bought, and I was left without a bike.