Back Issue | Scott Genius LT 700 Tuned Review
Scott already presented their 2015 model range in June in the Swiss resort of Davos. The re-engineered Genius LT 700 Tuned was one of the bikes presented.
At first sight it’s hard to see any changes to the 170mm bike. A closer look at the spec reveals that the product managers have made many new improvements. The heart of the bike is the Scott-developed and well-known Twinloc technology, which allows riders to lock out the suspension from the handlebars. In contrast to the old model this now controls a Fox 36 suspension fork as well as a completely re-worked Fox Nude rear shock.
Shifting is taken care of by the SRAM X01 group, whilst stopping duties are handled by Shimano XTR brakes. A further new addition to the bike is the additional headset cups supplied which allow the head tube angle to be adjusted, as well as the adjustment of 0.7 ° provided by the flip-chip. We tested the bike with the standard headset and lower bottom bracket position. In this format the Genius LT has 66.3 ° head tube angle and a 74 ° seat tube angle.
On our medium sized test bike the riding position can be described as relaxed and central.
Combined with the Twinloc system, even the longest of climbs can be tackled.
Even after just a few metres of trail, the differences from the current bike are immediately clear. The re-worked Genius LT feels much more smooth and responds to smaller impacts with greater plushness than the 2014 model. It actually feels like more than 170mm of travel. Both the fork and shock generate much more grip and harmonize together well. Both elements admittedly give up their travel quite quickly, but they have effective compression damping, are quick to respond to successive impacts, and have an effective end-stroke progression minimising bottom outs.
The combination of long 440 mm chainstays and a 66.3 ° head tube angle give the bike stable handling — even on demanding trails, the rider can stay safely on course. On really tight sections the Genius LT needs some rider effort to hit lines exactly. Then, however, the change in direction is made precisely; overall, the ride can be described as agile.
Re-worked – From the outside nothing has changed, but inside the Fox Nude shock the engineers have really got to work to unleash much greater performance. It feels much smoother without using up the travel too quickly or bottoming out.
Pimped out – Unlike the old bike, Scott now fits the Genius LT 700 Tuned with a carbon fibre SRAM X0 crankset, thus saving overall weight. The price has stayed the same – -a fair move, in our opinion!
Golden Age – The new Fox 36 Float Kashima suspension fork not only fits in visually with colour-matched decals, but it also harmonises perfectly with the rear suspension. The only criticism is the lack of a quick release system. To take out the front wheel, five bolts need undoing — a time-consuming process.
Torn – Tears in the side knobs were a problem which all of our test bikes fitted with Schwalbe Hans Dampf or Magic Mary tyres exhibited by the end of the test.
Colour concept – The Syncros cockpit doesn’t just match the bike’s colour scheme — it won friends with a nice length (60mm stem ) and sufficient width (760mm bars).
Conclusion:
Scott has managed to improve the already very good Genius LT 700 Tuned for the coming season. The re-engineered and much plusher suspension parts were especially impressive. When combined with very balanced geometry, the result is a bike which can take on and tame the most demanding of trails.
Price: € 6,499
Weight: 12.30 kg
Specifications
- Fork: Fox 36 Float Kashima
- Rear Shock: Fox Nude Kashima
- Drivetrain: SRAM X01
- Brakes: Shimano XTR Icetech
- Handlebars: Syncros AM1.0 Carbon
- Stem: Syncros XM1.5 35mm
- Tires: Schwalbe Hans Dampf/ Rock Razor
- Wheels: Syncros AM1.5
- Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth
Geometry
Size: S / M / L (tested) / XL | Top Tube Horizontal:60mm | Seat Tube Angle: 74°| Chainstay Length:440mm | Head Tube Angle: 66.3°| Wheelbase: 1176mm Reach: 424mm | Stack:613mm | Wheelsize: 27.5″