The Scott Genius caused a sensation last season with its adjustable suspension. It was the only bike Genius 30 in BIKE 1/09 with the 150 mm Fox fork and rode away from the competition. The long fork is now widespread, so the Genius has to score points elsewhere. The question is, can Scott still outpace the competition with the adjustable rear end? The new Twinloc lever, which now also locks the fork, works great. With two clicks of the left thumb, you can transform the entire suspension from a downhill monster to a racing bike. It's worth it every time, even if it's only for a few metres. However, the two-chamber shock must be meticulously adjusted beforehand.
The Genius is one of the sportier bikes in this test group, Scott even categorises it as a marathon bike. The narrow tyres, which meant that you had to concentrate on steering on the test lap, fit in with this. In our opinion, the 2.4 tyres also suit this bike better. Although the Shimano SLX groupset plays below the level of the competition, you can't feel any difference compared to the XT groupset.
CONCLUSIONThe suspension adjustment makes the Genius a character bike. Downhill, however, it no longer outperforms its competitors.
Web: www.scott-sports.com
