@ Genesis Equilibrium riders

the_fuggler

Cheers - a very handy cribsheet of everything I need. You've got yourself a cracking bargain there. Nice one!

chewymk4

Bit of a blatant plug - but if you need any wheels for your build i've got a nice set of new, unused DT Swiss R1900's going for £200 + postage.

White rimes with red decals so would look mint with the red frameset.

Was going to build a red equilibrium around these myself until mine came up for sale so now surplus to requirements

the_fuggler

I'm assuming they're Shimano compatible? I think I'm likely to go red, so they might be just the job.

chewymk4

Yes they are Shimano compatible.
They also come with DT Swiss QR skewers

I've got some photos on my laptop at home - i'll send some across tonight so you can have a look

the_fuggler

Cool - pictures would be great.

nameinuse

I finally decided to get an equilibrium for quick commutes and disappearing into the downs at weekends, but I can't find one in stock anywhere!

I'm 6'3" with a 35" inside leg, so I reckon I need the 60cm frame, and nowhere seems to have it either as a complete bike or frameset in stock. Was planning on getting the 20, but having seen the picture of chewymk4's black framed build above, think I'd be happy either way. I spoke to a bloke in one shop who thought that I'd have to wait for the 2012 model to come out in the autumn now.

Anyone know if there's anywhere that's got them at the mo? If they happen to do a CTC discount that would be even nicer...

UndercoverElephant

nameinuse wrote:

I finally decided to get an equilibrium for quick commutes and disappearing into the downs at weekends, but I can't find one in stock anywhere!

I'm 6'3" with a 35" inside leg, so I reckon I need the 60cm frame, and nowhere seems to have it either as a complete bike or frameset in stock. Was planning on getting the 20, but having seen the picture of chewymk4's black framed build above, think I'd be happy either way. I spoke to a bloke in one shop who thought that I'd have to wait for the 2012 model to come out in the autumn now.

Anyone know if there's anywhere that's got them at the mo? If they happen to do a CTC discount that would be even nicer...

Realcycles.com still claim to have the 10 in stock (the 20 and the frameset say ring for availability), if you're not using their finance, enter the NOFINANCE code at the checkout for 11% off.

http://www.realcycles.com/products.php? ... 0s283p2463

They delivered my frameset in about a week without problems.

clarkey cat

I really like the look of the equilibrium frame and have been tempted to swap my fratello frame for one - it just looks alot racier.

jonny_trousers

Realcycles told me they could get hold of a frame and fork in about 3 to 5 days. That said, they did reply to my email enquiry super-quick so I'm not convinced they knew that for definite.

I reckon I'm going to struggle to get theframe and fork in black as it doesn't seem to be offered as standard, but I'ill fire off a load of emails this afternoon and see what comes back.

My build won't be anywhere near as sporty as Chewy's, but I'm sure I can make a great looking, nippy commuter (which is what I' after). The main reason I am thinking black and white is because it will fit the scheme on the frame and I've recently spent 100 quid on a nice, white saddle.

jonny_trousers

clarkey cat wrote:

I really like the look of the equilibrium frame and have been tempted to swap my fratello frame for one - it just looks alot racier.

That was my thinking too. I was all set to aim for the Fratello when I remembered the great reviews for the Equilibrium and so did some more research and discovered it seemed to tick all of my boxes. On my test rides, courtesy of Evans, I didn't get the chance to properly open it up, but it was crazy comfortable on London roads. The stem that comes with it has quite a rise on it so I think that makes the geometry a little too relaxed for my tastes, but just looking at Chewy's you get to see what can be done.

nameinuse

Thanks UndercoverElephant, will give them a bell to double check the really do have stock in...

Does anyone know if there's a big difference between the two models? I think the main thing is the wheels and the groupset (105 vs Tiagra), but I've no idea what that means to how it'll be to ride.

clarkey cat

I chose the Fratello over the Equilibrium mainly because I work on Greys Inn Rd! I love it but it feels more like a gentleman's steed than a thoroughbred. I might take the rack and guards off and put a snazzy saddle on to make it look racier. Maybe some coloured tyres. Go-faster stripes. A big exhaust.

UndercoverElephant

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

clarkey cat wrote:

I really like the look of the equilibrium frame and have been tempted to swap my fratello frame for one - it just looks alot racier.

That was my thinking too. I was all set to aim for the Fratello when I remembered the great reviews for the Equilibrium and so did some more research and discovered it seemed to tick all of my boxes. On my test rides, courtesy of Evans, I didn't get the chance to properly open it up, but it was crazy comfortable on London roads. The stem that comes with it has quite a rise on it so I think that makes the geometry a little too relaxed for my tastes, but just looking at Chewy's you get to see what can be done.

The ones in Evans will have all the spacers below the stem too, most probably. Crazy comfortable is quite correct, but it's certainly very happy at speed. Mine's no race set-up (see Rain, below), but it goes really quite quick. Had it up to 38.1 mph on the flat one evening (tailwind, naturally) and it coped incredibly well with the twisting descents of the Bethany Sportive the other weekend, easily outstripping any other bike. Shame I had the heavy, commuting wheels on, as uphill was a little less fun, but it's a measure of the bike that I chose to ride it, rather than the sportier, lighter BeOne.

UndercoverElephant

nameinuse wrote:

Thanks UndercoverElephant, will give them a bell to double check the really do have stock in...

