This bike is designed for lightweight bike-packing, able to tackle ultra-distances on mixed terrain. Essentially an aluminium version of the Croix de Fer, the CDA features a similar genesis bike 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.
Some riders incorrectly assume that a lightweight wheel with a low spoke count is difficult to keep in true. Yet a poorly assembled wheel with uneven spoke tension is far more likely to have issues. That’s why the majority of new owners reported that their Genesis V2100 was delivered with bent wheels, right out of the box. This may have been done on purpose, to match the out of true Promax disc brake rotor. The brake can be adjusted, and may offer a fair amount of braking power, but it’s difficult to locate replacement parts, as most brake shops don’t carry pads for the very bottom of the barrel components like this.
That’s not to say that they’ve forgotten the road market. A solid steel range and a smattering of aluminium and carbon models brings the brand bang up to date. Finally, for the bikepackers, the Longitude is a fully rigid, steel-framed mid-fat expedition adventure bike.
Some practically remains, with downtube bottle bosses (useful for holding extra water or a tool keg) and discrete mudguard mounts. The frame is fully carbon and the cables are integrated into the frame for a cleaner look and better aerodynamics. The steel tubes of these endurance bikes, with their ability to dampen the road buzz, make them perfectly suited to long days out in the saddle.
This is a bike that will zip around town without a second thought. The basics are there in full length mudguards, a rear pannier rack, and puncture resistant tyres. With clearance for tyres up to 38c and a steel frame that will be robust and help deaden the road chatter, this is a bike with the stamina to match your own. Prefitted mudguards and more puncture resistant city tyres are such examples.
Capable on and off road, it was a gentle step away from our original Vapour and towards a bike that was intended to go further… but we never imagined quite how much further. At the time, we weren’t sure if people would get it, so we hedged slightly, labelling it as a cross bike in the truest sense of the word. Packaging SystemWe created a packaging system that both stood out at retail and aided in finding the right product at a glance in a crowded retail environment. Product PresentationHelping to bring new categories to the market with beautiful and functional designs.
When things get a little hairy, the RCT has all the stopping power you need courtesy of front and rear cable actuated disc brakes. The high-profile 27.5-inch Vitesse wheel-set gets you over bigger obstacles like a 29er but handles like a 26-inch wheel and knobby tires help hold your line. Comfort comes your way with a padded saddle that is easily height adjusted with a no-tool quick-release seat-post clamp. Whether you’re riding on the street or on the trail, the RCT from Genesis has you covered.
Advertised as 80mm (3.14″) of travel, most couldn’t get more than one inch of movement. Having a non-progressive spring rate means that it’s unlikely they’ll ever get the full travel out of either end. Compression isn’t adjustable, and rebound is exactly what one might expect from a spring. Out back, the four bar linkage looks the part, but the actual path of travel is an arc that wants to move the wheel forward as it goes upward. This results in poor handling, as the wheel cannot track over rough surfaces properly. Some adventures are about taking your time and drinking in your surroundings, others are about getting there fast.
You can see our work for Giant in the grueling Tour de France, on Tokyo commuter streets, and in a garage much like your own. Poorly designed suspension, with a shock that would make Newton cringe (see Newton’s Third Law). It has a drivetrain that many bikes shops simply won’t touch. They’re not snobs, they just know that no amount of time or skill will make loose and sloppy components work well. Since you own this bike, there’s a very good chance that you have never heard of a bike shop. They carry all sorts of odd bits and pieces for bicycles, and may even have a 26″ front rim with disc brake hub.
Actual weight of the Genesis V2100 is in the pound range, depending on the accuracy of your scale. It wouldn’t be too much work to bring that down a bit by swapping the heavy steel riser bar for an aluminum one. Of course, any weight savings from the bar swap would be offset when it comes time to replace the pedals (after about two rides or less), as they seem to have earned a reputation as the cheapest pedals ever. We did note that in online reviews, the average owner spent an additional $80 or more to get their bike in working order. Incorrectly installed tubes lasted only until they were inflated. Trailside, it would be a bit cumbersome to fix a flat on the Genesis V2100, since it isn’t equipped with quick release axles at either end.