Issue #030, Review - November 10, 2017

SCOTT Genius 900 Tuned 2018 Review

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

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.