[Closed] I'm a ****. Help me decide.

If we all donated a tenner we could get a hitman.

Keep the Giant. It's the one you wanted in the first place.
🙂

No idea how they ride, but the Genesis is waaay better looking imho, and the Giant is.....a Giant.

What is the strip-light in your garage so happy about?
RM.

Rusty - do you take PayPal gift?

If we all donated a tenner we could get a hitman.

Better make a start on my living will 🙁

Keep the Giant. It's the one you wanted in the first place.

So that's one vote for the Genesis. 8)

Maybe a little less riding and a little more lawnmowing?

Bollocks. I had that down as the 1st reply. I'm really not having a good day 😐

Maybe a little less riding and a little more lawnmowing?

I've only ridden the old TCX so I know nothing. However, if I liked the ride and it was for pootling and bimbling I'd keep the CdF. If it's more training and pushing on a bit then TCX (and cross train with the lawn mower.) Would the riding experiences back that up?

I'd vote option 3.

I like the black one.

Keepz ze Giantz

And I expected a GIF at the very least on this thread ..

Is dissapoint 😐

If we all donated a tenner we could get a hitman.

Take your pick...

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

I'd keep the Genesis, as said above the Giant is.....a Giant

The Giant is rubbish and should be sold to me immediately at a rock bottom price as a lesson to you.

and the Giant is.....a Giant.

I'm really surprised the weights are so similar.
I test-rode a Croix De Fer and found it lumpen and dead.
Bought a Boardman, and it's much more to my liking.

Don't know where the Giant fits in this this.

A decision made harder, by Genesis going above and beyond and sourcing me a carbon fork, which drops 200g-ish off the Croix De Fer's standard steely one.

I'd keep the Genesis, largely 'cos I have one too 🙂 That said I also have a Giant, albeit a Defy Composite 😛

In my case they are quite different, intentionally. One a sprightly summer light road bike. One a comfy steel winter road, summer adventure, tourer etc

What carbon fork is on the Croix de Fer?

Do you want to know what to have for lunch too?

I like them both BTW. so no help what so ever.

Decide which frame you like best.

Transfer all the best bits of kit.

Sell what's left.

As yossarian says - For me I'd keep the CdF with the 105 off the Giant.
Were those Spyres the ones that got recalled? - with it being second hand it might be worth checking.

£10? Bargain. I'm in.

I name you CX-Hora 🙂

CdF

is that a huge set of tanga briefs on the washing line?

I like the look of the Giant myself. So, as both seem to be bikes on the large side and likely to fit me, I'd keep the Genesis and then transfer all the good bits onto the Giant ready to sell to a fellow STWer, me to be exact.

What's it for? The Genesis looks a bit more of an all rounder. More comfy as well?

As a racer the Giant, anything else the Genesis.

BTW - that's an old man's garden Jamie. I had you down as a little more youthful.

You should keep the Giant so I can have the CdF. Doesn't look like the Giant will take a rack so it's no use to me thanks.

Genesis.

Keep the Giant. I love my TCX.

You might be able to get a better price for the Giant seeing as they're rare as hen's teeth. Not only that but they've been so long in coming that they'll be releasing the spec for the 2015 version in only a few months...

If the Genesis didn't have a carbon fork I'd say keep the TCX!

I presume the giant is ali frame. Back to back riding and no difference in feel of the back end? Curious. You ridden many cobbled sections? In fact get a mate to help out, do a 30+mile grueller* then ride them both on a cobbled section back to back, any differences in comfort should show up a lot clearer then.

Also interested in the fork story. Have they changed the ride of the CDF at all?

Normally I'd say all things being equal go for the lightest but in this case it's a giant and all that 27.5 bollocks has jaded me.

*is this even a slang word? sure as hell not coming up in any dictionaries.

Crocs of Fire.

TCX. The Cdf will feel like a noodle by comparison.
And that lawn is shorter than mine.

You have a Giant decision to make.

Get rid of them both and wait till the TCX is available with the new 105 with hydraulic discs, it's what I'm doing

I do hope Jamie's absence from this thread means that his lawn's now suitable trim...

Keep both one road bike is never enough.

Also interested in the fork story. Have they changed the ride of the CDF at all?

What carbon fork is on the Croix de Fer?

More info on this please! (and the Genesis looks cooler, in stealth black)

I contacted Genesis about the suitability of the DC37 Kinesis fork, as it has an A-C of 400mm, and the Croix De Fer has a rocking horse shit A-C of 387mm. They said it would knacker the geo, so I left it at that. A few days later they got in touch to say they had found a carbon fork, with a 387mm A-C, laying about, and did I want it? I said yes. They sent it out, along with a brake adapter and a split crown race for my M:Part headset. I guess this is the benefits of using the same headset that comes on the stock bike.

