We liked the way the first-generation Genesis bikes rode, and now they have been tweaked even closer to our ideal trail bike tastes for ’08.
At just over 2kg, the Altitude is certainly a lightweight XC-styled rig, but it has been reshaped slightly so it still rides well with a short stem and the ‘new normal’ 130mm travel forks.
The throat gusset has also been lengthened to add a mounting point for the gear stops, and the open end has been sealed with solder to stop rusting without adding a structural stress. It’s the only 853 frame here where the maker has felt a throat gusset is needed at all, though.
Old-school cable routing under the down tube is a better long-term, low-maintenance rig than normal top tube routing, while twin bottle cage bosses, Crud Catcher guard mounts and a brace tube for the rear brake add useful practicality.
Despite the frame’s £350 price tag, the hose mounts are the cheaper bent-steel kind and the headbadge is a sticker. Plus, while finishing is generally good, the metallic silver paint is unforgiving of the weld wobbles and blemishes that are there.
Ultimately, though, we’ve loved every Altitude we’ve hit the trails on, and the latest tweaks put it bang up to date with technical riding and equipment trends.
