[Closed] 2015 Croix de Fer 1st ride (at last...)

I prefer the red as well, that looks pretty nondescript, but it could be the lighting.

Somehow I think a touring bike should be a darker colour, no idea why.

Croix De Fer 30 ordered yesterday 🙂

Croix De Fer 30 ordered yesterday

If I didn't have all the bikes I already need I'd be following you down the shop with my credit card in hand. The 30 is possibly the ultimate commuter bike.
Although the Day One Di2 comes close too- an interesting concept, certainly

^^ the n+1 rule applies, hence I sold my 11 month old Croix De Fer yesterday to make space for it 😀

Had a good poke at the 30 the other night at launch event at SprocketsCycles which convinced me !!

Be nice to see that when it arrives Iain. 🙂

I'm probably missing something, but that there Croix de Fer 30 - bit pricy, is it not?

My Croix de Fer, about an hour ago.

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Dale - its not cheap but the brakes and sti's are £500 on their own. When you tot up the 105/other Shimano drivetrain, carbon fork etc I think its definitely less than the sum of the bits.

Frame - £475
A >full< 105 groupset from Merlin - £325
'Upgrade' to those brakes - £375

Leaves you the best part of £600 for wheels and bits and that's not taking into account the money you could make back by selling the 105 bits you don't need.

My Croix de Fer, about an hour ago.

There is something elegant about a plain black bike with those tubes. What is the frame bag and can it carry much?

Frame bag is this - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/deuter-front-triangle-bag/

In that picture, it's holding a mini pump and the battery for the Chinese Deathlaser front light. I usually have my phone, keys, cash and cards in there too. I can get some food in there too without it feeling too full.

It basically carries what I'd usually carry in jersey pockets, without me having to wear a jersey.

I've bought a very similar SKS bag. Doesn't fit as my frame is too small. Bugger.

I still think it's a good buy. Am I wrong ?

back to the falling off lezyne light - I've had that. The mounts are sh@te - you have to be really sure you've got the light in properly

they've changed the mount now so it is longer and wraps right round

I've bought a very similar SKS bag. Doesn't fit as my frame is too small

I have also bought the SKS one, on the back of a thread last week. I havent tried it and anm now 'in between' with my Croix De Fers. My frame is a 54, wondering if it will fit, what size frame is yours ?

edit - just reread your first post, so looks like it is too tight on a 52..

iainc - Member
I still think it's a good buy. Am I wrong ?

Well, erm, aye. It's overpriced, underspecced and not black. Whatever tickles your pickle, I suppose.

hmmmm, well the Press seem to think it's good value 🙂

So, whether its for use as a rugged commuter, a tourer or a general adventure machine the Croix de Fer 30 is undoubtedly well equipped for the cash. We don't think they'll be hanging around.

Anyone know when the 30 will be available?

Ta

But I just clearly displayed that it's not good value in about 3 minutes worth of online shopping?

powerofra - Member
Anyone know when the 30 will be available?

Ta

yes, LBS says they expect the pre-ordered ones to be in store last week in December

In fact, if you spend ten minutes, you can spec the frame, those brakes and shifters, a mix of Ultegra/105 chain, cassette, crankset, front and rear derailleurs and a Hope Headset for 1100.

Wheels, lets say £250 (I paid £200 for XT hubs laced to Archetypes with DT comps).

Leaves you £400 for a seatpost, saddle, bars, stem and bits.

Just saying, like. Talk amongst yourselves.

Leaves you £400 for a seatpost, saddle, bars, stem and bits

I was wondering whether to include that discount or not.

I'd expect to pay closer to £1400 for this bike if I walked in the shop today. But I'd also get about the same discount on the separate parts if I ordered through them.

Thanks ianc.

Nothing odd about sizing is there? I'm between 5 10 and 5 11 and ride a size 56 cotic x currently. Thinking 56 genesis would be best?

Daleftw - yeah I think thats a reasonbale full bike price too.

powerofra - the geometry is up on the Genesis website, so would be easy to compare the key important ones with what fits for you. I am same height as you, but short legs, long back. My 2014 was a 54 and I have orderd the 30 in a 54. Compared to this years model the new one is 7mm longer ETT but 10 mm shorter stem, so same size pretty much. The head angle on 2015 is a bit slacker too.

Managed to ride it a bit more at all PP?

I'll chip in about mine, been using it solely for riding to work and going to the gym so it's been 100% tarmac so far but I absolutely love it. I've never liked riding road bikes before, hence the flat bars and pedals, but I really enjoy this which is good as getting up at 05:10am to ride in isn't easy!
Just had a set of full mudguards fitted the other day, the bike shop though they might be a bit tight with the Conti tyres but there's loads of room, as for the tyres though they're a bit sketchy in the wet. Was riding home the other day and stood up to power off a roundabout and the front end slid out about 12" but luckily I managed to stay on! The only thing I dislike so far is the brakes, they're awful and just don't seem to slow you down very well at all so I'm probably going to swap either for some BB7's or some normal MTB hydros.

