British brand Genesis has a couple of previously unseen prototype models on its stand at this year’s IceBike show.
Dressed in all black and currently nameless is a new plus tyre road bike, with the other news arriving in the form of a carbon cross-country hardtail.
Prototype Genesis gravel/adventure bike
At first glance, the unnamed prototype bike bears some resemblance to the brand's longstanding Croix de Fer, but on closer inspection this appears to be a more aggressive bike overall.
Built around WTB's plump 47mm wide Horizon tyres, the bike boasts oodles of clearance around the dropped, asymmetric chainstays out back and around the crown of the new carbon fork.
The bike also appears to have slightly slacker head and seat angles alongside a more aggressively dropped top tube compared to the more touring oriented Croix de Fer, improving stability and increasing standover clearance for rowdy off-road dalliances.
The bike also borrows a tapered head tube, which appears very similar to that used on the brand's Volare and Equilibrium road bikes, which should help improve stiffness up front.
Curiously, the prototype bike was tied together at either end by as-good-as-old-school quick releases, though it’s possible Genesis may move to thru-axles should this bike make it to production.
Genesis couldn’t give us any more details about the bike, but with a market hungry for do-it-all adventure bikes, we reckon it’s a safe bet that this will make its way into the brand's lineup for 2018.
Prototype carbon XC hardtail
Genesis also had a prototype carbon cross-country bike on its stand.
The 29er frame’s geometry appears to be racier than the long, low and slack steel bikes the brand is now known for, but a thru-axle rear end and stubby stem point towards a bike that doesn’t take itself too seriously at the same time.
Dressed with a Fox 32 fork, 1x Shimano XT drivetrain and unbranded carbon wheels, it's a fresh assault on a hot segment and is hopefully indicative of things to come.
