6 Best Genesis Road Bikes | 2023 Reviews

You’ve probably heard that “Walmart bikes are trash!” or something similar before. Elitists and gatekeepers try to keep beginners from trying affordable options for reasons unknown to most of us. To be fair, they have a point; cheaper bikes typically break down sooner. However, that doesn’t mean every bike sold at that price point is a waste of money.

In fact, Genesis makes bikes that are good value for money at many different price points, ranging from under $300 to over $3,000! So, whatever your budget, if you’re ready to hop onto a high-value road bike, read on!

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Our Pick For The Best Genesis Road Bike

The Genesis Equilibrium Disc is the ideal Genesis road bike. It has the top-of-the-line features of the Genesis Equilibrium but replaces two of its most questionable parts with much better alternatives. The cassette is fit for riding up steep hills and across mild rough patches, and its brakes would keep your speed in check during a steep descent. If you’re looking for a high-end bike at a mid-range price, the Equilibrium Disc will be an excellent choice for you!

Best Genesis Road Bikes Overview

Image

Model

Features

Price

Genesis Saber Men’s Road Bike

  • 700C Tires

  • Aluminum Frame

  • 3x7-Speed Drivetrain

  • Caliper Brakes

  • Water Bottle Cage

  • Included Kickstand

Genesis Bohe Men’s Gravel Bike

  • 700 x 45C Tires

  • Aluminum Frame

  • 2x7-Speed Drivetrain

  • Mechanical Disc Brakes

  • Water Bottle Cage Mount

Genesis Delta 30 Men’s Road Bike - 2020

  • 700 x 25C Tires

  • Aluminum Frame

  • Carbon Fiber Fork

  • 2x11-Speed Drivetrain

  • Caliper Brakes

  • 11-28T Cassette

Genesis Zeal 20 MGT - 2019

  • 700 x 25C Tires

  • Carbon Fiber Frameset

  • Alloy Steerer

  • 2x11-Speed Drivetrain

  • Caliper Brakes

  • 11-28T Cassette

Genesis Equilibrium

  • 700 x 30C Tires

  • Steel Frameset

  • 2x11-Speed Drivetrain

  • Caliper Brakes

  • 11-34T Cassette

Genesis Equilibrium Disc

  • 700 x 30C Tires

  • Steel Frame

  • Carbon Fiber Fork

  • 2x11-Speed Drivetrain

  • Hydraulic Disc Brakes

  • 11-34T Cassette


Genesis Saber Men’s Road Bike

6 Best Genesis Road Bikes

The Genesis Saber model of bike is an inexpensive choice ready for those seeking adventure! It’s a men’s road bike found at Walmart and has a cool style mixing red with neutral colors. It’s designed for simplicity and accessibility and offers a bracket for water bottles. All the extra stuff, like pedals and a kickstand, that you often have to go searching for externally are included with your purchase of this bike. Moreover, it’s very affordable, typically costing under $300.

Find out more road bikes under $300

Key Features

  • 700C Tires
  • Aluminum Frame
  • 3×7-Speed Drivetrain
  • Caliper Brakes
  • Water Bottle Cage
  • Included Kickstand

Why we liked it

  • The white, red, and black color scheme and design are lovely.
  • It comes with everything, so there’s no need to buy extra things like pedals or a kickstand.

Pros

  • It’s an excellent choice for budget commuters and will likely work for casual riders!
  • Accommodates riders from 5’4” to 6’2” in height, which includes most men.

Cons

  • It comes with many cheap parts, and some riders find that they break after only twenty or thirty miles.

  • The bike is made specifically for men, leaving women with fewer choices for budget Genesis bikes.

Genesis Bohe Men’s Gravel Bike

Best Genesis Road Bikes

The Genesis Bohe Men’s Gravel Bike is like a gravel-friendly version of the Saber model. However, the feel is very different, with a tire width of 45 millimeters. This bike’s tires will absorb bumps in the road much better than a road bike typically does, but it does so at the cost of top speeds. While you won’t be able to transfer as much of your leg power into raw speed, the comfortable feeling of smooth rides over gravel and bumps is a worthwhile tradeoff. While the stack is typical of a road bike, the reach is extended. This puts the rider in a pretty aggressive riding position, but at least the shoulder shock is partially absorbed by the fat tires.

It’s a great entry-level bike, especially for somebody who isn’t ready to commit to road riding, as it will comfortably handle some light off-roading.

Key Features

  • 700 x 45C Tires
  • Aluminum Frame
  • 2×7-Speed Drivetrain
  • Mechanical Disc Brakes
  • Water Bottle Cage Mount

Why we liked it

  • The wide tires on this bike are a distinctive choice, great for gravel riding!
  • Accommodates riders from 5’4” to 6’2” in height, which includes most men.

