You Don’t Have To Be Clever To Ride Scott’s New Genius

Scott's all-new Genius 730 features lighter components, a lower centre of gravity and the choice of two wheel sizes.


Myles Kelsey |

The new four-bar suspension layout is your glaring and most obvious change from its predecessor allowing Scott to deliver new kinematics, a lower the centre of gravity, reduced frame weight and an increase in lateral stiffness. Scott has incorporated Boost technology into the Genius along with an option on wheel sizes – those undecided between 29-inch wheels or one of the new meaty 27.5-inch options will be happy to know the Genius will accommodate both sizes thanks to a smart flip chip.

Looking into the geometry there are some real progressive and welcomed changes here with some handsome-looking and perhaps category-leading reach numbers across the size curves. These include a steeper seat angle, a lower BB, a slacker head angle, decent sizing on the chain stays. Running 150mm travel in the open setting, 110 with the Twinloc in the middle setting and an almost full lockout in the closed setting, this is one smart and versatile machine.

“The progressive kinematic characteristics enabled me to charge the trail with aggression.”

On the trail the first thing I noticed was the generous reach of the bike – I like to move around a lot and these extra millimetres allowed me to do so without compromising my centre of gravity too much. This allowed me to get over the front of the bike and carry more speed through turns without risk. On descents, I noticed the rear has really good small bump performance and doesn’t blow through to the end of the travel easily – the progressive kinematic characteristics enabled me to charge the trail with aggression. The bike is very active in its travel and has a smooth and compliant ride quality. While we weren’t able to weigh the Genius I can safely say it’s one of the lighter alloy trail bikes I have ridden and the low centre of gravity makes it feel even lighter when barreling down a trail. Even with the 29-inch wheels it was pretty easy to make corrections in line choice on-the-fly.

Twinloc is not the prettiest-looking feature to be honest but it ramps up the versatility of this bike to levels which I have not experienced in this category before. The Genius really does climb superbly for a trail bike.

If you prefer smashing all kinds of trails with your mates rather than sitting in the top 15% of a stage race or donning a marathon leader board then the Genius is definitely worth a look. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s a full-blown EWS-ready Enduro bike but in terms of capability it’s one of the best all-round trail bikes on the market.

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Myles Kelsey is a former masters downhill World Champ. When he’s not giving advice to those wanting to better their skills, you’ll find him shredding the trails of Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs – that’s if he’s not competing overseas. He knows he’s stuff so we suggest you listen to him.

SCOTT Genius 730

Key Features

  • Genius Alloy SL Frame
  • FOX 34 Float Performance 150mm Fork
  • FOX Nude EVOL, TwinLoc Remote
  • Shimano XT 22 Speed
  • Shimano SLX Disc Brakes
  • Syncros TR2.5 TR Wheels
  • Maxxis or Schwalbe Kevlar Tires
  • FOX Dropper Post, Syncros Part

From R59 999.00

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