@ Genesis Equilibrium riders

trekker12

Well, it's finally finished. Not gone far on it yet, just a couple of trips to work and still to cut the steerer tube but messing around with handlebar position at the mo so want to be sure before I cut it.

It's lovely, smooth, quick, climbs really well and I'm quite pleased I got it just under 9kg with mid range kit (not that weight is everything).

Pics to follow (eventually)

charliesimpson

Ive finished my Equilibrium build - a labour of love. I'd set my heart on an Equilibrium and managed to pick up mine last Autumn and after much fettling its ready and rides beautifully. Its a 2010 model and the frame is in great condition.

I bought it as I was really only interested in the frame as the previous owner had replaced the original kit with Shimano Sora. So the Sora came off and was replaced by SRAM Apex drive train bought from the classifieds on BikeRadar. New wheels, a right billy bargain at £50, long drop brakes and a few bits n bobs and hey presto!! I reckon all in I have a great bike that looks great and all for less than £600.

I fancy a Volare as well now!

riggy

Last year I built up a Genesis Equilibrium for a long hilly commute plus the odd event and some light touring. I broke the Taboo and fitted it with extra wide gearing.
My dyed-in-the-wool roadie friends told me I was being weak, that I should just pedal harder and that I'd be changing it to a standard compact setup before I knew it. Well I'm fairly fit now and I still appreciate those low gears for the really steep bits on the grind up onto Dartmoor during my commute.

I spent a while trawling the forums trying to work out what combination of gears was going to work so I'm posting it up here in case anybody else should want to risk the flaming and build something similar.

This is what I ended up with and it works perfectly:

sram 10 speed 12-32 rear cassette
shimano XT M771 rear derailleur (9 speed)
shimano 105 5703 triple front mech, chainset and triple / 10-speed sti shifters

Lowest gear is about 30% lower than the lowest gear on a standard compact setup. It might sound ridiculously low but is remarkably pleasant when riding a heavily laden bike up 20% climbs and is still good for speeding along more normal terrain.

It's built on a 2013 burnt copper frame and I think it looks quite nice too.

I hope nobody is too badly offended by this post!

James.

trekker12

Why should anyone be offended. If the bike suits your needs and you like it - so what?

I don't follow 'the rules' which in my opinion are written by an American trying to be more Italian and doing well by selling lots of books. I'm not very keen on joining the heard and wearing my sunglasses outside my straps 'just because'.

I enjoy riding the bike I built for me which also has a triple on it after much consideration (and the fact I had one ready to fit in the shed) it's been built for long Audaxes where I might find late at night the lower 30% might just come in handy.

If I want an aero race bike at the UCI weight limit and can justify it's use (i.e racing) then I'll build one but only because I want to and not what every one else says.

Plus when you beat them on your Equilibrium it's all the more satisfying

p.s. pictures to follow I promise, I'm still waiting for my new saddle to turn up.

riggy

Yeah, that was only a poor attempt at humour having seen the flaming people got on forums when asking about how to build a road bike with low gears. My bike was built with a specific purpose in mind and it does its job well.

Anyway, it's a lovely bike to ride and I'm glad I went with the equilibrium frame.

James.

nigglenoo

HI James- I wonder what part of the country these forum flamers are in and whether they have ever seen a 1:3 hill never mind climbed one?

I am using road triple gearing on my Equilibrium as well, with 12-27T 9spd cassette and a 28T granny ring, which gives me about a 28" bottom gear and is good enough to get me up anything that Cornwall or Devon can throw at me including the 33%ers. The only time I have walked up a hill with the Equilibrium is when I ran out of grip due to mud, gravel and leaves on a stupidly steep lane on the Dartmoor Devil audax in 2012.

I don't use it for loaded touring though, I have a touring bike for that with MTB gearing and a 19" bottom gear: you are presumably using the OEM Shimano 105 inner ring, which is 30T, with your 32T rear sprocket which means you have a 25" bottom gear- if you go on touring bike forums instead this is actually considered inadequate, well at least for the 'kitchen sink' cycle camping variety like I do.

Mixi

Hi!

