Genesis Bikes 2026: New Steel All-Road & 32″ Gravel Prototypes Revealed

Genesis has unveiled two prototype steel bikes at February 10, 2026‘s iceBike* show, representing divergent paths for the brand. One is a modern take on an all-road bike, while the other is a more experimental design featuring 32-inch wheels intended for long-distance gravel riding.

These prototypes mark the first new steel bikes from Genesis since updates to the Croix de Fer and Tour de Fer in 2024, following a period of refocusing after the post-COVID boom. The company also showcased a range of alloy gravel bikes aimed at hitting key price points for its dealer network.

Slender Geometry and Versatile Design

The unnamed steel prototype embodies Genesis’ vision for a contemporary all-road bike. Brand manager Brodie Gardias describes the geometry as leaning towards endurance, stating, “It has road but relaxed geometry – it’s not meant to be a race bike.” The bike is designed to accommodate tires up to 40mm wide.

The design draws inspiration from the discontinued Equilibrium, Genesis’ previous steel endurance road bike. “Effectively it’s something similar to an Equilibrium – so a little more all-road than the Volare, which though it was steel, was quite race-focussed in geometry,” Gardias explained.

Genesis has opted for a custom-drawn tubeset for this prototype, going beyond commonly available options. According to Gardias, the down tube’s specifications exceed those found in Reynolds 853 steel, while the chainstays are stiffer than Reynolds 725. The top tube and seatstays, conversely, are designed for increased compliance to enhance rider comfort.

A notable design choice is the use of a 1 ¼-inch tapered fork instead of the more prevalent 1 ½-inch tapered fork. This allows for a slimmer head tube, maintaining the aesthetic of a traditional steel bike. “On a road bike, a wider steerer can look a bit overkill – we wanted to keep that really slim aesthetic of a steel bike,” Gardias said. The fork also includes routing for a dynamo light cable and features full mounts for mudguards and racks, further enhancing the bike’s versatility.

Exploring the Potential of 32-Inch Wheels

The second prototype represents a more unconventional approach: a gravel bike built around 32-inch wheels. While still a niche category, 32-inch wheels are gaining attention within the cycling industry, particularly in mountain biking.

Genesis acknowledges skepticism about the widespread adoption of this wheel size. “We’re not convinced it’s necessarily something that will [sell in] big volume, but it has some potentials – it’s something we wanted to test,” Gardias stated. The company is particularly interested in understanding the benefits observed by World Cup mountain bike teams currently experimenting with the larger wheel size.

However, Gardias expressed reservations about the practicality of 32-inch wheels for most mountain bikers. “For most people, for a mountain bike, I don’t necessarily think it’s going to be very practical,” he said. He highlighted the increased inertia and weight associated with the larger wheels and thicker spokes, potentially hindering performance on technical terrain.

Genesis sees a more promising application for 32-inch wheels in gravel riding, specifically for long-distance efficiency. “For something that’s just meant for steamroller-ing 200km in a straight line over rough terrain, actually, [32in wheels] could be something really interesting,” Gardias noted.

The prototype resembles Genesis’ Vagabond drop-bar monster cyclocross bike or a drop-bar version of the Longitude. Equipped with 2.4-inch Maxxis tires, a wide-range GRX groupset paired with an XT crankset, and a wide drop bar, the bike is geared towards a mountain biker transitioning to gravel.

Practical considerations, such as standover height and front-center length, pose challenges for accommodating a wide range of rider sizes. Gardias pointed out that the bike may only be suitable for medium, large, and extra-large frames. He also highlighted the issue of toe overlap, a common concern with larger wheels and longer forks. “There’s compliance and regulations for that – you can only make the front-centre so short. That’s one of the reasons that, while tyre size have gone up on regular [700c] gravel bikes, you’ve seen bikes get longer in the front end. To have a bigger tyre, you simply have to have that longer bike – you can’t squeeze it into the same space.”

Expanding the Alloy Gravel Range

Alongside the steel prototypes, Genesis presented a range of alloy gravel bikes featuring GRX, Cues, and mixed groupsets. These bikes utilize components from Madison’s Amplitude line.

Gardias explained that these alloy models are “commercially important for our partners,” addressing a gap in Genesis’ lineup. “We’ve found that the entry-point for hydraulic disc brakes on a drop-bar bike is really key,” he said. “At the moment, we start with quite a high-end, high-quality steel frameset. We don’t currently have something that’s a bit more entry-level. That’s what these bikes will solve.”

Pricing, final specifications, and availability for all the new bikes remain to be confirmed. Genesis intends to gather feedback from dealers and the public before finalizing production plans.