Previewed: The New Scott Genius

Changing travel on the bike also changes geometry. In full-travel mode, the Genius has a 67.7 degree head tube angle and 12.5-inch-high bottom bracket. In the 100-millimeter "traction mode," those numbers increase to 68.4 degrees and 12.9 inches, respectively. Locked out, the bike has a 68.5-degree headtube and 13.7-inch-high bottom bracket.

To construct the carbon frame, Scott uses a lay-up process it calls IMP 4 (IMP stands for integrated molding process), which basically means that all four tubes of the front triangle (toptube, seat tube, downtube and headtube) are made from one mold, with no joints. This creates a featherweight, 1.8-pound front triangle. The Genius 30 shown in Sun Valley weighed about 25 pounds. An $11,500 Genius LTD tips the scales at just 23.5 pounds. Scott also will offer two, more-affordable, aluminum versions.

There are a few other features worth mentioning. The main pivot hinges on what Scott calls its Isolated Axial Pivot. Instead of a traditional axle running through the fame, the design uses to smaller pivots on either side. Not only is the system lighter, but it also allows for an uninterrupted seat tube. The Genius also uses a direct-mount front derailleur and has replaceable carbon dropouts.

With all these high-tech features, one would expect the Genius to scream Futurama. But with a traditional front triangle and forged linkages, the bike looks less Rico, and more Suave. The same could be said of its trail manners. Sun Valley and the surrounding mountains have some of the fastest, flowy singletrack anywhere. The Genius seemed designed exactly for this terrain. It sliced through singletrack and carved through high-speed corners. There's not too much technical terrain in the area, but the few rocks and rutted descents seemed to pose few problems.

The shock worked well in both its wide-open setting and the 100-millimeter traction control mode. There seemed to be very little bobbing or chain growth, and despite the single-pivot suspension, braked jack seemed minimum.

We put it about 30 miles on the Genius over three days, but most of that was on super smooth singletrack. Stay tuned for a more thorough test on the Genius in an upcoming issue of Bike.

What do you think about the Scott Genius? Leave a comment below.

Reader Comments 

Posted Wed Jul23, 2008, 5:25 PM — By Pinho Castro

I have the Genius 40 2006 and I'm waiting for the 20 of 2009!!!! I'm from Portugal, almost every one had one Genius they Rock!!!

Posted Thu Jul24, 2008, 3:11 AM — By oni

the shock is right infront of the rear wheel? hello mud!

Posted Thu Jul24, 2008, 6:34 PM — By JesusCrispy

$11,500 mountain bike? That's ridiculous. As for that rear shock like Oni said its gonna collect mud and horse crap like a stripper on mud wrestling night.

Posted Thu Jul24, 2008, 7:38 PM — By fanfaron

This is a great bike, yes there's mud issue, but the shock is amazing, I had the genius 2007 in canada, and it rocks people!!!

Posted Thu Jul24, 2008, 8:47 PM — By bresson

12.5 inch clearance at full travel? Definitely not an east coast bike. Rocks and roots will eat through that frame in a season.

Posted Fri Jul25, 2008, 1:53 AM — By mikes mom

"touchyoself"

Posted Mon Jul28, 2008, 1:04 AM — By Chimp

The suspension unit is a pull shock, so the shaft (he, he) is not exposed until the rear suspension is activated, unlike the compression shocks that leave their tender shaft exposed. The clever mudguard safely protects the shaft so that there is less mud contaminating the seals. All suspension units must deal with mud, and so long as there are a series of wiper seals that actively shed the mud before the actual shock seals, there is no issue. Also, when shocks are maintained as prescribed, no matter the brand, they do not fail at the seals. Scott recommends once a year and offers a discount for service done before the one year deadline. Uhmm... real people buy the Genius 20, Doctors buy the Genius LTD and it's not stupid just because you can't afford one.... 23.8lbs for a 150mm bike is what is outrageous. Sell your car dingbat!

Posted Tue Jul29, 2008, 7:34 PM — By rem llamas

real people buy the genius,real mt. bikers dont buy it.simple.

Posted Wed Jul30, 2008, 1:40 AM — By BB

well said, rem llamas

Posted Sat Aug 2, 2008, 1:21 AM — By CF

I just demoed the 09 and I want it. Been a mtn. biker for 20 years. Any other real mtn. biker will want one too. Ride and then decide.