I recently bought an Equilibrium frame online and when it got to me it had a slight dent on the downtube. I sent it back to the shop and they sent me a new frame in exchange. The new frame's paint was chipped around the dropout so I sent that one back as well. After that the shop recommended me to look into another brand or look for a new seller.

I was wondering if any of you had similar experiences with Equilibrium frames? Was it just bad luck (twice) or is the finishing on those frames always poor?

samsbike

Mixi wrote:

Hi!

I recently bought an Equilibrium frame online and when it got to me it had a slight dent on the downtube. I sent it back to the shop and they sent me a new frame in exchange. The new frame's paint was chipped around the dropout so I sent that one back as well. After that the shop recommended me to look into another brand or look for a new seller.

I was wondering if any of you had similar experiences with Equilibrium frames? Was it just bad luck (twice) or is the finishing on those frames always poor?

The dent is just bad luck. Paint will wear on the dropouts, I am sure mine did. I think the fact they use water based paints nowadays may explain the fact its slightly more fragile.

nigglenoo

if the paint was more than a micron thick it might help... my 2011 frame in cherry red is scratched in quite a few places and does not seem to have any, or hardly any, clear coat over the colour, so scratches normally permanently mark the base coat and many go right down to the metal. On my 2008 Claud Butler Dalesman frame a thick clear coat protects the metallic base coat, so most scratches can be covered with clear touch up paint and blended in with T-Cut for a perfect repair.

the_fuggler

My frame arrived today. Really looking forward to getting stuck into the build.

the_fuggler

nigglenoo wrote:

if the paint was more than a micron thick it might help... my 2011 frame in cherry red is scratched in quite a few places and does not seem to have any, or hardly any, clear coat over the colour, so scratches normally permanently mark the base coat and many go right down to the metal. On my 2008 Claud Butler Dalesman frame a thick clear coat protects the metallic base coat, so most scratches can be covered with clear touch up paint and blended in with T-Cut for a perfect repair.

Meant to reply to this before. Got my cherry red frame through Pave Velo in St Austell. It came with some touch-up paint. Might be worth dropping them a line to see if they have a spare. Or even Genesis themselves, as if they're issuing a touch-up kit, they are aware it's a problem.

On another subject, Shimano R650 brakes - are they only available in silver?

menthel

Yep, silver only in the R650s.

My white 2013 00 is also a mess, paint chips everywhere. May look into a respray next year to give it a degree of protection.

the_fuggler

Cheers Menthel - that's my plan - let it run for a couple of years and then go for a gaudy respray...

nigglenoo

The Fuggler wrote:

nigglenoo wrote:

if the paint was more than a micron thick it might help... my 2011 frame in cherry red is scratched in quite a few places and does not seem to have any, or hardly any, clear coat over the colour, so scratches normally permanently mark the base coat and many go right down to the metal. On my 2008 Claud Butler Dalesman frame a thick clear coat protects the metallic base coat, so most scratches can be covered with clear touch up paint and blended in with T-Cut for a perfect repair.

Meant to reply to this before. Got my cherry red frame through Pave Velo in St Austell. It came with some touch-up paint. Might be worth dropping them a line to see if they have a spare. Or even Genesis themselves, as if they're issuing a touch-up kit, they are aware it's a problem.

On another subject, Shimano R650 brakes - are they only available in silver?

Thanks, I can try Pave Velo next time I am in Snozel for work: I have seen that shop on the corner below the Priory Car Park with the Genesis bikes on the pavement, I sometimes go to the Sedgemoor Centre for meetings.

kayodot

sub £1000 equilibrium 20s available on UK Bikes Depot, unfortunately not in my size (58).

any similar priced 20s in full size run?

arlowood

Hope you don't mind me double posting this. Had already posted in the Your Road Bikes section when I stumbled across this dedicated thread for Genesis Equilibrium riders.

My recent build is here:-



and the link to the other details is here:-

viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12977779

Have only had a brief ride to date but will be putting some miles in tomorrow weather permitting. Can't wait!

dread_i1

Just wondering if anyone has fitted a set of sks longboard guards?

Thanks
Jon

nigglenoo

dread_i1 wrote:

Just wondering if anyone has fitted a set of sks longboard guards?

