From technical terrain to long-distance adventure rides, we rode this bike through the toughest terrain the Arizona deserts have to offer. Here's how it held up.
The Specs
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Price: $5,500
Frame: Genius Carbon
Travel: 130mm (front); 130-90-climb shock 190x50
Fork: Fox 32 Float Factory CTD Fit Air
Rear Shock: SCOTT TwinLoc Remote Technology
Components: Shimano XT
Handlebars/Stem: Syncros Fl 1.5/TR1.5
Seatpost: Rock Shox Reverb Stealth 125 inside hydraulic remote system
Wheels: Syncros TR2.0
Tires: Schwalbe Nobby Nic EVO (front); Rocket Ron Evo (rear)
The Components
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The RockShox Reverb Stealth seatpost and Shimano XT drivetrain and brakes are the highlight of the package. Shifting is precise, and the derailleurs handle your mistakes generously when you've changed gears a bit too late. The TwinLoc lever on the bars also allows you to select three different modes (climb, trail, or descend) to simultaneously fine-tune your front and rear suspension—undoubtedly one of the coolest features.
The Components (Continued)
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The 720 mm handlebar and the narrow Schwalbe tires are decent specs, but they may not be for everyone. While it does improve the overall weight, it can make the bike tough to navigate, especially when dealing with rugged terrain. A slightly wider handlebar and tire choice would make things a bit easier (particularly with the amount of travel of the shocks) for novice mountain bikers.
The Ride
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The ability to lock both the front and rear suspension along with the low overall weight make this bike a dream to climb with. The power transfer to the pedals is so efficient we were able to stay in our big rings for much longer than you'd typically expect to. Acceleration was also among the bikes top traits. The Genius Carbon frame is stiff enough to handle large spikes in your watts without losing any power.
The Ride (Continued)
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Downhill, the Genius 910 rolls fast. By switching the TwinLoc lever, the Fox 32 eats up small bumps with ease. Frame shape and rider position make the bike handle well over technical terrain, which is a good thing since big impacts aren't what the 910 specializes in. The 29er wheels help here though—they can really take a beating and help to keep you upright when things get rough.
The Ride (Continued)
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The bike shines on smoother tracks over long distances. For cross-country trail riding, this bike is a thoroughbred built for racing. It's fast, versatile, and will put out every watt of power you put into it. By flipping the geometry chip at the base of the rear shock, you can also improve the trail ride qualities. This puts the bike on par with Scott's Stumpjumper, making this model an extremely versatile option for almost any style of riding.
The Verdict
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The Scott Genius 910 is best suited for the experienced cyclist looking for an all-around race bike. The versatility of the TwinLoc suspension, the stiff lightweight frame, and solid specs of the Shimano XT really show their importance the longer you spend in the saddle. If you're a causal rider who doesn't have the best technical skills, you won't be able to hide many of your mistakes.
Who it's for: Anyone looking for a solid bike for cross-country, trail, or singletrack racing.
Rating: 8/10
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