Genesis Tarn 20

Big Grip For Big Mountains

Words by Dave Anderson, photos by Sim Mainey

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The Genesis Tarn is billed as the ‘quintessential steel UK trail hardtail – redefined‘ and in this top of the range Tarn 20 guise it seems to fit that description well. UK riders have long had a softspot for hardtails, especially those that are built tough and happy to be pushed hard. As such UK brands have been more than obliging in providing hardtails up to the task and with the Tarn 20 Genesis carries on this tradition.

The Tarn’s geometry is decidedly new-school in design, designed to bolster confidence when things get technical but gives up little to all-day comfort. The big news, however, is the tyre size. With a 27.5+ wheelset shod with 2.8inch WTB tyres  the Tarn 20 looks to make the most of an enlarged tyre contact patch to deliver increased traction. It was a revelation, and pleasure, to be able to attack loose rocky climbs knowing that legs would give out before grip ever did. That grip didn’t go amiss on descents either, especially in the wet conditions we encountered on our Tour Of The Tarns ride, allowing bike and rider to descend confidently even on glass-like rock.

Other components worth mentioning include the Shimano SLX M7000 1×11 drivetrain – a bit of a treat in the looks department and the 32t chainring and 11-42t cassette offered plenty of range for Lakeland riding. The 120mm Rockshox Yari fork up front was a solid match for what this bike is intended to take on and with the 125mm dropper post there were few reasons to ever slow down.
The Tarn 20 is ready for big adventures out of the box. Just add mountains.

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  Specifications

Chassis
Frame
 | Genesis Mjölnir Seamless Double-Butted Cromoly
Fork | RockShox Yari RL, Solo Air, 120mm

Drivetrain
Chainset | Shimano SLX M7000, 32T
Bottom Bracket | Shimano BB52
Chain | KMX X11
Rear Mech | Shimano SLX M7000
Cassette | Shimano SLX,  11-42T
Shifter | Shimano SLX M7000
Brakes | Shimano M506 180/160mm rotors

Wheelset
Rims | FATlab, 40mm, 32h
Hubs | Shimano HB-M618 / FH-M618 32h
Spokes | Stainless steel 14g
Tyres | WTB Ranger 27.5+ 2.8″

Finishing Kit
Seatpost | KS DropZone 125mm drop
Saddle | Genesis MTB
Stem | Genesis, 60mm
Bars | Genesis alloy, 760mm x 5mm rise
Grips | Genesis Loc-On

 Genesis Bikes

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