The new SCOTT E-Genius 700 Tuned immediately catches the eye with its bright orange paint finish and voluminous frame. Regarding aesthetics, the opinion of our test team is divided… but not so regarding handling.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2018 – 12 dream bikes go head to head
The new SCOTT Genius 700 Tuned has almost nothing in common with its predecessor, which won the test in 2016. The Swiss have completely redesigned the frame and have replaced the Bosch motor with Shimano’s E8000 STEPS motor instead. The necessary electricity is provided by an integrated (but removable) battery with a capacity of 500 Wh. Like almost every full-suspension SCOTT bike, the E-Genius features the TwinLoc system. This is an adjustment lever that can be used to stiffen both the fork and the shock in three stages. On a classic mountain bike, the adjustments offer more efficient suspension setups for climbing, but on an eMTB it’s become a redundant feature due to the powerful motor assisting you. The additional cables simply lead to an overcrowded cockpit with too many levers. The spec is top of the line and very well thought-out. The powerful Shimano ZEE brakes, the sensitive FOX 36 Factory fork, and the grippy MAXXIS tyres with robust casings for increased puncture protection are particularly appealing. If you want, you can also set the E-Genius up with 29″ wheels – just turn around the small flip-chip in the rocker link. We have tried both and recommend staying with the smaller wheels because of the more agile handling.
The SCOTT E-Genius is a jack of all trades, but master of none – and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
With the SCOTT E-Genius, everyone can feel like Olympic champion Nino Schurter – provided you have activated the Shimano motor via the tiny on-button positioned on the downtube (very exposed to mud). The seating position is well designed, and you’re sat comfortable and upright. The SCOTT climbs with confidence, and on forest roads it makes rapid progress going up. The rear linkage offers 150 mm of travel and is tuned quite firmly with a lot of progression. As a result, it is not quite as comfortable and lush as the best bikes in the test, which is particularly noticeable on fast, hard hits on demanding trails. We recommend setting up the shock with at least 30% sag to increase the comfort slightly. The Genius handles very well on the descents and through curves, remaining predictable at all times. However, it is not very manoeuvrable, so quick direction changes require a bit more effort. The traction provided by the tyres is very good, and the high cockpit instills a good level of confidence in steep terrain. At speed, the direct feedback of the E-Genius quickly lets you know when it is time to back off a little and get on the brakes. This bike is not the fastest, yet it always remains easy to control.
The SCOTT E-Genius 700 Tuned in detail
Fork FOX 36 FLOAT Factory 150 mm
Shock FOX NUDE EVOL Trunnion Mount 150 mm
Motor/battery Shimano STEPS E 8000 504 Wh
Drivetrain Shimano XT Di2
Brakes Shimano ZEE
Seatpost FOX TRANSFER Factory
Stem SYNCROS FL 1.5 60 mm
Handlebar SYNCROS FL 1.0 Carbon 750 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss H1825
Tires Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR II 2.8″
The geometry of the SCOTT E-Genius
Size | S | M | L | XL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seatpost | 410 mm | 440 mm | 490 mm | 540 mm |
Top tube | 585 mm | 605 mm | 635 mm | 665 mm |
Head tube | 120 mm | 125 mm | 135 mm | 145 mm |
Head angle | 65,3° | 65,3° | 65,3° | 65,3° |
Seat angle | 75,5° | 75,5° | 75,5° | 75,5° |
Chainstay | 460 mm | 460 mm | 460 mm | 460 mm |
BB Height | 340 mm | 340 mm | 340 mm | 340 mm |
Radstand | 1215 mm | 1236 mm | 1258 mm | 1289 mm |
Reach | 425 mm | 444 mm | 465 mm | 492 mm |
Stack | 620 mm | 625 mm | 636 mm | 645 mm |
Fazit
The SCOTT E-Genius 700 Tuned is like vanilla ice cream: you can’t go wrong with it. If you are looking for a loyal companion both uphill and downhill, you will do well with this bike. However, it is neither super-agile nor very smooth. It’s a very good compromise – just like, you know, vanilla ice cream.
Pros
– very predictable handling
– well-thought-out componentry
– comfortable riding position
Cons
– suspension firms on fast, hard blows
– overcrowded cockpit with too many levers
Uphill | Downhill | Stability | Agility | Value for money
For more info head to: scott-sports.com
The testfleet
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2018 – 12 dream bikes go head to head
All bikes in test: BMC Trailfox AMP LTD | BULLS E-CORE EVO EN Di2 | FANTIC XF1 Integra Enduro 160 | FOCUS SAM² PRO | Giant Full-E+ 0 SX Pro | Haibike XDURO Nduro 10.0 | Moustache Samedi Race 11 | ROTWILD R.E+ ULTRA | Specialized Turbo Levo S-Works Carbon | Thömus Lightrider E1 – Team Di2 | Trek Powerfly 9 LT Plus
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Words: Photos: Christoph Bayer, Valentin Rühl