Many of us know that Genesis is proud of its British design credentials. And what could be more British than showcasing your new bike and frame on the first day of the Tour of Britain? Genesis did this in 2014 when making the bold move from steel into the world of carbon frames. The Madison-Genesis team turfed up astride the new Zero frame for a whizz round the streets of Liverpool.
Fast forward a year and across the bay to Anglesey; and Genesis are at it again. Messrs Scully, Stewart, Cronshaw, Holmes, Northey and McNally started the 2015 Aviva Tour of Britain on board the new Genesis Zero Z.i. This is one of three bikes in the new range (the others being the Z.2 and Z.1). The frameset is the same throughout the range and can be bought by itself in one of two colours (raw carbon/black or traditional team colours).
We reviewed the first iteration of the Zero earlier this year (Genesis Zero Team review) and its racing credentials impressed in what is a crowded market place at a pricing point peaking at £3k. It was both smooth and comfortable on longer rides but racey enough to hold its own in the pro peloton.
So what has changed? If you thought "marginal gains" were so 2012, then you would be wrong according to Genesis. Focusing on the frame, from the outside it doesn't appear to be different, but the carbon quality has been improved to a 'higher grade 30/40-ton high-modulus uni-directional' spec (try saying that ten times with stopping). In layman's terms this means 120g saving versus the previous edition (bringing a medium frame down to 960g); but, claim Genesis, 'Remain[ing] robust and durable'.
Small amendments continue on the fork, which are more visually noticeable. Being slimmer and tapered gives a more aero profile and shaves further 90g in weight saving. Anyone looking to grab this year's forks to combine with last year's model will be pleased to hear that the same crown profile remains in place enabling retro-fitting.
The Zi comes with Dura-Ace Di2 and carbon Vibe components from PRO, which is a welcome move.
Is it likely that those spectators lining the northern Welsh roads will notice these changes as Madison-Genesis fly by? Assuming that anyone in Wales is really bothered about any sport other than football at the moment, given Mr Bale and his band of merry men's historic rise up the FIFA rankings, unlikely. But some of these small adjustments may be just what is required to make the Zero stand out from the tradition names in the peloton.
Pricing:
Zero Z.i: £2,999.99
Zero Z.2: £2,099.99
Zero Z.1: £1,799.99
Zero frameset: £1,099.99
Contact: www.genesisbikes.co.uk