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OPINION
David embarks on a Croix de Fer bike build project
This fine looking thing is the Genesis Croix de Fer and it’s the beginning of a new bike build project.
Reasons for picking the Croix de Fer are numerous. The main one is to see if it can replace an old Enigma Etape touring bike I've got, and which is my go-to winter training bike, the staple of my winter training miles, fitted out with mudguards and durable tyres. It's very comfortable. But it doesn’t have disc brakes and I’ve ridden enough road bikes with disc this year to know that winter is the time when I’m going to appreciate the benefits of discs more than ever. Better ability to stop in crappy conditions and less maintenance.
There’s more to it than just the brakes though. I was drawn to the Croix de Fer’s versatility. Sure it has the same rack and mudguard mounts as the Etape, but the Etape couldn't take very big tyres whereas the Croix de Fer can, and because it's borne from a cyclo-cross bike originally, it should be ideal for a spot of off-road. And with buzzwords like "adventure" and "gravel" being popular in the cycling sphere at the moment, I wanted a bike that might be up for such rides. Yeah I want to be able to throw a bit of off-road cycling into the mix.
First born from cyclo-cross roots, the Croix de Fer has slowly matured into a more road-orientated bike and for 2015 it takes a bigger step in that direction. The bottom bracket is now 5mm lower (so it’s 70mm), there’s a longer axle-crown fork (now 401mm) and the head tube is taller. They’ve also developed their own carbon fibre fork with an aluminum 1 1/8in steerer tube. No tapers here.
The Croix de Fer frameset costs £474.99 and is made from Reynolds 725 tubing (it’s the same frame as used on the Croix de Fer 20 and 30 models) and features Di2 compatibility along with conventional external mechanical cable routing. This is a 56cm frame (six sizes are available) and the frame, fork (with uncut steerer), headset and seat collar weighs 3.15kg (6.94lb). Check out the frame in detail on the Genesis Bikes website. It's a really nice looking frameset and this "Burnt Bronze" paint job is, well it's a bit different, but different in a good way.
So in a way it’s straight replacement for an old winter training bike like my Enigma Etape, but it offers more scope to broaden my horizons. The reason for going down the frame route and not a fully built bike is so that I can test its versatility by trying different components and take the build in a different direction based on the ride I have planned. The immediate direction is going to be a regular road bike, with hydro disc brakes and mudguards and some reasonably wide tyres, but I've got more planned for it down the road.
That’s about as far as I’ve got so far, I’ll be keeping you update with regular blogs as the build progresses, hopefully at a rapid rate because I can’t wait to get it out on the road. The next step is to assemble the parts and starting bolting them in place, so tune in next week for that installment. It should be a fun build this, and hopefully the resulting bike is as much fun to ride as I hope, and reckon, it will be.
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
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24 comments
Send it to me...I'd have a whole build log and write up by now....
Yep. Think we'll have to confiscate the bike if nothing happens soon
David, come on, people's lives are on hold while you're mulling over the gear cable colour
Fear not, I haven't forgotten, just been a busy few weeks with bike tests. I've just got it finished though and there's an update coming along tomorrow
Gosh! Apologies - I wouldn't have been so flippant if I'd realised how gruelling your life had been.
"I’ll be keeping you update with regular blogs as the build progresses, hopefully at a rapid rate because I can’t wait to get it out on the road"
about time for an update isn't it? it's been over two weeks for baby jesus sake!
Not sure about the colour, I preferred the white frame and black forks. This was the starting point for my CdF build project...
Built up exactly the same frame for my girlfriend last weekend with full Shimano 105 groupset, CX77 brakes, DT Swiss rims and full mudguards. She likes it a lot!
Nice project.
I'll throw you a fifty for that humble old Enigma winter hack frame?
My new frame should arrive tomorrow and I've got a garage brimming with lovely new bits ready to bolt onto it. I'm looking to do the same mix of riding as you, so looking forward to reading your posts. Might even do my own build blog
Very interested to see where you go with this build, as I'm considering the same frame myself. Love the colour!
Great choice of frame. I'm loving my 931 Croix de Fer. It's getting far more winter miles than my Etape. I'll be interested to see what bits you choose for it.
What makes you choose the Croix de Fer over your Etape Martin? Simple the disc brakes?
I've only just seen this...
The discs are a significant factor, yes. But I've also tweaked the Etape over the years so it's effectively now a summer bike. It has a nicer groupset and much lighter wheels than the Genesis. I've also just bought a new fork with no mudguard eyelets. I suppose you could argue it's the wrong frame but I'm no racer so it'll do me.
looking forward to the build and to see your choice of components.
i was torn between the croix de fer and the equilibrium but ended up getting the latter.
unfortunately had to get a complete as it was on a bike to work scheme...
I agree with bikebot. I'm looking forward to seeing how you progress with this! Good luck!!
Glad you're doing this, this is the sort of article I'd love to see more of. Building your own bike up is something that just about anyone can do, and it's so rewarding.
I'm currently replacing my commuter/winter bike after the chainstays rusted through near the tyre/chainring scalloping.
I can't see the point in getting an expensive steel frame for this sort of use.
I've got TRP Spyre disc brakes on my Croix de Fer. Done well over 1500 miles on road, dusty tracks and very wet and muddy lanes. Still on original pads. Only maintenance has been taking up cable slack on the adjusters. Bit of a squeal when they first get wet, but soon goes. Been absolutely fantastic in all conditions.
My bike was built for me by Independant Bikeworks in Cirencester. They made a fantastic job of advising on spec and building. Love the bike. Recommend the beautiful Ultegra 11 too.
Disc brakes require less maintainance simply wrong. I know as I ride a Seek zero with alfine disc and pads last about 300 miles before they shweel like b*****d. Also you need to keep disc very clean to avoid road film build up. No just leaving in the garage without wasting after a ride. The maintainance on caliper brakes is changing blocks. Just bought 4 pairs for £9.00. Disc pads are £15 - £20 for a set of 4.
Disc brakes require less maintainance simply wrong. I know as I ride a Seek zero with alfine disc and pads last about 300 miles before they shweel like b*****d. Also you need to keep disc very clean to avoid road film build up. No just leaving in the garage without wasting after a ride. The maintainance on caliper brakes is changing blocks. Just bought 4 pairs for £9.00. Disc pads are £15 - £20 for a set of 4.
I run a Croix de Fer with discs Dean, and I don't recognise the experience you describe.
The bike is used every working day, in all weathers, and gets at most a weekly wash. I have never paid special attention to the discs, they get brushed with soapy water like the rest of the bike. And, given an occasional adjustment, the brakes work well. Obviously the pads need replacing every now and again, about every eight months would seem average, but it's a ten minute job to do both pairs at a total cost of £9.95.
And, sorry to continue disagreeing, but mine have never, ever squealed and I live in a very hilly area where they get loads of use.
Would I buy a do-it-all bike with old-fashioned rim brakes? Not likely.
Beautiful. Apart from the carbon fork
Gorgeous colour
.