As for the geo I'm 6'3" with a long body and I've got a 58cm which is perfect even with losing a few inches at the front with the bars.

Contemplating getting the CDF 10, as components spec is fine for my needs and will get upgraded when I wear it out (and the red is nicer looking than the white CDF20) however I noticed that the frame is not Reynolds 725 steel like the CDF 20 & 30 and is "Genesis Mjolnir Seamless DB Cr-Mo" - how does that compare? Does the cheaper model feel dead in comparison? Worth shelling out more for the 20 model?

Dunno. Not ridden a 20.
I doubt there's much real difference tough, TBH. It's a reasonable double butted steel, it rides nicely, feels reassuringly solid and it quite comfy.
Lighter wheels would make more difference than different tubing. I might change my wheels, I've got some hubs kicking around.... might pop some nice Mavic 29er rims on them.... Might not bother..... 🙂

Just to echo what Peter said. Decent wheels made a huge difference to my kaffenback.

However I also rode an older 725 CDF and it did feel springer. I would recommend test rides.

holdsteady - Member

...I noticed that the frame is not Reynolds 725 steel like the CDF 20 & 30 and is "Genesis Mjolnir Seamless DB Cr-Mo" - how does that compare? Does the cheaper model feel dead in comparison? Worth shelling out more for the 20 model?

my cdf has a '520' sticker on it, my equilibrium has a '725' sticker on it.

how much difference can i 'feel'? - none that i'm aware of.

i would be extrememly surprised if the new "Mjolnir" tubing was not as 'good' as reynolds 520.

i would [i]not[/i] be surprised if it was in fact exactly the same stuff, from exactly the same factory, but without the expense of paying for the licence to call it 'Reynolds' tubing.

(i'm not claiming that to be the case, but i wouldn't be at all surprised)

Got a Croix de fer 30 on order, was due 21/12/14. That date has now gone back until the 18/1/15. Not sure if this date is valid for all pre orders but I did get my order in reasonably early. So check with your LBS if you have one on order.

As for value, getting mine at trade price and on the bike to work scheme, so that's about £700

Well mine turned up last month after a bit of a wait. Lovely bit of kit. A few little changes to make to it from stock. Shorter stem, women's saddle (it's my wife's bike) and attempt some tubeless tyres. Looking forward to getting it mucky on some long rides come the Spring. Got the Sandstone Way pencilled in once the days get a little longer again.

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great write up,glad you love your new bike pp 🙂

tbh i would love to get one for myself (just lacking the funds tbh).

although there is a newish bike shop where i live that stocks genesis bikes (along with scott santa cruz e.t.c/really sucks when you are poor 😉

i would go for the bike you bought if i had the money as i love the look of it.

Mjolnir is the name of Thors hammer. It's worth getting the 10 for that alone.

Heres my new bike all built up, few tweaks to make, bars dropped a bit and see where we go from there. I've had a few rides now and its very nice indeed 😀

[url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7629/16217273363_f188804f39.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7629/16217273363_f188804f39.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/qH4Lnr ]SAM_0842[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/100876064@N05/ ]philipdixon36[/url], on Flickr

great bikes, love mine 🙂

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Hows everybody finding the conti cyclocross speed tyres? I fancy some offroad tyres to get out and do some exploring now, but still want some sort of speed on the tarmac. Wiggle reviews have them as excellent,CRC have them as crap, too many punctures. So, whats the verdict here then, or is there something else worth having a nosey at?

I have done around 1000 miles on the cross speeds between this bike and previous. Only 1 puncture. They roll very well on road and are quite capable on trails. Crap in mud

Thanks ianc, they do look like just the kind of thing I'm after, I think I'll give them a whirl.

Houndlegs... I have x2 cyclo-cross speeds taken off my 2015 croix.... With about 30 miles on. 26.99 on chain reaction (they are 35mm folding). I would do both for 30 Inc post and PayPal fees if you are interested.

yes please don, my email is in profile, let me know how your pp address

I agree with Iain. I wouldn't bther changing the tyres unless I was gong seriously off road. When I wear mine out I'll probably replace them with the same or very similar.

On another note, I've got full dynamo lighting with USB charging on mine now, and I'm just about to do 3-400km touring round Belgium next week.

Also, has everyone with the steel fork had their warranty replacement yet?

Mine have been replaced I just need to go and pick it up tomorrow. As for the tyres I [i]think[/i] the two reviews are two different types, one is the folding version and the other the standard. I'm sure it was the folding version that was horrendous for getting flats.

How are people finding the standover height?

I recently tried a Specialized Diverge in 54cm and found the fit quite good especially the reach to the bars, the local bike shop can do me a very good value build on a Croix de Fer but with my short legs the top tube looks awfully high, dropping to a 52cm starts making the effective top tube a little short.