Hi All,
After many years of riding racy xc aliminium bikes the time has come for a change. A few years back I bought a steel Kona Kilauea (97) as a commuter but when off road loved the springy steel ride and the hunt started for an updated version. A bit of extra travel up front would be good too (120mm)
My first choice would be Cotic Soul but at 6'4" a 19" frame would be a tad too small.
So does anyone own one of the the new Genesis Latitudes? How do they ride and do they have that steel shimmy?
Any advice would be appreciated - thanks in advance!
I've raved on here about my 2yr old Genesis Altitude many times. Excellent feel to it - I have no doubt that the Latitude feels just as good.
However!
About a month ago my rear mech hanger folded up wrecking the rear mech. I was climbing a short section of fairly steep stuff, didn't hit anything. As far as I'm aware I haven't bent the hanger previously, and the gears were fine up until the point the hanger went.
And of course it's not replaceable.
Now back in the 90s I had this happen to 2 steel frames (after actual collisions with roots/branches). I had the hangers straightened but they both folded irreparably soon after, so I'm aware that it can be repaired but rather annoyed that I can't trust the frame anymore.
The day after the frame bent, I sent a message to Genesis through their website asking if they would consider covering this on their warranty. I wasn't very hopeful, but you can only try.
I didn't get a reply to that message for 11 days. ELEVEN! Of course it was just a fob-off, saying take it to the retailer.
By this time I had already spoken to the LBS who basically said, 'fat chance, it's a 2 yr old frame, they won't warranty it'.
I have now had the frame straightened, but don't know whether this will bend again. One 853 frame which is now worthless.
So, to summarise, it's a steel frame with an integral mech hanger which may not be strong enough to cope with normal riding. I'd question why it doesn't have a replaceable hanger, or why Genesis haven't made this area strong enough to cope.
Secondly, I won't be buying a Genesis again, simply because of the terrible customer service. 11 days to reply to a pretty simple email is appalling. I'd be feeling a lot less aggrieved if they could have fired off a quick, sensible reply.
So, good bike, but be careful.
There have been changes in folk at Genesis over the past few months. James O off here used to provide excellent service, but I understand that he's now working on exciting things for another bike company.
Sorry to hear about your troubles idlejohn and ta for the info.
The new frames have "replaceable gear hanger inserts" - surely all mtb's should have replaceable hangers to avoid problems you mention?
I have tried contacting genesis myself recently and have had no replies, their facebook page also has a few customers complaining about slow replies.
james-o of this parish was very good at responding to emails, forum posts but I think he said he had left the company (as geoffj confirms). Cotic were just amazing in helping with my enquiries.
Hope your frame lasts for a good while yet