Long-term enduro testScott Genius LT 710 Plus

Hans Voglsamer

 · 26.07.2018

Long-term enduro test: Scott Genius LT 710 PlusPhoto: Georg Grieshaber
Long-term enduro test: Scott Genius LT 710 Plus
The combination of wide plus tyres and 160 millimetres of travel promised comfort, grip and downhill reserves. The Scott Genius LT attracted a lot of attention free of charge during the endurance test.

Whether in Croatia, Sardinia, Lake Garda or Tenerife, wherever I turned up with the Scott Genius LT, it attracted attention like a magnet. In Croatia, an entire school class even took photos of the enduro bike with the wide 2.8 tyres, even though the bright neon paintwork faded more and more over the months.

But it was not only visually that the versatile Scott mountain bike to please. On the climbs, the Schwalbe Nobby Nics rolled surprisingly well despite their generous width, and the suspension, which can be completely locked from the handlebars, also provided very good propulsion. Despite weighing 14 kilos, the Plus Enduro climbed absolutely solidly. And downhill? Thanks to the successful geometry with a slack steering angle and low bottom bracket, the bike rode confidently and also cut a fine figure in the bike park. However, I was sceptical about the tyres, which are unusually wide for an enduro bike. Could the wide tyres do more than just attract attention? On my trips to Sardinia and Tenerife, there was at least an aha effect. The 2.8 tyres scored highly on the sandy trails. Less sinking and full control without annoying skidding when the ground was particularly soft. If it weren't for the high puncture susceptibility of the wide, but still quite light tyres. Compared to a solid enduro tyre, you have to make concessions here. However, if you want more puncture protection, you will quickly end up with models that weigh well over a kilo with this tyre width.

However, the bike's weak points were the brakes and the dropper seatpost. Even after upgrading to a larger disc on the rear wheel, the Shimano SLX brakes could not keep up with the bike's potential. As soon as it got steeper and the descents got longer, the brakes struggled with heavy fading. The Rockshox Reverb also disappointed twice, as even the successor model caused problems after being replaced. Apart from that, the Scott Genius LT performed very well, despite a lot of downhill metres. Even the Sram GX drivetrain lasted the entire test distance without changing the chain or cassette. No drivetrain on one of my endurance test bikes has ever managed that before. The fork and shock also passed the test without any problems.


FUNCTIONALITY 5 out of 6 points
DURABILITY 4 out of 6 points
KILOMETERS 5600 km
ALTITUDE METER 84000 hm

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DEFECTS | MAINTENANCE


1159 km - Brake disc wobbles: The front brake disc of the Shimano SLX brakes runs out of true and needs to be replaced.


2391 km - Rockshox Reverb seatpost drops: The dropper post no longer stays up and is replaced with the new model with 170 mm travel. At the end of the test phase, this is also lowered again.


3439 km - Replacement of the rear brake: Even after bleeding, the SLX brakes still only decelerated poorly. After severe fading, I replaced it with an XT.

  Dropped: After problems with the saddle dropping, the new Reverb was fitted to the bike. However, this also showed the same symptoms towards the end of the test.Photo: Georg Grieshaber Dropped: After problems with the saddle dropping, the new Reverb was fitted to the bike. However, this also showed the same symptoms towards the end of the test.  Ridden off: Five sets of pads were worn down over the course of more than 80000 metres. The stability of the Shimano SLX brakes, which were bled several times, was weak.Photo: Georg Grieshaber Ridden off: Five sets of pads were worn down over the course of more than 80000 metres. The stability of the Shimano SLX brakes, which were bled several times, was weak.
  Worn out: Numerous kilometres and metres of altitude leave their mark. The grips now look more like a slick than a tread tyre.Photo: Georg Grieshaber Worn out: Numerous kilometres and metres of altitude leave their mark. The grips now look more like a slick than a tread tyre.


TUNING


125 km - larger disc, shorter stem: For more direct handling, the 60 mm stem had to make way for a 35 mm stem. The larger brake disc on the rear wheel still did not provide the desired stability.

  RELATED HIGHLIGHTS: Tenerife - The largest Canary Island doesn't just have a lot to offer windsurfers. In the Masca Gorge, the Genius LT was able to prove its successful handling and the good grip of the Plus tyres on sand.    Photo: Georg Grieshaber RELATED HIGHLIGHTS: Tenerife - The largest Canary Island doesn't just have a lot to offer windsurfers. In the Masca Gorge, the Genius LT was able to prove its successful handling and the good grip of the Plus tyres on sand.


THE BIKE: Scott Genius LT 710 Plus


Material Aluminium
Frame size L
Price / weight 5399 Euro / 13.99 kg without pedals
Suspension travel (front / rear) 160 mm / 160 mm
Tyre size 27.5 x 2.8 inch
Fork Fox 36 Float 29
Damper Fox Nude Evol


THE TESTER: Hans Voglsamer, BIKE long-term tester


Age 58 years
Size 1,89 m
Weight 88 kg
Driver profile Hans likes technical terrain with technical riding challenges best
Favourite areas Tenerife, Lake Garda and Finale Ligure


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