This is definitely the place to start for anyone wanting to add speed and efficiency to their XC or trail bike. However, it still offers sufficient traction for technical climbs. Along with a carbon-railed saddle, wed be looking at sub-11kg. Its very effective and has been the Sparks party trick ever since it was launched back in 2007. Not bad for a bike with 120mm of travel at both ends. These use a softer compound and a zoned tread pattern that gives them decent traction without being bulky. WebAccording to Syncros is mimics identically the handlebar position of the FL1.5 mini-riser and equivalent stem, with a 6 upsweep, 9 backsweep and 12mm rise. Drivetrain SRAM NX Eagle Then, a chip is placed on it, with the top side facing up. And unlike traditional geometry flip chips, this adjustment is done independently of the seat angle and BB height. Ive found this particularly advantageous during some longer XCM races, where fatigue starts to kick in around the halfway mark. WebThe product is a high-integration package substrate that is used to connect a high-integration semiconductor chip to a main board. How spritely is the bike, how agile is it through corners, how much fun is it in tight sections and how quickly can it change direction?, Is the bike stable at high speeds? WebThe Flip Chip Technology Market is segmented by Wafer Bumping Process (Copper Pillar, Tin-Lead Eutectic Solder, Lead-Free Solder, and Gold Stud Bumping), Packaging Technology (BGA (2.1D/2.5D/3D) and CSP), Product (Memory, Light Emitting Diode, CMOS Image Sensor, SoC, GPU, and CPU), End User (Military and Defense, Medical and While the two bikes are built for a similar purpose, the experience on the trail is quite different. Uphill-downhill ratio: 50:50, Even more extreme and challenging compared to Trail riding, riddled with every kind of obstacle: jumps, gaps, nasty rock gardens, ruts and roots. Along with the suspension, the riding position and the weight of the bike all play a crucial role., How does the bike ride and descend? Fork FOX 34 Performance 150 mm Well also point out that the Fuel EX is available in seven sizes, compared to just four for the Genius. How composed is it on rough trails? WebThe Genius 900 platform features our tried and true TwinLoc Suspension platform. Theres a small notch in the top headset cup, and this is meant to face forwards in the steep position, or rearwards for the slack position. The rear end is much firmer and more responsive, giving the Spark RC a similarly tight and energetic feel as the short travel Trek Supercaliber. Uphill-downhill ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%! Designed for maximum versatility, the Genius sits in a similar space to competitors such as the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO, the Canyon Spectral and the latest Trek Fuel EX. Each ride I seem to be getting better at predicting which mode is best for which trail scenarios. If you detest remotes, this bike simply wont be for you. Weve been testing the stealthy Spark 910 for the past six months, which has impressed us with its new-school geometry, supple suspension and clever TwinLoc system. That's a big wheel with a lot of cushion, and backed up with 150 millimeters of Fox suspension, the Genius 920 feels like it is skimming the surface. As mentioned above, a lighter dropper post would help shed more weight. Scott has missed a trick with the lack of mullet compatibility, and the omission of any in-frame storage seems odd given how much the theme of integration has dictated the overall frame design. And not by a small margin either. But as some of the EWS pros (including Sam Hill) have proven, its the riding skills and not the bike that define what you can ride with it. Having experienced our test bike as both a Spark and a Spark RC, which bike would we recommend? Combined with the taut chassis, it offers a sporty and energetic character that thrives on big all-day rides across technical terrain. My test bike had Maxxis Minion tyres instead of the stock 2.6in Rekons something UK riders will likely emulate because theres not much bite from the Rekon in the wet. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. The firm suspension combined with the TwinLoc I set the rebound lever halfway through its stroke with 7/15 clicks. Given how hot the mullet trend is at the moment, this is a curious omission. Indeed its all very muscly and oversized down there. In terms of downhill performance, the bike has some tuning potential well tell you where. Its three remote-adjustable suspension modes are a little different too. