The least expensive of Genesis’s three Equilibriums is one of the cheapest bikes with Reynolds 725 chromoly, a high-end steel usually seen on more exotic machines. It’s an achievement to spec it on a sub £1,000 bike, where Reynolds 520 is more common.
- Highs: Classy frame, comfortable ride
- Lows: Heavyish, no rack eyelets, 12-25 bottom gear
- Buy if: You’re on a budget and live somewhere flat
The steel frame and fork combination results in a ride that’s more comfortable than similarly priced aluminium. But to hit the price Genesis have compromised on the groupset: 9-speed Sora, with its thumb shifters inside the hoods, works well, but it’s heavier and harder to upgrade than the 10-speed Tiagra usually found on £900 bikes. (The two dearer Equilibriums have the same frame but Shimano Tiagra and 105.)
This comfortable, classic looker has mudguard clearance, but to turn it into an ideal commuting bike rack eyelets would have been welcome. And while the compact chainset is appreciated, a lower bottom gear than the 12-25 cassette provides would have made even more of this. Some of our steep local hills had to be tackled out of the saddle; a 12-27 or 11-30 cassette would help in hillier areas.
All in all, the Equilibrium 00 is a lovely, comfortable ride. But we’d still be tempted to save for the higher-specced Equilibrium 10 or 20.
This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.
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Origin: BikeRadar.com Road Bikes & Gear
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