Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

TECH NEWS

Genesis unveil Equilibrium Disc 2014

First glimpse at brand new Reynolds 631 disc-equipped road bike from Genesis

Genesis Bikes will officially launch the brand new Equilibrium Disc for 2014 in a couple of months, but this week they’ve given us a sneak peek at the new model. It combines a a Reynolds 631 frame and lugged fork with Hayes mechanical disc brakes, and will cost £1,499 for the complete bike.

The Equilibrium has been a firm road.cc favourite over the years, with the steel and titanium version both getting high ratings. More recently they introduced an 853 version which Dave was fortunate to get a first ride on and rode several Audaxes aboard. The new Disc model looks to retain the clean lines and handling of those bikes, with the obvious addition of disc brakes.

Disc brakes on road bikes is a topic of debate at the moment. Here’s Genesis brand manager Albert Steward with his thoughts:

“We believe road disc has a bagfull of potential in the marketplace and stands to make the biggest impact on the everyday commuter/leisure rider whose cycling centres a little more around the 'ride' aspects and a little less around the 'race'.

“Sure, there's every possibility of the UCI sanctioning them for professional road use in the not-too-distant future (and, like in the CX ranks, they'll probably see a lukewarm reception with the majority sticking to conventional calipers), but for now, I believe the weight penalty of discs will be enough to put off the more purist weight weenie club racers with the advantages of disc brakes more apparent and applicable to a much wider, more general group of riders.”

To match the frame, Genesis are speccing a Reynolds 631 lugged fork, partly for aesthetic reasons (it does look lovely) but also because there are currently very few carbon forks with disc mounts and non-tapered steerer tubes. A steel fork is a perfect partner for the frame in our opinion.

One thing's for sure, there’s a clear demand for disc brakes (Genesis wouldn’t be producing this bike if there wasn’t) and they look to have integrated the disc brakes into the frame neatly.

They've retained the same dimensions and geometry as the regular Equilibrium, save for adding 2mm to the chainstays to ensure a clean chainline for reliable shifting with the wider 135mm rear wheel spacing. The wider spacing of the rear wheel pushes the chain further out when in the smallest sprockets of the cassette, and if the chainstays are too short there is the potential for the chain to foul on the chainset or front mech when in certain gear combinations. This change also has the benefit of providing extra clearance so that 28mm tyres and full-length mudguards sit happily in the frame.

Genesis will offer the frameset (frame, fork, seat clamp) for £549.99 or as a complete bike for £1,499. The bike will features a Shimano 105 groupset with a 565 non-series Shimano chainset with compact 50/34 rings, with a 12-27 cassette out back. Hayes CX Expert mechanical disc brakes will provide the stopping power with 160mm rotors front and rear. Genesis tell us they could have saved a few grams by opting for 140mm rotors, but felt that customers would appreciated the extra power over the tiny weight saving.

The wheels comprise Shimano Deore hubs with 6-bolt disc rotor mounts laced to H Plus Son Archetype rims with double-butted stainless steel spokes. The finishing touch is a pair of 25mm Continental Grand Sport Race tyres. Full bike weight is a claimed 10.4kg(23.10lb). That's for a 56cm size.

Availability is scheduled for September. We’ll bring you more on this bike when we get up close and personal with it.

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

Add new comment

16 comments

Avatar
vinnn | 10 years ago
0 likes

Wow that looks super slick.

Avatar
Ghedebrav | 10 years ago
0 likes

Not thrilled by the stealth bomber look. Prefer Genesis's bolder colourways elsewhere in the range.

Avatar
700c | 10 years ago
0 likes

Are mechanical discs actually any better than conventional brakes?

I think they've done well to get this package to just over 10kg. Possibly down to the wheels, which look really nice.

At 1500 quid this would need to be more than just a 'winter bike' for me..

Avatar
robthehungrymonkey replied to 700c | 10 years ago
0 likes
700c wrote:

Are mechanical discs actually any better than conventional brakes?

I've had a disc equipped Kona Sutra for years and I'd take mechanical discs every time over rim brakes.

Avatar
sfichele | 10 years ago
0 likes

Any chance of sticking some rack bolts on that?

Avatar
mrS0CK | 10 years ago
0 likes

I think it's amazing - £1500 for a steel frame bike and disc brakes. That's winter & spring fun EVERY RIDE. I hope that's the paint job to, looks stealthy

Avatar
antigee | 10 years ago
0 likes
Quote:

Hopefully it will be available as a frameset too.

a frameset price is listed in the article (but maybe wasn't when you read it)

currently riding a pro6 CX on road and dirt tracks as wanted the bad weather consistent stopping ability of discs but find the geometry a bit fatiguing on all day rides - great to see more choice - bit disappointing to see this bit

Quote:

To match the frame, Genesis are speccing a Reynolds 631 lugged fork, partly for aesthetic reasons (it does look lovely) but also because there are currently very few carbon forks with disc mounts and non-tapered steerer tubes. A steel fork is a perfect partner for the frame in our opinion

now I understand (sort of) the design issues but its a compromise and doesn't really fit with the "ride" aspects - give me a carbon fork for comfort any day

edit obviously a personal preference and would second the "well done" comment above a good spec at a good price for many

Avatar
bendertherobot replied to antigee | 10 years ago
0 likes

Yeah, about that. I've ridden a Croix for almost two years now. Fork is lovely. Weighty but lovely. That's all it does really, adds weight. It's springy and comfy. I've sometimes thought about a carbon fork but then reject it every time I ride the Croix.

Have to say, really tempted here. My main bike is a Canyon CF with SRAM Red etc. I'm wavering on swapping it for this. But I'd be losing some performance, not much, but some.

Those wheels though. Great to see a manufacturer speccing such excellent wheels.

Avatar
wrevilo | 10 years ago
0 likes

This is the future of bikes for everyday riders. Well done Genesis.

Avatar
Ham-planet | 10 years ago
0 likes

I'll wait for the hydro-equipped version.

Avatar
IanW1968 | 10 years ago
0 likes

2014 btw sorted.

Avatar
bikeandy61 | 10 years ago
0 likes

Almost there now. Can I have it with 105 triple and Tektro Hydro calipers please? Hopefully it will be available as a frameset too.  19  4

Avatar
Hasis | 10 years ago
0 likes

"Very nice indeed. Although I'm not sure how the Croix De Fer fits into the line up now."

Got no bridleways in your neck of the woods?
[See what I did there?]  6

Avatar
Andrewwd | 10 years ago
0 likes

Very nice indeed. Although I'm not sure how the Croix De Fer fits into the line up now.

Avatar
bobinski | 10 years ago
0 likes

And a nice set of wheels for a change too.

Avatar
Some Fella | 10 years ago
0 likes

Genesis just dont stop making lovely (and realistically affordable) bikes.
 8

Latest Comments