Genesis Equilibrium frame for racing?

harrymunro

Hi all,

I am looking to get a road bike for around £1500. The Planet X Nanolight with SRAM Red stuff is on my shortlist - and I know it would be a good purchase, but...

I love the look of the Genesis Equilibrium steel frameset, and for the same moneys I would build it up with full SRAM Force kit - the weight would be around 17-18lbs which I'm guessing is a couple of pounds heavier than the nanolight.

My question is really about the geometry of the Genesis. Would I be put at a disadvantage race wise? Should I just get the Planet X instead? I've done a lot of internet research and can't any commentary or examples of this frame being used competitively.

PS I'm new to road racing and have done one cat 4 race so far, on my singlespeed Specialized Langster - which was banter but didn't go very well.

Berk Bonebonce

Can't really see the point of steel frames these days when their carbon fibre counterparts are available at similar price. Note, however, that the Equilibrium will take full length mudguards.

harrymunro

It's the classic looks which attract me to this frame. I'm leaning on the side of thinking it would make a fine racer.

Matt the Tester

go for the Planet X.

DHTT

The planet x handling will probably be sharper as there seems to be a quite a bit of rake in the Genesis's fork however if you really want the Genesis get it as you don't want to be regretting your purchase further down the line.

harrymunro

Good point, the fork has to be bought seperately from the frame so could go with something different... I keep deciding absolutely that I will get one of these, then an hour later change my mind to the other!

Berk Bonebonce

There is a certain culture amongst racing cyclists ... steel is definitely out.

From a geometry point of view, I would not expect to see too much difference between the two frames.

mrbrightside

What the weight of the Genesis F+F?

I was thinking of a similar build to you but for cycling fitness / commuting being the primary use...

Evans did have a deal on this frame and fork set (forks inc) but are now out of stock, as are many places.

harrymunro

I can't find out exacrtly how much it weighs but I have read that the frame and forks are about 6lbs total.
You might like this though: http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/frames/1 ... me-builder

amaferanga

The Nanolight is a great bike, but it's very much a race bike (no room for Cruds even) so if this is your only bike then you might be better with the Genesis. Lets be honest, at lower level amateur racing a couple of pounds here and there is unlikely to make much difference. If you have another bike though and are looking purely for a race and Sunday best bike then I'd say get the Nanolight.

Or if you're happy to build yourself you might want to take a look at the Chinese frames that you can buy direct that are available for much less than the Nanolight....

secretsam

Forget rational analysis. The Genesis is absolutely gorgeous, looks like an old Colnago steelie. Mmmm 8)

eh

Forget geometry and worry about the fact the frame alone is about a 1kg heavier, and probably more flexy, although the Planet-X is fairly cheese as well. For £1500 you can do better than either of these IMO.

Forget looks, if you get to the finish line so late that everyone had packed up and gone home, then you aren't cool whatever bike you ride.

harrymunro

What other bikes for £1500 are we talking here? Focus Cayo?