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First Look: Genesis and Saracen 2019 - new gravel and road bikes launched

Some of the highlights from Genesis and Saracen's 2019 bike range

We’ve just got back from seeing the latest bikes frame UK brands Genesis and Saracen and would you know, we’ve seen some new gravel bikes! Saracen has pulled out the impressive looking Levarg and Genesis has updated its Datum, but it’s not all off-road bikes; the Zero SL Disc is new and was turning heads at the show.

Saracen Levarg

saracen levarg or2.JPG

The Levarg (gravel backwards) is a new aluminium gravel and adventure bike available in three builds priced from £1,099 to £2,299. The high price of the top-end model is due to the fitment of the Fox AX suspension fork and a dropper post, two components that help to blur the lines between a road and mountain bike.

saracen levarg or3.JPG

The three models in the range use the same custom butted 6061 aluminium frame with a 142x12mm rear dropout and a full carbon fibre fork with a tapered steerer tube. The down tube is curved at the head tube to ensure clearance with the suspension fork crown, and there are additional bottle cage mounts and internal routing for gear cables and brake hoses.

saracen levarg or5.JPG

The top-end Levarg OR is based around 700c wheels with 42mm WTB Resolute tyres, while the two cheaper models roll on 650b WTB Byway tyres, though the spec sheet lists a WTB Venture tyre. Typo or indication of a new tyre coming soon from WTB?

saracen levarg sl 2.JPG

Here's the mid-range Levarg SL. 

saracen levarg sl 8.JPG

Particularly liking the camo graphics.

Genesis Zero SL Disc

genesis zero sl disc 3 1.JPG

Onto something a bit racier... The Zero is the go-to carbon fibre race bike ridden by the Madison-Genesis team, and the big news for 2019 is the launch of the Zero SL Disc bike.

genesis zero sl disc3.JPG

The Zero SL in its rim brake guise was ridden to victory in the 2018 National Road Race champs by Connor Swift, and this disc-equipped version is essentially identical save for the 12mm thru-axles and flat mount disc brakes.

genesis zero sl disc5.JPG

It’s available as a frameset for £1,699.99 or a complete bike was pictured for £2,699.99, with the spec including the 28mm wide Donnelly Strada LGG tyres that look a really good choice for regular everyday riding, and shows the increased tyre clearance of the Zero SL Disc.

Genesis Datum 

genesis datum 1.JPG

I remember being blown away by how capable the original Datum was when it launched many years ago, a bike ahead of its time, and it continues to be a popular model in the company’s range.

genesis datum2.JPG

This year it gets a few minor revisions including new 12mm thru-axles front and rear and a new SRAM Rival 1x build with 32mm wide WTB Exposure tyres and this lovely Olive paint job.

genesis datum1.JPG

It’ll set you back £2,499.99 or you can buy the frameset for £1,599.99.

Croix de Fer

genesis Croix de Fer4.JPG

The Croix de Fer is a long-standing member of the Genesis range, an elegant and classic steel frame capable of turning its hand to just about anything, from bikepacking to touring, commuting or even riding around the world.

genesis Croix de Fer 22.JPG

There are many versions to choose from depending on your budget, from the range-topping Croix de Fer Titanium (£3,699.99) to the entry-level Croix de Fer 10 at £1,099, or you can pick up a Croix de Fer Reynolds frameset, with a choice of a Reynolds 725 for £499.99 or Reynolds 853 for £899.99, which is pictured above. 

Vaypour

genesis Vaypour2.JPG

With cyclocross season getting underway across the country, here is the Vaypour. It uses the same 30/40 ton carbon fibre as the Zero SL road racing bike but shaped to cyclocross geometry and tyre clearance.

genesis Vaypour3.JPG

The single carbon model costs £2,499.99 but realising this is a lot of money for many people to spend on a cyclocross race bike, it also offers two aluminium versions costing £999.99 and £1,199.99.

Fugio

genesis fugio 2.JPG

Designed to provide massive tyre clearance for conquering any terrain or challenge, the Fugio (launched just last year) accommodates up to 50mm tyres and treads a thin line between a mountain bike and a gravel bike. There’s a lot of versatility baked into the design as well with some smart design touches.

genesis fugio 1.JPG

It’s available in two builds, both 1x, costing £1,549.99 and £2,199.99 and there’s a £799.99 frameset option as well.

There you go, some of the more interesting highlights from two interesting UK bike brands. Which one tickles your fancy?

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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5 comments

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andyspaceman | 5 years ago
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Quote:

The Croix de Fer is a long-standing member of the Genesis range, an elegant and classic steel frame capable of turning its hand to just about anything, from bikepacking to touring, commuting or even riding around the world.

//cdn.road.cc/sites/default/files/styles/main_width/public/genesis-croix-de-fer-22.jpg?itok=KHuPoY68)

There are many versions to choose from depending on your budget, from the range-topping Croix de Fer Titanium (£3,699.99) to the entry-level Croix de Fer 10 at £1,099, or you can pick up the Croix de Fer Reynolds 725 frameset for £499.99 and build your own dream bike.

 

Are you sure that's a shiny red 725 CdF framseset in the picture? To my eyes that Reynolds badge on the seat tube looks more like it begins with an "8". It's not an 853 is it? Looks more like an £899.99 price tag on it too.

 

Avatar
David Arthur @d... replied to andyspaceman | 5 years ago
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andyspaceman wrote:

Quote:

The Croix de Fer is a long-standing member of the Genesis range, an elegant and classic steel frame capable of turning its hand to just about anything, from bikepacking to touring, commuting or even riding around the world.

IMAGE(https://cdn.road.cc/sites/default/files/styles/main_width/public/genesis-croix-de-fer-22.jpg?itok=KHuPoY68)

There are many versions to choose from depending on your budget, from the range-topping Croix de Fer Titanium (£3,699.99) to the entry-level Croix de Fer 10 at £1,099, or you can pick up the Croix de Fer Reynolds 725 frameset for £499.99 and build your own dream bike.

 

Are you sure that's a shiny red 725 CdF framseset in the picture? To my eyes that Reynolds badge on the seat tube looks more like it begins with an "8". It's not an 853 is it? Looks more like an £899.99 price tag on it too.

 

I didn't say it was the Reynolds 725 frame pictured, but I will make the article a little clearer, thanks

 

Avatar
hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
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That Genesis Zero looks the same (except for the paint job) as my Genesis Zero from a couple of years ago (which is also thru-axle and disc braked).

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David Arthur @d... replied to hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
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hawkinspeter wrote:

That Genesis Zero looks the same (except for the paint job) as my Genesis Zero from a couple of years ago (which is also thru-axle and disc braked).

 

They've retained a similar styling for sure, but this is based on the new Zero SL that was launched back in May, essentially an evolution of the original you've got. The main difference is an improved carbon fibre layup to bring about some weight savings

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to David Arthur @davearthur | 5 years ago
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David Arthur @davearthur wrote:

hawkinspeter wrote:

That Genesis Zero looks the same (except for the paint job) as my Genesis Zero from a couple of years ago (which is also thru-axle and disc braked).

 

They've retained a similar styling for sure, but this is based on the new Zero SL that was launched back in May, essentially an evolution of the original you've got. The main difference is an improved carbon fibre layup to bring about some weight savings

I see - thanks for that.

It's a great bike, by the way, but not the cheapest and not the lightest.

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