Issue #018, Review -

Scott Genius LT Tuned Plus Review

“I can’t, I’m not allowed, I shouldn’t…” – seriously, this is old news. The change is too risky, the route too hard, the political correctness too correct. For issue #18 we threw all those concerns overboard and got hold of the absolute sickest bikes money can (not) buy. We at ENDURO are convinced: Dreams can come true!

This article is part of our magazine feature: Dreams Come True – 7 Incredible Bike Builds.

Scott Genius LT Tuned Plus

The Scott Genius LT Plus Tuned.
The Scott Genius LT Plus Tuned.
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As a rider, the kingdom of grip is your nirvana, but getting there used to involve a cumbersome, heavy, and slow fat bike. Nowadays, manufacturers (such as Scott) have embraced the middle ground with plus-size tyres, which should fulfil the wildest dreams of any rider with a grip fetish. The iconic brand has now launched eleven bikes onto market with fatter rubber, and one of these is the top-of-the-range Genius LT 700 Tuned Plus.

The new SCOTT Genius LT has an even sportier, more futuristic and angular look than the iconic Irish-American car from Back to the Future, the DeLorean DMC 12. However, it isn’t the SCOTT’s eye-catching black and orange colourway that you notice first, but the 2.8” Schwalbe Nobby Nic tyres fitted on extra-wide Syncros rims. The increased volume allows you to run lower air pressures, thus giving you more grip – and the test proved most successful running between 1.1 to 1.3 bar, depending on the rider and his weight. These pressures are the sweet spot where the tyres deliver aggressive traction without deforming. Paired with the long and slack geometry, it’s easy to pick up speed – and smashing some of your best times on Strava will prove this.

The Genius has bucket loads of traction and grip.
The Genius has bucket loads of traction and grip.

Our sole complaint: fat tyres mean more weight – or painfully thin carcasses. The latter has been chosen here, making them highly susceptible to punctures on technical terrain. Tubeless is naturally compulsory, but even then sidewall slashes are perhaps destined to happen.

When it comes to the spec, the Genius Plus model has a lot in common with its narrow-tracked brother, the Genius LT, so deserves no complaints. Wide bars, short stem, robust brakes, and a lovely drivetrain – what more could you ask for? Perhaps a responsive suspension setup with great end progression that can be locked-out for climbs? Of course! The Genius LT 700 Tuned Plus features one of these too, duly mastering steep, unforgiving climbs with ease where a normal bike would be quivering with fear – although this is also thanks to the masses of grip it boasts too.

Details

Supported: Plus-size tyres demand one thing, and that’s wide rims! These ensure that the tyres won’t flex in corners, and at the same time they increase the air volume that bit more. The 40 mm Syncros rims excel at this duty.
Supported: Plus-size tyres demand one thing, and that’s wide rims! These ensure that the tyres won’t flex in corners, and at the same time they increase the air volume that bit more. The 40 mm Syncros rims excel at this duty.
Analogue finish: The design of the Scott Genius LT throws us back to the good old days of Tetris on the Game Boy – we like!
Analogue finish: The design of the Scott Genius LT throws us back to the good old days of Tetris on the Game Boy – we like!
Unnecessary: The geometry adjustment feature is nice, but completely unnecessary. Even in the slack setting the bike doesn’t shy away from climbs, and on descents there’s nothing you want more than to go full gas on the Scott – whatever the setting!
Unnecessary: The geometry adjustment feature is nice, but completely unnecessary. Even in the slack setting the bike doesn’t shy away from climbs, and on descents there’s nothing you want more than to go full gas on the Scott – whatever the setting!
Traction beast: The grip on the Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.8 can be summed up in one word: incredible! The aggressive profile and low air pressure mean you can take on any terrain.
Traction beast: The grip on the Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.8 can be summed up in one word: incredible! The aggressive profile and low air pressure mean you can take on any terrain.

Specification: Scott Genius LT 700 Tuned Plus

  • Fork: Fox 36 Float Factory Fit Kashima 160 mm
  • Rear Shock: RFox Nude / Scott Custom Shock 160 mm
  • Drivetrain: SRAM XX1
  • Brakes: Shimano XTR
  • Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth
  • Stem: Syncros XM 1.5
  • Handlebar: Syncros AM 1.0 Carbon/li>
  • Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.8 “
  • Wheelsize: 27.5″
  • Wheels: Syncros TR1.5 Plus
  • Price: € 7,999
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Strengths

  • Unbelievable amounts of traction and stability.
  • Very efficient thanks to the TwinLoc.
  • Super comfortable.

Weaknesses

  • Tyres lack puncture resistance.

Conclusion

The grip is immense, the ride is incredible, and the look is one we like. After all, we didn’t select the Scott Genius LT 700 Tuned Plus as one of the most exciting bikes for 2016 for no reason. Trail riders with a penchant for adventure will be massive fans of this bike, but racers might want to hold out for more robust tyres.

For more information on the Scott Genius visit the Scott website.

Check out the other dream bikes from this feature here: Bold Linkin Trail Race Day 29 Custom | Canyon Spectral CF Custom | Ghost PathRiot LC 10 | Focus SAM C Team | Mondraker Dune Carbon XR | Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SL

This article is part of our magazine feature: Dreams Come True – 7 Incredible Bike Builds.

Words & Photos: Christoph Bayer