Posted Sun Aug 3, 2008, 12:09 AM — By ric rev

ive been a mt.biker for a long time.been riding santa monica trails.of course any mt biker will want one.the question is are you gonna spend $11,OOO for a mountain bike? my bike is around $4,000 ,and if I test that scott genuis there will be no big difference except for the price and the big difference that you will feel is the feeling that you are riding a bike that is worth $11k which is more expensive than the bikes that you see in trails parking lot.most of my bike's components are better than that of scott genuis. where is that bike made of? mars?

Posted Sun Aug 3, 2008, 12:45 AM — By herby

whats with scott bikes? why so expensive? carbon frame,weighs 23 lbs,costs $11k. not convincing.check out other brands with carbon frames,they have similar weight and costs only $6k.ill be forced to listen to hiphop music rather than buying this bike.i have not seen a lot of riders riding scott bikes as far as i remember.

Posted Sun Aug 3, 2008, 1:58 AM — By herby

whats with scott bikes? why so expensive? carbon frame,weighs 23 lbs,costs $11k. not convincing.check out other brands with carbon frames,they have similar weight and costs only $6k.ill be forced to listen to hiphop music rather than buying this bike.i have not seen a lot of riders riding scott bikes as far as i remember.

Posted Mon Aug 4, 2008, 11:31 AM — By Chimp

The bike pictured, the Genius 20, is not 11G. It's $6500 and weighs 25lbs. Competitors may make other bikes that are carbon in the same wight range, but not with 150mm of travel. There are models with the same features but not so chi-chi parts as low as 3G. The reason you haven't seen so many is that they have only been back in the US market for a couple of years. Scott is the most popular brand in Europe, and it will take some time before your surrounded by them at your local trail. Having 3 unique bikes available at your fingertips means maximum efficiency for any condition. Enjoy your ride-

Posted Mon Aug 4, 2008, 1:06 PM — By Suvacrew

I've been riding Scotts stateside for several years, a Spark and I have an older Genius dragged down from CAD. The premium price has more to do with the EURO kicking butt on the $USD. But as I go to replace my Spark due to theft, the replacement is $1.5k more for same spec and one year aging.Damn!! The arguments that you can get the same bike for less from another manu is bullocks. Scotts are stiff, pivots are well engineered, the carbon is super light and can take a direct hit w/o fear and their proprietary shocks seal the deal. Euro spec gets you into the Magura product line-up for fork and brakes...not well represented and serviced in US. You won't see many Scotts on the trail as that's not the point..it's about having the air of exclusivity which has always protected the resale valeu of this brand. Frankly, you get tired of people flicking the tubes to see what's carbon and asking for a quick spin. SCOTTs ROCK...from $5K to $11k

Posted Tue Aug19, 2008, 9:51 PM — By Stephen

I owned a carbon Ramson and broke the frame within a year, doing nothing more than riding the way it was designed. The frame developed a crack at the rear shock mount. Scott did replace the frame without a problem. It rode better than any other bike I've ridden, but didn't want to risk replacing it before the warranty ended. If I had enough money to replace it without worrying about it, I'd still be riding it. Same with the 11K Genius, if I could afford to replace it every year or so, I'd be riding one. Talk about do anything bike, just as much fun going uphill as downhill!

Posted Wed Aug20, 2008, 1:08 AM — By rem llamas

my friend has been riding his carbon frame mtb for 2 years and its not yet broken. so people if you buy a scott carbon frame ,be ready of your pocket in case the frame breaks.my bike is an hi end alloy frame and im not worried of breaking down coz i know its one of the top 3 leading bike manu. most of the bikes right now are made in taiwan.accdg. to bikeradar,a european magazine, that 80% of bikes that are sold in europe are made in taiwan.poor sales is usually the reason why bikes are out of the market. so maybe poor sales of scott bikes is the reason why it was out in the market in USA before.and accdg. to mbaction magazine there is no difference if bikes are made in US,europe or ASIA. as a matter of fact asian has biggest experience in building bike frames.does anybody know if who is the pioneer of building carbon frames? its the GIANT bikes. thats is accdg to discovery channel. and its based in taiwan.scott bikes maybe popular in europe for minority not for majority of mt. bikers.just like here in USA.

Posted Mon Sep 8, 2008, 5:49 PM — By Sean

Any idea when these are to be released in the US?

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