Scott Genius 900 Ultimate Review
- Price: $11,999
- Frame: Carbon
- Tires: 29″ Carbon
- Gear: 1 × 12 Electronic
What we like about it: It combines a long-travel full-suspension enduro bike with a surprisingly lightweight build.
What we don’t like about it: The price is high, making it challenging for riders on a tight budget to consider.
Rating: (4.9/5)
Scott Genius 900 Ultimate is an ultimate off-road bike. Integrated suspension technology and intelligent design create an incredible off-road bicycle capable of tackling harsh mountain trails or rugged mountain bike parks effortlessly, regardless of the environment or conditions.
Below, we will analyze the riding experience, key features, components, specifications, and other versions of the Scott Genius 900 Ultimate. In the latter part of this article, we will also compare it to several other top bicycle models. If you’re interested in more bicycle reviews, please follow us.
Riding Experience
The Scott Genius 900 Ultimate boasts a sleek and aesthetically pleasing appearance. With its lightweight carbon fiber frame and top-notch components, I couldn’t wait to take it for a ride.
I took the Scott Genius 900 Ultimate to Windrock Park in Tennessee, where I had previously booked accommodations through IHG. The park offers a variety of intricate trails, ranging from rocky sections to extremely rugged mountain terrain, complete with some jump platforms.
Climbing
When it comes to climbing, the Scott Genius 900 Ultimate showcases the outstanding climbing performance that Scott mountain bikes are known for.
I closed the compression damping on both front and rear suspension when climbing and altered the bike’s dynamic geometry, ensuring that my pedaling wouldn’t waste energy. The bike felt like a cohesive unit, with no sluggishness, allowing me to climb faster.
As the gradient steepened and my pedaling became more challenging, I adjusted the rear derailleur to the largest freewheel gears, making pedaling feel lighter and conserving my energy on this section of the route.
In conclusion, I believe the Scott Genius 900 Ultimate is one of the best full-suspension endurance race bikes for climbing, thanks to its lightweight design and impressive climbing capabilities.
Descending
The Scott Genius 900 Ultimate is equally reliable and fast when descending. As I landed on large drop platforms with significant height differences, the FOX 36 Float Factory front fork and FOX NUDE 5T Factory rear shock, offering 160mm and 150mm of suspension travel, respectively, absorbed all the landing impact.
The excellent support of the suspension prevented any bottoming out, ensuring stable and safe landings. As I descended into rugged mountain terrain, the 29-inch wheelset and Maxxis Dissector tires provided excellent traction and grip.
Facing exposed rocks and tangled tree roots on the trail, I was able to roll over them effortlessly without sacrificing too much riding speed. The Shimano XTR M9120 four-piston brakes, paired with Shimano RT-MT900 CL 203mm front and 180mm rear brake discs, delivered powerful braking, allowing me to quickly reduce speed and safely navigate the trails.
The bike’s lower center of gravity provided better handling, allowing me to maneuver easily through the trails while maintaining a faster pace.
Specifications
The Scott Genius 900 Ultimate is available in four frame sizes (S-XL) suitable for riders ranging from 5’2″ to 6’7″, making it a versatile choice for almost anyone.
It features Scott’s patented integrated suspension technology, which not only enhances the bike’s aesthetics but also improves suspension performance. This lowers the bike’s center of gravity, enhancing control and stability.
The top-tier SRAM mountain bike drivetrain components provide quick and efficient shifting. The Shimano XTR M9120 brakes offer linear braking performance and powerful stopping capabilities.
The dropper post design allows riders to maintain a stable riding position, ensuring better continuity between climbs and descents. Furthermore, all the front and rear shocks and dropper post feature integrated control levers for added convenience.
Video
Other Versions
While the Scott Genius 900 Ultimate boasts a lightweight carbon fiber frame and top-tier components, its price may be too high for some riders. To cater to a broader range of budgets, we offer another model in the same series of full-suspension endurance race bikes.
Scott Genius 920
The Scott Genius 920 features the same internally routed carbon fiber lightweight frame. It also boasts 160mm of front and 150mm of rear suspension travel, making it suitable for steep and rugged terrain.
The Fox Rhythm Float 36 front fork and FOX NUDE 5T rear shock provide excellent support, allowing riders to land on jump platforms without pressure.
Shimano drivetrain components offer smooth shifting operations and excellent transmission efficiency. The Shimano Deore M6120 four-piston brakes deliver powerful and reliable braking.
Below, we will provide detailed specifications for the Scott Genius 900 Ultimate and some other brands of full-suspension endurance race bikes with similar prices for your reference.
What do we like about it?
- Shimano XTR hydraulic disc brakes, deliver reliable performance in all conditions.
- Internal cable routing for a cleaner appearance and easier cleaning.
- Excellent geometry paired with 29-inch wheels for stable descents and improved traction.
- The SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS drivetrain offers efficient transmission, precise and rapid shifting, and simplified tuning.
- Dropper post design ensures riders remain in the optimal position for continuous riding.
- Lightweight design compared to similar bikes in its category.
What don’t we like about it?
- High price point, making it less accessible for riders with budget constraints.
FAQ
- Where are the Scott bicycles designed?
