2021 Scott

Contessa Genius 910

The new Scott Genius ST was the lightest, longest, and most expensive bike we had on hand for the Whistler Field Test

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A do-it-all trail mountain bike with suspension that changes travel for climbing or descending, plus gorgeous looks. What's not to like?

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It’s been five years since Scott launched a new Genius. That feels like like a lifetime, and not only in development terms compared to the current best trail bikes on the market, so what has Scott got up its sleeve (or in this case, seat tube) with the crafty new Genius? Need to know 29in wheel trail bike with 160/150mm of front and rear travel Integrated Suspension Technology with the rear shock mounted inside the frame ST version has three suspension modes: Climb, Ramp Control and Descend. Fox 36 Factory fork with Grip2 damper is NOT connected to the handlebar remote Full carbon chassis, carbon crankset, carbon wheelset and carbon one-piece handlebar. Adjustable head angle using a rotating Acros headset cup Full Syncros cable integration Bold new World Before we get into the details on the new Genius, let’s back up a bit. Scott became the majority shareholder in Bold Cycles back in 2019, as it had a unique frame design with an internal shock and some neat geometry adjustments. Bold is still running as an independent brand and came out with the new Linkin Trail last year, but Scott has spent over two years adapted the technology to suit its specific needs, the new 150mm travel Genius the fruit of those labours. There are some obvious practical benefits to hiding the shock inside the frame, but from a purely aesthetic point of view it makes the bike look incredibly clean. Apart from a little loop of brake hose and remote cable at the handlebar of the Genius ST 900 Tuned, there’s nothing to spoil that sleek silhouette. Other companies have dabbled with internal or partly hidden shocks but the rear shock on the Genius is fully housed inside the frame. To access the shock adjusters and air valve, you press on a little button on the shock door and it pops open. Even this little bit of technology is cool – it’s actually borrowed from NASCAR where it’s used to hold the bodywork on. Everything you need to make suspension adjustments – the air valve, rebound and compression dials – are just behind this door. You add air to the shock in the conventional manner but because you can’t see the O-ring, Scott has built an external sag indicator into the link, just behind the seat tube. The link is forged 7075 aluminium and features a splined axle design, almost like a BB spindle that allows Scott to run bigger bearings, which improves durability. The little sag indicator, which functions like the O-ring, is really neat too. Enclosing the shock means it’s protected from the elements, so the seals are going to last longer and even jet washing the bike doesn’t have the same consequences. Scott did hint at running rear shocks without seals for improved suspension feel, but currently it’s erring on the side of caution. We suspect that may be a feature on the next bike to get an internal shock though, and you don’t have to …Continue reading »

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