The ethos of the now iconic Croix de Fer hasn’t actually modified because it was first launched in 2009, however the bike has simply undergone an intensive replace this summer season.
Common options, just like the metal body, beneficiant tyre clearance and an array of mounts for baggage, bottles and racks are nonetheless key parts of the bike. However, on the most recent model, clearance has been prolonged to accommodate as much as 47mm vast tyres, whereas cabling is now semi-integrated.
Our check bike was the Croix de Fer 30 which utilises Reynolds 725 metal tubing and a chromoly fork. Decrease and higher-priced frames use metal with barely completely different properties, so the trip really feel and weights differ a little bit. There’s additionally a titanium model obtainable as a frameset solely.
I used to be so impressed with the Croix de Fer’s construct, dealing with and flexibility, that it topped the Better of British class in Biking Weekly’s Gravel Bike of the Yr 2024.
The unique Croix de Fer DNA may be very evident, however the newest model has been introduced bang up-to-date with, amongst different options, wider tyre clearance.
(Picture credit score: Future/Andy Jones)
Geometry on the smaller body sizes is a little bit uncommon as a result of attain has been prolonged to keep away from toe overlap of the bigger entrance tyre. This makes the smaller body sizes comparatively lengthy, with shorter stems partially compensating for this. Head (71.0o) and seat (74.0o) tube angles are just like many gravel bikes though much less progressive than a few of the extra technically succesful machines. The wheelbase of our small framed bike is a steady 1,046mm however attain is lengthy at 395mm (the identical as the massive body). For all-day consolation, stack is comparatively excessive at 566mm. The attain measurements on the medium and bigger frames are far more typical, the clearance is adequate so it doesn’t should be adjusted.
Development
Neat, simply serviced semi-integrated cabling is to be applauded.
(Picture credit score: Future/Andy Jones)
I may be exhibiting my age right here however the CdF 30 is a fantastic bike to take a look at; the simplicity of the metal tubing and basic colourway and graphics. Simply check out the element down the again of the seat tube.
Probably the most placing variations between the CdF and different bikes in Biking Weekly’s Gravel Bike of the Yr group check was the double-chain ring, Shimano GRX handbook groupset. Every thing else we rode had a single-ring SRAM setup. Partially that was by likelihood, nevertheless it’s additionally true that not all gravel bikes are designed to take a double chainset. The speccing of a double chainring actually captures the intent of the CdF, this can be a bike that’s designed to trip just about any terrain whereas carrying just about any load you may sensibly think about.
Equally, the remainder of the construct adopted the ethos of ‘reliability and functionality’ over ‘gentle and quick’. Wheels are in-house Amplitude G100 alloy, that are tubeless prepared, with Maxxis Rambler 45mm tyres. The remainder of the ending package was Amplitude branded alloy.
All in, our evaluate bike, in a dimension small weighed 11.7 kg.
The trip
A 2x drivetrain is comparatively uncommon on a gravel bike, nevertheless it makes the Croix de Fer extra versatile each on- and off-road.
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
The metal body and tyre quantity ought to provide you with an excellent indication of what the Croix de Fer is constructed for. It is a bike that’s as a lot (or extra) about utility and dependability as it’s about blasting out a two-hour gravel trip.
Immediately, the CdF is a snug bike to trip, a mixture of its upright place and compliant metal body. It does all the pieces you need it to do with out the vagaries and fickleness of a motorbike that’s designed an excessive amount of for one factor or one other.
I did discover the entrance finish of the small body too lengthy and vast for my liking although I measure up proper within the mid-point of the really useful sizing. The prolonged body attain was just a bit an excessive amount of, decreasing down by 20mm gave a significantly better really feel. Equally 440mm width bars on a motorbike designed for riders 5’4” – 5’7” is absolutely fairly burly even when it makes becoming a bar bag simple. One other sizing difficulty of the smaller body was the bottle cage bosses on the seat tube. Their place blocks the seat publish if it’s inserted far into the body, so I wanted to make use of a cut-down publish to get my saddle peak proper. That is value checking for those who trip a dimension small and need to run a dropper publish.
Mounting factors for mudguards/fenders, racks and cages abound.
(Picture credit score: Future/Andy Jones)
There’s not an on the spot or large reward for those who attempt to push the CdF’s tempo, assume diesel engine fairly than a V8 petrol. Dealing with is certain and regular, and while little inputs of effort or twists and turns within the path are rewarding, they don’t generate an enormous burst of adrenalin. That’s to not say it could actually’t deal with extra technical trails, the metal body, massive quantity tyres and longer wheelbase allowed it to manage admirably with my many much less acceptable selections of path.
However the place the CdF actually excels is these lengthy, all day rides which might be measured in tempo fairly than velocity. It’s reactive and enjoyable while you want it to be however – crucially – steering is certain and steady, and sitting within the saddle and pedalling isn’t a chore.
It is a bike that I’ve loved using purposefully on the highway on my solution to work, then taking the de-stressing scenic route trails house earlier than loading up on the weekend with a household’s value of picnic and detritus for a protracted time out. It’s pleasurable and dependable, doing all the pieces I would like it to do.
Worth and verdict
Rachel did have points with the 44cm bars on a small body. An uncommon alternative by Genesis.
(Picture credit score: Future/Andy Jones)
Pricing of all of the CdF vary is welcomely accessible fairly than aspiration. The 30 mannequin we examined has an RRP of £2,300 making it an inexpensive possibility.
On paper, it’s tempting to classify the Croix de Fer as a modern-day gravel bike. It shares the same geometry and options similar to tyre clearance, rack mounts and neat however smart cable routing. However gravel is simply a small a part of the Croix de Fer story, so such a classification misses its level. It is a bike on which you are able to do a little bit of all the pieces and never fear about it breaking when it will get bashed within the bike shed at work or underneath the load of your multi-day adventures. It is a bike for all times, and all of life’s adventures.
Worth and verdict
- Body & Fork: Reynolds 725 Metal Tubing, Amplitude G100 Chromoly Fork
- Drivetrain: Shimano GRX RX600/RX400, 2 x 10-speed, 46/30T Chainrings, 11-34T Cassette
- Elements: Amplitude G100 Ending Equipment, Madison Flux Change Saddle
- Wheelset: Amplitude G100
- Brakes: Shimano GRX RX400 Hydraulic Discs
- Tyres: Maxxis Rambler 700x45mm Tubeless Prepared
- Weight: 11.7kg
