Genesis Croix de Fer 10 2021 | 6000km Update | Failures and Upgrades | SM-BBR60 Installation

[@professionalprocrastinator8182]

I’ve had a Genesis Croix De Fer for about 6 years and never had a single problem. Sounds as if yours was welded by a trainee, assembled by a halfwit & checked by no one!

[@GlennJobson]

You got it, reputation damaged by the 2021 model, my bike is OK now as I have fixed everything that the halfwit missed.

[@atexnik]

11:15 make sure you didn't apply too much force on that central bolt, you only want to pretension it without overnighting, otherwise it will put too much stress on the bearings.

[@973Marcelino]

Verv nice and interesting review of your Croix de fer 10. I've bought a Tour de fer 10 in 2020 and only about 1000km up to now and I've got also noises coming in the pedal cranck. As you I also just bought a repair stand to see what's going on whith it, apparently it's the same bloody thing as on your one. I bought my bicycle online too in France in a french online store and there was also a lot of little things annoying on my bike who has never been checked before delivery. Before this Genesis I had a cheap 260€ bike from Decathlon for several years and except the junk tires it came with I never had a single problem. I am very disappointed with my very expensive Tour de fer 10 and already thinking to change it, and it will surely not and never be a another bloody Genesis again.

[@ExploringHabit]

I've never had a problem with my CDF 20 apart from the spokes breaking I've had 5 snap on me this year. So i decided to upgrade both wheels to hope 20 five Pro 4s as i use it just for touring.

[@GlennJobson]

Yes, good idea, I may investigate that option, I have been riding every day for a few months and no more spokes have broken, perhaps they have all now been adjusted correctly, I hope so.

[@_Chris390]

Good to know about the issues. Remember that 2021 was in the middle of the pandemic, so the quality of manufacturing might have slipped due to the extra pressures everyone was facing. But your bike should have been assembled better, you’re right. I’m surprised you paid over £1000 for the CDF 10. I won a basically new condition secondhand Croix de Fer 20 on eBay for £400. That’s 1/3 the £1200 RRP. Paying full price for new bikes makes little sense.

[@sanatandharma4435]

This is a real shame, a bike is a thing of beauty and is a simple machine really! The problems you have experienced are poor quality control, and it leaves a bad taste in you mouth. However, it is a joy to maintain a bike and if done regularly will benefit you in the long run. So my friend, some lessons learned here! Check your bike when you get it, maintain it regularly and remember that on a long down hill stretch when you are doing 40 mph be sure you have checked everything! I wish you well cycling.

[@atexnik]

5:20 it is not super crucial to have any grease on the shaft, the bearings inside the caps is what should have grease, and they probably do if you remove the dust protection to check inside. Yes, I do highly advice to put some grease on the shaft and the splines to disassemble later with ease, but that has nothing to do with bearing wear.

[@negativentry]

Hi Good video, However I think when you got the bike it wasn't 'setup' it was just loosely put together. I have got a friend who owns a bicycle shop so for all my custom builds I go an watch the way bike is assembled. The bottom bracket frame surfaces needs facing to ensure that both surfaces are even and perfectly parallel to each other ... the same when it comes to head tube. The end result of this process is that it will remove very fine mount of paint and expose the bare metal with very shinny surface ... Judging by the look of your paint on the bottom bracket tube this wasn't done. I will bet my money that the head tube wasn't done either. I would recommend to bring the bike to London Bicycle Workshop and ask Peter to set it up.

[@ajacks1349]

Hi, great videos thanks. Just wondering did you report all the issues to wheelbase, so that they can try & address the problems with their mech staff? Trustpilot 5 star seems to be around 85% with negatives mainly centered around late deliveries? A bit worrying about your wheel failure, especially since the rims are eyeletted?

[@GlennJobson]

I tried to discuss it with both Freewheel and Genesis but neither seemed very interested once the box had left them. There has been quite a bit of discussion on here about this bike and it is clear that the problem is with Genesis, Freewheel are box shifters. The bike is over priced for what it is but that said after a year and half of new parts I really only have the frame and wheels left of the original.

[@ajacks1349]

@@GlennJobson Seems everything has gone to pot in the UK. I regret now not going for a Fuji touring disc that was available a while back (just one) from an independent Scottish bike shop, with its much better shimano parts (deore) & genuine Reynolds full chromoly frame...all for the same price.

[@howardcann2428]

I have a Genesis Tarn 20 mtb which I’ve maintained ( in a stand ) and it has been faultless. I don’t expect BB’s to last forever and they take minutes to change. I also have a Croix de fer 20 which is a dream to ride. To hear you describe Genesis bikes as only fit for riding to the pub is ridiculous ! Don’t listen to this utter rubbish people, they’re great bikes.

[@erwancrgn9224]

Thanks for the video. I have a croix de fer myself and it has the same cranking noise that you had. I wasn't sure it was the bottom bracket, that's no doubt now. It is really a shame to have this kind of problem on a bike that I got less than a year ago.

