Robert Beal

*I have made these modifications already in my post How The Croix De Fer should have been built.
Having cycled part of the way to Australia and done many miles prior to the trip, my Genesis Croix De Fer 2011 (converted to a tourer) has clocked up over 10,000km now without me replacing any parts. In fairness all of the components and the bike itself as stood up very well to all the abuse sent its way. Quite a few of the components (Tiagra shifters, Tiagra chainset, 105 rear mech, Tiagra front mech) still have plenty of life in them and don’t really need replacing just yet (although they are a bit battle-worn). I plan on re-using those parts on other bikes I own. There are still a few parts that do need replacing. The chain, cassette, chainrings, and bar tape, so I took it as an opportunity to correct some of the aggravations I have with the Croix De Fer set-up and build it the way Genesis should have in the first place.

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While I really like my Genesis Croix De Fer I am left frustrated by it. A good bike but not quite perfect. There are a few simple changes in the specification Genesis could have made to push it that little bit closer to being a perfect bike. I use mine as a road bike, on odd trails and cross country, and also as a tourer. So it gets varied use, yet under all of those uses it’s not quite right. For now I plan on using all of the components to death, but at the first chance I will be changing the set-up.

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