PRODUCT FEATURE – GENESIS TOUR DE FER

Want to go on an adventure? Fed up of the same out-and-back loops that you ride week in, week out? How about loading up your bike with everything you need to take on multiple-day rides, heading out further than you would, straight from your front door to explore new places that have been on your bucket list for ages. The Tour De Fer 10 represents Genesis’ vision of affordable escapism; a pure-bred touring bicycle designed and constructed specifically to carry you and your cycle-touring equipment efficiently and in comfort, letting you plan that epic adventure in confidence; the only thing left to consider is which stunning location you’re going to set up camp at.

The Tour De Fer 10 represents Genesis’ vision of affordable escapism…

At just £1,399.99 the Genesis Tour De Fer 10 is a great starter option if you’re curious about cycle-touring and want to begin taking on regular on-bike adventures. The design brief for Genesis was simple – put together a robust, reliable and sensibly geared touring bike that includes everything required to carry light loads and negotiate challenging terrain; they’ve managed to strike the perfect balance between hitting that accessible price point without cutting corners when it comes to frame materials, construction techniques and their chosen componentry.

If you have ambitions to start cycle-touring the Genesis Tour De Fer 10 is a great starter option…

Made from Genesis Mjolnir seamless double-butted chromoly the authentically crafted frame and fork is a throw-back to the romantic old days of handmade steel touring bicycles but also includes all of the modern aspects of bike design and manufacture that have contributed to making cycling more enjoyable. A lightweight Aheadset headset system, cable-activated mechanical disc brakes and an efficient Shimano Sora drivetrain with a huge spread of gears made up of a triple 50/39/30T chainset and a 9-speed 11/32T cassette means that while this bike looks like a retro classic it’s actually bang-up-to-date and will make your riding experience that much more fun, encouraging you to strike out further into the wilderness.

This classic-looking touring bike features plenty of contemporary tech…

A typical touring bike not only has the job of carrying you over mixed, unpredictable terrain it’s got to be able to carry a fair amount of luggage too; with this in mind Genesis have spec’d a pair of tough, reliable touring wheels with a 36 spoke count front and rear for a stronger wheelset. Carrying a load means your bike isn’t as light and agile as it would be without luggage, this means you’ll invariably hit more potholes and rough terrain without the ability to make sudden changes of direction. All that means you need a great pair of tyres that are wide enough to cushion you and your bike from the extra forces encountered on a fully laden touring bike; Genesis have fitted durable 37c Schwalbe Marathon tyres, a popular choice amongst experienced cycle-tourist thanks to their tough, puncture resistant tyre compound, fast-rolling capacity and extra cushioning.

All of the components on the Tour De Fer 10 have been chosen with durability and load-carrying-capacity in mind…

The Genesis Tour De Fer 10 comes fitted with a rear pannier rack for short-to-mid length cycle touring trips; the front fork also features bolt-on-bosses enabling you to retrofit a front pannier rack too when you need to carry even more luggage, say for example, to take on an epic two week adventure touring Europe or similar. Genesis have spec’d full-length mudguards on the Tour De Fer 10 too because, as we all know, the weather can be really unpredictable regardless of the time of year!

So the Tour De Fer 10 is a fantastic machine designed to introduce you to the world of cycle touring and is built ready to take you on some great pedal-powered journeys; however, if you’re trying to rationalise buying a bike like this it’s worth noting that just such a machine also makes a brilliant daily commuter too. This setup can easily handle trips to and from work with the laptop in your rear pannier bag and those full mudguards protecting you from road spray on your way to the office.

The Genesis Tour De Fer 10 is a really versatile machine…

The Genesis Tour De Fer 10 is available in-store and online now.

Full Specification:

• Frame: Genesis Mjolnir seamless double-butted chromoly
• Fork: Genesis full Chromoly
• Shifters: Shimano Sora ST-R3030 3×9-Speed
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Sora RD-R3000 9-Speed
• Front Derailleur : Shimano Sora FD-R3030
• Cassette : Shimano CS-HG400-9 11/32T 9-Speed
• Chainset: Shimano FC-R3030 50/39/30T 3-Speed
• Chain: KMC X9
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano BB-ES300
• Pedals: NW-91K With Cage
• Brakes: PROMAX DSK-717RA Mechanical Disc
• Wheelset: Front – KT-K08 Hub, Jalco XCD22 Rim
• Wheelset: Rear – KT-K08 Hub, Jalco XCD22 Rim
• Front Tyre: Schwalbe Marathon 700x37c
• Rear Tyre: Schwalbe Marathon 700x37c
• Stem: Genesis Alloy, 31.8mm, -6 deg, 100mm
• Headset: PT-1606 EC34 Upper / EC34 Lower
• Handlebar: Genesis Alloy
• Handlebar Tape: Genesis
• Seat Post: Genesis Alloy 27.2mm
• Saddle: Genesis

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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