Genesis Equilibrium Disc
Genesis has expanded its range of Equilibrium bikes with disc brakes from one to four for the new model year.
With the exception of the disc mounts, the frames are identical to the versions used for the conventional, rim brake models: the same materials, the same geometry, and offering the same features (Di2 compatibility, rack and guard mounts etc).
The other significant feature of the Equilibrium Disc range is the use of new disc-compatible hoops from the two giants of the bicycle wheel market: Fulcrum and Mavic. The entry-level Equilibrium Disc 10 rolls on the Italian brand’s new Fulcrum Sport DB CX, while the mid-range bikes are equipped with their French rival’s Aksium One Disc.
Both wheelsets have broad rim profiles (17mm internal diameter, 23mm external), intended to offer better support for wider tyres. Each bike in the Equilibrium Disc range is supplied with 28c Continental Grandsport Race tyres.
Disc brakes vary across the range, beginning with TRP’s cable operated Spire on the entry-level Equilibrium Disc 10. A half-way house between cable and hydraulic disc stoppers appears on the Equilibrium Disc 20: the TRP HyRd, in which a caliper-mounted reservoir is actuated by a conventional Shimano 105 STI lever.
The Equilibrium Ti and a limited edition Equilibrium 30 have Shimano’s RS685 hydraulic disc brake and STI levers, the latter housing a mineral oil reservoir for the brake as well as a shift mechanism. The unit offers hydraulic disc braking to riders seeking to avoid the expense of electronic shifting (Shimano’s first hydraulic disc brakes for road bikes was the Di2-only R785). The mechanical derailleurs on both bikes are Shimano’s new 5800-series 105 units.
Framesets
Two Equilibrium Disc framesets are offered: a Reynolds 725 chassis priced at £499.99 and used for the Equilibrium Disc 20 bike, and the chassis at the heart of the range-topping Equilibrium Disc Ti, which will cost £1599.99. Both come with a carbon-bladed fork with guard mounts and straight, 1-1/8″ alloy steerer, and an FSA Orbit Equipe sealed cartridge headset.
