First Look at Scott's 2013 Genius and Gambler
Ian Hylands was at Scott Sports 2013 debut in Idaho, where he photographed the new Gambler DH bike and broke the news that the Genius, Scott's premier long-travel AM/trailbike, will no longer be offered in the 26-inch wheel format. The 2013 Genius platform is designed around in 27.5 inch (650b) or 29-inch wheel diameters - a bold statement, backed up by recent 27.5-inch victories in Enduro-type events and the fact that the 26 inch wheel is nearly a ghost on the pro XC circuit. Of course, the Gambler is still a 26er, as DH remains steadfast to the traditional wheel diameter. European correspondent Matt Wragg is currently riding both the Gambler and Genius at Scott's European press launch and his piece will follow shortly with riding impressions. Until then, feast on the following photos and tech information. Photos by Ian Hylands
2013 Scott Gambler
The new Gambler chassis is available in three sizes and is based around a 210-millimeter travel rear end and a 200-millimeter-stroke Fox 40 fork up front. The Gambler shares nothing in common with its predecessor, except a similar shock rate. The Floating Link suspension is a bit complicated looking, but the rear suspension remains a simple single-pivot swingarm. The new linkage uses a lower leverage rate and a longer-stroke Fox DHX RC4 shock to enhance the sensitivity of the suspension and to make tuning more effective. All bearing and pivot locations have been redesigned to be easy to maintain and the head tube is a straight 1.5-inch size to accommodate its AngleSet adjustable-angle headset. The swingarm pivot has been raised to create a more rearward axle path to better handle square-edge hits. The new pivot location flies in the face of present convention, because higher pivot locations cause chain growth issues, but in Scott's case, the decision came from the race team - who were happy to deal with a little chain growth in exchange for better big-hit suspension performance. Frames are available with either threaded or PressFit bottom brackets and the frame weight is stated to be 3.6 kilograms without a shock. A range of race-ready bikes will be offered as well as a frame-and-shock option. The new Gambler chassis is currently being raced on the World Cup circuit. Prices to be announced.
2013 Scott Genius
Scott's elite-level trailbike is also all-new for 2013, and the big news, beyond the fact that the bike will not be sold with 26 inch wheels, is that Scott has abandoned its novel, three-chambered pull shock in favor of a lighter weight conventional air-sprung damper and a quite normal-looking rocker-link suspension. The carbon fiber and aluminum frame is offered in two models: the 150-millimeter-travel Genius 700 designed around 27.5 inch wheels and the 130-millimeter-travel Genius 900 designed specifically for 29 inch wheels.Scott retains the 'Twinloc' handlebar remote that reduces the suspension travel of the shock and firms up the pedaling feel of both shock and fork simultaneously. The three functions: locked, traction and descend are integrated into a DT Swiss 'Nude' shock in the rear and a Fox Float fork up front. Scott's reason for utilizing a conventional shock and frame design is to save weight, plain and simple, and with the bike's relaxed frame geometry, we expect a Scott assault on the European Enduro series next year. Prices and delivery to be announced.
Stay tuned for a detailed riding impression of the 2013 Gambler and Genius coming up soon.
2013 Scott Gambler
The new Gambler chassis is available in three sizes and is based around a 210-millimeter travel rear end and a 200-millimeter-stroke Fox 40 fork up front. The Gambler shares nothing in common with its predecessor, except a similar shock rate. The Floating Link suspension is a bit complicated looking, but the rear suspension remains a simple single-pivot swingarm. The new linkage uses a lower leverage rate and a longer-stroke Fox DHX RC4 shock to enhance the sensitivity of the suspension and to make tuning more effective. All bearing and pivot locations have been redesigned to be easy to maintain and the head tube is a straight 1.5-inch size to accommodate its AngleSet adjustable-angle headset. The swingarm pivot has been raised to create a more rearward axle path to better handle square-edge hits. The new pivot location flies in the face of present convention, because higher pivot locations cause chain growth issues, but in Scott's case, the decision came from the race team - who were happy to deal with a little chain growth in exchange for better big-hit suspension performance. Frames are available with either threaded or PressFit bottom brackets and the frame weight is stated to be 3.6 kilograms without a shock. A range of race-ready bikes will be offered as well as a frame-and-shock option. The new Gambler chassis is currently being raced on the World Cup circuit. Prices to be announced.
