Two models of the new bike will be available, with a standard Genius and a more aggressive Genius Super Trail designed with the drop in mind. Both have 160mm forks, but the Super Trail (ST) has heavier components. In line with the rest of Scott’s full suspension range, the new Genius will be offered in three different frame materials. This is a premium full carbon frame, a combination of carbon front and alloy rear using a cheaper grade of carbon and a full alloy bike. All levels of chassis construction enjoy the same features – geometry, kinematics and integration. As such, the Genius is essentially an extension of the Spark family, which now also has a Super Trail version, meaning there are five combined levels of Spark and Genius bikes in the Scott range, from cross-country bikes to near-enduros. Scott’s design philosophy for these two bikes is called ‘Simplexity’ – bikes that look simple on the outside, with their enclosed shock absorbers and internal cables, but are complex on the inside in terms of the technology used. There are more details below, but Scott’s TwinLoc remains on the Genius and Genius ST, albeit in different forms. This system gives the suspension three modes – Climb, Ramp Control and Descend. Scott’s goal was to maintain efficiency and maneuverability while improving descent ability. Subtle yet striking colors appear throughout the range. Daniel Geiger / Scott

Scott Genius frame details

Scott offers three different frame combinations on this latest generation Genius. The full carbon frames are made from lightweight high modulus HMX carbon. Slightly cheaper are the Hybrid frames, which use a cheaper HMF carbon rear triangle and Alloy 6061. Finally, full alloy bikes use this same metal in the front and rear sections of the frame. Alloy rear ends feature on a range of models, pivoting just ahead of the rear axle. Daniel Geiger / Scott The carbon frame is constructed from 677 pieces of carbon, with 55 areas of the frame highly analyzed for optimal layout and performance. A mid-size, full-carbon HMX frame is said to weigh 2,295 grams, including hardware, but without shocks. The cheaper HMF frames are 500 grams heavier. Each alloy frame is made from 30 different pieces of aluminum, each individually designed, rather than off the shelf or borrowed from elsewhere. The frame uses Scott’s integrated suspension technology. A link compresses the shock, which is housed internally in the frame. This link uses large bearings and a three-piece braced construction, with a rod screw that pre-tensions the splines to prevent bumping and wear. Protected against dirt and water, shock settings are still accessible. Daniel Geiger / Scott The design is said to help isolate vibration from lateral forces, while its carbon or alloy structure housing protects it from the elements, which should improve reliability and longevity. It also lowers the bike’s center of mass, which Scott claims helps with handling and stability. This dog shaped connector is made of strong 7075 alloy.

Interior architecture

The pop-up button opens the door to access the shock. Daniel Geiger / Scott

The large structure surrounding the shock helps stiffen the frame in the bottom bracket area, lowers the center of gravity and gives plenty of room for a water bottle in the main triangle. The shock housing is said to be large enough to allow for changes to the shock architecture. So if the shock bodies grow, there should still be room without needing to redevelop the frame. At the bottom of the frame is the door to access the damper adjustment dials and the air valve. The door is opened by pressing a button, which releases a pin. The inside surface of the door shows the cable routing and gives a place to write down the shock settings. Around the main axis of this link is a tilt meter. A pointer is pushed around the suspension when compressed, but does not return when the bike is unweighted. A scale printed on the link shows your percentage drop, within a suggested window of 25 to 35 percent. The shock can be removed via bolts accessible on the outside of the frame, with debris plugs keeping everything clean. All suspension pivots can be removed with a Torx 30 wrench. The removable rear axle lever incorporates a T30, T25 and 6mm hex bolt. Internally, the cables run as close to the pivots as possible, which reduces the amount they pull during the suspension’s compression cycle. This, in turn, reduces wear and tear and the possibility of ghost shifting, where mechanical gears change incorrectly. Up front, adding to the built-in nature of the bike, are Syncros’ internal cable-routing headsets, which allow the brake and gear hoses to pass through the headsets, giving an incredibly clean look. The cables are routed inside the headphones to give a clean look. Daniel Geiger / Scott

Scott Genius geometry details

The Genius has updated, modern trail geometry, with a long, low and relaxed attitude. The ear cups can be rotated to give a degree of fit, either 64 or 65 degrees. Markings on the cups and frame ensure proper alignment. Carbon frames ship with an extra headset that gives a 64.5 degree head angle. The Genius comes with a 65-degree head angle, while the Genius ST will be 64 degrees. The earcups can be adjusted to change the head angle. Daniel Geiger / Scott Compared to the outgoing model, this new Genius is two degrees steeper in the seat angle, 20mm longer in reach and half a degree slacker.

