@ Genesis Equilibrium riders

asprilla

I prefer 53/39; I just find it easier to find the right gear because of the closer ratios.

I rode compact for years and didn't see the point of a full double, but I'm converted.

Just been looking at the 2015 Equilibrium Disc frameset in a anthracite / orange. It looks very pretty indeed and I'd be sorely tempted as a winter bike if I could make the costs stack up. Unfortunately hydro disc gruppos add a significant premium that is eroded somewhat when you buy a complete bike, and the Equilibrium doesn't come as a complete bike with hydro discs.

sketchley

Interesting

30x28 (my current lowest gear on Enigma) is the same as 34x32 so if I went with 50/34 and 11-32 I'd be loosing some high gears for super fast descents but keeping the same low gearing. Which means spinning out at 43mph instead of 46mph (120rpm) I could probably live with that as rarely get up that fast.

However, 34x28 (current lowest on Genesis) is same as 39x32 which means a 53/39 and 11-32 would give me same low gears as Genesis but higher top end.

Decisions, decision, and that before even get onto what colour I want the Eq to be

UndercoverElephant

Asprilla wrote:

I prefer 53/39; I just find it easier to find the right gear because of the closer ratios.

I rode compact for years and didn't see the point of a full double, but I'm converted.

Just been looking at the 2015 Equilibrium Disc frameset in a anthracite / orange. It looks very pretty indeed and I'd be sorely tempted as a winter bike if I could make the costs stack up. Unfortunately hydro disc gruppos add a significant premium that is eroded somewhat when you buy a complete bike, and the Equilibrium doesn't come as a complete bike with hydro discs.

It does, but in green...

Full hydraulic Rival available here:

http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;n ... 14321;ff=0

for £620. Frame and forks are £500. Most of the rest could come from spares I'm sure.

sketchley

That makes me want to sell the existing Equalibrium and build a disk version. However I know what will happen, I'll decide I want a ti disc bike instead and go back to enigma.....

edit: http://www.enigmabikes.com/collections/ ... =875927863

MrSweary

Had a chance to see the Ltd edition disc in green at Soho bikes last night. Looks lovely. I want one. Asked about release dates and was told they'd be coming out in dribs and drabs up to Xmas. :-(

Also the new genesis carbon frame is fugly but the Croix De Fers are super pretty.

jonny_trousers

The limited edition green one almost seems like good value when you compare it to other hydro disc equipped bikes. It's surely going to be a heavy lump of a bike, though.

I was wondering about picking up a 2014 853 frame (and maybe swapping the forks), but I don't suppose that one had rack mounts (thanks for the tip about the 2015s btw).

One of the weird things about my old Equilibrium was that it felt sluggish to ride, but I'm not sure it was. I did my first ever century on it with a very respectable average speed and I've yet to beat my College Rd PB on my much lighter and stiffer CR1. One thing it always felt good at was cornering downhill. The other thing that was an issue for me was that I bought a 56 when I think I'd have better suited a 54.

Still tempted.

UndercoverElephant

Yeah, my CR1 certainly feels like it's faster to accelerate and up hills the saved weight is definitely noticeable. Most of my Strava KOMs are set on the Equilibrium, though - it's definitely not a slow bike.

thegibdog

A sluggish feel may be partly down to what wheels, tyres & chainset you're running. I recently tried my Equilibrium with the Ultegra WHR6700 wheels and R700 chainset from my best bike and it made the bike feel a lot stiffer & more responsive.

pollys_bott

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.

Ah - the old CR1 conundrum! As a fellow owner I know what you mean, although my brain seems to be happy to accept that pretty much any bike I ride other than the Scott will be dull in comparison. Maybe part of the acceptance stems from me convincing myself that if I can ride my heavily-laden (15/16kg) commuting Scott (Speedster 50) quite quickly then I'm bound to be 'x' amount quicker on a 7.5kg CR1. I suppose the question then comes down to whether a steel Equilibrium will be a nicer ride than an alloy Scott Speedster, which I must say is a very nice bike to ride...

Thanks to all for their comments so far...

dread_i1

nigglenoo wrote:

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).

Thanks for the recommendations I'll take a look.

nigglenoo

Just to add that my Equilibrium is now actually fitted with Bontrager NCS mudguards which are very easy to fit due to the No Cut Stays and nice and rigid and glossy black, with very good quality stainless fasteners etc., but not quite as long as standard SKS Chromplastics: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bon ... lsrc=aw.ds and as you can see somewhat expensive normally (I got mine for about £20 as they had been returned to the LBS by another customer).

