Not strictly a mountain bike by any stretch of the imagination, but the Genesis Bikes Day One Alfine (above) tickles us just enough to feel it’s worth bringing to your attention.

For London-based mountain bikers, a bike like this, based on a cyclo-cross frame but upgrade with disc brakes (following the ruling change by the UCI) with reasonably knobbly tyres is the ideal bike for mixing it up on different terrain. From roads to hacking down bridleways to hooning around parks or even your local woods, the Day One is a truly versatile machine.

For 2011 the bike has been upgraded with Avid’s BB-5 disc brakes. The Reynolds 520 steel frame is beautifully finished and benefits from loosing the ugly canti bosses. Cable routing is clean along the top tube with zip tie guides, there’s mounts for racks so it’ll take on the commuting or touring challenge, and the Alfine 8 geared hub is bombproof.

The Day One Alfine 8 costs £1149.99. For £1699.99 you can the same bike but upgrade with a Reynolds 853 frame and Alfine 11 hub, which is brand new for 2012. It’s been inspired by the Genesis Croix de Fer Cross that Vin Cox used when he rode around the world last year to set a new record of 163 days. That record is honoured with a sticker on the seat tube.

More at  www.genesisbikes.co.uk and www.madison.co.uk.