GENESIS CROIX DE FER TI
› Does titanium transform Genesis’s trusty ‘cross of iron’?
The Croix de Fer has been around for the best part of a decade now and the steelframed models are still going strong. Genesis pitches the titanium Croix de Fer as a lighter and faster incarnation, though three grand is a big wodge of cash.
While only the down-tube is double-butted, the claimed 2.24kg weight of the titanium frame and carbon fork trims a massive 1.5kg from the all-steel model. The frameset is also available separately for £1799.99. But apart from a stiffer tapered head-tube, which is 10mm taller to offset the use of internal bearings, the relaxed long wheelbase geometry is identical. And you still get a third bottle cage mount under the down-tube and corrosion-resistant, paint rubstopping external cable guides. The oval top-tube reduces in diameter as it heads backwards, the subtly tapered stays are swerved to add some spring and the seat-tube ‘wine bottles’ down to take a skinny 27.2mm post.
If you’re a fan of electronic shifting you’ll appreciate the raised entry and exit ports, though if mechanical shifting is your thing you may be less keen; and if you do go for Di2 those redundant head- tube cable guides aren’t going to win many fans. It features quick releases and the rear disc brake uses a side-bolt IS mount on the curved and cut-out rear dropouts. Our fork was also missing its promised mudguard and rack mounts, so check yours when purchasing. Considering the reasonable frame price the complete spec is on the underwhelming side.
While Shimano 105 shifting is effective, it lacks the kudos of Ultegra and the RS505 shifters are lumpier than the smoother Ultegra hoods on the other test bikes. And though the callipers are Ultegralevel BR785s the pads are down-
The titanium frame and carbon fork trims a massive 1.5kg from the all-steel Croix de Fer
specced standard items. You’ll be hard pressed to notice any real difference unless drag braking down a serious hill but it seems pennypinching on a £3000 bike. The cockpit is the same as the £899.99 CDF 10 too, while the wheels, with Shimano hubs, Jalco rims and plaingauge spokes are the heaviest here. They feel dull, though swapping the wheels revealed just how well Clément’s X’Plor tyres roll, thanks to their raised centre-line tread.
While the titanium Croix de Fer is livelier than the tank-like steel CDFs we’ve tested, it failed to impress when we pressed on the pedals. Yes, there’s a taut, eager feel through the frame, but it’s dragging a lot of weight and it’s hard to keep enthusiasm for long when it’s even a strain hanging onto the rear of the £600 cheaper Spa or the wide tyres of the Mason. The extra stiffness buried in there is rudely unearthed when you hit rougher roads – with a firm, rattly ride even the Clément tyres can’t gloss over. And with neither the rims nor the tyres designed for tubeless, that’s not an option. The flared bar, long wheelbase and relaxed angles do add confidence when you’re in the drops, but the wheels also squander the more precise and lively handling that the stiffer frame brings.
The good news is that swapping to the Enigma’s Hunt wheels opened up the frame’s agile, accurate character, which is ideal for blasts along back roads. So we’d consider buying the frame and going custom.