One very important word of warning: the Bontragers have no safety release on the front mudguard stays- so I re-used the ones supplied with the previous SKS guards. If you value your face and even your life please make sure you have some type of safety release fitted at the front. All SKS guards come with some type of safety release, e.g. the secu clips supplied with chromoplastic guards which you also can buy separately: http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/sks-secuclip

If anybody has any doubts about the mudguard safety issue please read this page before making your mind up: http://www.ctc.org.uk/article/technical ... ard-safety

jonny_trousers

thegibdog wrote:

A sluggish feel may be partly down to what wheels, tyres & chainset you're running. I recently tried my Equilibrium with the Ultegra WHR6700 wheels and R700 chainset from my best bike and it made the bike feel a lot stiffer & more responsive.

Could be. Mine was on Open pros that, to be fair, had a few too few spokes given my weight, and as I think it was a touch too long for me I was on a 90mm stem. The groupset was Centaur/Veloce.

jonny_trousers

Pollys Bott 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.

Ah - the old CR1 conundrum! As a fellow owner I know what you mean, although my brain seems to be happy to accept that pretty much any bike I ride other than the Scott will be dull in comparison. Maybe part of the acceptance stems from me convincing myself that if I can ride my heavily-laden (15/16kg) commuting Scott (Speedster 50) quite quickly then I'm bound to be 'x' amount quicker on a 7.5kg CR1. I suppose the question then comes down to whether a steel Equilibrium will be a nicer ride than an alloy Scott Speedster, which I must say is a very nice bike to ride...

Thanks to all for their comments so far...

I'm actually thinking of putting my CR1 into hibernation for a little while, as I really fancy trying a Ritchey Pro Logic, should funds permit it. If that happens, I kind of hope that I love the Ritchey, so that I can justify moving on the CR1 before planning my next carbon +1, but it's such an amazing frame I'd be surprised if I'm able to say goodbye.

AndypG800

I know its not an Equilibrium, but the new 2015 frame only colours are pretty cool - this turned up this morning. The pic does not do the colour justice.

thomasmorris

Cross post from road buying advice:

Does anyone know the frame weight of the Equilibrium Disc 725?

I can see the TI listed as 1.57kg here but it would be nice to know the weight of the steel 725 to figure out if the extra cost is worth it in weight.

Also, they've changed to 725 from 631 for the steel equilibrium disc for 2015, does anyone know how this will effect ride and weight?

Also, can anyone recommend a decent wheelset, I'm assuming the disc take a MTB width hubs, so hope pro2 or pro3 with stands alpha 340... or does anyone have any other good recommendations?

UndercoverElephant

I think the 2014 Equilibrium disc is 631 and the 2015 is 725. The 2014 631 version is listed at 2.1 Kg for a 56 (marginally lighter than the non-disc version). I would imagine that the 2015 would be roughly the same if not a tad lighter.

thomasmorris

So the equilibrium disc frameset TI is £1600, and the 725 £500 with a 0.5kg difference. It seems for £1100 saving you could save the 500g in better wheels and finishing kit.

samsbike

At that price Burls would build a custom Ti. Not sure how much enigma is

the_fuggler

MrSweary wrote:

Also the new genesis carbon frame is fugly but the Croix De Fers are super pretty.

Heh - I love the Zeros - think they're fabulous. They've got the full range in the LBS. I'd take at least 3 of them home with me. Agree on the Croix De Fers. Super pretty indeed. The other frame that caught my eye was the £550 version of the Day One. Looks great in the flesh.

sketchley

samsbike wrote:

At that price Burls would build a custom Ti. Not sure how much enigma is

IT depends on the finish you get Enigma to apply to the frame. But from the website the Etape disk frame and fork starts at £1,518.50 and weighs 1375g + fork, the Etape is probably best comparison as winter commuter with guards etc. The Evoke Disk is more racy and frame only is from £2199 and is 25g lighter than the Etape disc. The non disk Etape is from £1432 with fork and is 45g lighter, frame only, than disc version.

The Equilibrium Ti is 1550g plus fork and isn't a disk model. The Equilibrium is £1499 frame and fork retail, although you can get it cheaper online. So in short the comparable model Enigma (non disk Etape) is 200g lighter frame and the Enigma forks are another 160g lighter on top of that plus the Enigma is £67 cheaper at full retail. For what it is the Equilibrium Ti is expensive.

thomasmorris

I asked the question to genesis about weight and they said the 2015 Ti is Equilibrium Disc is 1.57kg and the 725 Equilibrium Disc is 1.97kg.

So so £1100 for 400g on a winter / commuter / touring bike. You would probably be better investing the money in wheels and light weight finishing kit and could save that weight twice over (if saving weight is what you want to do).

I'm pretty interested in having a wet weather / long distance bike to supplement my race bike. I commute, I do long rides and I might tour, So mounts for guards and racks are needed. I come from a MTB background and like the idea of discs so this frame seems to tick all the boxes.

