Relative new cyclists in London - Trek or Genesis?

[SSC]

Hi all,

New to this forum and looking for some bike advice as I’ve just recently gotten into it.

After much curiosity I got into cycling through a hand me down from my brother in law, a 10 year old Marin Bolinas MB. Its in good nick and after a bit of work has served me well for about 6 months but cycling 4 miles each way to work is getting tedious now when all the road bikes keep on smashing past me and its time to upgrade as I want to embark on further weekend trips with friends.

I am in a position where my flat mate can get me a great deal on Trek or Genesis bikes, the problem I have is I struggle to be able to compare the specs to see which is better and represents value for money.

Essentially I can get Trek or Genesis bikes at a discount, c30% and 50% respectively. These bikes are what I’ve narrowed it down to so far (2014 models):

Trek 1.1 C H2 330 + VAT + £15.00 postage
Trek 1.2 C H2 412.50 + VAT + £15.00 postage

Genesis Volant 00 292.50 + VAT
Genesis Volant 10 365.62 + VAT
Genesis Volant 20 438.75 + VAT
Genesis Equalibrium 00 438.75 + VAT
Genesis Equalibrium 10 536.25 + VAT

My friend says go Genesis as the equivalent bikes have better quality in them, but others tell me the Treks are better built?

So for someone not looking to spend more that £400/450, still a relatively new cyclist what would you guys recommend I get? What difference does it make if I get a Shimano Sora or Cirus? 8spd/ 9spd? Steel or Aluminimum frame etc? If at all!

Obviously ultimately I need to take them out for a ride but an insight beyond what ‘feels’ good and what is best value for money would be MUCH appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[vickster]

Riding in London I'd go for the comfort of steel over aluminum. Indeed I am in the process of doing just that! From a giant to an equilibrium 20.

Can you test ride to see what you prefer. Evans are very flexible and have stores across London.

I would certainly want a carbon fork on an alu bike. Don't know if those treks do

 

[SteCenturion]

Genesis Croix De Fer is a feature bike in March issue of cycling plus.

It gets 4 ☆☆☆☆ rating from the tester.
Steel with disc brakes £1150 RRP so don't know what your mate would get it for (£575 as a guesstimate).

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Genesis every time for me. But I'm biased as I'm building an 853 Equilibrium.

 

[SteCenturion]

Genesis every time for me. But I'm biased as I'm building an 853 Equilibrium.

Top tubes those Gregry -
May have to change your User name to deliriously or ecstatically happy gregry.

 

[Cubist]

Genesis. Steel, elegant, anything but ten a penny. That equilibrium looks just lovely. If you can afford the 10 then go for it, but the 00 will serve you very well for commuting.

 

[the snail]

Hi all,
Genesis Equalibrium 10 536.25 + VAT
Cheers.

You'd be daft not to at that price

 

[vickster]

Especially if it's the lush green one

 

[SSC]

Morning!

So I’m going to give this a little bump with a follow up question. Firstly thanks so much for the input, once I get the new bike and get fully into cycling then I will aim to come in and learn more from you guys as you’ve obviously got a great bank of knowledge!

It does seem that 95% of feedback that I get is to go with Genesis as a brand over Trek, I know Trek are a more commonly seen brand but I suppose thats the difference between the costs.

I think with the discount and feedback it makes sense to go for a Genesis but considering the only bike I’ve owned to date is my brother in law’s 10 year old mountain bike (and ive been commuting on it), I don’t necessarily think I need to spend top top dollar for my first road bike.

Therefore i’m between the Volant 10, 20 or Equalibirum 00 – I’ve put the stats together in the image below.

Can someone in simple man’s terms explain why one is better than the other. Obviously the V10 is £150 cheaper than the others and the V20 appears to have better parts – but the EQ series is obviously marketed as the superior brand. Any reasons apart from the steel frame?


Should I save my money and get the V10 as the difference isn’t that great, or are one of the others (and which one) particularly stand outish? Almost ready to make the decision and its all very exciting!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I declare an interest. I own an Equilibrium 853 frame and fork and by Friday will have amassed all the bits to finish building it.

 

[vickster]

I have an eq 20 due to be completed this week

http://s2.photobucket.com/user/bockers/media/Cycling/20140221_007_zps8ef72a8e.jpg.html

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I have an eq 20 due to be completed this week

http://s2.photobucket.com/user/bockers/media/Cycling/20140221_007_zps8ef72a8e.jpg.html

Those copper 20's have become very popular with my club. saw five on Sun morning. Gorgeous colour. Which is something no one ever said about the 853.

 

[vickster]

And I wanted something different at least it's a unique spec!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

And I wanted something different at least it's a unique spec!

Local dealer was doing deals appaz. Didn't get my cash as he wanted list for the 853 f&f.

 

[vickster]

Ah...at least mine hasn't got black tape!