The way I see it, that Genius LTD is a marketing bike.. basically they put together a bike from all the lightest/must have kit available as a fully functional show piece that ultimately, some wealthy folks will buy. The media all lapped it up and its a great way show how good the bike is, then point out that mere mortals can have one too.. be it in alloy, or ‘lower spec’ carbon guise.
All said and done though, 22lbs for a 6″ trail bike is pretty darned good!
I also doubt that many shops will be carrying stock on the LTD.
The Delta7 Arantix is similar in many respects.. $7000 frame only.. yet they WILL sell some. Although unlike the Genius LTD, Delta7 dont have a more reasonable price point option in their line up for people wanting to buy into the aspiration.
I highly suspect that many of the people who can afford buy the LTD will be the definition of ‘all the gear no idea’.. but if by buying this bike they start actually riding their mountain bike then bonus 🙂
Its not a new trick.. it happens day in day out in the auto industry..