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. There are also a lot of cables to manage inside the downtube, and while foam insulating tubes do quieten down rattling, for some reason the tube for the brake hose seems to migrate upwards during every ride. You can fit whatever aftermarket grips you like since the TwinLoc remote is no longer integrated into the left-hand grip, but we felt no need to swap them out. It eventually ends up at the headset, where the polystyrene foam causes an annoying squeak on every hard compression. Theres a lot to grab your attention on the new Scott Genius, though we reckon its the addition of the Genius ST that many folks will be most excited about. Well, technically there are five different Nude shocks across the Spark lineup, but to keep things simple there are two different styles that Ill be discussing here. Become an ENDURO supporter and lets shape the bike scene together and make mountain biking even better! Our souped-up Spark RC accelerates faster, both off the start line and during mid-race overtaking manoeuvres. The suspension cant keep up in demanding terrain, transferring fast, hard hits to the rider. Click here for an overview of the best trail bike in test. However, the Traction Control mode does. It feels crisp, sporty and light on its feet. In addition to the different fork and shock, the Genius ST models are also specd with a meatier front tyre. Damping is also increased, providing further support to improve pedalling response. While the functionality of the Nude shock is shared across the lineup, our Spark 910 test bike came equipped with the Fox Nude 5T shock. Despite the strong interconnection between your hands, feet and ground, we wouldnt describe the Genius as being overly harsh. and our Learn more. Along with its hollowed and stepped lowers, the result is a weight reduction of over 200g. Riders with shorter thumbs may struggle to reach the suspension paddles without having to move their hand along the grip. Copyright 2023 ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine. Up at the grips, the big headtube and one-piece cockpit enhance steering precision. The Genius also features SCOTTs proprietary TwinLoc system, allowing you to lock out the suspension in three stages via a remote on the handlebar. Climbing is just a means to an end. Using the 2.4in Wide Trail casing, these are a perfect match for 30mm wide rims, providing a nice high volume profile with fantastic damping qualities and noticeably more grip than the skinnier versions. The suspension is plenty effective at speed though, and it gives the Fuel EX a brawny and supportive feel that suits high-speed flow trails well. This requires you to keep your body engaged and tense at all times and the rougher the terrain or the faster you ride, the more tiring the Genius becomes. Flip chip is a gimmick. The narrower width has also been appreciated during fast-paced bunch riding at the beginning of a mass-start race. The high volume 2.4in rubber does add a good deal of compliance to help in these situations, but if things are especially choppy and Im not riding as aggressively, Ill sometimes climb in the Descend mode. Those would be the black or double-black-diamond tracks in a bike park. Click here to learn more. Of course the faster-rolling tyres and carbon wheels have made a huge difference. Please, It appears you're using an old version of Internet Explorer which is. We are more concerned with how a bike performs on the trail and how the bike benefits the rider. The genius comes with 29er wheels and the chip in the low position but I'm curious if its able to run the chip in the high position while still using the 29s? - Stealthy frame design hides shock from the elements In fact, its plusher than any other XC bike Ive tested. We interpret XC more like the Americans do: big back-country rides instead of a marathon or XC World Cup with the ultimate in lightweight construction! Tech-packed, uphill and downhill trail weapon. We also include helpful tools, such as our frame size calculator, to assist you in choosing the right mountain bike. Its worth noting that all of this is based around the Spark HMF frame, which is the heaviest carbon frame in the Spark lineup with a claimed weight of 2,150g including the rear shock and hardware. The theme of integration extends up to the cockpit on the new Scott Genius. The standard Spark will tick the box for a lot of folks who are after a comfortable and capable bike for long-distance XC riding, while its progressive geometry and supple suspension also makes it terrific fun for light-footed trail ripping on more technical terrain. On flowing trails, the bike goes like a rocket, with the compact frame and the agile handling making it a lot of fun to ride. Mick and I have spent a load of time on that bike across a variety of different spec levels, and we thoroughly enjoyed its low weight, excellent handling and remote controlled suspension. Are you with us? Of course you can slacken out the head angle, and you could also beef up the build if you were simply riding for fun versus competition. The latest Genius represents a big leap forward in geometry for Scotts long-running trail bike. WebSpecifications Product Scott Genius 910 Bike Model Year 2020 Riding Type Enduro / All-Mountain Rider Unisex Sizes and Geometry S (Low, High) M (Low, High) L (Low, High) Regardless of what you may think about the extravagant levels of integration, its hard not to be inspired by the striking silhouette of the Scott Genius. Top 8 Best XC Bikes | The best cross country mountain bikes ridden & reviewed, 2023 Marin Rift Zone Review | A heavy-duty trail bike for shredders on a budget, 2023 Canyon Neuron Review | The all-new Neuron is a speedy & light weight trail bike. If a bike is unbalanced, the rider has to work hard to weight the front wheel to generate enough grip. The Scott Spark RC is, obviously, the race bike. 2023 Specialized Epic World Cup Review | A super-light XC bike with character-bending tuneability, Top 8 Best XC Bikes | The best cross country