Throwback Thursday: Genesis Mantle

Ah nostalgia, it's just not what it used to be. Looking back fondly on the past is big business these days - just look at the sheer amount of throwback jerseys available for every sports team ever - and so we figured we'd get in on the action by taking the occasional look at bikes we've loved that are no longer with us (in the range, that is, they haven't all been banished to the big bike shed in the sky). First off is the Genesis Mantle, a carbon XC race bike with the speed to back up those oh-so-tempting looks.  

These days, though, unless you're an actual XC racer, the lines between what is an XC bike and what is a gravel bike have blurred together further than ever. It's left pure-bred XC bikes like the Mantle in a difficult position becuase although they're incredible fun to ride they dont have the same on-road/off-road capability that a gravel bike does, and a lot of trail riding in the UK lends itself to something longer, with bounce at both ends like the Saracen Ariel 30. 

Still, there are plenty of people out there who still own, ride and love their Mantles (this writer being one of them) and happily throw them down trails week in/week out. You'll struggle to find an off-road bike that pedals better which makes uphills a great challenge and an even better workout. Anyway, enough of this rambling. Here are some pictures of a genuinely lovely bike.