Genesis Croix de Fer 10 Flat Bar review

The Genesis Croix de Fer has been around in numerous guises – initially with drop bars, underlining its cyclocross-inspired origins – and then with flat-bar models such as this.

There’s certainly a world of difference from the drop-bar bike we've tested previously. This model comes with hydraulic disc brakes and the ability to take wider tyres.

The springy steel frame is a good basis for a commuter bike, and while the knobbly 40mm tyres may slow you down a tad, they deliver comfort in spades and open the door to gravel riding.

Throw in good brakes and wide-ranging gears, and the Croix de Fer 10 represents a strong proposition.

Genesis Croix de Fer 10 Flat Bar frame details

The Croix de Fer comes with Genesis' Mjolnir steel frame and a chromoly steel fork, a combination that should deliver good comfort (especially when you factor in the wide tyres and slimline seatstays).

Genesis positions the bike as one you can take away for the weekend, and you're not short of options for carrying your kit.

Starting with the frame, you get bento box bosses on the top tube, supplemented by triple bosses on the down tube and seat tube.

Another pair of bosses live under the down tube, and there are rear rack and mudguard fittings.

The fork, in addition, has its own mudguard fittings and 'Anything Cages' that will enable you to carry just about anything flexibly.

Including so many mounts risks looking messy, but it's all very neat.

Both the frame and fork are built for quick-release axles (rather than thru-axles). The bike offers clearance for a 45mm-wide tyre at the rear and 50mm at the front.

A final, pleasing, touch is a pair of brass cable guides on the head tube, which add an element of polish to the design.

Genesis Croix de Fer 10 Flat Bar geometry

The Croix de Fer 10 Flat Bar's geometry delivers a pretty upright riding position. It's still a non-racey all-rounder in overall design, but the wheelbase and chainstays are a little shorter and the head angle steeper.

This should bring about sharper handling, albeit eased back by the inclusion of such wide tyres.

Genesis Croix de Fer 10 Flat Bar specifications

The Croix de Fer's 2x drivetrain is well chosen for the bike's off-road aspirations, Genesis speccing a sub-compact 46x30T crankset, which pairs well with an 11-34t cassette.

The result is an excellent range of gears, though with only nine ratios from the Shimano Sora setup, there are some big jumps as you move towards the easier gears.

Shimano's MT200 hydraulic disc brakes are powerful, easy to control and have a light action, performing well regardless of the weather.

Genesis fits WTB Nano tyres, which are on the gnarlier side for a commuter bike.

Josh Patterson certainly rated their performance on gravel, singletrack and light trails – the sort of surfaces I ride a lot – and I'd echo his thoughts.

Although Genesis has packed in all the fixtures and fittings you could ask for, it doesn’t provide mudguards or racks as standard.

This isn’t a deal breaker, but you should set aside some budget to add these later.

Genesis Croix de Fer 10 Flat Bar ride impressions

The Genesis majors on comfort and handling rather than all-out speed, but it's also a very enjoyable ride.

Those big, wide WTB Nano tyres may slow you down on the tarmac, and with their knobbly shoulders you won't want to lean into tarmacked corners too aggressively, but they smooth out rutted and pock-marked roads and come into their own when you venture off-road.

If you're riding almost exclusively on tarmac, the WTBs are probably overkill, though.

I'd consider going slimmer, to something akin to the 32mm tyres on the Specialized Sirrus X 3.0 I tested recently. That would still offer you more cushioning than a skinnier road bike tyre and up your pace a fair bit on the road.

The sub-compact crankset makes it easier to maintain a consistent cadence on longer rides, while the low 30x34t bottom gear helps on the climbs – a steel bike with big tyres is never going to be particularly light.

I got on with the saddle and found the round grips comfortable, although there are more ergonomic examples on rival bikes.

In spite of its off-road (gravel) ambitions, the Genesis’ more compact wheelbase means its handling isn't that sluggish.

It's a treat downhill too, thanks again to brakes that are as good as you'll need for road and light off-road duties.

Genesis Croix de Fer 10 Flat Bar bottom line

In this guise, the Croix de Fer 10 excels over off-road routes and poorly surfaced tarmac, which most of us are all too familiar with.

With options to carry your kit in just about any way you want on the frame and fork, the potential to be a great commuter bike is clear. You don’t get these as standard, though.

The tyres may steal a little of your speed on the road, but there's no doubting their comfort – or that of the steel frame.

If your riding is predominantly on the road, though, you could replace them with something a little slimmer for a faster ride.