Cycling UK Forum

Interesting that people put so much importance on hydraulic brakes. I have used mechanical disc for many years now, it has its limitations but perfectly fine for my riding style. Have tried hydraulic during a few occasions and it does feel different, but not sure if it's a detail to break a deal? Besides I don't know how maintenance would work out.

The spa looks good but a bit more expensive and logistics looking less feasible (would have to pick it up at their shop). But kudos to them for letting customize the bike when ordering.
Decided that if hydraulic were to be a priority I would likely go for the renegade s3.

arupaka wrote: ↑18 Oct 2023, 2:09pm I will have to go to the UK to get the bike (and then back home on it as a first test), because over here it's literally impossible to get anything remotely decent and I also need a bit of adventure in my life.

Well, is it really that poor of a choice?
Thanks

That sounds like a great adventure and way to buy a bike. If the cost differential is so large, it strikes me that you'd probably find a buyer if it turned out it wasn't the one for you. The CdF has some serious pedigree, Vin Cox rode one round the World in 163 days to take the record (Though that record has changed hands several times since) I went to a talk he gave where the bike was displayed on stage with him, he was full of praise for it.
I've also seen the negative comments online, yet I've yet to meet anyone with one who didn't like it. They originally got a bit of a panning on various forums (Inc this one I think) for being neither one thing or another, of course looking back it was a real trend setter. Many of the complaints center on it's weight, I don't know what people were expecting, it's a steel touring bike, at the lighter end of the range. Excluding racers and expedition bikes, all steel bike frames weigh about the same, the difference in grams rather than kg.
I prefer hydraulic disc brakes over cable, better feel and easier to live with, but if you already have cable discs and are happy with them I wouldn't consider it a deal breaker. Some people prefer them and others are happy enough with cables not to consider changing. When it comes to stopping, both work fine.
Whatever you choose, have a great trip.

I love my Croix de Fer (725 2013 model). No issues with the mechanical disks except mine came with Hayes calipers and they work great, just difficult to find genuine pads in UK (but they last years).

Used for loaded touring (camping) for 2+ month trips well as day rides around local country lanes.

If it were stolen I'd be after the same again.

Ian

Will be listing my cdf 50 for sale, at some point.

albal1 wrote: ↑21 Oct 2023, 10:43am Will be listing my cdf 50 for sale, at some point.

anytime soon? if it's a 58cm

There she is!
Quite a fun little trip it was, was able to come back home in 10 days.
Went through the Cotswolds and North Wessex AONB in the UK, absolutely stunning!

How did you find the brakes? My thinking being that they’re the weak point of that spec CdeF.

Nearholmer wrote: ↑23 Nov 2023, 5:59pm How did you find the brakes? My thinking being that they’re the weak point of that spec CdeF.

would say they were perfectly fine for the trip, still need to see how they perform while riding without all the bags. they don't feel much sharper than my old bike's low-end tektros. perhaps will not want to go downhill at more than 60kmph, but still early to tell.

I agree it's one of the weak points, but no regrets! sadly got two tiny paint chips during the trip time to get a new bike I guess

Two new bikes probably.

Where is ‘home’? I’m guessing it’s somewhere in Europe.

Nearholmer wrote: ↑23 Nov 2023, 6:35pm Two new bikes probably.

Where is ‘home’? I’m guessing it’s somewhere in Europe.

Porto. Twas but a tiny little 1000km trip

Er, right. That is quite a long way.

Love my Croix de Fer (2014). Used for local recreational rides and some multi-month laden (camping) tours in EU.

If I had to chose again I'd buy the same. Mine has Hayes mechanical disk brakes - they work well but getting pads is a "challenge" but they last forever so a rare challenge. I'd prefer some more mainstream mechanical disk brakes (BB7 or Spyre) but not enough to warrant the expense.

Ian

arupaka wrote: ↑21 Oct 2023, 11:13am

albal1 wrote: ↑21 Oct 2023, 10:43am Will be listing my cdf 50 for sale, at some point.

anytime soon? if it's a 58cm

It's a medium.

I have Genesis Croix de Fer 50 (2021). It has 40mm tyres, hydraluic disc brakes, Shimano GRX RX600 double chain groupset, the frame is steel Reynolds 853, full carbon CGR1 fork . It is not an Arabian horse when it comes to speed or weight, but it is a trusty steed when it comes to riding over gravel, mud, grass, etc. I am very pleased with it. I would highly recommend it.

It depends what you want from the bike. If you are looking for a road/racing bike, then it would not fit that mould.
If you are looking for all day ride, adventure road +/- off-road +/- gravel +/- touring then it should fit perfectly in that.

My understanding is that the Croix de Fer 30 is one of the high ends of the spectrum, and the geometry is similar to the CdF 50 so, it should ride well. I guess the comments about being sluggish come from expectations that it should ride like a carbon frame road bike, and it is not. I do not feel it is sluggish

The geometry of the whole CdF family is the same at any one time, but it has changed over time, most significantly in 2016 (iirc), when the frames grew to fit wider tyres, and became slacker, sort of from CX to gravel in style, but to a small extent for the 2025 range too.

The model numbering is potentially very confusing, because the same model numbers have been used multiple times, with different specifications. So, the tyre clearance, the type of steel used, the fork (steel or carbon), whether it is for QR or through axles, and the factory-fitted drivetrain and brakes can differ between two bikes of the same model number, but of different years, all of which is relevant if buying secondhand.