Last spring Genesis updated affordable all-road with the alloy CdA, and now makes that bike even more accessible as a lower-priced singlespeed in the new Genesis Flyer. Taking the same dirt and gravel road ready frameset, now with even more adventure mounting points, the new single speed Genesis Flyer might be a great way to keep your bikepacking simple, as long as there aren’t too many big hills!
Genesis Flyer affordable, adventure-ready singlespeed gravel bike
Their original steel Croix de Fer has been popular since 2009 as a mixed surface gravel and all-road bike, Genesis calling it “The Original Adventure Bike”. Then, the recent aluminum Croix de Alloy got refreshed with pretty much all the same capability, but with a much cheaper pricetag. Now that CdA comes down in price again, swapping new dropouts into the same frame for a simple singlespeed Flyer.
No shifters to worry about or geared drivetrain to maintain, just pack up a Genesis Flyer for an adventure without too much climbing…
CdA single speed – Tech details
The Flyer starts with a modified version of the double-butted, dual alloy 6066/6061 aluminum CdA frame now with thick horizontal track ends for you single speed drivetrain tensioning needs (or the option for a later internally geared hub upgrade?)
In fact, there’s a green £750 Day One version of the same bike that does just that with a Nexus 8-speed hub. Plus a couple of mustache bar utility commuter bike builds with or without racks and fenders already installed.
The straight 1 1/8″ unicrown Genesis Chromoly Disc fork is said to be the same as the CDA too, but actually now adds a set of 3-pack anything cage mounts on each leg, in addition to full rack & fender mounts and an extra set of bosses near the QR dropout for you to get creative with accessory mounting.
The good news for geared bike fans, the 2021 CDAs get the new more capable steel for too.
The single speed frame features a pair of 3-pack cage mounts inside the main triangle, plus toptube bag mount and a bottle mount under the downtube, and also rear rack & fender mounts.
The IS mount disc brake bike features clearance for up to 700c x 42mm tires, but comes spec’d with 37mm WTB All Terrains for everyday use across… all types of terrain. It’s a modern classic, so of course it gets a 27.2 seatpost, threaded BSA bottom bracket, and straight 1.125″ steerer with an external headset, plus external cable routing .
All-road, adventure-ready geometry
Geometry is the same as the standard CDA (assuming some chainstay variability for chain tensioning) with five sizes offering a stable, modern all-road ride.
2021 Genesis Flyer – Pricing & availability
The Flyer is available as just one complete build for £550 in Billie Greyish grey with red & blue details. It comes spec’d with an unbranded 42T x 17 drivetrain, alloy wheels & flared cockpit, and ProMax mechanical disc brakes, for a claimed complete weight of 10.6kg (23.4lb.) The Flyer is available now, direct from Genesis’ online retailer Freewheel.