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 New for 2013, the Gambler features a multi-adjustable chassis with two chainstay length options, two bottom bracket heights, three available AngleSet's for the 1.5-inch head tube for up to 4 degrees of adjustment in the head angle (60-64), and an all new low-leverage 'Floating Link' suspension design. The basic configuration is still a single-pivot swingarm, however, with a slightly higher pivot location to better handle square-edge bumps and rock gardens. The new chassis has put in a promising effort in this year's World Cup DH series. |
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| A close look at the Gambler's scissor-esque Floating Link system. The main benefit is touted to be lower bearing friction at the beginning stroke and the use of a longer shock at a lower leverage ratio. It also keeps most of the weight of the shock and suspension linkage centered over the bottom bracket, a benefit that has Brendan Fairclough stating that the bike whips better than anything else he has ridden. The use of a longer-stroke Fox RC4 shock means that the suspension will be moving a lot more oil through the damping circuits, making the system more sensitive to tuning inputs. Scott says that the 2013 Gambler's suspension's rate curves are very close to the previous model's. To keep the rear end tracking, the swingarm's main pivot uses large bearings and a huge, 25-millimeter hollow axle. |
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| The IDS-X 12mm through-axle is tapered at each end to lock it into place, and the axle is machined off-center, eccentric to the head, so that it can't rotate once it is tightened. Two dropout positions allow for 15 millimeters of chainstay-length adjustment. An extra set of brake caliper holes allows the brake to follow the chainstay adjustment. |
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| All the hoses and housings are external and full-length, so that mechanics can switch out components quickly. Lessons learned on the World Cup, no doubt. The aluminum chassis has built-in rubber fork stops and Fox suspension on both ends. |
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2013 Scott Genius
Scott's elite-level trailbike is also all-new for 2013, and the big news, beyond the fact that the bike will not be sold with 26 inch wheels, is that Scott has abandoned its novel, three-chambered pull shock in favor of a lighter weight conventional air-sprung damper and a quite normal-looking rocker-link suspension. The carbon fiber and aluminum frame is offered in two models: the 150-millimeter-travel Genius 700 designed around 27.5 inch wheels and the 130-millimeter-travel Genius 900 designed specifically for 29 inch wheels.Scott retains the 'Twinloc' handlebar remote that reduces the suspension travel of the shock and firms up the pedaling feel of both shock and fork simultaneously. The three functions: locked, traction and descend are integrated into a DT Swiss 'Nude' shock in the rear and a Fox Float fork up front. Scott's reason for utilizing a conventional shock and frame design is to save weight, plain and simple, and with the bike's relaxed frame geometry, we expect a Scott assault on the European Enduro series next year. Prices and delivery to be announced.
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| Scott USA's 2013 Genius 900 looks nearly normal by comparison to this year's model. Both the 27.5 and 29 inch wheel frames are stated to weigh five pounds (2.3 KG) with shock. The suspension is a single-pivot swingarm driving a rigid wrap-around rocker link to a DT Swiss dual-travel air shock. The bottom bracket is a 92-millimeter PressFit type fitted with ISCG mounts. |
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| Internal cable routing cleans up the traffic jam created by Twinloc's extra two housings. The three-position Fox CTD damping system (Climb Trail Descend) fits perfectly into Scott's Twinloc strategy |
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| Post-mount caliper bosses are integrated into the inside of the swingarm. The 12mm through-axle is a simple DT Swiss thread-in type. |
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| Scott enlarged its Twinloc levers to reduce the force needed to operate the system. Genius 700 models use the Fox 34 TALAS fork with adjustable travel from 150 to 120 millimeters, while the 29er version uses a 32-millimeter fork with fixed, 130-millimeter travel. |
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| Low gearing is rare on Scott trailbikes, but they got it right this time. The red aluminum guard bolted onto the ISCG tabs keeps the chain from destroying the carbon frame. The covered port is for the internal routing of a dropper post. If a Reverb Stealth Dropper post is used the housing re-enters at the back of the seat tube. (a dropper post is rudely missing on this otherwise wonderful trailbike) |
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| The DT Swiss damper is well made. The Twinloc three-position damping system uses the same technology as the complicated looking pull shock it replaces: travel adjustments are made by reducing the air volume in the spring, while lockout is simply a valve and a blow-off circuit. How DT Swiss packed all that into such a tiny space is a marvel. |
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| Just in case you wanted to see the 650b version: The Scott Genius 700. |
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| Scott Sports 3 ROX Racing team rider Geoff Kabush is excited about the new Genius and will be riding the 27.5 version in the Trans Provence race this fall. |
Stay tuned for a detailed riding impression of the 2013 Gambler and Genius coming up soon.
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With a 62° headangle?
That's way too slack imo... Scott's just exaggerating the saying "The slacker the better"
Maybe it's cool on a very very steep descents but it's not an option for most of the trails and for sure it's pure craziness for a tight and narrow cornering.
BTW I really don't like that frame design... :/
On another note, isn't either Yeti 575 or asr-5 carbon more travel and equal weight? This thing looks almost like a specialized epic... not at all an all mountain bike. I'm sure that spesh's bike is lighter too.
@VTwintips I wouldn't compare this in any way to a Specialized Epic, closest comparison would be to a Stumpy EVO Carbon. And the 29er weighs in at just around 25 lbs, the 27.5 bike is slightly heavier because of the fork, but still under 26 I believe, both frame and shock combo's weigh in at 5 lbs.