[@GlennJobson]

Yes, but after replacing it AND putting some grease inside it has been fine, I have removed the bottom bracket three times in a year, more grease and a clean and it has been fine. I would recommend an upgrade to the stock shimano unit, much better.

[@Martin-8oll]

Hi Glenn, Thank you very much for your video, yesterday I bought a used Genesis CdF 10. Unfortunately I also have problems with the crank set, in my case when I change from the bigger to the smaller cog in the front and if I am in the 4th or less lower cog the chain skips on the front smaller cog. I have the genesis brand crankset such as yours and have decided to change the whole crank set, besides the bottom bracket what is your opinion on a good crankset replacement (would you go for Sora?) also what size of chain rings would you choose I am not sure if the Genesis ones are 50/34?. Cheers!

[@GlennJobson]

Hi Martin. My 2021 had the Sora components but they where poorly set up so everything had too much wear on it, so much so that the entire rear mechanism needed replacing too. I have replaced everything now like for like and set it up and adjusted correctly. Since changing the group set, chain, chain rings, bottom bracket, cables and rear derailleur I have been quite happy with it. I think the Sora drive train is great if it is set correctly. Sounds to me like yours is not set up quite as it should be, does it look very worn at all, anywhere?

[@Martin-8oll]

Thanks@@GlennJobson!, I got the bike second hand, in pretty good shape and that skipping is the only fault, so I thought that the problem was the 46/30 generic genesis crankset. I thought it was maybe the gap between the 46 and 30 gearing was too big. The seller told me that Evans had done the servicing which seemed like a good job on everything but that. I will try to adjust the front derailleur then. Question to change the BB did you have to get two different tools (one for the Genesis brand and one for the Shimano)? Thanks again!

[@blimseynoeyes]

Nice to hear from someone who has mechanical sympathy! Crazy that the bike was checked and released like that, what have you got ya eye on next?

[@GlennJobson]

Once this one is totally dead I will ride my VSF Fahrradmanufaktur T-500 and probably look to buy a Kona Sutra for very long journeys. NOT another 'British' bike.

[@patrickfallon9143]

Rr

[@nickwf70]

The 10 is the cheapest model but I have always found when buying complete bikes these sorts of problems, you sort them out and ride it for years. That was a really bad one though.

[@plissk3n1337]

Apart from the mounting holes on the fork, are you happy with the frameset?

[@GlennJobson]

Yes, happy with the frameset, nice to ride.

[@atexnik]

6:36 it's completely fine that these bolts loosen up with time. If you check Shimano manual for similar hollowtech crankset, for example, you'll find out the warning that says to retighten them periodically, especially in the break in period.

[@atexnik]

7:33 according to specs of 2021 model, there should be BB-RS500 installed from factory. What you show in video is not RS500, but something else. Probably someone tempered with your bike before selling it to you. RS500 is very robust BB, and it lasts long given the BB shell is faced correctly.

[@GlennJobson]

Whatever I changed it for has been trouble free, I got the bike direct from Genesis. I am on. 2000km trip through Europe on it now.

[@atexnik]

@@GlennJobson what was written on the former BB?

[@GlennJobson]

@@atexnik I can’t remember, did I not say in the video?

[@atexnik]

@@GlennJobson no, you didn't mention, but it is definitely not an RS500, which is really decent BB :) Probably Genesis swapped it for some non-shimano BB without notice.

[@EnesMansur]

Thanks for your valuable video! Do you know anything about Genesis Tour De Fer 20 2021? If so, would you recommend it to buy?

[@GlennJobson]

I think the Tour De Fer 20 2021 is a Croix De Fer 20 with mudguards and a few extras, probably a very well specified bike but I think you just need to be careful with a Genesis bike and buy it from a bike shop, not an online store that can't help later. Direct from Genesis the setup is poor.

[@derekreardon2095]

I own a tdf 20 and have done since December 2020. I have done just over 2000 miles and have had no issues. The gearing is 44/32 /24 with an 11/34 cassette and is equipped to go pretty much anywhere. It is set up with racks front and back, mudguards and dynamo lights which are bright, allowing you to see and be seen. Overall a very good bike. I have no qualms about recommending the tdf 20. My pal has the cdf 20, trust me they are different bikes. Completely different gearing and flat bar v drops. Oranges and apples.

[@atexnik]

Highly overpriced. Better check Marin Four Corners, completely underestimated bike.

[@r.davies2702]

It's a shame to see you've had so many issues with the bike. It seems your bike was Pdi'd on a Friday afternoon. Shocking to see the lack of grease on that BB. Personally I think the kenda tyres are a waste of time too. As an aside, my fork mount bolts all line up perfectly symmetrical. It could be that you've been sold a lemon unfortunately.

[@GlennJobson]

Yes, it is a shame, I looked at one, a 2020 model before I bought this one, everything seemed fine with that one, had different tyres. As you say, Friday afternoon but not just at the Taiwan frame factory, also at the Genesis factory and the Freewheel quality control check. Have to say that it is excellent now, all of the bits I have fixed have made it very useable but there has been additional costs.

