Genesis Coix de fer / Kona Sutra / Trek 520

[neilr]

Do any of you have any experience of owning Croix de Fer / Kona Sutra or Trek 520?

Im looking at putting together a bike for touring ( i prefer old school panniers and racks to bike packing setups, i find that all a bit of a faff). After a 200 on my (cheap) alu cx bike last week (which ive also used for touring with racks) i def need something a little more upright when it comes to longer distances ( old herniated disc issues flaring up after 190k) and preferrably steel for a better ride. My old steel raleigh is the most comfortble bike i own as far as soaking p the road buzz by a country mile but not suitable for the task. The roads around me are (and i cant stress this enough) totally fked

I know theyre heavy (but so is my cheap cx at 12.5kg) and slow but you aren't looking to put in any times when touring, and comfort over big distances is key (at least for me!)

I know they are all quite different bikes ( although id preferer to build from a frameset as i have a bucket load of components and a groupset sitting here) , the Genesis Cdf intruiges as it looks like it might be the most fun sans panniers and fully loaded. The st state of the roads near me has seen me riding my cx 80% of the time recently on road for the last couple of years.

Im not (sadley) going to be heading off for months at a time, the odd weekend tour here and a week maybe 2 there, so not massive amounts of gear being carried.

Any experiences with the above id be gratefull to hear about. I've had other thoughts but keep coming back to the Genesis/Kona/520. None in stock anyway so I have plenty of time to procrastinate about it

Cheers.

Edited by neilr on Saturday 3rd July 19:11

[smifffymoto]

I don’t have a CdF but do an Equilibrium and that rides well.
For a cheap and cheerful tourer have a look at Ridgeback,if you want to build a tourer up you have to look at Thorn. Outside of the touring world they are nearly unheard of but everybody who is into touring knows about Thorn.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

The CDF is very leadened anyway so loaded up it'll feel like maneuvering the titanic.

The Equilibrium (I have the 725 frame and fork) feels alot lighter. I built it around a gravel build of GRX, 35mm G One allroad tyres (yes they fit but not with mudguards). It's a very light bike compared to the CDF and has pannier/mounts.

Spa cycles in Harrogate was selling some decent touring etc builds. Don't ask him to build you a bike as at the moment he can't guarantee a build date I believe. However if you can build locally order a kit from him?

[neilr]

Thanks guys. I am familair with Thorn (aware of their existence at least ) so i'll take another look at them.I think SJS sell them. Ive read good reviews about the Spa tourer (the wayfarer I think?) so might be worth investigating a bit more. I have heard good things about Ridgeback but know nothing about them at all. Plenty to think about anyway.

Bottom line is I'm hoping to build a half decent tourer that will also be lively enough ( I know lively is a relative term when it comes to heavy touring bikes) to ride locally as well when not fully loaded. The appauling state of the roads that are local to me is fast sucking the joy out of using my road bikes and i find myself on the cx and old steel raleigh most of the time these days.

That might be asking a bit too much so just a decent tourer is the most important part I think if I had to make a choice.

cheers.

[Chicken Chaser]

Although I'm not into touring I do have a CdF which I use as a gravel option, and pulling a bike trailer. The bottom line is it's comfy but heavy and isn't particularly exciting which I guess isn't really something you consider when laden with kit.

Does anyone do a carbon with bosses for panniers etc? My carbon rides better, is equally comfortable but definitely feels more direct in power transfer.

[smifffymoto]

Chicken Chaser said:

Although I'm not into touring I do have a CdF which I use as a gravel option, and pulling a bike trailer. The bottom line is it's comfy but heavy and isn't particularly exciting which I guess isn't really something you consider when laden with kit.

Does anyone do a carbon with bosses for panniers etc? My carbon rides better, is equally comfortable but definitely feels more direct in power transfer.

Tailfin are a favourite for carbon frames.

[BugLebowski]

I've had a Croix de Fer for a few years and I've done plenty of touring with it. It's a fine bike, it probably is a couple of kilos heavier than it needs to be but in my experience that doesn't make a massive difference when touring. It's also my gravel/ winter bike with full mudguards. I'm just about to pull it apart actually to paint it and refresh the groupset. I think I'll get a good few more years out of it yet.

If I was buying new however, I'd be tempted to go for the Backroad Randonneur from Rose bikes. They seem like an awesome set up and I'm fully sold on how comfortable carbon is for longer distances. Although not sure we can still get Rose bikes in the UK.