First look: Genesis Core 40 hardtail

New geometry, tapered head tube

Matthew Cole/BikeRadar

Published: July 27, 2010 at 10:46 am

Some very exciting things are happening at UK-based Genesis Bikes at the moment, including a brand-new, full sus trail bike that's currently in the pre-production testing phase.

No other information is available on that yet, but what we can tell you about is the updated version of the company’s popular Core 40 hardtail mountain bike.

Along with the Core 50, it's received the ‘slacker head angle, steeper seat angle’ treatment for 2011. Both bikes also now have tapered head tubes, increasing stiffness at the front end.

Genesis core 40 with tapered headtube: genesis core 40 with tapered headtube - Matthew Cole/BikeRadar

The new tapered head tube on the Core 40

Pictured above is the £1099 Core 40. Built from 6069 ALX9 triple-butted aluminium, it has RockShox Recon Gold K 120mm forks with 20mm thru-axle, a mix of Shimano Deore and SLX groupsets for shifting, an Alex XCR wheelset with Continental Mountain King tyres, and Genesis finishing kit.

Using the same frame as the 40, upgrades on the £1399 Core 50 include a Shimano SLX 10-speed groupset, DT Swiss X430D rims laced to SLX hubs, a lighter Genesis-branded saddle and seatpost combo and Continental Mountain King folding tyres.

As well as the full sus bike, Genesis have been developing their Latitude (formerly known as the Altitude) and Alpitude frames, which will be unveiled later this year. Genesis promise that initial testing of the Latitude titanium model and 853 steel bikes “has hinted at the best-handling singletracker we’ve ever ridden.”

Keep an eye on BikeRadar for first looks of the new models, as well as follow-up reviews.