This is the genesis croix de fer 20 steel frame.
It’s a nice bike all I have done from stock is add grips and pedals so far .
As it’s a steel frame with stock components it feels already a bit in the heavy side and I’m wanting to shed some weight and make some upgrades before I add the bags and gear
Is there any recommendations on here?
Thanks
by DarkDugtrio
9 Comments
Wheels make the biggest difference.
Rims and tires will make the most difference. Then, seatpost, saddle, handlebars, stem can reduce the weight.
I’d say ask r/gravelcycling, as their sub is even more focused towards gravel practice and components upgrades. Even if your bike is used for the bikepacking practice, r/bikepacking is more focused on bikepacking related content such as gear questions (like bags, racks), itinerary questions, and trips reports. If you have questions about upgrades related to bikepacking practice, you’re welcome to ask them here.
Remove the bar ends and reflector
Unless you want to spend a lot of money, the only relatively cost effective change would be the wheels. Getting carbon everything on a steel bike packing bike would in my opinion be pointless
The most significant and noticeable upgrade you make to a heavy bike to shed weight and improve ride characteristics is a decently light carbon wheelset, with light rims being the primary factor. Reducing rotational weight significantly changes how light a bike feels and accelerates.
More carbon
Make it be the ti version
Genesis make a carbon fork for these with 1 1/8″ straight steerer, it’s ~800g lighter that the stock fork. It’s a 12mm thru axle so you’d have to upgrade the wheel at the same time, thru axle is also much more secure under braking than qr. You might need to change the brake too as it’s flat mount
Why do you want to shed weight? I can’t imagine it’s a massively heavy bike, at most you’ll save, 500-1000 grams but then your going to load it up with bags so what difference does It make? Especially when a bottle of water is like 700g