Genesis Croix de Fer 10 FB in Bloodie Hues: gravel riding without the drop bars
Drop bars put a lot of people off gravel. If you've looked at gravel bikes and thought the position looked too stretched, too twitchy, or just not for you, that's a fair reaction, and it's exactly who this bike is for.
The Croix de Fer 10 FB takes the same well-loved frame as the iconic drop-bar version and pairs it with a flat handlebar, so you sit more upright, see more of what's ahead, and feel more in control when the trail gets loose.
That upright position does more than one job. It's easier on your back and neck on longer rides, it gives you more steering leverage on rough ground, and it feels instantly familiar if you're coming from a hybrid or an old mountain bike.
For a first proper off-road bike, that confidence counts for a lot. You spend less time worrying about the bars and more time actually enjoying the ride.
A simple, dependable spec
There's no clutter here, and that's the point. The Shimano Cues 1x9-speed drivetrain keeps gear changes simple, with one shifter to think about and less to maintain over a muddy British winter. Fewer parts means fewer things to clean, adjust or replace, which suits anyone who'd rather ride than fettle.
Shimano hydraulic disc brakes handle the stopping, giving you strong, predictable braking in the wet without a heavy pull at the lever. On a greasy descent or a rainy commute, that steadiness is reassuring.
Room to grow into it
The frame takes 700x45c tyres, so there's proper clearance for wider rubber when you want grip and comfort on rough tracks, or mud room through the winter. The rims, tyres and tape are tubeless-ready, with valves supplied, so you can go tubeless when you're ready and cut down on punctures miles from home. It's also dropper-post compatible, so as your riding gets more adventurous, the bike can keep up rather than holding you back.
Who it suits
This Genesis flat bar gravel bike makes sense for anyone prioritising comfort and confidence over outright speed, for riders nervous about drop bars, and for those wanting a straightforward gravel bike without drop bars that still handles proper terrain. If you want a flat bar adventure bike in the UK that's easy to get on with and built to last, the Croix de Fer 10 FB in Bloodie Hues, large, is available for sale now.
Features
- Shimano Cues 1x9-speed drivetrain
- Increased tyre clearance, now specified with 700x45c tyres
- Dropper post compatible
- Tubeless-compatible rims, tyres and rim tape, with tubeless valves supplied
- Shimano hydraulic braking