[@r.davies2702]

@@GlennJobson Well hopefully it'll last you now. As I'm sure you're aware, the prices on new bikes have gone a little silly lately. Ride safe 👍

[@martystechtips]

I'm not a cyclist by any means but I've had my fair share of biking in my teenage years and my early 20s. I've never had a bike over $400, but not a single bike in my past had these issues. You've spent like $2300+ for this bike and what for? What country is responsible for the design and manufacturing of these bikes?

[@atexnik]

Most of these fancy UK brands offer same quality bikes, frame and component wise, as other more adequate EU and US brands do, but the price is ridiculously high. I got my Marin Four Corners for just less than 800 USD back in 2019, when all these fancy brands were offering absolutely same level bikes for double or triple price tag. My own research shows that from all these touring bike brands only few ask adequate money for what they offer, the rest just try to rip you off for nothing significantly special.

[@BobBob-uv9fq]

Can u not get a refund

[@andyjamestf]

I’ve been a big fan of Genesis, after owning a day one for 17 years (with minimal failure) I really fancied a croix de fer of a tour de fer, after hearing your story amongst others it seems the build quality has gone south Very disappointed

[@GlennJobson]

I agree, no longer a British bike.

[@wozukleeds9018]

You have a hollow chainset and hollow bottom bracket. If the bike were £200 RRP it would have a square taper bottom bracket, with a square taper chainset. They are yesterday's cheaper technology and are mainly on the bikes below £800(ish). I think genesis are using their own chainsets for this bike. It will no doubt be another tactic to keep costs down and increase the mark up on the bike. Personally i think their bikes are overpriced. Not massively overpriced but still overpriced. If you are touring you may have been better with the tour de fer, instead. The croix de fer's front chain rings are not really geared properly for tarmac roads imo. Tour de fer will have a front triple chainring of something like 50, 39, 30. Croix de fer has a front double of 46, 30 i think. For me that is not good for tarmac riding. Maybe good for rides through the woods but not the road.

[@krisg3135]

Therefore, I prefer to buy a used bike, often at half the original price, and replace the parts for a much higher quality. It is worth investing in good wheels, even used on machine bearings and good rims with at least 32 spokes. I recommend to buy a surly disc trucker frame, 2nd hand wheels on hope or dt swiss hubs and deore or tiagra comp. on ebay if you are patient and you can assemble bike ,you can have a nice bike for 1300-1500 £

[@bazelarobert144]

genesis is talking a piss and loosing customers,putting cheap parts in expensive bikes,shame on genesis

[@GlennJobson]

Agreed.

[@kwakkers68]

No grease: Sadly all too common nowadays! I blame the spread of accountants creep into decision making. Profits, profits, profits! Typically have no engineering knowledge, and giving bugger all thought to the impact these things have on reputation > and the knock on effect on future sales. Do any of us think we should have to pull a new bike apart, to grease everything, after spending a considerable sum of money? No! Do accountants give a monkeys? No! Something has to change! It's just the same with cars, motorcycles, vans .... #EatAccountants ;-)

[@973Marcelino]

Unfortunately you're bloody right mate.

[@chr15hew39]

1. Most decent bikes come pedal-less complaining about cheep pedals is unnecessary. 2. If your fork is not to standard, contact them and get a replacement under warranty. 3. Bottom bracket failed after 6000km and you only then noticed lack of grease so I guess you did no maintenance within that 6000km. When buying a bike online always check the spec then you don’t need to deconstruct the bike and claim poor value or better still build from scratch. Ps the crank arm fixing bolt is only finger tighten.

[@annegrey-blackman5934]

I think the fact he didn't own a maintenance stand speaks volumes!

[@plissk3n1337]

How often should you disassemble a new bike than?

[@atexnik]

@@plissk3n1337 right out of the box. From my experience, the mass produced bikes are all having assembly issues from small to really serious ones. Not fixing them in time might have severe consequences.

[@blankroomsoup666]

Not really disassemble, but make sure everything is tightened to speck right after taking out of the box, and then again after a few hundreds of miles. If you buy from a reputable LBS, they do it for you.

[@paulridley9055]

The CDF 10 is the bottom of the range bike and not specked out very well so will have problems over time. My CDR 853 frame cost as much as your bike. I custom built it with the best wheels and components and it’s an amazing bike. Total cost nearly £4k.

[@GlennJobson]

I love comments like this, seems you have achieved a very nice bike but can't help thinking this is a 'my gentleman's equipment is bigger than your gentleman's equipment' in a cycling way. Do you ride it on Sundays, probably. Thanks again, only joking!

[@markhancock7527]

Stay away from Genesis then!

[@GlennJobson]

Yes, best to.

[@long-long.]

Managed expectations would probably fix most of your grievances

[@GlennJobson]

What a terrible comment, nonsense.

[@danielhambidge1125]

doesn't sound like its the bike. sounds like you just bought it from a dodgy supplier.