cruix de fer or tricross?

[joanna]

After a lot of deliberation, I've decided to go for a cross bike. I was going to go for the Trek Lexa SLX, which looks like a great road bike, but realise that I want a bike with the option of taking it touring (C2C/Lejog), also for all year round cycling.

My cycle to work bike shop stocks the genesis bikes, so would hope that they could get me in the 2014 Cruix de fer. (Although everytime I go in they try to sell me the 2013 CDF, which has pretty poor reviews as far as I can see). They also stock Trek.

I know that there are a lot of fans of the Tricross on CycleChat. I cycle a Specialized Sirrus currently, so am thinking that would be a good transition - I like the Specialized geometry. But, I wouldn't get the C2W discount on this. I need to go to test ride both, but wondered if there was any preference for either the Cruix de fer, or the Tricross. Also, which would be a good buy - I'm thinking the Elite, but if the cheaper ones are as good - I'd go for one of those.

Thank you!

 

[BSRU]

The Croix de Fer is made from steel and a great ride

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I'd go Genesis over Spesh every time.

 

[winjim]

2014 Croix de Fer is indeed a better bike than the 2013 CdF, but will take you over the £1000 cycle to work limit.

 

[benb]

I love my Croix de Fer, but prefer the white paint job of mine to the black that it is now (changed in 2013 I think)

 

[BSRU]

I love my Croix de Fer, but prefer the white paint job of mine to the black that it is now (changed in 2013 I think)

I love the black paint job, so much so my next bike will also have a nice black paint job

 

[Dan B]

I have the 2014 croix de fer, though with the 2013 brakes (it was a custom build as my LBS could only get the frameset). I was under the impression that there's really not a lot of difference between the two years?

 

[BSRU]

I have the 2014 croix de fer, though with the 2013 brakes (it was a custom build as my LBS could only get the frameset). I was under the impression that there's really not a lot of difference between the two years?

I thought the position of the rear caliper had changed to allow standard pannier racks to be fitted.
I believe they use different brakes on the 2014 version, not BB7's.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I have the 2014 croix de fer, though with the 2013 brakes (it was a custom build as my LBS could only get the frameset). I was under the impression that there's really not a lot of difference between the two years?

I'm all ears as to the difference myself, as I keep going around in circles and coming back to the Croix de Fer.

 

[AndyRM]

You've done well to find a poor review of the Croix de Fer!

 

[BSRU]

It should be noted a Genesis CdF and a Genesis Croix de Fer are not the same bike.