Genesis Tour de Fer 30 2017 Touring Bicycle Review

Tech Spec Highlights

• Full dynamo light set up
• Burly Reynolds 725 frameset
• Full Tiagra 3x10 groupset
• Front and rear Tubus racks

Tech Spec

• Frame: Reynolds 725 Heat-Treated Chromoly
• Fork: Cr-Mo Unicrown Disc
• Headset: Prestine PT-1606 1-1/8” semi cartridge
• Shifters: Shimano Tiagra ST-4703 / 3x10 speed
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra RD-4700 / GS cage
• Front Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra FD-4703
• Chainset: Shimano FC-4703 / 50-39-30T / XS, 165mm / S, 170mm / M-XL, 175mm
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano BB-RS500
• Chain: KMC x10
• Cassette: Shimano CS-HG500-10 / 11-32T
• Rims: Sun Ringle Rhyno Lite / 36h
• Hubs: SP PD-8/Shimano FH-M615 36h / front / rear / 6-bolt / centre lock
• Spokes: Stainless steel 14g
• Tyres: Schwalbe Marathon Mondial 700x35c
• Brakes: TRP Spyre-C 2-piston mechanical disc brake w/160mm TR160 rotors w/ rear adapter
• Levers: Shimano ST-4703
• Handlebars: Genesis X-Race Pro / 16deg Flare / XS, 400mm / S-M, 420mm / L-XL, 440mm
• Grips: Velo tape w/Gel
• Stem: Genesis AS-027 / + - 7deg / 100mm
• Saddle: Genesis Road Comfort
• Seatpost: Genesis Alloy / XS-M, 27.2x350mm / L-XL, 27.2x400mm
• Pedals: NW-99K w/ Toeclip
• Weight (Kg): 16.60
• Extras: Trekking mudguards / Front 45x720mm-Rear 45x1185mm / Tubus Cargo rear rack / Tubus Tara front rack / B&M Lumotec IQ-X headlight / B&M Secula Plus tail light

Company Info

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. Over ten years the range expanded beyond commuter bikes to include road, mountain, cyclo-cross, gravel, kids and fat bikes Genesis bikes became renowned for their use of steel tubing and ethos for function over form. The bikes have been designed by James Olsen (2005-2011), Dom Thomas (2011-2013) and Albert Steward (2013-2015).

The Croix de Fer was the most well known bike. Its adventurous credentials were proven in 2010 as Vin Cox set the Guinness World Record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe by bicycle. 1

…We bring to life the sorts of bikes we enjoy riding…We’re not the biggest out there but our size does afford us to take a few risks; namely to push through bikes that bigger companies might deem too fringe or oddball to ever grace their range….Most of our bikes will have ‘built-in’ practicalities (we’re not one to pigeonhole a bikes usage) that will enable you to use them daily across many different scenarios. Design and technology working in perfect harmony in a thoroughly thought through, practical package. 1

Environmental Policy

They isn’t easily found info on their environmental policy as a company.

What the Company Says about the Product

The bike you’d turn to if you were to quit your job and embark on an impromptu pedal-powered world tour! Build-wise, we dressed the frame with durable, no-nonsense components that we knew from personal experience are tour/expedition worthy and should last the sorts of high-mileages for which the bike was intended. The spec list should, by all accounts, read like a cyclo tourist’s wishlist; even going so far as to include an SP dynamo hub with B&M front and rear lights! Expedition-ready straight from the box - just add rider, luggage and a strong sense of adventure.

Bike Radar says:

At first glance it would be easy to assume that this is just a Croix de Fer with beefed up parts, but the geometry of the Tour de Fer is subtly different compared to its more spritely cousin. The primary differences are a longer wheelbase, which improves general stability, a lower trail fork to improve the handling when loaded at the front and a slightly higher stack height, which makes for a more comfortable, upright position.

How I describe the Product

The Genesis Tour de Fer is second only in my list of adventure touring bikes to the Surly LHT and Disc Trucker. Is has the right frame material - steel, geometry - long wheel base designed for comfort and miles and a well specced drivetrain for the job.

Pros

• Tubus (Cargo / Tara) racks are extremely durable.
• Dynamo light enables impromptu night riding / commuting / safety without worrying about charging batteries (and for charging accessories via USB).
• Mechanical disc brakes won’t wear your rims and offer reliable braking power.
• 3 sets of bottle cage bosses.
• Marathon Mondial are the successor to the bulletproof Marathon XR tyres.

Cons

• You might want to switch the saddle for a leather Brooks.
• If you want more holding positions on the bars you might want to change them for flat bars or an H bar or alternative bar.
• The 2016 model looked to have Deore drivetrain which has more of a mountain bike heritage which may be more durable than the road specced one.
• No back up v-brake bosses.
• 700C rims might not be ideal as not as available as 26 inch in far flung corners of the globe.

Sizing

Sizing recommendations scoured from around the Internet:

• Q: 5ft. 6-7 tall, 29 inch inside leg measurement

• A: Extra small or the small, Genesis bikes tend to come up a little large.

• Q: 5 feet 7 inches and my inseam is about 32 inches

• A: For the Genesis Tour de Fer 2017 Touring Bike you want a medium frame.

• Q: 6.3 tall - what size would you recommend?

• A: An XL frame would be suitable.

General touring bike sizing guide from Edinburgh cycles.

Disclaimer

I don’t have one of these bikes but I know two people who have been sponsored by Genesis and have seen how the bikes have lived up to the punishment including biking to Tibet from the UK (not on the exact model, but shows the brand quality). I will update this article when I get a chance to test the bike first hand.

Further photos from Cycle Show 2017

• Genesis
• Tour
• Cycle touring
• Bike