Genesis Tour de Fer 20 2016

[Somebuddy]

Has anyone in my absence made reference to the Tour de Fer 20?
I like what I see here:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products...esvaid=50080&gclid=CMeu9bmkwMoCFdZsGwod6FMCQw

Fully knitted out for that next big tour,
Mudguards, tubus racks back and front, hub Dynamo powering supplied front light, gears seam a bit low, disk brakes,
I fancy trying out the straight bars or maybe even butterfly ones.
What's not to like? Except the number of pounds sterling I need to find to pay for it. Sorely tempted with the 24 months interest free offered by some suppliers. The downside is no one has one in stock to try before you buy. It's a lot of cash at £1300. Mmmmmmm. I can dream....

Off now to buy a new front rack for my existing tourer........oh

 

[Ajax Bay]

maybe even butterfly ones

For reasonable levels of comfort, think you have to have options for hand positions.
If you're carrying a load the gear range of 107" to 18" seems reasonable. Could swap out cassette for a 12-30 if stronger/lighter load and closer ratios preferred.

 

[Blue Hills]

Very good value considering the two Tubus racks.Nice to see that, slowly slowly, more flat bar tourers are appearing. Have heard not too great things about SP dynamo hubs. Personally i would prefer V brakes on such a bike. And it's 10 speed, which there is no need for. Still, a welcome addition.

 

[Somebuddy]

@Ajax Bay , I'm taking it that you are for the butterfly bars and prefer them? I did take a Koga Miyata for a test spin once, and it had butterfly bars. It was quite a heavy bike. And dear at £1700.
@Blue Hills , Not a fan of the drop bars, I've never tried butterfly bars apart from the test spin above, but fancy giving them a go. But then again if I went for the tour de Fer, I would just stick with what it comes with. I'm with you on the v brakes, but I've never tried disk brakes yet and believe they would be good with a fully loaded tourer and if I encountered wet weather as well.
I tried advertising an old bike on gumtree to give me a deposit for the Genesis, but no takers so....... I'll just have to prepare the old tricross for the European tour. Just bought a front tubus rack for the tricross.

 

[Ajax Bay]

For reasonable levels of comfort, think you have to have options for hand positions.

To achieve this I'm content with drops, with a fit suitable for the touring intended. Have not used butterflies other than a quick spin. But flats give you pretty limited options, even with bar ends. Not to mention that on flat bars and even more out on the bar ends your hands are far wider than on the hoods, so creating a nice parachute effect. If you are battling a head wind for hours you will want to be able to get low with your head down.

While touring, I prefer to switch my hand positions regularly to eliminate or reduce hand and wrist problems. If your hands stay in an unusual position for too long, the pain can become unbearable. So a handlebar with only one or two hand positions may be fine for certain tours and terrain but not others. Also, certain hand positions allow more leverage for hill climbing.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Flat bar touring bike is a tadge of an oxymoron. Needs bar ends at least, if not propper treking bars. But a nice bike nonetheless.

 

[Blue Hills]

Well yes, i would always put bar ends on a flat bar bike. No great problem to add.