Genesis 2012 road bikes - First look

New Track bike and tweaks to Day One, Vapour and Flyer ranges

John Whitney/BikeRadar.com

Published: July 20, 2011 at 3:18 pm

The summer edition of iceBike 2011 is in full swing, with the Genesis road range getting all-new models, plus some minor tweaks and upgrades to a few in the existing range.

All the bikes featured here will be available to buy in September, apart from the new aluminium Track bike (£599.99), which is set to appear next January. UK distributors Madison are hoping to capitalise on next summer's Olympics with an affordable racer that can be adapted for the road. It comes without brakes, but the fork is drilled for the option to install brakes, which you need to legally ride it on the road in the UK.

Genesis track: genesis track - John Whitney/BikeRadar.com

Genesis Track

Next up is the Genesis Day One Alfine range, which feature Shimano Alfine hub gears. The Reynolds 520 steel Alfine 8 (1,149.99) is much the same as the 2011 model, but with a significant brake upgrade; out go the Tektro Lyra disc brake, in comes Avid's BB-5. The Reynolds 853 steel Alfine 11 (£1,699.99), which as the name suggests is the 11-speed version, is fitted with the BB-7 version of Avid's disc brake and, in tribute to Vin Cox breaking the round-the-world record, sports a 163 decal - referencing the number of days it took him.

Genesis day one alfine 11: genesis day one alfine 11 - John Whitney/BikeRadar.com

Day One Alfine 11

A new bike has appeared in the Genesis Vapour line, with the Disc (£1,119.99). It's a new Avid BB-7 disc brake-equipped bike, which apparently came about following the International Cycling Union's decision to lift the ban on disc brakes on cyclo-cross bikes for UCI races. The Disc is kitted out with Shimano Tiagra 10 speed and features Alex XD-Lite rims.

The existing Vapour 10 model (£999.99) sees a carbon fork added for 2012.

Genesis vapour disc: genesis vapour disc - John Whitney/BikeRadar.com

Vapour Disc

Also getting a brake upgrade is the Genesis Croix de Fer (£1,249.99), with last year's Shimano BR-R505 disc replaced by Avid BB-7. Madison say the changes to Avid disc brakes was because they found many people were upgrading anyway. The price may have gone up, but they reckon money is saved in the long run.

The Genesis Flyer range gets a new 9-speed option - the Classic. Shimano Dura-Ace SL-7700 shifters on the down tube are the standout, with Tiagra front and rear derailleurs, a Sora compact chainset and Tektro 57mm brakes filling the spec.

Genesis flyer classic: genesis flyer classic - John Whitney/BikeRadar.com

Shimano Dura-Ace down tube shifters are fitted on the brand new for 2012 Flyer Classic