Fratello v Equilibrium

juststartinout

hi all i've narrowed my winter build frameset to the condor fratello £599 or the genesis equilibrium £399.98.has anyone got either of these frames and how do they rate them? Got to admit i like the orange fratello better than the red genesis but is the fratello worth the extra £200?

asprilla

Both excellent frames. I've been looking at them recently and everyone who owns either is, from what I've heard, overjoyed with them. If I'd purchased one (I've gone custom) I'd have got the Equilibrium simply because the geometry was slightly better for me. That and as everyone knows; red bikes go faster.

daviesee

Wait a wee while till jonnytrousers collects his Equillibrium to replace his Fratello (wrong size) and having ridden both I imagine that he will be best placed to judge.
If you can wait. If...........

marcusjb

Orange Fratello owner here - and it's a great frame. Supremely comfy, plenty stiff enough.

It'll never win the lightweight trophy, but if you want a frame that'll do just about everything, it is hard to fault. Run 28mm tyres with full mudguards no problem. Nice to know I could throw a rack on the back and do some light touring.

It gets a LOT of compliments as well - especially in orange!

Condor themselves are brilliant to deal with - know their stuff, prepared to spend time with you on the jig etc. (even though I was buying frame and forks only).

I bought it because the custom frame I was waiting for was becoming rediculously delayed. Eventually myself and the frame builder fell out due to the delays - and, currently, I have no real desire to buy a custom frame as I am so pleased with the Fratello. If I can ride Paris-Brest-Paris on it without any discomfort, it'll do for me!

juststartinout

Thanks for all your input just noticed that the head tube length on a 58 cm genesis is 40 mm shorter than my felt z45 and that has 30 mm spacers on already.think the fratello will suit me better, guess a trip to london is on the cards.thanks again all

marcusjb

juststartinout wrote:

Thanks for all your input just noticed that the head tube length on a 58 cm genesis is 40 mm shorter than my felt z45 and that has 30 mm spacers on already.think the fratello will suit me better, guess a trip to london is on the cards.thanks again all

If at all possible, try and go in during the week - the weekend's pretty mental in the shop, and I can see why some people don't get the best service as every member of staff is stretched to the limit.

I went in on a weekday, and got perfect service and advice.

Now for the bad bit - there was a problem with my Fratello frame - the shim that goes into the seat tube was ever so slightly large - so it was more like 27.3mm. That was enough to make the seatpost slip down every few km.

Now for the good bit - Condor stepped up to the plate and were excellent when I reported the problem. They measured the seatpost, checked it with a couple of posts etc. and agreed it was too large - I do believe them when they said it was the first time they'd seen that issue.

They agreed to swap the frame, including transferring the equipment over for me etc. The only hassle was they didn't have any frames in my size for 4 weeks, so they managed to get half of the thinnest shim possible into the seat tube and wedge my seat so I could use the bike in the interim.

Brilliant service overall - especially when things went wrong.

Excellent frame - finding myself rather tempted by a Tempo to match (same frame, but for fixed).

Chris James

juststartinout wrote:

Thanks for all your input just noticed that the head tube length on a 58 cm genesis is 40 mm shorter than my felt z45 and that has 30 mm spacers on already.think the fratello will suit me better, guess a trip to london is on the cards.thanks again all

The forks on the Equilibrium are longer than the Felt (to take long drop brakes) so that would account for some of the difference, and I would imagine the Genesis has external headset cups to make up the rest?

FWIW I was put off buying an Equilibrium as the headtube was a bit long for me!

juststartinout

thanks chris didnt notice that.The jury is still out on this :?

prawny

I emailed genesis about the head tube length, I cant remeber exactly but the external headset puts about an extra 40mm on to it. Might have been a bit more, ping them an email, they replied pretty much straight away to me.

kim10

Well I am a very happy Equilibrium owner. Got it earlier this year as a winter bike build and has been riding it for about a month now. Super comfy and plenty stiff for me. Mine is fitted with 25 mm tyres and full mudguards.
I am pleasantly surprised about the quality of the frame and ride and how responsive it is for a relatively “cheap” frame. So fare I cannot fault anything and can only recommend it, but do not know how it compares to the Condor as I have never ridden one.

As it has been mentioned above it takes an external head set so you will have to count this in if comparing head tube length.

mroli

Fratello is a nice bike. My missus has one and she loves it. Don't know about the Equilibrium though - sorry.

juststartinout

equilibrium it is went for test ride today lucky they had a 58cm in and it was so comfortable and didnt need to be concerned on head tube length.The other reasons i went for one is that my nearest stockist is 5 miles away so any probs i can just drop it in and other is that hopefully im supporting british bike industries genesis and reynolds. Thanks again for all your comments