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The Genesis Tour de Fer 30 is a versatile and well-rounded bike that can handle a variety of terrain. It’s a great option for those looking for an all-purpose bike that can perform well on both paved and unpaved roads. The Tour de Fer 30 features a durable frame and fork, powerful Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, and large capacity 29er wheels. It’s a great choice for riders who want a do-it-all bike that can keep up on long rides and rough terrain alike.
Overview
The Genesis Tour de Fer 30 is a great bike for those who are looking for a reliable and affordable option. It features a lightweight aluminum frame and fork, Shimano Sora 9-speed shifters, and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes. It’s a great option for those who want to get into road cycling without spending a lot of money.
Frame and geometry
The Tour de Fer frame is made from Reynolds 520 chromoly steel tubing. This is a mainstay of the steel frame set world, offering a balance of weight, comfort and durability. The tubes are double butted (thinner walled at the ends to save weight) and all the welds are smooth and even.
The frame has a sportive geometry with a relatively relaxed head angle of 72 degrees. This, combined with the 520’s ‘magic ride’ properties (a result of the way the tubes are joined) makes for a bike that’s stable and confidence inspiring on long days in the saddle. It’s not so slack that it feels sluggish when you’re riding at pace, but it’s not so racey that you’ll be getting backaches on all-day adventures.
Components
The Tour de Fer 30 is a bike that is built for comfort and practicality. It has an aluminum frame and fork, and is outfitted with components that are meant to be durable and efficient. The bike has a Shimano Sora drivetrain with 9 speed shifting, making it a great option for those who want a bike that is versatile and can handle a variety of terrain. The brakes are Tektro flat mount disc brakes, which provide good stopping power in all weather conditions. The bike also has wide tires that provide good grip and comfort on rough roads. Overall, the Tour de Fer 30 is a great option for those who are looking for a comfortable and practical bike that can handle a variety of terrain.
The ride
The Tour de Fer is an unashamedly traditional looking bike. It isn’t trying to be hip or edgy, it’s just a straightforward steel framed, Shimano 3×10 speed equipped road bike with 28 mm tires. But don’t be fooled by its understated looks, because this is a bike that’s very capable of taking on rough terrain and even the odd section of single track.
When it comes to the ride, the Tour de Fer certainly doesn’t disappoint. The steel frame provides a level of comfort that you just don’t get from aluminum or carbon fiber bikes, and even when riding on rough roads, the bike never feels harsh or jarring. The 28 mm tires also do a great job of soaking up bumps and vibrations, and they provide plenty of grip when cornering too.
One area where the Tour de Fer really shines is in its handling. The bike feels very stable and planted no matter what speed you’re riding at, and it’s easy to keep in control even when cornering at high speeds. This is partly due to the fact that the steel frame provides a very stiff platform for the wheels to work from, but it’s also down to the excellent geometry that Genesis has used for this bike.
The only downside to the ride is that because the frame is made from steel, it does tend to feel a bit heavier than other bikes on the market. But if you can look past that then you’ll find that the Tour de Fer is an excellent all-round road bike that’s more than capable of dealing with whatever you throw at it.
Conclusion
The Tour de Fer is a great all-rounder and a bike that’s well worth considering if you’re looking for a do-it-all machine.
It’s got the looks, it’s got the specification and, most importantly, it rides really well. It’s certainly not the lightest bike in its class but, as we found out, that extra weight doesn’t seem to hold it back too much.
The only real fly in the ointment is the price but, if you can afford it, the Tour de Fer is a great choice.