Scott Genius suspension details

The drop meter on the main shaft. Daniel Geiger / Scott

TwinLoc is Scott’s system for changing the air spring and damping characteristics of the shock on the fly via a three-position bar-mounted lever system. This lever system advertises a third lever to operate a cable-activated dropper. Genius and Genius ST have slightly different systems. Both use Fox Nude shocks, with the Genius accepting a Nude version of a single-box air shock. The ST gets a Nude version of the new Float X shock. Both also offer Climb, Ramp Control and Descend functions. In Ramp Control mode, the size of the air chamber is limited, which effectively reduces the travel to 60 percent of the original, while also helping to keep the suspension planted, with less camber and therefore a higher bottom arm. Genius bikes also integrate TwinLoc with Fox’s FIT4 damper, offering three fork-like damping positions. The Genius ST bikes’ Fox 36 forks are not TwinLoc linked, allowing some models to use the premium GRIP2 shock.

Scott Genius TwinLoc system

The standard Genius TwinLoc has a fully open Descend mode, where the shock can access a fully open damper and a two-chamber air spring. In Ramp Control mode, a pin closes off the secondary air chamber and adds extra hydraulic damping. In Climb mode, the secondary air chamber remains closed and the damping circuit is also closed.

Scott Genius ST TwinLoc system

TwinLoc lever integrates shock/fork control and dropper lever. Daniel Geiger / Scott

The Genius ST’s TwinLoc has a fully open Descend mode, where the shock can access the full range of damper adjustment (there’s an accessible dial on the shock) and a two-chamber air spring. In Ramp Control mode, a pin closes off the secondary air chamber, but the damping circuit remains intact in Descent mode. In Climb mode, the secondary air chamber remains closed and the damping circuit is also closed. The Fox Float X Nude shock was designed specifically for this bike, with development taking as long as it took Scott to design the bike itself. The main difficulty was packing all the features Scott wanted into the limited space. Access to the rear shock is via the neat door, which also protects the belly of the frame. Daniel Geiger / Scott

Scott Genius Kinematic details

The suspension kinematics remain similar to the bike launched for the 2018 model year, although there are some subtle tweaks. Scott has worked with Fox to develop a custom tune for the shocks. The suspension curve has flattened out a bit, but maintains the same 21 percent progress overall. That means there’s more room for tuning options and gives the suspension a slightly firmer feel throughout its travel, according to Scott. The rear axle lever pops out to reveal a 4mm/6mm/T30 combo wrench. Daniel Geiger / Scott The anti-squat rate (what determines how pedal forces interact with the suspension – aka pedal bob) is over 100 percent at the drop point at all speeds to prevent pedal forces from being compressed. Prices are said to have increased by around 20 percent over the previous version.

Scott Genius and Genius ST models

Ten models make up the Genius and Genius ST range. There are five Genius models, three Genius ST models and two dedicated women’s Contessa models – a Contessa Genius and a Contessa Genius ST. Weight requirements for Genius bikes range from 12.8kg to 15.8kg (M) and ST models are from 15.8kg to 13.3kg (M).

Scott Genius 900 Ultimate specs and price details

Frame: Carbon HMX Fork: Fox 36 Factory FIT4 160mm Shock: Fox Nude 5T Factory Drivetrain: SRAM XX1 AXS Brakes: Shimano XTR Wheels: Syncros Revelstoke 1.0S-30CL Tires: Maxxis Dissector 29×2.6 in Price: £11,999 / €11,999 / $11,999.99

Scott Genius 910 specs and price details

Frame: Carbon HMF / alloy Fork: Fox 36 Performance Elite FIT4 160mm Shock: Fox Nude 5T Drivetrain: SRAM GX AXS Brakes: Shimano XT Wheels: Syncros Revelstoke 1.5 alloy Tires: Maxxis Dissector…