Pros

  • It has impressive build quality for a bike at this price. (Under $400)
  • It’s rare for a bike this inexpensive to offer disc brakes of any kind, which are great.

Cons

  • The chain that comes with the bike could be better and may need to be replaced.
  • The bike is made specifically for men, leaving women with fewer choices for budget Genesis bikes.

Genesis Delta 30 Men’s Road Bike – 2020

Best Genesis Road Bikes

A more expensive option, with reduced frame weight, is the Delta 30. The aluminum frame and carbon fiber fork offer significantly improved performance over the complete aluminum or steel framesets that are common in this price range. It’s also a men’s bike and is typically quite large. With the narrower 25 mm wheels, it will ride pretty rough on gravel or rough terrain. However, it offers plenty of torque ratios with 11 rear cogs and would be a versatile machine for commutes and road riding.

Key Features

  • 700 x 25C Tires
  • Aluminum Frame
  • Carbon Fiber Fork
  • 2×11-Speed Drivetrain
  • Caliper Brakes
  • 11-28T Cassette

Why we liked it

  • The awesome black and orange color scheme is sleek and matches anything.
  • This is the cheapest bike on this list that really starts to offer a lot in the way of performance.

Pros

  • The bike offers excellent value for money, with fantastic ride quality.
  • This bike comes close in specifications to the Zeal 20 MGT at a much lower price.

Cons

  • The caliper brakes lack the power and durability of disc brakes.
  • It can be challenging to get your hands on this bike in 2022.

Genesis Zeal 20 MGT – 2019

Best Genesis Road Bikes

The Genesis Zeal 20 MGT has even stronger features than the Delta 30. It does compare, having the same type of tires, cassette, speeds, and brakes. However, the carbon fiber frameset, impressive height accommodations, and gender-neutral geometry put it on top. The level of efficiency offered by the bike begins to justify much higher prices. It still lacks a significant improvement in braking, climbing, and descent, but we recommend it for men or women looking for a middle-of-the-road option from Genesis. Unfortunately, those looking for this bike may have a bad time depending on market conditions since it’s been around for a while.

Key Features

  • 700 x 25C Tires
  • Carbon Fiber Frameset
  • Alloy Steerer
  • 2×11-Speed Drivetrain
  • Caliper Brakes
  • 11-28T Cassette

Why we liked it

  • The light blue and black color scheme is eye-popping.
  • The carbon fiber frameset is far and away more lightweight than most other frames.

Pros

  • Offers fantastic height accommodation from about 5’1” to 6’5” across several sizes.
  • Similar bikes won’t keep up with the Zeal 20 MGT while riding downhill or sprinting.

Cons

  • This bike can take a lot of work to get your hands on in 2022.

  • This bike doesn’t come with pedals, so you’ll have to get your own.

Genesis Equilibrium

Best Genesis Road Bikes

A further improved bike, the Genesis Equilibrium takes everything that’s great about Genesis bikes and adds to it. The better cassette will aid in climbing hills, and the wider tires make for easy riding and better stability. It’s another excellent gender-neutral choice; while catering mainly towards off-road riders with mounts for mudguards, it is quite race capable and has great handling. It’s also great for endurance rides with a comfortable saddle and suitable geometry. It could definitely have better brakes, but it is otherwise a fantastic ride and is well worth the cost.

Key Features

  • 700 x 30C Tires
  • Steel Frameset
  • 2×11-Speed Drivetrain
  • Caliper Brakes
  • 11-34T Cassette

Why we liked it

  • It has a sleek white color scheme and internal wiring design for a great aesthetic profile.
  • It’s still relatively affordable at about $2,000 and is widely accessible.

Find out more road bikes under $2000

Pros

  • It’s suitable for both men and women.
  • It has sizes fit for individuals ranging from 5’1” to 6’3”.
  • The wider 30 mm tires handle bumps well and offer additional comfort.

Cons

  • The steel frame is quite heavy for a bike this expensive.
  • It doesn’t have the greatest brakes.

Genesis Equilibrium Disc

Best Genesis Road Bikes

The upgraded version of the Genesis Equilibrium comes with premium hydraulic disc brakes. The more powerful brakes make it much more efficient and safe during descents and in general. It has many different sizing options to accommodate nearly any rider. It also features the same 11 rear gears, 30-millimeter tires, an impressive 11-34T cassette, and a steel frame as the Genesis Equilibrium. However, along with the durable steel frame, it has a lightweight carbon fiber fork to reduce the bike’s overall weight substantially. All in all, this bike is our favorite, offering absolute top-of-the-line specifications. However, it comes at a hefty price point, around $3,000.

