£1,999.99 Small wheels equal big fun!
The bike test ● Gravel bikes
Weight 10.98kg (L) Frame Aluminium 6061 Fork Carbon Gears SRAM Apex 1, 1x11 (42t, 11-42t) Brakes SRAM Apex hydraulic Wheels Genesis/Shining Finishing kit Genesis alloy stem, Genesis alloy 46cm gravel bar, Genesis alloy seatpost, Genesis adventure saddle, Vittoria Mezcal 2.1in (54mm) 650b tyres
GENESIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON THE ball with bike design – the original Croix De Fer anticipated all-road road and gravel bikes by more than a few seasons. It has also always been generous with tyre clearance, predicting the current trend towards bigger volumes, not to mention introducing disc brakes on road bikes well before most of the competition.
The original Fugio arrived in 2017, sporting 650b wheels and an all-steel frame. For 2024, the Fugio has had its first serious makeover. The new bike switches to aluminium for the frame (losing over 0.5kg), goes for a 1x drivetrain and fits massive 2.1in (54mm) tyres. It’s also far cheaper than the previous 30 (£3,199.99), which still exists for now.
Fab frame
The Fugio may be the cheapest bike here, but no expense has been spared on the finishing. The frame is very tidily welded and quality stainless bolts are used for the fork mounts, bottle bosses and rack bosses. The paint, which blends a dark base layer with splattering sky blue, harks back to the paint jobs of classic 1990s aluminium mountain bikes. The graphics and logos all add style, as does the brushed metal head badge, and all this means the bike looks far more expensive than its price tag.
The geometry is well thought-out for a bike that’s built to go way beyond your average gravel route. The 70.5° head angle isn’t as extreme as the Rondo’s, but is slack enough to cope with really challenging terrain, while the 73° seat angle pitches you over the cranks for great power transfer. The extended 1,062mm wheelbase (on our Large test bike) brings stability at speed, whatever you’re rolling over.
The ride position is tall up front with its 613mm stack, and shorter in reach at 395mm (Large). The 50mm fork offset combined with smaller wheels, the head angle and huge tyres, gives a 71mm trail. This would feel overly slow on a road bike, but here with its wide tyres, it’s just right.
The drivetrain is SRAM’s 11-speed mechanical Apex 1, with a ProWheel chainset. The forged alu crank arms feel plenty stiff enough, but the chainring with its built-in chain guide, to help chain retention, can transmit a bit more chatter. It doesn’t
