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I'd be interested to hear your views if you own one, or ride regulary with anyone who has one.
Although I can tackle most things at a decent whack on my hardtail, I am noticing that I'm getting more tired as the years go by.
I'm based in Switzerland, so although our local stuff is generally singletrack through the woods, there is a very nice track down from the highest point of Zurich and although not as much as I like, I do get out into the mountains for some proper stuff. I've also got a weeks riding booked in the Alps so thought sod it, have some sheckles burning a hole in my pocket, I'll get myself a full susser.
Went into the LBS to buy my daughter a bike and whilst there started looking at the Genius 730. I liked it, seems ideal for the types of riding in Switzerland. Liked the fact that you can put the shocks in traction mode and lock off for the climbing parts and I reckon the 150mm of travel will get used on the bigger descents.
I noticed there is some disagreement, but I think 650 is also a good choice. 29 might be okay on a full susser when you are 6.3, but as i'm just 6.1, 650 feels right.
Something I'm not sure on, is the different types of pivot systems for the rear suspension, is there much difference from one brand to the next?
So, Scott bikes in general, well built?
Cheers,
GL.
I have the 2012 Genius LT here:
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There is a big difference from mine to the new 650b ones. The lockout/traction/descent modes are great, but you do have to use to get the most out of the bike, yes pivot systems make a big difference to the suspension. It took me a few weeks to get used to all the levers (LH & RH Shifter/Reverb/Traction Lever), but now its second nature.
I have had it 2 years, its been on holiday in the Alps twice, given a good hammering in the summers and ridden through winter. The bearings are still fine, silky smooth. I'm impressed with the Genius LT, the best thing is the geometry change when selecting the different modes and dropping the front to 140mm, really does feel like 2 bikes.
The only let down has been the Equaliser 3 shock which sometimes leaks oil into the air chamber leaving you with less travel (altho they fix it with a uprated seal to fix). This has been fixed on the new bikes (650b) as they no longer use that shock.
If I was looking for a new bike I would test ride the Genius & Bronson C, but don't rule anything out, test ride as many as you can.
Thanks Milkie.
Sounds like a nice sturdy bike. The different settings with the suspension is a big selling point for me
I'm hopefully taking it for a test ride soon.
Cheers
GL
Excellent bike. I had the chance to borrow a demo bike a couple of times. It's not a bike I've ever considered buying but it won me over. I usually hate levers and clutter and cables and stuff but the suspension settings are amazing. They're almost as big a revelation as the dropper post. I found myself using it all the time. Traction mode is great for crawling uphill and lockout is perfect on the road.
Seriously considering one as my next bike but I'll wait until next year. I've ridden both wheel sizes and the 29er was seriously rapid but I didn't get a chance to try it on any tech trails so I'd like to see how it felt before I put my money down.
Last summer, after the season opener big marathon distance xc race, I chopped out the my Spark, off loaded my pull shock Genius and built a 700 Genius (27.5 wheels) with a Fox 34 talas in 1 x 10 guise with a dropper post and 2.4" tyres.
The bike is super capable, climbs well (better with a lighter rear tyre obv) but I found on sprint races and casual rides/guiding, I found little negative impact over riding my 26" Spark.
On descents with the 34mm Fox.. its a mini DH bike. Into open rear and full travel on the Fork, its nice and slack and fast on the downs.
at ~28lbs, it is a killer weight for that kind of travel/strength
2014 product see's Scott move to Fox for the rear shock.
I'm building a 700 premium this season with lighter wheels, lighter tyres with the intention that this will be my 'everything pedalling' bike. Marathon XC to grunt up rip down social rides.
I'm not sure how much I'll miss the 34 up front, but moving to fixed travel float will be one less thing to think about.
I'm expecting to hit 26lbs on this build.
Scott build quality and details are very good. Always impressed ever since the nifty sealed bearing front mech roller on my first Ransom build.
We've had the odd shock problem and the odd frame issue, but nothing that we wouldn't expect from any brand covering the terrain that guiding staff rack up in a season.
On 2013 bikes, we had zero frame or shock issues.
The first of the new generation genius was great, its revised again for 2014.
Whilst we didn't have the option to run a current model 26" bike last year, I would've opted to run 27.5 anyway. Its been great.. there's a marked difference between 26 and 27.5 in my mind but that's comparing 26 Spark and 26 pull shock genius to 27.5 Genius (which is developed off the Spark platform)
Test one and make sure it works for you...
Scotts HQ is right in your back yard in Givisiez
I'm on my second Genius and have loved them both. Once you're used to the lever, switching suspension becomes second nature.
With carbon frames they're pretty light considering the travel.
Moved over to a 2014 720 after using orange 5's since they first came out . Riding stuff I never ridden before & like the fact I never see any in The Lakes when out riding but then I don't go to trail centers........
Thanks again guys, very helpful to hear your views.
Bearback, considering the riding you guys are getting up to and the positive comments, it says a lot.
Yep, two reasons I'm really pulled to these bikes.
Good family run LBS which is a Scott dealer, if I'm spending a few 1000 I want to know I'm getting a good after service and when I look at how my current bike suffers in certain Swiss conditions and then I look at the Genius, it seems to me, they have really designed the bike to deal with "real life" environmental conditions.