which of these two winter frames

Team4Luke
Team4Luke Posts: 597
edited February 2013 in Road buying advice
Genesis Equilibrium

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/fra ... quilibrium

or Condor

http://www.condorcycles.com/Condor-Bike ... e.tpl.html

why and which is lightest, condor frame is 1900grms ish, can't find weight of Genesis, note the Genesis has external headset, are these on way out, is the internal one like the condor the future ?
Condor has a few extra braze ons for the extra dosh ! although money not a factor.
Team4Luke supports Cardiac Risk in the Young

Comments

  • infopete
    infopete Posts: 878
    Winter + Steel = RUST
    Oh and please remember to click on my blog:

    http://americanbicyclegroup.wordpress.com

    The more clicks I get the higher it creeps up the google radar :)
  • A friend of mine has a Genesis like the one mentioned and it is an excellent bike. He's been very impressed with it and uses it regularly for both winter training rides and commutes.

    I also think its a great bike and it has consequently got me wondering about purchasing a Croix de Fer by the same company.
  • I've ridden steel bikes for 30+ years and never one rusted because I look after them.
    Team4Luke supports Cardiac Risk in the Young
  • infopete
    infopete Posts: 878
    Team4Luke wrote:
    I've ridden steel bikes for 30+ years and never one rusted because I look after them.

    I've lost count of how many 531 bikes I've had (I've only had two 753's) but after 50 or so years of cycling I can say without any doubt steel bikes do rust; for some of us it may take less time because we are lazy and can't be arsed to clean them but rust they still do.
    Oh and please remember to click on my blog:

    http://americanbicyclegroup.wordpress.com

    The more clicks I get the higher it creeps up the google radar :)
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    Obviously steel rusts....but so what? It'll still last decades.

    I ride an Aether by Genesis which is the alu version of the steel frame you mention. They've stopped making them but you can still get complete bikes at a discount eg at Winstanleys bikes. Great bikes.

    To answer your question though - Genesis.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • arlowood
    arlowood Posts: 2,561
    Genesis frame +forks ~£400. Condor Fratelli frame +forks ~£600.

    Save yourself some cash and have a think about a good Alu option.

    I'm currently assembling the components for a winter build project. After much searching and research I eventually bought a Forme Longcliffe frame + forks from Paul Milnes Cycles based in Bradford. They are a genuine bike shop that have a fairly extensive Ebay presence. Link to the frame here:-

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/forme-longcli ... eparts_SR&

    Have a browse on their site for other frames - they have many on offer that might be worth thinking about.

    The Forme was ideal for me as it's geometry is almost identical to my current Trek Madone - so getting a comfortable set-up on a winter steed should be relatively easy. Also it has eyelets front and rear for the addition of full guards.

    Forme bikes are made by Kinesis I believe so have a good pedigree - also the Longcliffe came out pretty well in a recent Cycling Active review:-

    http://www.cyclingactive.com/bikesgear/ ... 1-0-999-99

    BTW I have no connection to Paul Milnes Cycles other than being a satisfied customer.
  • arlowood wrote:
    Genesis frame +forks ~£400. Condor Fratelli frame +forks ~£600.

    Save yourself some cash and have a think about a good Alu option.

    I'm currently assembling the components for a winter build project. After much searching and research I eventually bought a Forme Longcliffe frame + forks from Paul Milnes Cycles based in Bradford. They are a genuine bike shop that have a fairly extensive Ebay presence. Link to the frame here:-

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/forme-longcli ... eparts_SR&

    Have a browse on their site for other frames - they have many on offer that might be worth thinking about.

    The Forme was ideal for me as it's geometry is almost identical to my current Trek Madone - so getting a comfortable set-up on a winter steed should be relatively easy. Also it has eyelets front and rear for the addition of full guards.

    Forme bikes are made by Kinesis I believe so have a good pedigree - also the Longcliffe came out pretty well in a recent Cycling Active review:-

    http://www.cyclingactive.com/bikesgear/ ... 1-0-999-99

    BTW I have no connection to Paul Milnes Cycles other than being a satisfied customer.

    You said 'steed'. Loser :wink:

    Back to the OP. Like you I um'd and ah'd over various frames that would take mudguards for a winter trainer. Came down to the the Kinesis TK3 and the Genesis Equilibrium. I went with Genesis simply because Evans were doing a 25% off promotion at the time. I've found it faultless and miles more comfy than my alu Principa that'd I'd been using until then, for only about a pound heavier in weight. I usually take a 56cm frame but took the excellent advice to go up one size due to the compact geometry.

    Brilliant frame and no regrets.

    EDIT - Actually I've just followed the link to that Forme bike and it looks to be excellent value. Might have been tempted myself, if I'd seen it a few months ago.
    Basso Astra
    Principia Ellipse SX
    Kinesis Racelight 4S
    Kinesis Crosslight Pro Disc
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    Out of those two, the Genesis. The condor is more of an audax style bike.
  • thanks all, leaning to the Genesis, will have a look at Paul Milnes too
    Team4Luke supports Cardiac Risk in the Young
  • dwanes
    dwanes Posts: 954
    Why not get a lighter Carbon frame? It will still work in winter.
  • http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... aver-10220

    This will help you fight the rust and corrosion.
  • infopete
    infopete Posts: 878
    I would recommend the Ribble Sportive 365. I've only done 50 miles on mine but it is amazingly good.
    Oh and please remember to click on my blog:

    http://americanbicyclegroup.wordpress.com

    The more clicks I get the higher it creeps up the google radar :)
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,473
    infopete wrote:
    Winter + Steel = RUST
    Not if you get Reynolds 953 or Columbus XCR... Winter is half of the year, why not invest in it? :wink:
  • infopete
    infopete Posts: 878
    neeb wrote:
    infopete wrote:
    Winter + Steel = RUST
    Not if you get Reynolds 953 or Columbus XCR... Winter is half of the year, why not invest in it? :wink:

    Half the year, normally I would say not but this winter has gone on forever.

    I agree with you though which is why I've just bought the new Ribble.
    Oh and please remember to click on my blog:

    http://americanbicyclegroup.wordpress.com

    The more clicks I get the higher it creeps up the google radar :)