Genesis Equilibrium 20 Disc

[BristolMS]

Ok, it's much overdue new bike time and after a fair bit of research I now have a slightly unexpected number 1 choice. Any reason to avoid?

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/road-disc...

The spec is nice, with pretty much full 105 11 speed. Steel frame appeals for comfort, if not for weight. It seems like a good bike for many years use, without being a speed machine. I tend to ride only spring/summer/autumn, like a nice sunday ride of 40-50 miles, which I am hoping will become a little longer on this bike. And hopefully more enjoyable than the alloy hybrid I currently ride.

My original 'ideal' was a Specialized Roubaix, but they are expensive/lower spec at price point. Also, loved the look and value of Canyon Endurace and Rose CGF (think that was the model), but I have a Cyclescheme voucher so they are out.

The Genesis has come from left field following a visit to a Bristol bike shop, but largely it seems to fit the bill. Am I right to think that the steel frame weight penalty will be relatively inconsequential? I weigh 90kg, so I don't think the bike frame will be the biggest issue?

[BristolMS]

Thanks Yellowjack, that was really useful info.

Yes, I love the colour and think it looks stunning - funnily enough i had doubts originally, but it won me over.

That's a good point on the gearing and unfortunately I do not really have a handle on what I require. On the hybrid, I never use the granny ring, and probably never the lower couple of gears on the middle ring. But I don't how they compare to this bike. A test ride will be the best way to iron that out I guess.

The hydraulic disk advantage of the Limited did make me think, although the 20 is presumably better than fully-cable Disc 10. Could you expand a bit more on the disadvantage of the hybrid setup - is it simply that cable stretch means more maintenance over time and less easy modulation of braking?

I'm looking forward to buying from a bike shop too - I appreciate the fact that these guys exist and that allows me to actually compare bikes. :-)

I might look into whether the shop could persuade Genesis to alter the spec, or whether I should ask directly.

Edited to add: the Equilibrium Ti would be my choice too if the Chancellor of the household wouldn't notice!

[BristolMS]

Thanks for the details of your experience Yellowjack, very useful to know. I think I am reassured enough to give the hybrid brakes a go based on the further comments from Gazza and SJG as well as your own.



That leaves the frame material...

Cheers for the Pinnacle suggestion, sjg I am not hung up completely on steel, but I am keen to try something other than alloy. Carbon was my main thought until I really looked into the Genesis steel option.

[BristolMS]

Thanks for the inside info Get Karter, that's a good check to know about! I've sent you a PM as well

Love the stainless model that you linked to budget creep tho!

[BristolMS]

So, Get Karter's suggestion of the stainless has prompted me to consider that model, as I can also get it at a discount that brings the price much closer to the Equilibrium Disc 20.

I have a test ride of the latter booked soon, but does anyone have any thoughts on which overall package is the 'better bike'? I am buying a complete bike but noted that the basic framesets are very differently priced - £1250 stainless vs £500 for 725 tubing.

Wheels and brakes being the other most obvious differences aside from the frames - at least to my mind....

Equilibrium Stainless
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/a-road/eq...

Equilibrium Disc 20
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/road-disc...

I am also going to test a carbon Orbea Avant to provide a steel vs carbon comparison.

Thanks in advance for any further thoughts

[BristolMS]

jamiebae said:

I wouldn't discount the Hy/Rd equipped option - the bike has compressionless outer cables fitted and the lever feel is pretty close to the hydraulics (I've played with both side-by-side yesterday on Croix de Fer models).

I'm a big Genesis fan, and either option would be a lovely bike to ride, but there is a 'third option' if you want to get your hands dirty. You can buy a frameset - Equilibrium rim or disc for under £500, and a full 105 groupset, some nice wheels and reasonable finishing kit comes in at well under £1k if you want to build something up yourself. You could have a bespoke bike with full Ultegra for less than £1,500 buying the basic frame from your Genesis stocking LBS (725 Reynolds version with carbon fork in orange...

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/frames/eq...

... then Ultegra Groupset online for £500, and you've still got £500 left for wheels, tyres and finishing kit. There's a disc version of the frameset too but adding disc brakes puts the price up a bit, but does allow you to build a full hydro version for within the £1,500 budget if you shop around.

Thanks for the ideas, and it would indeed be lovely! I have to buy a complete bike though - this is a using a cycle to work scheme.

[BristolMS]

Just an update on this thread.

In the end, I have gone for an Equilibrium Stainless Steel (non-disc). Picked it up over the weekend and had my first short ride on it yesterday, have to say I am well pleased.

It's a lovely looking thing in the metal (at least to my mind) and rides very nicely. It seems stiffer and more responsive than the 725 tubed Disc 20 that I test rode a couple of weeks back; that is still a great bike though and that test ride was enough to convince me to buy an Equilibrium of some description.

Huge thanks to Bike UK in Bristol who were simply fantastic throughout the buying process, cutting me a great deal and also clearing up a slight hiccup in the order in the best way possible. Brilliant customer service from a very knowledgeable group of people.

Here are 3 pics, just from an iPhone, but hopefully capturing how the bike looks in different light.

[BristolMS]

jamiebae said:

Here are my pair of Genesis bikes - a Day One Alfine for commuting and bad weather



And a Volant, which lives in England for me to use when I'm back home (now running 25c Michelin Pro 4 tyres instead of the very pink Vittoria Rubihno Pro in this pic)

That's a great shot of the Alfine in the snow...superb bikes Jamie - although those tyres were VERY pink weren't they!

[BristolMS]

47p2 said:

Very nice bike BristolMS, I'm another Genesis fan, I have a Skyline single speed and a 931 Volare 20 Ultegra

Nice bikes 47p2, I am biased towards that 931 Volare - a real beauty in stainless steel.

I like how this thread has become a Genesis appreciation thread

[BristolMS]

Get Karter said:

Beautiful bike. Congratulations and enjoy!

I owe you one - I hadn't even considered the Stainless Steel version until you mentioned it, and a quick google then found a deal which brought it into budget.

Cheers!

[Equilibrium25]

yellowjack said:

My only real concern would be the 52/36 x 11-28 gearing.

Very wise, Yellowjack, very wise! You hit the nail on the head there I think and (being considerably less-wise) I failed to take enough note of your concern.

Now that I am out for longer rides, I am finding that my cadence is dropping too low once the gradient exceeds 10% or so. Down in the 50s and 60s RPMs at 6-8mph and wishing for a lower bail-out gear to regain some momentum.

Hopefully I will get stronger and I am also getting better at pacing my efforts now that I understand the gearing. If not...well, I will have to swap the chainrings to 50/34 next spring (I did upgrade the bike to have a 105 chainset so a ring swap should be possible).

Main point in resurrecting this old thread is to say...LISTEN TO YELLOWJACK...I read your posts in many threads here and the guidance you give to the less-experienced is invaluable (even when we choose not to listen!).

[Equilibrium25]

swerni said:

you have a couple of options

1st very easy, change the cassette to a 11-30
2nd less easy, change to a long cage derailure then you can use and 11-32 which would give you the same span of gears as a triple.

Thanks Swerni, looks like £40 would cover the latter option so might be a cost-effective upgrade if the legs don't upgrade themselves :-)

[Equilibrium25]

Schmy said:

The difference between 34/28 and 36/28 isn't that big. Depending on your tyres it's only a couple of inches smaller.

36/30 is smaller than 34/28

Thanks Schmy, I was going to look up how the gear options compare, but you have saved me a job :-)