Review: Scott Genius 740

[popcorn_skollie]

Someone in one of the bike chat groups asked advice on a new trail bike. He was looking to move on from his 2012 spez enduro. He didn't have a massive budget and it would seem then that his decision to move was based more on wheel size peer pressure and salesman sweet talking than anything else. He didn't really do long distances and enjoyed more than anything else smashing trails on the way down. We looked at the trance as an alternative and I said something to him I'll say again now.

 

Off the floor. This bike, is not a trail smasher. Not by modern standards anyways.

if you enjoy doing that which your 26er enduro was meant to do. Then this is not an upgrade in my opinion. Its just something different.

 

Having said that I don't feel like it aspires to be a trail bomber on a budget either. 

The decision to go twinlock with a noodly fork says that. If you want a pike on this bike you probably the same guy who couldn't give two ****s about twinlock. 

To me, It tends to lean itself to longer rides which, should you have an itch, has the nails to scratch it. 

 

This is what sets it apart from most modern trail bikes.

 

Off the cuff I can think of a few friends whom may be suited to buy this bike.

 

People who have loved their short travel bikes and long rides for years and years and have recently shown an interest into the enduro bandwagon. Its seems like a good choice rather than diving into the deepend of a proper 150mm trail bomber.

[JXV]

Just had a look at their website an I must say I am baffeld how even the top-spec Genius is still stocked with a 2x10 drivetrain (XTR, but still, what is this 2013?) and a 32mm Fox (Kashima who cares).

 

It's only the Tuned Genius that runs 1x11 but still a string of spaghetti up front.

 

If you're going to charge R60k and up for a bike then you need to run 1x11 and a Pike/Fox 34. Otherwise you're basically telling your customer to spend that cash plus still upgrade it.

 

I can't help feel that this is because of the TwinLock system.

Agree about the 32mm forks....especially with long travel...but 1x10/1x11 is not for everyone.

 

Been riding XT converted to 1x10 with a 42t expander and 34t NW for about 8 months now:

It works well and I like it on prepared trails. It is light, simple and quiet.

 

Don't like it on unprepared trail, high altitudes and longer rides with lemgths of road in them because :

Spin out at speed, bigger gaps from 13t to 16t to 19t, less granny when its real steep.

 

Will be going back to 2x10 shortly for a re-think.

 

Bear in mind the Hub concentrates all the serious enthusiasts who are most likely fitter and stronger on average than the mass of average cyclists who hold the buying power.....so our collective enthusiasm for 1x drivetrains may not actually be the best solution for the bulk of cyclists.

[Headshot]

R37k gets an ali framed Spaz Enduro 650 with a Pike and 1 x11. Its a no brainer in my book...

 

Checked specs again -  its a 1x10 drive train. Still a good deal.

Edited July 21, 2015 by Headshot

[raptor-22]

again that's a different bike with a more focussed design and market intent

[Fisan]

Just had a look at their website an I must say I am baffeld how even the top-spec Genius is still stocked with a 2x10 drivetrain (XTR, but still, what is this 2013?) and a 32mm Fox (Kashima who cares).

 

It's only the Tuned Genius that runs 1x11 but still a string of spaghetti up front.

 

I think it was a Pinkbike or similar site who reviewed the Genius - and hey had both setups, but the journalist commented on how the reviewers preferred the 2x10 setups for the hilly rides (think Alps or somewhere). Just my 2c.

 

I'll try my Google Skillz to find the article.

[JXV]

I think it was a Pinkbike or similar site who reviewed the Genius - and hey had both setups, but the journalist commented on how the reviewers preferred the 2x10 setups for the hilly rides (think Alps or somewhere). Just my 2c.

 

I'll try my Google Skillz to find the article.

SRAM 1x with 10-42 cassette = 420% range

Shimano 1x with 11-42 = 382%

 

2x10 XT with 11-36 cassette and 38-24 up front = 518%. It gives 2 lower granny ratios and at least 1 higher top end ratio

 

The new M8000 XT 2x11 has a 11-40 cassette but only 10t difference on the chainrings as standard. This offers 503% but with more gears so the steps are smaller. I'm sure a 12t or even 14t combo could be made to work with the long cage RD...this would take the range up to 570% getting close to 3x systems.

Edited July 20, 2015 by JXV

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

R37k gets an ali framed Spaz Enduro 650 with a Pike and 1 x11. Its a no brainer in my book...

Yeah. Good deal. 35k is the reign 2, and 38 is the trance advanced... Okay, no pike, but still carbonzzzz

[raptor-22]

SRAM 1x with 10-42 cassette = 420% range

Shimano 1x with 11-42 = 382%

 

2x10 XT with 11-36 cassette and 38-24 up front = 518%. It gives 2 lower granny ratios and at least 1 higher top end ratio

 

The new M8000 XT 2x110 has a 11-40 or 11-42 cassette but only 10t difference on the chainrings as standard. This offers 503% but with more gears so the steps are smaller. I'm sure a 12t or even 14t combo could be made to work with the long cage RD...this would take the range up to 570% getting close to 3x systems.

 

 

fixey oopsy

Edited July 20, 2015 by raptor-22

[JXV]

fixey oopsy

Done. Tks [emoji106]

[Fisan]

SRAM 1x with 10-42 cassette = 420% range

Shimano 1x with 11-42 = 382%

 

2x10 XT with 11-36 cassette and 38-24 up front = 518%. It gives 2 lower granny ratios and at least 1 higher top end ratio

 

The new M8000 XT 2x11 has a 11-40 cassette but only 10t difference on the chainrings as standard. This offers 503% but with more gears so the steps are smaller. I'm sure a 12t or even 14t combo could be made to work with the long cage RD...this would take the range up to 570% getting close to 3x systems.

 

Yeah you could always back it up with figures, but it's like trying to prove that blue is the best colour. Just because science says its the calmest of colours, doesn't mean that it's everyones favourite. Not the best simile, but you get my point, don't you?. 

[Iwan Kemp]

...

 

People who have loved their short travel bikes and long rides for years and years and have recently shown an interest into the enduro bandwagon. Its seems like a good choice rather than diving into the deepend of a proper 150mm trail bomber.

 

You get the bike. (Not to confind it to the Omie with the boep). There is a gap there for someone looking to up travel and fun who doesn't want to go all #Enduro on his own ass. Matching TLD kit and the works. For most the jump from a 71HA to 68HA will be plenty enough. 

[raptor-22]

You get the bike. (Not to confind it to the Omie with the boep). There is a gap there for someone looking to up travel and fun who doesn't want to go all #Enduro on his own ass. Matching TLD kit and the works. For most the jump from a 71HA to 68HA will be plenty enough. 

 

 

Nailed it there. And thats whu I like this bike, always have. It gives people an option to goout and have fun on a very versatile bike without being pegged into A category

[Headshot]

again that's a different bike with a more focussed design and market intent

Perhaps, but its quite light and manages to pedal well despite its 165mm travel so it can do it all and then some.