As for the fork, it has a few scuffs, and the paint is a bit flaky on the disc mount, but is sound. When I asked about source, I was told:

"The forks are an older model made by a company called Aprebic/EVO in Taiwan. They make a an awful lot of forks for people like Surly, Salsa, Whisky, etc."

It's not super light at 700g, as has an alloy steerer, but meh. Have only done about 15 miles on it yet so it may still fall apart 😉

So in summary. Genesis are awesome, and I should probably keep the Croix De Fer in their honour. I did mean to make a post saying how good they were, but like a **** forgot.

[url= http://i.imgur.com/aTVpX1M.jp g" target="_blank">http://i.imgur.com/aTVpX1M.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

I've only ridden the old TCX so I know nothing. However, if I liked the ride and it was for pootling and bimbling I'd keep the CdF. If it's more training and pushing on a bit then TCX (and cross train with the lawn mower.) Would the riding experiences back that up?

I am probably best categorised as a gnarcore pootler.

I'd keep the Genesis, largely 'cos I have one too That said I also have a Giant, albeit a Defy Composite

I was waiting for you to tell me to get a Pinnacle Arkose 😀

I test-rode a Croix De Fer and found it lumpen and dead.

Mine has only the frame in common with the standard bike, which could make a difference.

I'm really surprised the weights are so similar.

Weighed a couple of times and took an average. Probably not scientific conditions, but seems roughly correct.

I name you CX-Hora

Sadly, that's probably deserved.

Do you want to know what to have for lunch too?

Yes, as I havn't eaten since Monday through indecision 🙁

For me I'd keep the CdF with the 105 off the Giant.

Croix De Fer already has 105.

is that a huge set of tanga briefs on the washing line?

Yup. Crotchless, as well.

BTW - that's an old man's garden Jamie. I had you down as a little more youthful.

What's a young man's garden?...hang on, maybe don't answer that.

You have a Giant decision to make.

Get out!

I do hope Jamie's absence from this thread means that his lawn's now suitable trim...

....just for you, wwaswas:

[url= http://i.imgur.com/uwsIXql.jp g" target="_blank">http://i.imgur.com/uwsIXql.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[img] [/img]

...STW record for most quotes in a post?

[i]just for you, wwaswas:[/i]

*approves*

my 17 year old son did ours the other day. it's ok, but it's not 'right'. My work there is not yet done.

just as well you put them that way up for the photo - the Giant might have got squashed otherwise 🙂

Genesis, no contest.

CDF, the Giant munts

Now, please, go sit in your compost bin

AlexSimon - Member

I'm really surprised the weights are so similar.

My wife's bike has the same rims as the giant, they are massive! I reckon if you switched wheelsets on those two they weights would be a lot less similar!
But I would still keep the cdf.

Has the CdF got the Archetype rims..?

My croix de fer is 22.5lbs with the steel fork, so you can drop more weight of that Genesis.

I would keep the genesis.

Shirley they are kinda similar - keep the one that you like riding the mostest?

My croix de fer is 22.5lbs with the steel fork, so you can drop more weight of that Genesis.

I would keep the genesis.

Interesting. Specs?

To be honest, I was never intending to go lightweight with the Croix De Fer. It has a mahoosive Thomson post which could probably use a trim, m530 pedals are quite weighty etc, but any tips received.

*starts drafting for sale post*

My wife's bike has the same rims as the giant, they are massive! I reckon if you switched wheelsets on those two they weights would be a lot less similar!
But I would still keep the cdf.

*checks figures*

650g-ish between the Croix De Fer and the Giant when both using the same Kinesis Wheels.

Pro6 FTW. Similar weight to the giant, but better looking. But then in true STW fashion I'm just recommending the bike I chose.

[img] [/img]

I'd sell the giant and buy the niner rlt

I'd sell the giant and buy the niner rlt

If money was no object, and Shand didn't exist, it would have been the RLT originally. Not sure why, as it's a 'gravel' bike, I just likes it.

Anyway. A decision has been probably, more or less, 110%, maybe, possibly, made.

Flange
I have emailed you a couple of times. Is it still for sale?
James

How much do you want for the giant? It matches my road bike...

My Croix de Fer has rusted pretty badly in under two years, whereas the Giant is an alu frame, so that might be something to keep in mind.