Thanks
Jon

The Longboards are only available in 45mm width which is too wide for the Equilibrium frame clearances, 35mm is the only width that will fit IME. I would get the SKS Chromoplastics and avoid the SKS Blumels or Commuter models as these seem less durable- a chap on a ride with me last Sunday had a second break in his Bluemels rear guard and I could see that it did not have the sandwiched metal layer that you have in the Chromoplastic guards.

Alternatively these Stronglight S guards are supposed to be good: http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... b0s80p1622 (avoid the cheaper Stronglight E model with plastic fasteners)

Unfortunately I don't think anyone is making a longer length 35mmm mudguard like the Longboards, that would better protect your BB & drive train area, not to mention your feet. You can optimise coverage with standard length guards by using Sheldon fender nuts on the brake bolt, which allows you to attach the front mudguard bracket at the back of the fork crown, and attaching a longer DIY mudguard flap e.g. cut from a large plastic plant pot and riveted in place (with careful trimming this can look quite professional).

menthel

I have chromoplastics on mine and they work well. Didn't fit them myself- life is too short for such things!

pollys_bott

I realise that this may not be the best thread to get unbiased impartial opinion but... are these good bikes to ride? I've never ridden a steel bike before so not sure what the 'feel' is like. There is an 20 frame for sale not far from me and it's in that gorgeous Burnt Copper and it's the right size, but I would be commuting on it and there are no rack mounts on the seat stays. Any of you chaps using one of those seat-post rack mount things and are they any good? If so is there still room for a rear light on the post as well? (And yes, if I thought I could get away with it I would just buy it and build it to ride around, but I've already got an N+1 TT frame to be built over winter and I can't afford a divorce lawyer )

Thanks...

the_fuggler

I'm still building mine, so it's nearly 4 years since my test ride in the centre of Bath. However, I can still remember that ride feeling very different and buttery smooth. I just grinned all the way round. I regretted not buying it (funds didn't permit at the time). The fact that I can still remember four years later was the main reason I jumped when a frame came up.

I know there are several Equilbirium commuters on here, so I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me will be along in a minute...

menthel

Pollys Bott wrote:

I realise that this may not be the best thread to get unbiased impartial opinion but... are these good bikes to ride? I've never ridden a steel bike before so not sure what the 'feel' is like. There is an 20 frame for sale not far from me and it's in that gorgeous Burnt Copper and it's the right size, but I would be commuting on it and there are no rack mounts on the seat stays. Any of you chaps using one of those seat-post rack mount things and are they any good? If so is there still room for a rear light on the post as well? (And yes, if I thought I could get away with it I would just buy it and build it to ride around, but I've already got an N+1 TT frame to be built over winter and I can't afford a divorce lawyer )

Thanks...

I have a 00 and find it a bit dead to be honest. Its fine for commuting but because of the compliance in the frame I find it lacks some feedback from the road. It also flexes noticably when I increase the effort. Having seen it on a turbo and watching the BB swing from side to side it is not a bike for people who want something stiff with good feedback!

davmaggs

Pollys Bott wrote:

I realise that this may not be the best thread to get unbiased impartial opinion but... are these good bikes to ride? I've never ridden a steel bike before so not sure what the 'feel' is like. There is an 20 frame for sale not far from me and it's in that gorgeous Burnt Copper and it's the right size, but I would be commuting on it and there are no rack mounts on the seat stays. Any of you chaps using one of those seat-post rack mount things and are they any good? If so is there still room for a rear light on the post as well? (And yes, if I thought I could get away with it I would just buy it and build it to ride around, but I've already got an N+1 TT frame to be built over winter and I can't afford a divorce lawyer )

Thanks...

I have a Tortec slimline pannier rack, and use an M-part clamp on the seat post. No problems at all with it, and the SKS guards just about squeeze through the rack.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mpart-single-bo ... ack-mount/

There's lot of room on the seat post for a light too. I also mount a second on the rack anyway.

jonny_trousers

I had one for a couple of years and was very happy with it. I then added a light, stiff carbon bike to the stable and I found the Equilibrium sluggish and dull in comparison, to the point where I ended up commuting on the posh bike.

