Genesis Zero Disc SL, Merida Reacto 7000-E, Focus Whistler 2 6.9 EQP, Specialized Sirrus Elite plus Vitus Zenium CRW Vs Genesis Zeal 10 go head-to-head.
£6009* > From Zero to hero
In the recent Tour Series town centre criterium races, custom-painted Zero Disc SLs could be seen tearing around urban areas beneath Madison Genesis team riders. Team sponsor and Genesis distributor Madison sell a 24T/30T carbon Zero Disc with Shimano Ultegra for £2699.99, but only sell this high modulus 30T/40T carbon model as a frameset. Including seatpost collar, headset and thru axles, it costs £1699.99 and weighs 1.44kg.
This almost moneyno-object build has a mechanical Dura-Ace groupset, Dura-Ace wheels and PRO finishing kit. The only unticked wishlist box is Di2. *As it’s a bike built by the distributor, all parts prices have been added together at full RRP. In reality, due to discounting, you can build it for less.
Such a blingy build has many benefits – most instantly
noticeable is the lack of mass. Our medium size weighs just 7.37kg, which is very good for a disc machine.
Shimano’s Dura-Ace C40 Disc tubeless-compatible clinchers are superb. They’re 40mm tall, 24mm wide externally and 17mm internally, but still open the Continental Grand Prix 4000sII 25mm tyres out to a very useful 27mm, almost filling the frame’s recommended 28mm tyre clearance. They’re lightning fast to accelerate and not as rigid as some deeper rims can feel.
Generous tyre volume, plus PRO’s Vibe carbon seatpost and handlebar, and alloy stem, all serve to quell road vibrations. The zero setback seatpost is not our preferred choice, but we found a good position. The carbon handlebar is a favourite shape, with an ergonomic curve and lots of wrist clearance. Unpicking the Zero Disc SL’s performance from such a faultless build was a (fun) challenge.
The Zero Disc SL isn’t an aero bike, although the fork’s inner surface is flattened, and the large down-tube’s leading edge has a wing-like curve. With its bridgeless, inward curved seatstays and chunky, asymmetric 410mm chainstays sprouting from the BB86 bottom bracket area, it looks purposeful. Standing on the pedals backs that up, with eager response and urgent acceleration making the bike surge forwards.
The front end has the torsional rigidity required to resist intense sprinting efforts, and confidently turns in at ambitious cornering angles, all the time allowing accurate line control with good feel. The Zero Disc SL’s 985mm wheelbase and 73 degree head angle keep things sharp, while the 70mm bottom bracket drop helps stability, making it fun to throw in to tight, technical corners, without being too lively on long rides. Bump absorption is good, helped considerably by the tyres and finishing kit, and it rides rough off cambers with ease.
With this spec, the Zero Disc SL climbs superbly well. It descends with predictable security, too. A 140mm front disc rotor has a small aero benefit, but bigger riders and anyone who prefers more safety margin when in the hills should go for 160mm instead.
The latest version of Dura-Ace combines slick performance with a tactile feel and the feedback that was lacking before. As built, the 53/39 chainrings and 11-25 cassette with 140mm disc rotors at each end give this Zero a pure race bike look, and it’s difficult not to ride it like one.
Although it lacks the final five per cent or more of zing present in the finest framesets on the market, for most riders the Genesis Zero Disc SL contains all the performance they can realistically exploit, all wrapped up in a competent, vice-free package.