mountain bikes ridden & reviewed, 2023 Canyon Lux World Cup Review | A scorchingly fast XC bike thats built for racing, 2023 Scott Genius Review | The all-new Genius has split in two, and its all the better for it, This website requires Javascript for optimum viewing purposes. Unfortunately Mick didnt get the chance to weigh the Genius ST 900 Tuned model at the launch, but according to the claimed weights, you can expect it to be around a kilo lighter. This is more a consequence of overall attitude than geometry though. A 2022 Scott Genius 900 Tuned AXS is typically priced around $8,500 USD when new. Personally, I prefer the plusher ride quality of the Genius and the adaptable nature of its remote-controlled suspension, which makes it a more comfortable bike to ride over off-piste terrain. With all the upgrades to our Scott Spark RC project bike, its no surprise that the number on the scales has come down. However, the latter offers a more comfortable riding position on the climbs without giving up too much of its efficiency. And while the stock Syncros Silverton 2.0 wheelset on our Spark 910 has performed pretty well, with a confirmed weight of 1,956g there was plenty of scope to go lighter. For this, you need (race)proven equipment that forgives mistakes and wouldnt look out of place on a stage of the Enduro World Series. When it does come time to servicing, the shock itself is surprisingly easy to remove. Click here to learn more. This means you get a tighter feel and a taller ride height, but traction is actually better compared to the regular Genius. Point the Genius uphill and its almost ridiculous how adept it is at climbing. Of course the main turnoff for many will be the remote activated suspension and the extra cables it brings to the cockpit of the Scott Genius. Weighing in at just 1,589g, the XRC 1501 wheels have made another big improvement in rotational mass. Im now mostly riding in the Traction Control mode, and only flicking into Descend for, well, the descents, or any time the trail is particularly gnarly. Theres decent standover clearance, although the kinked seat tube is quite tall, which is noticeable while riding. We interpret XC more like the Americans do: big back-country rides instead of a marathon or XC World Cup with the ultimate in lightweight construction! However, experienced riders can have a lot of fun even with unbalanced bikes., How sensitive is the suspension over small bumps? Plush suspension not only provides comfort and makes a bike more capable, but it also generates traction. Electronic fantasies aside, it is worth noting that you dont have to run the TwinLoc remote or the Nude shock on the Genius. The regular Genius comes with the cups set in the steep position to provide a 65.1 head angle, while the Genius ST flips the cups into the slack position to deliver a 63.9 head angle. Tuning tip: mount a bar with more rise | more robust and narrower tires | possibly less stiff wheels. As well engineered as it is though, the Spark is still a noisy bike. Given its all mountain intentions, the Genius could do with more protection along the underside of its downtube. Scott updated the Genius suspension with a Virtual 4 Link design and integrated a trunnion-mounted shock in an upsidedown orientation. The shorter 120mm fork is easily the most obvious difference between the Scott Spark RC and the regular Spark. Heres how the frame weights (without shock) compare between all three; Far more exciting than counting grams, is the introduction of the new Genius ST. The noise annoyed me enough that I removed it entirely. How much pop does it have, does it suck up the riders input or is it supportive, and how agile and direct is the bike?, We dont calculate value for money in an excel spreadsheet or based on how high-end a bike is specced. The rear shock is also different on the Genius ST. Its a brand new design called the Float X Nude, and as its name implies, its based on Foxs Float X shock. Efficiency has its price. While the system does add two additional cables to the cockpit, SCOTT have cleverly bundled them together with spiral bands. Are you with us? Flight Attendant is already based around a three-mode damping system, so theres no reason why a similar module couldnt control the Genius three suspension modes automatically. It was no less than five years ago when the current version of the Scott Genius was unveiled. In this sense, its not unlike the Shapeshifter function on the Canyon Strive. And because it doesnt add any compression damping, this setting is designed to be used on flowy singletrack and high-speed jump trails to provide a poppier and more progressive feel to the rear suspension. Typically these bikes are biased towards outright descending performance, which is well suited to shuttle-assisted riding in bikeparks and modern trail centres. The Spark frame comfortably accommodates these new-school 2.4in tyres, with plenty of mud room through the compact swingarm. Medium-sized 920s get a 125mm-stroke Fox Transfer dropper. The aim of the the height adjustable dropouts is to adjust the head angle, raising and lowering the BB (and changing the seat angle) is pretty much an unwanted side effect. How cool would that be! Horst Link type suspension is new for 2018. The new 2023 SCOTT Solace (Gravel) eRIDE A gravel ebike with soul.