Issue #010 Review

Grouptest: EWS Race Bikes – Scott Genius LT Tuned Review

20.08.2014
by

Scott sent us the Genius LT Tuned, the new workhorse of Remy Absalon. We were already impressed by the versatile suspension of the bike after the Design & Innovation award 2014 in Barcelona and couldn’t wait to compare it directly with the other nine race bikes.

Scott Genius LT Tuned (2 von 10)
Did the Scott convince us as a race bike again?
2‘06.48
Unfortunately, the Scott came last in our exclusive EWS-Race-Bike test with a time of 2’06.48.

The seating position on the bike is central, and thanks to the well-chosen tires, very low weight, and the Twinloc technology, pedaling to the start of the stage is efficient and nimble. Twinloc allows you to shorten the travel at the back and stiffen the whole suspension in two steps. With this bike there is absolutely no need to worry about time limits on the transfer stages. It’s a real mountain goat!

Scott Genius LT Tuned (3 von 10) e_scott_data e_price_scott

The Scott has one of the longest wheelbases on test. Even the two 29ers are shorter in the same size. This affects the handling, of course. The rider is free to choose any line he wants and let the Genius take care of the rest with stoic equanimity. A little extra rider input is needed in tight sections, but it can be steered easily through every corner. As is typical for Scott, special Fox suspension parts are also used on the Genius LT. The Fox 34 Float Factory and custom Fox Nude shock with Boost Valve provide 170mm of travel. Despite the long travel and almost 30% sag, the suspension still feels stiff. This makes the bike quicker to accelerate, but at the cost of comfort as it does not react as well to smaller bumps. In the middle of the travel the suspension feels much plusher, and thanks to the nice progression at the end of the travel the rear doesn’t bottom out even after big hits. The whole package is rounded off with powerful XTR brakes, which have good modulation, and the well-chosen tire combination of Schwalbe Magic Mary and Rock Razor in the Super Gravity version provide very good grip with excellent rolling resistance: the best pair on test!

Pure efficiency. With Twinloc technology the rider can stiffen the suspension in two steps for long uphills and short intermediate sprints. Maximum forward drive is thus guaranteed.
Pure efficiency: With Twinloc technology the rider can stiffen the suspension in two steps for long uphills and short intermediate sprints. Maximum forward drive is thus guaranteed.
Like sand in the gears. This is how the perfect-looking SRAM XX1 drivetrain sounded. The reason was the KMC chain, which didn’t match the 34 tooth chain ring and adversely affected the shifting performance.
Like sand in the gears: This is how the perfect-looking SRAM XX1 drivetrain sounded. The reason was the KMC chain, which didn’t match the 34 tooth chain ring and adversely affected the shifting performance.
Weight-Tuning. Low weight is key, so we changed the regular XTR brakes for the lighter magnesium version with carbon levers. Ice-Tech rotors and cooling fins on the pads make for good heat dissipation.
Weight-Tuning: Low weight is key, so we changed the regular XTR brakes for the lighter magnesium version with carbon levers. Ice-Tech rotors and cooling fins on the pads make for good heat dissipation.
Pumped up: The rear suspension of the Genius LT feels quite stiff. A plusher rear would be more to our taste. Efficiency and acceleration are the strengths of the lightweight Scott.
Pumped up: The rear suspension of the Genius LT feels quite stiff. A plusher rear would be more to our taste. Efficiency and acceleration are the
strengths of the lightweight Scott.
e_scott_geometry

The Scott Genius LT Tuned is available for 6.499 EUR.

Conclusion: High speed is the biggest strength of the Scott Genius LT Tuned. Nothing can ruffle its feathers. With its long wheelbase and adjustable suspension, it is made for the hard stages of the Enduro World Series.

Go back to the article: Grouptest: Enduro World Series Bikes

You can read an in-depth feature about the EWS Race Bike test and our conclusions in the ENDURO issue #010! As usual it’s free & only digital for iPad, Android-Tablets and Online-Viewer: Issue #010.

Text & Photos Christoph Bayer

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