For the moment I'm just not sure about the hydraulic disc groupsets, and they seem to add a premium to the compete bike setups. Beside, I don't have the money for a complete bike right now, and winter will be half over by the time I do. For now I think I'm going to run my one carbon race bike through winter, maybe replace the frame on that next spring, then hopefully by the end of summer 2015 genesis will be discounted and decent hydraulic disc brake groupsets will be available to furnish it with.

sketchley

thomasmorris wrote:

I asked the question to genesis about weight and they said the 2015 Ti is Equilibrium Disc is 1.57kg and the 725 Equilibrium Disc is 1.97kg.

So so £1100 for 400g on a winter / commuter / touring bike. You would probably be better investing the money in wheels and light weight finishing kit and could save that weight twice over (if saving weight is what you want to do).

I'm pretty interested in having a wet weather / long distance bike to supplement my race bike. I commute, I do long rides and I might tour, So mounts for guards and racks are needed. I come from a MTB background and like the idea of discs so this frame seems to tick all the boxes.

For the moment I'm just not sure about the hydraulic disc groupsets, and they seem to add a premium to the compete bike setups. Beside, I don't have the money for a complete bike right now, and winter will be half over by the time I do. For now I think I'm going to run my one carbon race bike through winter, maybe replace the frame on that next spring, then hopefully by the end of summer 2015 genesis will be discounted and decent hydraulic disc brake groupsets will be available to furnish it with.

Understood. But given the fact your spending money on a TI frame your very unlikely to put crap heavy wheels etc on it. But I take your point that on a budget the cheaper frame makes more sense. That being said much easier to upgrade components than frames and a good Ti frame will be for life. However I still think the Equilibrium Ti is both over priced and heavy compared to the competition.

sketchley

Options options options http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/products/ ... ipster-atr and available for £1125 frame and fork here http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... wwodOzMARw

sketchley

Just a thought, those Enigma weights are "from" so probably for XS frames. No idea what the Equilibrium frames size is for the quoted weight but that might be it.

thomasmorris

Sketchley wrote:

thomasmorris wrote:

I asked the question to genesis about weight and they said the 2015 Ti is Equilibrium Disc is 1.57kg and the 725 Equilibrium Disc is 1.97kg.

So so £1100 for 400g on a winter / commuter / touring bike. You would probably be better investing the money in wheels and light weight finishing kit and could save that weight twice over (if saving weight is what you want to do).

I'm pretty interested in having a wet weather / long distance bike to supplement my race bike. I commute, I do long rides and I might tour, So mounts for guards and racks are needed. I come from a MTB background and like the idea of discs so this frame seems to tick all the boxes.

For the moment I'm just not sure about the hydraulic disc groupsets, and they seem to add a premium to the compete bike setups. Beside, I don't have the money for a complete bike right now, and winter will be half over by the time I do. For now I think I'm going to run my one carbon race bike through winter, maybe replace the frame on that next spring, then hopefully by the end of summer 2015 genesis will be discounted and decent hydraulic disc brake groupsets will be available to furnish it with.

Understood. But given the fact your spending money on a TI frame your very unlikely to put crap heavy wheels etc on it. But I take your point that on a budget the cheaper frame makes more sense. That being said much easier to upgrade components than frames and a good Ti frame will be for life. However I still think the Equilibrium Ti is both over priced and heavy compared to the competition.

I was just thinking, if I've got £2000 to spend on a bike, you could make a nicer, lighter bike with £500 frame and quality finishing kit. But, you're right, the frame is at the heart of the bike and should outlast the components you put on it, which can always be upgraded as they wear out. I think if the Ti frame and fork was nearer 1300g and nearer £1200 it would be a more interesting upgrade.

Sketchley wrote:

Just a thought, those Enigma weights are "from" so probably for XS frames. No idea what the Equilibrium frames size is for the quoted weight but that might be it.

Equilibrium is quoted for 56cm.

samsbike

The issue becomes what type of frame you want. However given some of the spec of bikes from Rose/ Canyon off the shelf could get you more bang for buck (esp if you wanted carbon)

If you wanted steel then I cheapest pseudo custom frame I think is a Bob Jackson for around that sum of money £500.

sketchley

thomasmorris wrote:

Sketchley wrote:

Just a thought, those Enigma weights are "from" so probably for XS frames. No idea what the Equilibrium frames size is for the quoted weight but that might be it.

Equilibrium is quoted for 56cm.

Yep just checked 56 Enigma is heavier. Add 60g....

porlyworly

Falling back in love with my Equilibrium after not riding her much over summer - couple of days of grim weather and she has performed handsomely. Fantastic!

tailwindhome

(I know it's not an equilibrium)

elbowloh

TailWindHome wrote:

(I know it's not an equilibrium)

How quick can he do the Kessel run on that?