Our guest reviewer Lewis Day is no stranger to the virtual pages of the Drover Cycles blog. Back in January we saw him styling it up aboard the Pyga OneTwenty 650b for our bike of the month slot.
More recently, he’s been telling us all about his winning run at the Hopton Gravity Stages enduro.
So it’s fair to say Lewis’ comfort zone probably lies somewhere between the front and rear axles of a mountain bike, preferably one with the chops to tackle the gnarlier end of trail riding.
With that in mind, we wondered how Lewis would take to a skinny-wheeled road bike, one made of steel, no less. In a bid to make him feel a little more at home, we gave him one with disc brakes. Yes! Disc brakes on a road bike!
Without further ado, this is what Lewis made of the Genesis Equilibrium Disc…
We didn’t have you down as a lycra fan…
I’m not a particularly keen road cyclist, so I may not be best placed in reviewing a bike like this, but I do my fair share in the name of keeping fit and to get from A to B! I’ve been flirting with the idea of a new steed, so I took the stealthy Genesis Equilibrium Disc out for a spin.
And did it please the eye, sir?
It’s a classy and classic-looking affair all in black. It doesn’t scream ‘race bike’ but that’s beside the point of what it’s designed for. It’s not the lightest bike either but, again, that’s beside the point. I was also on the fence with regards the disc brakes – on a road bike? Are they really necessary?
On the pedals then…
It immediately felt very comfortable, more of a relaxed position than my Felt alloy road bike, but being more of a mountain biker I felt it suited. Once I got it out on the open road I found it a very nice machine to pedal, efficiently getting up to speed and helped along by the slick gear changes.
You’re used to riding an alloy bike, the Genesis is steel. It’s all metal, though – right?
One thing that I noticed, almost immediately, is the difference between riding on alloy and steel. There is a common theory that steel is a lot more compliant and having experienced it first-hand I can say it’s definitely true. It gives a very different ride, one which I’m now very fond of, and it certainly seems to make sense on the UK’s less than perfect roads!
Now to those controversial disc brakes. I have a feeling you’re going to upset the purists.
It took me a while to be convinced, and it wasn’t until I got up into the mountains and started descending that I began to understand. Yes they do add weight but having that extra power inspires confidence when you point the bike downhill. Also, as the frame features full mudguard mountings, the Equilibrium is a bike that’s clearly designed to be ridden all year round. It follows that you’ll encounter rain, and around these parts that means mud. Tradition aside, you will inevitably grow very fond of your disc brakes.
And in conclusion?
If you’re after a comfortable, all-season, fast, classy machine then look no further. I’m a steel convert – it’s just a shame I can’t keep it!
Read about Cycling Plus magazine’s four-star Equilibrium review here, and check out the bike’s full spec here. Remember we are an official Genesis demo centre – get in touch if you’d like to try the steel is real experience for yourself – we’ll have the Equilibrium Disc on hand at Hay Bike Fest (www.haycycling.org) for demo duties.