Please elaborate on how the pivot system is so "gay looking". Is the pivot system sexually attracted to other pivot systems? Are you using the word gay to mean happy? If so, why is the pivot system looking so happy? Your truly intellectual usage of the word "gay" has me befuddled as you triumph as one of the most insightful users on pinkbike.
If however you didn't like the joke then that is fine and please continue to neg prop me.
But no 26". Thats brave, what will Faiclough ride? ... Imagine they'll release a Genius LT with 26" pretty soon though.
Wat?
Here you go... Pretty cool to watch
I noticed the Gambler had brakes from Shimano's new Zee freeride line, despite having a Saint drivetrain. I would say that on a serious DH bike you would have to replace those with Saints.
I love the blue decals on the Fox fork on the Genius 7000! Where can I pick up some of those?
Not confident it's the right decision..... time will tell...
Right now we have three models covering four sizes from Pacenti (made by Panaracer), one from Kenda in two sizes, one from IRD (made by panaracer), one from Schwalbe and one from WTB. Next year Kenda is going to have at least 4 announced models, Schwalbe has three or four models, Maxxis will be producing them, Continental, Hutchinson, Michelin, Vee Rubber alone is going to have a half dozen models and they make more tires than anybody.
Joking...
But I do find the Nevegals kinda slow....
The new complicated looking shock linkage is trying hiding the fact that it is just a Voltage link.
The headweld is timeproven and virtually indestructible. Same goes with the rear triangle and the upper shockmount.
All in all a very nice effort and as modern as the new Commencal.
Might get myself a frame and set it up with the budget sram stuff and a Boxxer at 61 degree.
Also, if the upper linkage is anchored by the top tube/seat tube junction doesn't the suspension geometry change in the XL size? Given that it's got a taller head tube and 27mm less standover it stands to reason that the XL size won't be created by using a taller seat tube mast.
The strength/stiffness part of the equation has started to catch up to the lighter weight part of the equation. win/win for all of us! Funny, I thought the 34 was designed to get longer travel 29er bikes going. But I've seen the fork on just as many 26 and now 27.5's.
I would have called the Genius 29er version the 700 and the 650b version the 650.
I think the Genius has better 'rack value' than it had beforehand, well, in my eyes anyway. That old pull shock with all the canisters and dials and increment markings all over it just looked way too complicated. Some people mght like that 'technological' look, but I would say experienced mountain bikers have learned that complicated parts cause complications out on the trail - K.I.S.S. I know I am only talking about looks which don't affect the all important ride, but when you are selling a bike looks can be the deciding factor. If I had old stock on the floor with the new stock, I think smart customers would choose the new bike every time. The cafe posing set would go with the old one, methinks.
I wonder how people who were conned by the pull shock technology dialogue, are feeling right now???
Now this so called amazing thing is a simple single pivot bike??? Because that´s what it is... Scott people, Santa Cruz (as well as most of the brands), have been making something simillar for god knows how long.... that's called the Heckler (in Santa Cruz) and it's been around for 10 to 15 years...
The only difference is that it's 650b wheels (wich you can fit in most of the previous named bikes...)
Probably I didn't express myself correctly... listen, I ride a Santa Cruz Butcher and love every minute I spend on it... It's fantastic, and the best thing about t is the simplicity of it. Th thing I don't like about this kind of bike of bike launch is that brands such as Scott or Specialized, for that matter, always seem to have the obligation of doing something completely differente every year, and they always say that it's the very best thing, the one, the future.... and the next year, they seem to understand that, after all, the future is something better, something else... as a costumer, I like to think that a brand puts some true effort in doing what they do, develop great bikes, and know what they are doing. I would feel a bit conned if I had a 2011 Genius, for example.
When I went to get my Butcher, I tried out both the Jekyll and the Genius (as well as some other bikes), and the thing about that shock design always seemed a bit off... "what if I don't like the shock they chose for the bike???" "What if the shock is simply crap (like it was on at least the first Genius models)???" You're stuck with what they give you and nothing else... A liked the Jekyll a lot, the Genius not so much... But the simple, raw, unplugged feeling of my Butcher is something I wouldn't change for anything at this moment...
cheers
It's just like the wheel diameter debate. Everybody wanted 29" wheels. People are just starting to realize the difficulties in making them handle well, so they're checking out 650b. In a few years, people will probably be interested in 26" wheels again.
The question of the wheels is a never ending arguement, for sure.... I personally tried a Scott Spark, and probably because I'm not that tall (1,75m), It felt way bigger than I expected, It felt like it simply didn´t move the way I wanted in the trails. I'm on the process to get a Santa Cruz Tallboy to give 29er another chance, so to speak.
For me, 26" it's still tha way to go (I really think it has something to do with how tall you are, as well); but getting completely stoked to try a 650b wheelset on my Butcher...