Genesis Ti Equilibrium - thoughts?

luv2ride
luv2ride Posts: 2,367
edited September 2012 in Road buying advice
Hi all. Been considering a Ti framed bike for a while and saw this:
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/g ... kes-33247/

I think it looks rather nice and the prospect of being able to use it year round also appeals (it has guard mounts on frame and fork and will take 25mm tyres). Also the steel Equilibrium seems to have a lot of fans. I've heard its likely to be £1500 frame only or £2200 built up with Shimano 105. Apparently due for release mid-Sept.

What do you reckon, expensive for what it is?

Was going down VN Euros route but I gather there isn't much guard clearance. Others have suggested a VN Yukon but that seems a bit more relaxed and aimed at Audax for my tastes so the Equilibrium seems to cover my bases. Kinesis GF Ti another option but that seems to have clearance issues with guards fitted.

Anyone else tempted by the Genesis?
Titus Silk Road Ti rigid 29er - Scott Solace 10 disc - Kinesis Crosslight Pro6 disc - Scott CR1 SL - Pinnacle Arkose X 650b - Pinnacle Arkose singlespeed - Specialized Singlecross...& an Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 4 string...

Comments

  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    I reckon it'll ride very well, probably even better than the steel framed model. The downtube and seat tube look bigger which can only be a good thing (the steel one flexes a bit when mashing away on the pedals).

    It depends if you like the geometry though. I do!

    Genesis make decent bikes, you can tell they actually put a bit of thought into their designs! I imagine their warranty is pretty solid aswell.

    I'd have it over a Yukon any day. As you say, it has proper geometry, the Yukon looks like some touring horror.

    Saying that, the steel frames are so good, you could always just save a load of money and get one of those!
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    just another ti bike imo, nothing new there ...
  • Looks very tempting. It seems the production ones will have a (grey) painted carbon fibre fork:
    http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/titanium-and-alloy-genesis-bikes-eurobike-2012-35086/

    I think it would look better with a black fork - but still very nice.
  • luv2ride
    luv2ride Posts: 2,367
    just heard back from Planet X today, they will be doing their Ti Sportive bike again in Jan 13! no prices yet though but last time they were a great price and got good reviews.

    Am therefore now considering:
    Genesis Equilibrium Ti
    Kinesis GF Ti (can't use 25mm tyres with guards though :( )
    Planet X Ti sportive.

    will probably take me a few months to make my mind up anyway, and get a few test rides in... :)

    Of course the new PX Sportive Ti might be quite different to the previous model, but id be really interested to what owners might say about their PX, or Kinesis GF Ti?

    cheers
    Titus Silk Road Ti rigid 29er - Scott Solace 10 disc - Kinesis Crosslight Pro6 disc - Scott CR1 SL - Pinnacle Arkose X 650b - Pinnacle Arkose singlespeed - Specialized Singlecross...& an Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 4 string...
  • Luv2ride wrote:
    just heard back from Planet X today, they will be doing their Ti Sportive bike again in Jan 13! no prices yet though but last time they were a great price and got good reviews.

    Am therefore now considering:
    Genesis Equilibrium Ti
    Kinesis GF Ti (can't use 25mm tyres with guards though :( )
    Planet X Ti sportive.

    will probably take me a few months to make my mind up anyway, and get a few test rides in... :)

    Of course the new PX Sportive Ti might be quite different to the previous model, but id be really interested to what owners might say about their PX, or Kinesis GF Ti?

    cheers

    I don't know why you're so obsessed with titanium... there is really nothing special about titanium alloys... certainly not in bicycle tubings
    left the forum March 2023
  • luv2ride
    luv2ride Posts: 2,367
    Not obsessed with titanium but have heard good things about them and, frankly, fancy a change. Friends have gone down the Ti route and are well impressed with their rides. Will try some first to see what the fuss is about, but aiming to cut down the number of bikes I have to one good quality do it all bike, and keep the singlespeed and MTB.

    we'll see if it pans ou that way!

    any Ti owners want to jump to the defence of the qualities of their frames? :wink:
    Titus Silk Road Ti rigid 29er - Scott Solace 10 disc - Kinesis Crosslight Pro6 disc - Scott CR1 SL - Pinnacle Arkose X 650b - Pinnacle Arkose singlespeed - Specialized Singlecross...& an Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 4 string...
  • Luv2ride wrote:
    Not obsessed with titanium but have heard good things about them and, frankly, fancy a change. Friends have gone down the Ti route and are well impressed with their rides. Will try some first to see what the fuss is about, but aiming to cut down the number of bikes I have to one good quality do it all bike, and keep the singlespeed and MTB.

    we'll see if it pans ou that way!

    any Ti owners want to jump to the defence of the qualities of their frames? :wink:

    Thing is with just over a thousand pounds you get an amazing steel frame or a low end titanium frame... Needless to say which is better, so the latter is only viable assuming you have a big budget
    left the forum March 2023
  • luv2ride
    luv2ride Posts: 2,367
    I see what you mean. Admittedly I haven't tried a steel frame (or a titanium yet!) but always remember a chance conversation with another rider out on the lanes that his steel framed bike, which I had been admiring out loud, had become "dulled" in feel during the time he'd had it. I guess his comment has stuck with me, especially when thinking about getting a frame that I hope to run for a long, long time....
    Titus Silk Road Ti rigid 29er - Scott Solace 10 disc - Kinesis Crosslight Pro6 disc - Scott CR1 SL - Pinnacle Arkose X 650b - Pinnacle Arkose singlespeed - Specialized Singlecross...& an Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 4 string...
  • Luv2ride wrote:
    I see what you mean. Admittedly I haven't tried a steel frame (or a titanium yet!) but always remember a chance conversation with another rider out on the lanes that his steel framed bike, which I had been admiring out loud, had become "dulled" in feel during the time he'd had it. I guess his comment has stuck with me, especially when thinking about getting a frame that I hope to run for a long, long time....

