The SCOTT Genius 900 Tuned has been completely reworked for the new season and has nothing in common with its predecessor except for the name! After the old model failed to make a good impression in the last comparison three years ago – it was the slowest bike in the test – we were all the more excited to see how the new version would fare.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: Let’s go Racing! – The 10 fastest enduro bikes in test
Racing has always played an important role at SCOTT. At the moment, the Swiss brand have not only signed Nino Schurter, the fastest XC racer in the world, but also sponsor a downhill team and enduro racer Remy Absalon. His new work horse is the recently introduced, completely revised Genius, which is apparently so potent that SCOTT took the old longer-travel Genius LT out of their portfolio completely. Thanks to the flip-chip in the rear linkage, the bike can be ridden with both 29″ and 27.5″ wheels. For our comparison, SCOTT decided on 29″ wheels and upgraded the bike with durable SRAM Code brakes, MAXXIS Minion DHF 2.5 WT tires, and stiff Pancho Wheels carbon rims. The familiar TwinLoc system, with which you can choose three different modes of suspension travel on the fork and the shock, is still there.
With the new Genius, as is typical for Scott, you will fly to the start of the stage. If the suspension is put in traction mode, the rear shock firms up, the sag is reduced, and the bike becomes a sprinting machine. This makes it possible to ride the bike with a little more sag in descend mode. The very progressive rear suspension only starts working really well from about 30% sag. Only then does it iron out the small bumps without feeling harsh on fast hits.
The stiff frame, combined with the carbon cockpit and the carbon rims, gives the bike very direct handling and forgives few mistakes. Anyone who wants to be fast on the Genius in challenging terrain will have to stay fully concentrated, but will be rewarded with the bike’s spritely character. On flat stages a lot of speed can be carried along by pumping, and the bike corners with aplomb.
The SCOTT Genius 900 Tuned 2018 in Detail
Fork Fox 36 Float Factory 150 mm
Rear shock Fox Nude EVOL Trunnion 150 mm
Brakes SRAM Code RSC
Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle
Seat post Fox Transfer Factory
Stem Syncros Hixon IC SL Carbon
Handlebar Syncros Hixon IC SL Carbon
Tires* Maxxis Minion DHF WT
Wheels* Pancho Wheels DEFY 29er
Price € 7,499
*Tuning
So far, the orange FOX 36 is available exclusively for team riders. For the coming season, however, it will be installed as standard on the Genius Tuned.
The Syncros Hixon iC SL carbon cockpit combines the stem and handlebars. Unfortunately, it’s only 760 mm wide. For this review, however, SCOTT installed a 780 mm version. We hope to see them on the market soon.
SCOTT has upgraded the wheels and fitted the Genius with stiff Pancho Wheels. They give the bike very precise handling, which inevitably is less forgiving and requires increased vigilance.
The suspension of the SCOTT Genius only starts coming into its own with a little more sag. We recommend about 30-35%. If you run it with less, it tends to harden up in fast blows.
The geometry of the SCOTT Genius 900 Tuned 2018
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 410 mm | 440 mm | 480 mm | 520 mm |
| Top tube | 568 mm | 601 mm | 632 mm | 668 mm |
| Head tube | 95 mm | 95 mm | 110 mm | 125 mm |
| Head angle | 65° | 65° | 65° | 65° |
| Seat angle | 74.7° | 74.7° | 74.8° | 74.8° |
| Chainstay | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm |
| BB Drop | 28 mm | 28 mm | 28 mm | 28 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1166 mm | 1199 mm | 1232 mm | 1271 mm |
| Reach | 406 mm | 439 mm | 466 mm | 499 mm |
| Stack | 600 mm | 600 mm | 614 mm | 627 mm |
Conclusion
The brand-new SCOTT Genius 900 Tuned is far more than just a trail bike. The aggressive geometry and the progressive rear suspension turn the bike into a real weapon in the hands of an experienced rider – and it will efficiently march uphill too.
Strengths
– very versatile overall package
– efficient climber
– very direct handling
Weaknesses
– demanding at high speed
For more information head to scott-sports.com
The test fleet
For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: Let’s go Racing! – The 10 fastest enduro bikes in test
All bikes in test: Canyon Canyon Strive CF 9.0 Team | Giant Reign Advanced 0 | Lapierre Spicy Team Ultimate | Nukeproof Mega 275 RS | Pole EVOLINK 140 29 | Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon 90 | Santa Cruz Hightower LT | Specialized S-Works Enduro 29 | YT JEFFSY 27 CF Pro Race
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