Product news: Scott Genius – From the carbon trail bike to the super enduro: all models at a glance

Market: Believe it or not, the Scott Genius platform saw the light of day 13 years ago - a lot has happened in the meantime, the bicycle world has evolved, but the Genius has survived countless trends, developments and innovations without losing its basic character: the Scott Genius is a universal trail fully that will be launched in 2016 in a total of 28 versions. 27,5″ or 29″, plus tires or normal, with or without a motor – we offer an overview of the respective models and help with the decision-making process.

Scott Genius 900 and 700 - the classics

Let's start with the very 'classic' Genius models: The Genius 700 (27,5″) and 900 (29″) product series form the foundation for the Scott Fully, so to speak, and the many other versions in recent years have been based on this developed. Of course, all Genius models, regardless of their version, come with the so-called Twinloc, the big unique selling point of the bike: A thumb lever on the handlebars allows the complete suspension and damping characteristics and (depending on the version) also the spring travel to be adapted to the current requirements to adjust. At the push of a button, in fractions of a second.

Remote levers for forks and shocks are certainly nothing new, but only Scott allows all suspension components to be controlled with a single lever and also coordinated the achieved effect. The Twinloc system offers the following setting options:

• Departure: The air volume in the suspension fork and damper is increased to the maximum. This gives you an enormously responsive chassis that can also master rough terrain without any major problems, but of course also requires a little more strength uphill than the other two setting options.
• Traction control: The volume in the spring elements is reduced, resulting in harder damping and a significantly stiffer chassis. The golden mean, so to speak: enough reserves for most trails and significantly improved efficiency uphill. The models with Fox Nude dampers also automatically reduce the effective spring travel in the rear and thus ensure a corresponding change in geometry - also at the push of a button.
• lockout: The lockout (or climb mode) blocks the suspension fork and damper and thus ensures maximum drive efficiency during longer uphill stretches.

Fox Nude dampers: Custom made for Scott

All the benefits of Scott's own damping system can only be experienced with the Fox Nude damper, which is used in the 730 and 930 models. The damper was developed together with the Fox specialists and tailored to the individual requirements - depending on the version and even the frame size. As already mentioned, the Twinloc setting on the handlebars in the Nude shock reduces travel in the traction control and lockout position.

Scott Genius 700 and 900 models at a glance

Our editorial tip: The Scott Genius 730 and Scott Genius 930 are very attractively priced. Thanks to the very light aluminum frame, the weight is only slightly higher than the carbon counterparts and both models come with the Fox Nude shock and the good Float 34 performance Fork. With gears from the Shimano XT series and SLX brakes, you are also well positioned there. For €3.799, Scott has put together a really attractive package for all those who don't necessarily need a carbon fiber frame.

Scott Genius Plus: Wider tires for more fun

Oversized Plus tires have been on everyone's lips at least since last year's Eurobike. The tires with widths between 2,8″ and 3″ promise the advantages of extra-wide tires as known from fat bikes without the associated disadvantages such as the additional weight due to the bulkier tires or the increased rolling resistance. A whole range of Genius models across all trim levels come in 2016 with tires that are 2,8″ wide in the case of Scott. In cooperation with Schwalbe, the decision was made to use tires that are a little less wide than their 3″ counterparts, as the measurements showed that these represent the optimal compromise for the Genius' area of ​​application.

While the rolling resistance only increases by 5 watts (with Schwalbe Nobby Nic, 2,35″ or 2,8″), the contact area of ​​the tire increases by over 20% - the puncture protection is also significantly improved and the danger of snakebites is also included the wide tires significantly less. The new Syncros TR1.5 27,5 Plus rims, which are used on all Genius Plus models and measure 40mm inside width, also play a decisive role in these calculations. Wide rims are so important because Plus tires are driven with pressures in the range of 1 bar and the large-volume tires on narrow rims would buckle faster when cornering.

Thanks to the new Boost standard (wider hubs at the front and rear), the geometry could be largely retained compared to the normal Genius, despite the significantly wider tires - for example, it was not necessary to unnecessarily lengthen the chainstays and thus sacrifice agility. Other advantages of the Boost standard are stiffer wheels and a significantly improved chain line, especially with 1x drives. Speaking of geometry: the Genius 700 Plus models can also be ridden with 29″ wheels and tires as an option – so with an additional set of wheels you get a second bike in the fleet.

Scott Genius 700 Plus models at a glance

Our editorial tip: If you want to enjoy the Plus tires on the Genius 700, you'll have to dig deeper into your pockets for better or for worse. Our tip is the Genius 5.000 Plus, which costs almost €710, because thanks to the nude damper, 1x drive from SRAM and the light carbon frame, the advantages of the Plus tires can only be fully enjoyed from this model onwards. The top model with Fox Factory chassis, X01 drive and XTR brakes is of course mouth-watering - but at €7.999 the Genius 700 Tuned Plus is also a statement in terms of price.

Scott Genius LT: hit the brakes and let's go!

If you like, then the Genius LT is the “shooting variant” of the actual Genius. More spring travel (170mm), flatter angles and downhill-oriented equipment clearly show where the journey is headed. But the basic ingredients have of course remained the same with the Scott Genius LT: The Twinloc system allows suspension adjustments using thumb levers, the bike is available with aluminum and carbon frames and is sensationally light given its orientation: the top model Genius LT 700 Tuned brings just 12,3, XNUMXkg on the scales - unbelievable, after all you are dealing with an enduro with freeride genes.

While the Genius LT has been on the market for a number of years, Scott has added three models with the wide Plus tires to the product range for 2016, including the enduro offspring. In contrast to their colleagues with narrow tyres, these 'only' come with 160mm of travel and slightly modified equipment: For example, the Plus models are only available with a 1-speed drive.

Our editorial tip: The area of ​​application for the Genius LT is perfect for the new Plus tires: More traction and better tire damping with only a small additional weight, which in this case is of secondary importance anyway. The Scott Genius LT 720 Plus for €4.199 is an enduro fun machine with an acceptable weight of 14kg, 1x SRAM drive, SLX brakes and a very good Fox chassis. It makes you want to hit the trail right away.

Scott Genius Contessa: A case for the ladies

The women's models of the Scott Genius are nicknamed Contessa and come with the solution geometry, which has been specially adapted to the female anatomy. The Reich is a bit shorter and the standover height is also lower than in the men's models. The manufacturer has two versions of the Scott Genius Contessa in its portfolio for 2016. The equipment of the two models differs only in a few points - the biggest difference is the frame. While the top model Scott Genius Contessa 700 comes with a carbon frame, the purple frame of the 710 model is made of aluminum.

The pricing of the women's models is praiseworthy. Many other manufacturers charge a hefty surcharge for the less popular women's bikes, but at Scott the prices correspond to those of the comparable men's models (Genius 730 or 710)

Scott E Genius

As befits 2016, the Scott Genius is also available as an e-bike - the Scott E-Genius. There will be five models with electric drive this season, two of them with 27,5″ and plus tires, two 29″ versions and a women's bike with 27,5+ tires. With the E-Genius models, you also have a large selection between different wheels and areas of application. All five e-bikes are powered by Bosch: the sporty Bosch CX motor introduced last season should provide enough power on the trail.

The 500Wh batteries should ensure a good range, even with a sporty driving style and numerous meters in altitude. Incidentally, all E-Genius models come with an aluminum frame – you have to do without carbon fiber here. Of course, all the other features you know from the Genius are also included: Twinloc system, nude dampers and adjustable geometry.

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