Pro Bike Check: Remy Absalon’s Scott Genius LT 700 Tuned
Remy Absalon is no stranger to Enduro after 10 seasons of racing. This will be his second season with Scott and SR Suntour. Since last year there are some important changes and developments on his Genius LT 700 Tuned, which debuted 2 years ago. Considered one of the first of a new generation of long-travel enduro bikes, it has outstanding climbing ability and low weight for a bike with 170mm of travel. Remy has some key changes put on his including a new prototype shock and electric shifting.
Where do you see the main advantage of the Di2?
The main advantage is for sure the quick gear changes! So good for blind riding when you have an unexpected uphill. I am also very happy to not have to change a cable never again! Lastly, it is so cool to adjust your shifter on the computer how you like.
What is new about the rear shock?
For the moment it is a working prototype of the shock. The main difficulty is to adjust it for this bike. Lots of hydraulic work was done last year. From that work comes the adjustable volume and the lockout lever on the handlebar.
Any info about the prototype front tire?
This front tire is a Michelin Grip’R reinforced with a prototype compound (for the moment its name is J compound). Still some testing to be done but normally I use the new Magi-X compound. The advantage is that it keeps the best grip in all the condition of temperature (because sometimes the compound is worse when very hot or very cold. With this one no problems).
Do you change your configuration for different races?
Most of the bike stay exactly the same other than small changes in suspension settings. If I want a lighter configuration I use the carbon Duke Crazy Jack wheels, smaller pedals and a lighter front tire. That brings the weight down to 12,8kg. The wheels in the photos are the Duke Crazy Star.
What’s your fork setup and why?
I ride quite hard on the fork with a quite fast rebound. I feel that it is better to go fast even if it is less comfortable. I don’t notice any problems in the big holes. I keep the same pressure and same high speed compression, I just adjust my low speed compression according to the track. Suntour has given the team a custom negative spring and cartridge and we are waiting for new Suntour cartridge R2C2 with possibility to adjust high speed and low speed rebound. It could be interesting to adjust it too, we will see…
Any other customization?
Even if the Auron is longer than the Fox 36 of the standard model, I keep the head set with –0,7° angle and 0,7mm spacer between the fork and frame to keep it slack and low. Another thing, I like to have lots of sag on the shock and I run the frame in the low bb setting. So I change the crankarms to 170mm, as to not hit rocks when pedaling.
Words: Tyler Malcomson / Remy Absalon Pictures: Scott