Does anyone know if there's a big difference between the two models? I think the main thing is the wheels and the groupset (105 vs Tiagra), but I've no idea what that means to how it'll be to ride.

Those are the main differences. 105 vs Tiagra is mainly the one extra gear, and possibly the hidden gear cable routing. Tiagra is nice to use and reliable. The wheels are a big difference; Tiagra hubs are great, well sealed and smooth-running, the rims and spokes may not be up to much, though. The RS10s are supposed to be excellent, but even they're only £100 on their own.

prawny

Tiagra is fine, it just looks a bit dated these days. I've considered upgrading my groupset a few times but it just wouldn't be worth it for me.

I was tempted to get a Scuro RS with tiagra from Ribble, but decided I would look like a berk.

jonny_trousers

So you cannot get it in black as a frameset only (boo!) and Genesis supposedly don't have any 56s in any colour to ship out until August (double-boo!). For me that doesn't matter as I just took a punt on a used Fratello off of Gumtree (definitely not nicked, but does need some TLC), but I will be keeping an eye out for second hand Equilibrium frames in black and will be keen to see what Genesis come up with for the 2012 range.

the_fuggler

Thought I might resurrect this thread as the 10 seems to have 100 quid off in most places that have any.

I very nearly bought one, but I decided to go for a Cannondale Synapse 105 instead....

...However, there was a big row with House Management, as we're about to move house and she decreed that she wanted that money to spend on cushions and nick-nacks (sadly not the tasty corn-based snack).

So I'm back to square one. I did find an Equilibrium 10 down in Bath, but I think that has gone now. The question is whether to go for the Synapse ('yes' says Head) or Equilibrium ('yes' says Heart). The Synapse has a better spec for the money (managed to get both for 900 quid), but there's something about the Equilibrium. I remember having a big smile on my face after riding it.

My question, though, is, when do the 2012 Genesis come out? Must be after August, I'm guessing?

UndercoverElephant

My Day One was one of the first 2011s to come off the production line, I think I bought that in August.

Have you thought about building one up yourself? By my calculations...

F&F £350 from RealCycles
Compact 105 groupset (last years) £350 from Merlin
Shimano RS20 Wheelset £114 from Merlin

Total so far £814, I'm pretty sure you could get a headset, stem, bars and seatpost and saddle for the remainder (if you can't take them of another bike)

the_fuggler

I did think about building one up - I suspect that time pressure with moving house and a second child on the way, might get the better of me. Still, it might be a more wife-friendly purchase!

the_fuggler

Clearly, I've now spent the last hour looking at speccing my own Equilibrium again. I have a noddy question. Is the standard crank length 172.5 on the Genesis?

UndercoverElephant

The Fuggler wrote:

Clearly, I've now spent the last hour looking at speccing my own Equilibrium again. I have a noddy question. Is the standard crank length 172.5 on the Genesis?

I would say so. It depends how tall you are, but I think most people are fine with 172.5. Oh, and mine was built up in two evenings after work. I did get the LBS to fit the Campag Record headset, though. 8)

godders1

The Fuggler wrote:

My question, though, is, when do the 2012 Genesis come out? Must be after August, I'm guessing?

I'm guessing we'll get news during iceBike (19th-25th July).

http://www.icebike.co.uk/eventinfo.php

nameinuse

I've been keeping an eye on the release date after I'd decided (with much deliberation) that I was going to wait for next year's 20 to be in stock. Madison (via LBS) and Genesis (via email) both reckon September for availability, and Icebike at the end of July for pictures and spec.

Current plan is to use the 10% CTC discount at Evans, then check the build over myself...

the_fuggler

Excellent - thanks for that. Roll on the next 3 weeks...

the_fuggler

Right. Wife has gone to see Take That. Work is quiet. LBS (ooo - I'm getting the lingo) is 5 minutes away and it stocks Genesis. See you in a bit....

the_fuggler

Bah. Nothing in stock. Have just seen an Aether 30 new for 750 quid, which is a fine price.

secretsam

The Fuggler wrote:

Chewy - any chance of a rough cost of your build?

I have seen red frames for 189 quid here, but I know nothing about them and the next delivery is not due in until August.

Holy moley, at that price I'm seriously tempted not to bother spraying the old 531 and get one of these instead


[desire]WANT ONE (RED)[/desire]

supertwisted

I phoned the other day and the chap I spoke to says the next batch won't be that cheap unfortunately.

But I really want one of these, 'tis a thing of beauty. I'd have to sell my nice MTB to afford one though.

london-red

Just picked one of these F&F up yesterday. Will let everyone know how I get on with it.

jonny_trousers

Well it looks like I'm rejoining the club.

It was finally my turn to take the Fratello in for its service in Condor last Wednesday. When booking it in I mentioned I was after a shorter stem and then with one look at my bike the lad told me it was way too big for me. I knew I was a little overstretched, but as I'm 5'10 and it was a 55... It's not a 55, it's a 58! I was shocked, but Condor sizing was explained to me and I was convinced tweaking it to be a better fit was a bad idea. And so, I'm in the Market for a new frame. A new Fratello is more than I'm willing to pay and besides, I actually suspect the Equilibrium has that touch more aggression I want in my commuter/winter trainer. I'm still not a fan of the red and am thinking of waiting to see what the plans for 2012 are, but I'm pretty certain I'm back on to create a nice Equilibrium.