JCW’S SCOTT GENIUS 940 2018 £3,099
It doesn’t take a Genius to see the Scott has pros and cons
The Genius is an interesting one. As reach measurements have crept up in recent years, bikes have finally begun to fit my lanky frame properly, but I think the Scott’s 499.2mm stretch to the bar (XL size, ‘low’ setting) is about as long as I want to go. The extra length adds stability on the downhills, helping to make the 940 a confident descender despite its not particularly plush-feeling ‘Performance’ grade Fox suspension and rattly ride. But, combined with the slack-ish 65-degree head angle, it does mean you have to be more physical to eke maximum fun out of flatter trails, which is where I do much of my riding these days.
Of course, what really sets this bike apart is its ‘TwinLoc’ suspension adjustment. I’ve never been a fan of lockouts (I’m always forgetting to turn them off for the descents), so I was surprised to find myself using ‘Traction Control’ mode a lot. This makes the spring more progressive, the damping firmer and effectively reduces the shock stroke, helping the bike to cruise up climbs in a way that belies its 150mm of travel and 14.45kg weight. The downside is that it simultaneously increases the fork’s compression damping, which reduces bob but means it rides higher in its travel – not what you want when climbing.
If I was hanging onto this bike, I’d disconnect the fork from the TwinLoc system. I’d also be keen to upgrade the heavy wheels, to give it a bit more zip. And I’d do everything I could to finally track down the source of that annoying rattle! www.scott-sports.com