High Latitude
High Latitude is an all-new model for 2013 – a front suspended 29er based on the much loved and long-serving Latitude modelwhich has been an important part of our range for several years.
In many ways Genesis were slow to commit to the 29er market, but it seems they were simply taking their time, letting the hype settle down and judging the big wheel phenomenon, first and foremost, on ride quality. Of course geometry is king and wheel size is only one part of the equation – it has to be combined with good geometry for the bike to realise its’ full potential. The Fortitude rigid 29er taught us a lot about geometry and this bike is logical progression for us in the big-wheel category. A relatively slack 69 degree head angle combined with a low bottom bracket height and short 435mm chainstays means that the bike handles best when ridden fast, inspiring confidence and urging you to push harder.
Core
The Cores are our range of award-winning, hard riding 26inch alloy hardtails. For 2013 we stick with the same proven formula of dialled trail geometry combined with relaible performing componentry that’s won the bikes many a glowing review and best-in-test accolade over the last few seasons. There’s good reason why the Genesis Core is bike of choice for many UK trail centre hire fleets – an established modern classic on UK trails over the last 6 years.
Genesis Mantle
The Mantles are our range of alloy 29ers based born from our award winning Core range and everything we’ve learned about 29ers from our Fortitude models. We’ve used the same geometry as the High Latitude to give a bike with fantastic handling and a definite lean towards fast and aggressive trail riding.
A slackish head angle combined with a short stem, wide flat bars and a short rear end means that the bike inspires confidence and urges you to push harder. In true Genesis style we have kept hydroforming to a minimum, wherever possible we have used round tubes and tried to focus on engineering rather than aesthetics. Of course simple round tubes happen to look fantastic and we think the Mantles are particularly handsome.
Genesis Grapil
In a brand famous for its steel hardtails, bringing a suspension bike to the table is a bold move. We like riding hardtails but there is definitely a place for full suspension bikes in mountain biking.
When facing a rocky, loose Lakeland climb or a peak district boulder strewn descent then having a full suspension frame certainly helps. However we don’t want to overcomplicate our lives with a bike that has every new technology under the sun or the latest trendy suspension design, but what we do want is sorted geometry, good reliability, durability and suspension that works well and predictably in every situation.
After 2 years of playing with linkage designs and travel set ups we have settled on a 120mm link actuated single pivot with a low leverage ratio that is designed to run with a 140mm suspension fork. You can even use a longer stroked rear shock to increase the rear travel to 135mm without effecting the geometry, but we think the 120mm rear/140mm front works fantastically well. We’ve used as many round tubes as possible to give a lovely clean aesthetic and shouldn’t bikes look like bikes? We think so.
Genesis Fortitude
The Fortitude is a rigid specific mountain bike, you can’t run it with suspension. A relatively slack head angle gives a super stable ride and despite the rigid fork this is a very capable singletrack destroyer.
There is a joy to be had in fully rigid riding, it is a form of mountain biking where you are directly connected to the trail, every shift of your body weight, every dab of the brake lever, every pedal stroke, they all count, it’s a simple but beautiful and rewarding way to ride. In an industry where we are always being sold the latest technology sometimes you just want to escape and it’s amazing just how much fun a rigid bike can be. You will become fast, you will start relying on skills you forget you even had and rather than just charging through obstacles on the latest front or fully suspended bike, you will have to pick your lines, learn how to read the trail again and become a better rider for it.