Funnily enough I was just thinking about picking up another Equilibrium. I want a run around that I can put a seat on for my baby son soon and I assumed an Equilibrium would be just the job. I forgot they didn't have rack mounts.

menthel

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

I had one for a couple of years and was very happy with it. I then added a light, stiff carbon bike to the stable and I found the Equilibrium sluggish and dull in comparison, to the point where I ended up commuting on the posh bike.

Funnily enough I was just thinking about picking up another Equilibrium. I want a run around that I can put a seat on for my baby son soon and I assumed an Equilibrium would be just the job. I forgot they didn't have rack mounts.

The 2015 ones will!

UndercoverElephant

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

I had one for a couple of years and was very happy with it. I then added a light, stiff carbon bike to the stable and I found the Equilibrium sluggish and dull in comparison, to the point where I ended up commuting on the posh bike.

Funnily enough I was just thinking about picking up another Equilibrium. I want a run around that I can put a seat on for my baby son soon and I assumed an Equilibrium would be just the job. I forgot they didn't have rack mounts.

2015 Equilibrium comes with rack mounts....

I seem to remember that the Equilibrium 00 that Menthel mentions above as feeling a "bit dead" is made from Reynolds 520 steel, rather than the 725 which the others are made from. I've not tried the 520 frame, but I've certainly never heard the Equilibrium described as feeling dead before. The burnt-orange colour frames are 725 steel.

Mine is a Cherry red version, and it's a comfortable, lively ride. Fast when needed and after 20,000 miles in all weathers, still looks almost new today (except some paint chips near the fork dropouts). If it was stolen or totalled today, I'd buy another just like it - I can't say that I've ever thought that about any other bike. For a fast posh-commuter, it can't be beat. I would say that I have a posh bike for high-days and holidays, climbing and long events but if (heaven forbid) I *had* to only have one bike, the Equilibrium would be it. I'm just glad that isn't the case.

london-red

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

I had one for a couple of years and was very happy with it. I then added a light, stiff carbon bike to the stable and I found the Equilibrium sluggish and dull in comparison, to the point where I ended up commuting on the posh bike.

Funnily enough I was just thinking about picking up another Equilibrium. I want a run around that I can put a seat on for my baby son soon and I assumed an Equilibrium would be just the job. I forgot they didn't have rack mounts.

2015 Equilibrium comes with rack mounts....

I seem to remember that the Equilibrium 00 that Menthel mentions above as feeling a "bit dead" is made from Reynolds 520 steel, rather than the 725 which the others are made from. I've not tried the 520 frame, but I've certainly never heard the Equilibrium described as feeling dead before. The burnt-orange colour frames are 725 steel.

Mine is a Cherry red version, and it's a comfortable, lively ride. Fast when needed and after 20,000 miles in all weathers, still looks almost new today (except some paint chips near the fork dropouts). If it was stolen or totalled today, I'd buy another just like it - I can't say that I've ever thought that about any other bike. For a fast posh-commuter, it can't be beat.

This ^^

menthel

Yep, mine is 520 tubing. The reason I may find it dead feeling is because I prefer the feel of my alu Italia. Its still comfy but is so muc more responsive (and stiff). I suspect that if I wanted another steel I would probably need something more "racy" such as a super acciaio...

kayodot

x-post from steel framed bikes thread (received no love). My 2014 Equilibrium 20, upgraded to 11-speed 105. Moving from my aluminium ss to this for the commute is a dream.

sketchley

Mine is the red 725 version, and I certainly wouldn't describe it a dead. It's very fast when it needs to be and very stiff. Only problem for me is a I have a very nice Enigma in the bike store ad there is simply no comparison between the two. If the weather is good I ride the Enigma, the Genesis only comes out to play if the weather look like being wet as it has guards and the Enigma doesn't.

Next year I'm probably going to upgrade both. I don't like the ultegra triple on the Enigma, I so rarely use the granny ring and I don't see the point in it anymore . So it will most likely but upgrade to an Ultegra 2x11. The Eq needs a strip down and paint job, I'll probably go to Enigma so that. When it's done I'll probably go to a 2x11 105 or at the very least invest in chainrings, chain, cassette and jockey wheels as the existing 105 has been abused. Only decision I have to make is what gearing to run on both, my head says 50/34 front and 11-32 on back, but tempted to go 53/39 and 11-32 anyone got any thoughts on this?