Genesis Flyer or Day One Cross?

CTank

Another day, another what bike question!

I am considering getting a singlespeed through the C2W scheme, and the Genesis Flyer and Day One Cross have caught my eye, both 2010 models. It is unlikely that I will get to ride them first, although I can be measured for sizing.

The bike will be used primarily for a short commute (5 miles each way, twice a week).

The first question is about price, with the Day one being £100 cheaper than the £600 Flyer. Is this a cool tax on trendy courier types, as the Flyer looks pretty funky? They both have the same frame (Reynolds 520) so is there an obvious difference in the spec?

Also, am I foolish considering a Cross bike, when I'm used to a road bike? The chainset is 42, against 46 on the Flyer, which may be too small on the road?

Any views on the two bikes, and why I should pick one over the other would be much appreciated. I am well aware of the risk inherent in asking a load of strangers what I should do, but please fire away!

Regards,
Jake

AidanR

No idea why there's a price difference - the specs look pretty similar.

Personally I'd go for the Day One because:

You can fit mudguards and a rack if necessary
You can fit fatter tyres, which personally I think are great for potholed city roads
It's cheaper

Against it, it's not as pretty as the Flyer, you'll have to change out the knobbly tyres, it's bound to be a bit heavier and as you point out the gear ratio is a bit low (but personally I think the Flyer's is pretty low too).

edhornby

I like the genesis bikes, both look pretty good - you're right that there's really not much to separate them

what will make the difference is the route you ride to-from work, if there are no really killer hills to climb then go for the flyer as I think you would top the gear out on the cross (especially as you are used to road bikes)

brakes are the other difference, although properly set up centre pulls will work fine, personally I'd rather have callipers

shame you can't get a test ride - C2W via halfords??? try going into another lbs and have a test ride there? (get some stuff from them afterwards to appease the try but not buy shame?)

AidanR

They're mini-Vs not cantis so set up shouldn't be an issue. The two gear ratios are 42x18 for the Day One and 46x18 for the Flyer - personally I'd find both way too low so you may have to change the cog no matter which one you get.

markos1963

I don't know why so many people write off Halfords for service, I got a test ride on a Boardman SC no problem when I was sorting out my C2W bike. Went out for at least half an hour and decided to get the Boardman over a Pearson Touche.

I was riding with someone from my club on sunday, he was on a Flyer( with some nicely fitted full mudguards), he must have regeared it as he had a slower cadence than me and I was on 48/18. Looks like a nice bike.

CTank

Thanks for the considered replies.

Having gone into Condor this morning, they can accept the Halfords voucher directly, so I will be dealing with them. They want 5% to process the voucher, which seems a bit rich, but there you go. On the plus side, any changes to the bike will be included on the total cost, meaning I recieve the savings on, for example, a set of road tyres.

At the moment the Day One Cross is the front runner, as the £100 difference would nicely pay for a set of SPD's, lights, smaller cog to increase gearing etc. This plus the versatility of being able to fit guards, or go off-road if desired seems to clinch it.

One final question (I hope): Aidan R says that the Cross is bound to be a bit heavier- however the steel is the same? Are the tubes likely to be more heavy duty?

AidanR

I was thinking more in terms of more heavy-duty rims (510g vs 480g), probably a heavier rear hub (wider spacing), beefier fork to cope with braking forces from mini-v brakes over calipers... Nothing too much - I'd guess a pound or two tops, and frankly weight well spent, as it were.

majormantra

What about a Ridgeback Solo? It's essentially the same as the older Flyer but has mudguards fitted as stock. It also has a carbon fork unlike the new Flyer or the Day One and could well be lighter than both of them.

I have an 07 Flyer and I really like it. The new one looks really nice but I think they've overdone the faux-retro look a bit.

Matthew

CTank

Good call on the Ridgeback Solo, this was my third option.

However one of it's benefits is also it's downfall. At the moment I probably won't be using mudguards, as the bike will be going into the boot of my car twice a week. I don't think it would fit with the mudguards in place, so it seems a shame to buy it and then take the guards off. I had noticed the carbon fork though, and this is of benefit.

I'm going to apply to the scheme today, I'll report back when the decision is made, and maybe provide a mini review.

dawebbo

I have a day one cross.

I really like it and it's a fairly soft ride. The gearing was too short for commuting though and I needed a different chain as the one it comes with won't fix around a 15T sprocket.

If you use it purely on road, you can get the orange michelin pro race 3 tyres to bling it out.

CTank

Dawebbo,

Good to hear from someone that actually owns one.

Can you elaborate on the soft ride comment? Is it too laidback/relaxed compared to a road bike? Do you think it was a good buy?

Regards,
Jake

bike junkie

I own the flyer and it really is a stunningly beautiful bike. It's a great ride, but the roads where I live are a bit flat so I'm gonna rehear mine. That said, if x bikes were my thing, I'd be inclined to save for the Croix de fer. I've seen one in the flesh and it truly is a beautiful bike. Whatever you choose I'm sure you'll be happy.