August 28, 2008

Pure Genius

Mountain Bike Action

It's been four years since SCOTT  began distributing bikes again, both road and mountain, in North America. In that time they've chipped away at the high-end endurance racing market share with bikes like the ultra-light SCOTT Addict road bike and Spark and Scale carbon fiber cross-country bikes. All three of those models are gaining ground among boutique enthusiasts. SCOTT also has the unique and versatile 6.5-inch-travel Ransom, in both carbon and aluminum versions, with its unique Equalizer shock.



However, SCOTT's steady growth is especially impressive considering the one glaring omission from the company's lineup; the bread and butter five-to-six-inch-travel trailbike. In Europe, Scott had a successful trailbike in this category, the Genius; however, it violated Specialized's patented FSR Horst-link chainstay pivot placement. Therefore, it was not sold in the United States. To combat this, Scott started from scratch with the new Genius, and the result is a single-pivot frame design that ruffles no feathers.

SIDE-BY-SIDE
The Gucci factor on the Genius LTD puts it in a class of its own. High-zoot components like the air-sprung DT Swiss EXC 150 fork with a 15millimeter quick release axle with carbon lowers, and DT Swiss XRC 330 carbon rims, will surely turn some heads.

Virtually everything that could be carbon fiber is, such as Truvativ Noir cranks, Formula brake levers, and Ritchey handlebar, stem and seatpost.

As exotic and interesting as the LTD is, the Genius 20 is sure to satisfy the rider who's confident in the capabilities of the American-made Fox TALAS 15QR fork and Shimano XT brakes and drivel rain.

As Scott has done with many of the high-dollar carbon bikes in their line, they've developed more affordable aluminum versions. The Genius 50  features the same Equalizer2 shock, a RockShox Revelation 409 Dual Air fork, Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires and Avid Juicy 5 brakes.