Related articles … Best Road Bikes Under $3000

Key Features

  • 700 x 30C Tires
  • Steel Frame
  • Carbon Fiber Fork
  • 2×11-Speed Drivetrain
  • Hydraulic Disc Brakes
  • 11-34T Cassette

Why we liked it

  • The striking red and black design is sure to turn heads!
  • It has the overall best specification sheet of any bike on the list!

Pros

  • It features a complete set of mudguard and pannier rack mounts.
  • It has sizes fit for individuals ranging from 5’1” to 6’3”.
  • The 11-34T Cassette will climb hills very well.

Cons

  • The steel frame is quite heavy for a bike this expensive. (and it costs even more than the rim brake version)

  • The tires don’t handle wet weather very well.

Guide to Buying a Genesis Road Bike

Frame Materials:

Unlike many other brands of road bikes, the steel frames aren’t found on the cheapest models. Instead, the more affordable models, such as the ones sold at Walmart, are often made of Aluminum. However, carbon fiber is still the most coveted material for Genesis bike frames and forks and is reserved for the highest-quality models.

Tires:

All of these Genesis tires here have 700-millimeter diameters. However, many of their widths vary. Some come in narrower 25-millimeter racing widths, while some are 30 millimeters, a more comfortable road bike tire. The Bohe uniquely has a 45-millimeter wide tire, which is more like something you’d find on a hybrid bike. This may be the best bike for you if you’re searching for something to take on rough trails, gravel, or coarse dirt!

Gears:

Each of the bikes listed here has either seven or eleven rear cogs. Both numbers offer great versatility in torque ratios, with the 11-speed rear cassettes obviously offering more. The number of gears on your bike won’t matter as much as the cassette it provides, but it can affect the number of gearing options you have while riding and how quickly you can shift from an uphill-friendly gear to a descent-friendly gear.


FAQS ABOUT Genesis ROAD BIKES

Are Genesis road bikes any good?

You may believe that any brand of road bike sold in Walmart is not worth buying. Of course, there is something to be said about the quality of bikes found at Walmart, but it’s only fair. After all, you get what you pay for. The two models sold here are under $400, which is very cheap for a road bike. Those two bikes can be a bit wishy-washy but are also extremely inexpensive. They offer good value for money, and it’s unlikely you’ll have as bad an experience as the writers of each bike’s worst customer review.

On the higher end, the Genesis bikes are actually quite good. Some of the components, such as a steel frameset and caliper brakes on a $2,000 bike, are somewhat confusing. However, even that bike offers great components and specifications everywhere else. Its upgraded version, the Genesis Equilibrium Disc, offers excellent specifications across the board, with the steel frame left as the only questionable component choice. However, with the slightly increased weight of these two models comes more durability, which may be what you’ve been after all along.

How durable are Genesis bikes?

The lower-end Genesis bikes aren’t the most durable out there. For one, rim brakes have their own durability constraints. They require a lot of force to stop your cycle, especially with heavier riders or during long steep descents. This, combined with the fact that they utilize the rim as their rotor, can cause issues. The frictional forces involved in braking can heat up the rim during these long descents and sometimes cause blowouts.

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The other components on lower-end Genesis bikes are also prone to giving out, only having approximately a 4-star rating on each cycle. This is in part due to about fifteen to twenty percent of reviewers having something break or delivered broken on the bikes. This may not happen to you at all, considering over 75% of the reviews lack any mentions of this. However, it’s a risk that you should consider.

On the higher end, the Genesis Equilibrium Disc avoids most of these issues entirely. For one, it doesn’t have the risky low-quality rim brakes, opting for the best type of brakes, hydraulic disc brakes. It also has better wheels, gears, chain, and other components that are much less likely to break. It’s quite possible that Genesis chose steel as the material for the higher-end frames for durability purposes. After all, what good is a high-performance road bike if it doesn’t last hundreds of miles at the very least?

Explore the best-reviewed bikes for every price point from $200 to $20,000 … Best Road Bikes In 2023


In Conclusion: What is the Best Genesis Road Bike?

Our choice for the best Genesis road bike is the Genesis Equilibrium Disc! Not only does this gender-neutral model accommodate riders from 5’1” to 6’3”, but it also features a durable steel frame and a lightweight carbon fork. In addition, its stunning red and black design makes it stand out from the crowd while outperforming its peers with a superior cassette, better braking, and a full set of mudguard and pannier rack mounts! If your budget fits this beautiful bike, it’s an excellent choice for road riding and commutes and will have all of your friends or colleagues jealous!

One Response

  1. canadian October 26, 2023