Last year, the Scott Genius outperformed its competitors. However, the 710 model tested was around 1000 euros more expensive than the current 720 model. Fat plus tyres are also part of the Genius family concept in 2017.
However, instead of the 3.0 Nobby Nic, the current model is fitted with 2.8 Maxxis Minion DHF on the front wheel and Maxxis Recon on the rear wheel - an awesome setup, just like on a motocross bike. A few metres of elevation gain are likely to fall by the wayside with this lug compound, but the downhill profile at the front and the closely spaced knobs at the rear offer traction and cornering grip in all situations. The 200 mm brake discs on the inexpensive but solid Shimano Deore system ensure decent deceleration values. The 140 millimetre travel of the Fox Performance fork with the rather slack steering angle is also sufficient for sporty, steep descents, while the Syncros dropper post does the rest.
A Bosch power unit in the CX version hangs in the frame, but the Purion display on the handlebars is not particularly user-friendly. Power transmission is handled by a Sram NX drivetrain. The riding characteristics speak for themselves: on the Scott, you automatically seek out steeper and steeper ramps. Climbs that were relegated to the category of "boundless overconfidence" when you first saw them, the bike climbs effortlessly after a short period of familiarisation. The combination of a powerful drivetrain with short gearing, coupled with a long wheelbase and long chainstays, makes for enormous climbing abilities. At 22.7 kilos, the bike is by no means overweight, and as the centre of gravity is low, the Genius is easy to control. Nevertheless, the focus of the bike is more on straight-line stability: On high-speed descents, the long wheelbase helps the suspension to flatten out obstacles - the fat tyres hardly know any limits anyway.
The shortcoming of the long geometry and low centre of gravity is evident on the steps: Here, the bike tends to come into contact with the ground in the crank or motor area early on. The underride guard prevents worse, but every scrape on contact with rocks is reminiscent of the last visit to the dentist.
Long chainstays, long wheelbase: with the Scott Genius you can really let it rip.
Drive
Motor / Position Bosch Performance CX 250 watts / centre
Max. Torque 75 Nm
Battery Lithium-ion, 500 Wh
Gearstick / transmission Sram NX / front 15, rear 11-42
Display / Size Bosch Purion / 1.6 inch
Display Bosch Purion
Equipment
Frame material / sizes Aluminium/ S / M / L / XL
Fork / damper Fox Float Performance Air 140 mm / Fox Nude
Telescopic support Syncros Dropper 2.0, 120 mm
Brake / Disc vo. / hi. Shimano Deore / 200 / 200 mm
Impellers Syncros X 40 Plus
Tyres Maxxis Minion DHF / Recon 2.80x27.5
Info 4499 Euro | ww.scott-sports.com
