2011 Scott Genius LT - EuroBike

If you had told me about the Scott Genius only a few short years ago I would never have believed you, but it looks like the future is here and it has a carbon frame and 185 mm of travel. Scott has designed the Genius LT to be the ultimate do-everything package, whether that entails burly descents down terrain that is going to require every last millimeter of the bike's travel, or all day climbs that start in the valley bottom and finish atop wide open alpine peaks. There is a lot of technology packed into this 6.2 lb frame, but the Genius' Equalizer 3 shock is the crowning jewel and what allows the bike's character to change from a 185 mm travel trail tamer, to an efficient 110 mm travel climber, and even into a fully locked out bike if the terrain demands it. The low mounted shock has been co-developed with DT and is actually a compact pull shock that is comprised of three separate oil filled chambers. The travel selection depends on oil flow from each of the chambers, by using the remote lever and closing off the oil's passage from one to another you effectively limit the amount of stroke that is available, thereby completely altering the bike's personality. Listen to the audio to get a better picture of the Genius LT.

If you are wondering why you are not seeing the typical carbon weave that most people associate with the material, it's because that finish is usually only used for cosmetic reasons. In the quest to shave grams from the finished product, Scott forgoes this step. The front triangle is built in such a way that it is molded in a single step, as opposed to being separate tubes that need to be joined individually after they are produced. Scott calls this process IMP - Integrated Molding Process - and it has allowed them to drop an impressive amount of weight from the previous Ransom model. While it may sound like the emphasis was on reducing weight while designing the Genius LT frame, the smart people behind the design have not forgot what a 185 mm travel bike is capable of. To that end, tube thickness has been optimized for each location depending on whether it may need a bit of extra material for impact strength or if it can be light and thin in a non-critical area.

One part thumb shifter, one part suspension control center! This is the Twinloc lever as found on the Scott Genius LT. This little guy not only controls the bike's Equalizer 3 damper, but also the fork's lockout as well. When in the full open position both the fork and shock are allowed to move through their full stroke. If you are going to get your climb on, one click activates the bike's 110 mm traction mode while the fork remains active. If the climb is going to be long and smooth, say a forest service road, one more click of the lever locks out the suspension on both the front and rear of the bike. All the Twinloc remote is missing is the ability to control your telescoping seatpost and pack your lunch for that all day epic.

Continuing with the "have it your way" theme, the geometry of the Genius LT can be fine tuned depending on what your ride plans may be for the day ahead. The upper eyelet of the Equalizer 3 damper is mounted to an offset insert within the linkage, simply flip it around to change the bike's attitude. Bike park day or you're looking to cross some gnarly terrain? Put it in the 66.3 degree head angle setting and get your shred on. If the day's ride will be tamer and you'd like the handling to match, swap it to the 67 degree position to get a bit sportier feel.

Don't think for a minute that the Scott designers haven't gone to town when laying out the rear of the Genius LT frame as well. You are no longer required to use a bolt on adapter to mount your brake due to the frame's built in 180 mm post mounts, which both sheds a bit of weight and simplifies brake mounting. The bike will ship with a burly 12 x 142 mm axle and dropout system, but also be convertible to both 12 x 135 mm and standard 135 QR options. Don't get rid of those spare wheels because they still have a home on the LT.