    He was probably bored and fancied a change hence convinced himself of this nonsense of the softening steel. I have a 30 years old Columbus SL frame... I still find it pretty lively even by today's standards.
    left the forum March 2023
  • Luv2ride wrote:
    I see what you mean. Admittedly I haven't tried a steel frame (or a titanium yet!) but always remember a chance conversation with another rider out on the lanes that his steel framed bike, which I had been admiring out loud, had become "dulled" in feel during the time he'd had it. ....

    God, that old chestnut!
  • awsm
    awsm Posts: 210
    Knowing how well the current Equilibrium rides this could be one of the best 'off the peg' Ti frames going imo. Ride reports should be interesting.
  • awsm wrote:
    Knowing how well the current Equilibrium rides this could be one of the best 'off the peg' Ti frames going imo. Ride reports should be interesting.


    Or more likely will be an overpriced version of the same thing, just in boring grey...
    left the forum March 2023
  • EarlyGo
    EarlyGo Posts: 281
    In defence of Ti frames and the VN Euros:

    Ti is a great frame material; Fairly lightweight; Gives a very smooth but not numb ride; does not corrode; very robust.

    The Euros gives a great ride, smooth but still responsive. It comes with an amazing warranty. Finally, it has 5mm of mudguard clearance so Crud Roadracers Mk2 easily fit!

    Carbon can certainly be made to give similar ride qualities to TI but in my experience you'd be looking at paying a lot more to match it.

    That Genesis looks great though!

    Regards, EarlyGo
  • luv2ride
    luv2ride Posts: 2,367
    I'm still waiting on the call from the LBS that they've got a Equilibrium Ti test bike in - expected mid September...may have said before that I had a VN Euros for a week in Majorca last year. Beautiful bike but couldnt tell if the sublime ride was down to the bike or those marvellous roads (or combination of both!). Testing a Ti bike on local roads should tell me all I need to know 8)
    Titus Silk Road Ti rigid 29er - Scott Solace 10 disc - Kinesis Crosslight Pro6 disc - Scott CR1 SL - Pinnacle Arkose X 650b - Pinnacle Arkose singlespeed - Specialized Singlecross...& an Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 4 string...
  • awsm
    awsm Posts: 210
    awsm wrote:
    Knowing how well the current Equilibrium rides this could be one of the best 'off the peg' Ti frames going imo. Ride reports should be interesting.


    Or more likely will be an overpriced version of the same thing, just in boring grey...

    Not a fan then? :P
  • I've got a PX Pro Road, had it just under 4 years - Lynskey were making them at the time. Still love it. Also got a Giant TCR Advanced of a similar vintage. Love it. The PX does bike ride pretty differently than the TCR, which, given the geometry and the rest of the componentry is similar, I attribute largely to the frame material. But I could be wrong. Would I buy another Ti frame - yep, no doubt. Can I back it up with lots of logic and comparisons with steel etc - no, not really. If you're paying a decent chunk of money, you probably aren't buying a heap of junk. So, given no one has had anything really damning to say about Ti, if you want to get a Ti framed bike, go for it.
    "The only absolute statement is that everything is relative" - anon
  • awsm wrote:
    awsm wrote:
    Knowing how well the current Equilibrium rides this could be one of the best 'off the peg' Ti frames going imo. Ride reports should be interesting.


    Or more likely will be an overpriced version of the same thing, just in boring grey...

    Not a fan then? :P

    Au contraire, the Equilibrium is nice, hence no need on a overpriced version of it, which doesn't bring anything to the table...
    left the forum March 2023
  • janwal
    janwal Posts: 489
    I have the Granfondo Ti and I run 25 tyres with mudgaurds and the clearance causes no problems. It runs close but does not rub.The guards are vavert ones from Tredz.Good quality and minimal weight.
  • awsm
    awsm Posts: 210
    awsm wrote:
    awsm wrote:
    Knowing how well the current Equilibrium rides this could be one of the best 'off the peg' Ti frames going imo. Ride reports should be interesting.


    Or more likely will be an overpriced version of the same thing, just in boring grey...

    Not a fan then? :P

    Au contraire, the Equilibrium is nice, hence no need on a overpriced version of it, which doesn't bring anything to the table...

    There are a few significant differences between Steel & Ti frames so to say it brings nothing to the table isn't accurate. If there is a niche for Ti frames you can't blame them for filling it. I expect it will sell well too. Fortunately that's the great thing about having a choice, if you don't wan't one you can buy something else 8)

    Disclaimer; Ti is by far my favourite frame material closely followed by Steel, Alu and then Carbon.