I imagine you're not poking your fingers through it like a 1986 Ford Fiesta?

Kcr - can we see some pics of the rust? Have you contacted Genesis?

Kcr. I would contact Genesis and send them some pictures. They may well warranty the frame if it hasn't been abused. They are a helpful bunch.

Poor Jamie. 😀

Genesis because that Giant looks like shit

Poor Jamie.

I don't deserve your pity. I'm such a nobber sometimes.

*goes back to writing classified ad*

How much do you want for the giant? It matches my road bike...

Mail me if interested. It's a small, btw.

Jamie - making decisions is better than not making any! If this new one was lighter than it is then I guess that would sway you? I do share your pain, I've made so many mistakes with bikes and frames but it's a learning curve.

Perhaps what's needed is a spreadsheet with component weights and prices?

Perhaps what's needed is a spreadsheet with component weights and prices?

I think I might have to schedule kicking myself in the nuts for an hour solid, before resorting to component weight spreadsheets.

[img] [/img]

I'm sure I remember a comparison diagram and specs for genesis vs Arkose...... 🙂

[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/croix-de-fer-2014 ]yeah, in here [/url]

🙂 🙂

*s****s*

Although a Giant fan, I'd keep the Genesis. Lovely bike, and they have been good to you.

Shocking pansy distribution.

I'm sure I remember a comparison diagram and specs for genesis vs Arkose......

*adds Ian to the list*

s****s

*underlines Houns existing entry on the list*

I best be top of the list

Are these available in 650b? That would reduce the weight and make them enduro-CX compatible.

I best be top of the list

You're up there, but not top.

*proof reads classified ad*

Is it just the weight of the CdF? For a bike to be able to ride both on and off road then there has to be a compromise so what are you prepared to compromise on?

You're getting in a two and eight!

So, for your only bike, road and off road, you've chosen the heaviest frame with the least mud/tyre clearance? 😀

Superb.

*scanning classifieds*

Is running Conti 32's on my CdF.

HTH

😉

carlphillips - Member
is that a huge set of tanga briefs on the washing line?

read 2.5 pages with some stuff about tyres but no answer to that or where they came from - what would Arnold Layne do?

So, for your only bike, road and off road, you've chosen the heaviest frame with the least mud/tyre clearance?

I did warn you that I may:

....invoke the Molgrips Clause, and do the complete opposite of what you tell me...

Nothing is set in stone, tho. No chance to ride today, but going to take the TCX on a ride, with the stock wheels to really cut it off at the knees, tomorrow and make a final decision then.

read 2.5 pages with some stuff about tyres but no answer to that or where they came from - what would Arnold Layne do?

[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/im-a-help-me-decide/page/2#post-5926778 ]*ahem*[/url]

[url= http://i.imgur.com/QGQ3zmF.pn g" target="_blank">http://i.imgur.com/QGQ3zmF.pn g"/> [/img][/url]

My croix de fer is 22.5lbs with the steel fork, so you can drop more weight of that Genesis.

I would keep the genesis.

Interesting. Specs?

Genesis stem/Salsa Cowbell bars/charge tape + some under tape gel strips
Gore rideon brake cables/shimano gear cables
105 10 speed levers
use titanium seatpost
old flite gel titanium saddle (not particularly light)
Shimano CX50 chainset/CX70 front derailleur/ultegra BB
Tiagra cassette
KMC chain
105 SS rear derailleur
BB7 road brakes
Stans Iron cross on Pro 2 Evo DT Supercomp spokes (1610g - not as light as Charlie the BM Stans Alphas...)
XT Skewers
Maxxis Raze tires run tubeless
light eggbeater pedals

My mate has a retail croix and it is like a tank compared.

[img] [/img]

What frame size?

Assuming it's the same as mine, 52cm, I was struggling to see where I have .8kg extra heft.

...but then I saw you're running tubeless, with tyres 100g each lighter than me, so that's an instant 450g saved over my setup. I guess the rest is in the pedals, post, etc.

54.

pedals are light (titanium CBs)

seatpost is light
saddle average - a charge spoon titanium is probably lighter, although not as comfortable.

My equilibrium is only a couple of lbs heavier :

[img] [/img]

I find that whilst the CdF is heavy it doesn't actually ride heavy, if that makes sense? Like the bomb proofness of it. 🙂

if that makes sense?

Not really. 😛

That's cos you're naughty and ride where you shouldn't! I've had enough of lifting my mtb over fallen trees. 🙂

I'd second it not feeling heavy when riding. I go between it and a carbon defy and whilst very different, I don't find the weight of the genesis hampers me..