The new global headquarters is located in Givisiez, Switzerland, serving as the location for all SCOTT departments and the organizing center for SCOTT’s other brands. SCOTT Sports is renowned for its innovation leadership in the sports industry.
- Can this bike accommodate a chain guide?
It comes with a chain guide but also features ISCG05 on the frame, compatible with most upper chain guides on the market.
- How do I choose the right size?
Here, we provide you with a size chart. However, the best way to find the most suitable size is to try it out, as individual preferences may vary.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 5’2″ – 5’8″ | S |
| 5’6″ – 5’11” | M |
| 5’10” – 6’3″ | L |
| 6’1″ – 6’7″ | XL |
Scott Genius 900 Ultimate Specs
Build
| Frame | Genius Carbon HMX Integrated Suspension Technology Virtual 4 Link kinematic / Adjustable head angle Syncros Cable Integration System BB92 / UDH Interface / 12x148mm with 55mm ChainlineBB Standard: BB86/BB92, Press FitHanger Standard: UDH |
| Fork | FOX 36 Float Factory Air / Kashima FIT4 3-Modes with low Speed adj. / Kabolt 15x110mm axle 44mm offset / tapered steerer / Reb. Adj. / Lockout 160mm travel |
| Rear Shock | FOX NUDE 5T Factory EVOL Trunnion SCOTT custom w. travel / geo adj. 3 modes: Lockout-Traction Control-Descend Custom large Air volume / DPS / Kashima / Reb. Adj. Travel 150-100-Lockout / T185X55mm |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB PF 92 MTB Wide / shell 41x92mm |
| Headset | Syncros – Acros Angle adjust & Cable Routing HS System Stainless / +-0.6° head angle adjustment ZS56/28.6 – ZS56/40 MTB |
| Handlebar | Syncros Hixon iC Carbon Size S & M 15mm rise / Size L & XL 25mm rise back sweep 8° / 780mm Syncros Endurance lock-on grips |
| Saddle | Syncros Tofino SL Regular 1.0 Carbon rails |
| Seatpost | Syncros Duncan Dropper Post 1.5 31.6mm / S size 140mm / M size 160mm / L size 170mm / XL size 200mm |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 12 Speed Wireless Electronic Shift System |
| Crank | SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS Carbon crankarm DUB / 55mm CL / 32T |
| Shifters | SRAM Eagle AXS Rocker Controller |
| Cassette | SRAM XX1 XG1299 / 10-52 T |
| Chain | SRAM CN XX1 Eagle |
| Chain Guide | SCOTT custom |
| Brakes | Shimano XTR M9120 4 Piston Disc |
Wheels
| Rims | Syncros Revelstoke 1.0S-30 CL F: 15x110mm, R: 12x148mm 30mm Tubeless ready Carbon rim 28H DT Swiss 240 Ratchet EXP 36 / XD Driver SRAM TyreWiz / Syncros Axle w/Removable Lever with 6mm Allen, T30 and T25 Tools |
| Tires | Maxxis Dissector / 60TPI Foldable Tubeless Ready / EXO 3C maxx Terra |
| Disk Rotors | Shimano RT-MT900 CL / 203/F and 180/R |
Comparison Table
| Bikes | Click view | Travel | Frame Material | Brake Type | Drivetrain |
| Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper EVO | Click View | 150mm rear, 160mm front | Carbon | SRAM Code RSC | 1 × 12 Electronic |
| Trek Slash 9.9 XX1 Flight Attendant | Click View | 160mm rear, 170mm front | Carbon | SRAM Code RSC | 1 × 12 Electronic |
| Pivot Switchblade Team XX Eagle Transmission | Click View | 160mm front | Carbon | SRAM Code Ultimate Stealth | 1 × 12 Electronic |
| Pivot FIREBIRD Team XX1 AXS – Live | Click View | 165mm rear, 170mm front | Carbon | SRAM Code RSC | 1 × 12 Electronic |
Scott Genius 900 Ultimate vs. Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper EVO
When comparing these two bikes, both are top-tier full-suspension bicycles with identical front and rear suspension travel.
In the drivetrain department, both of these bikes are equipped with the SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS drivetrain, offering exceptional transmission efficiency and an ultimate shifting experience.
Regarding the braking components, the former is equipped with the Shimano XTR M9120 braking system, known for its linear operation, while the latter features the SRAM Code RSC, which provides a more aggressive and direct braking experience.
In conclusion, both of these full-suspension endurance race bikes are excellent choices, boasting strong riding capabilities.
Scott Genius 900 Ultimate vs. Trek Slash 9.9 XX1 Flight Attendant
In terms of suspension, the former is equipped with Fox suspension, which provides better support, while the latter features a RockShox fork that offers better initial sensitivity.
Furthermore, the former is lighter in weight and has a unique suspension design, making it feel easier to pedal and saving energy compared to the latter when climbing.
However, the latter has a more relaxed geometry, providing a more stable riding posture during descents and handling more aggressive downhill riding.
Therefore, these two bikes, the Scott Genius 900 Ultimate, are more versatile in terms of riding capabilities. On the other hand, the Trek Slash 9.9 XX1 Flight Attendant excels in downhill riding.
Learn More: Is Trek Slash 9.9 XTR Worth Buying? [Trek Slash 9.9 XTR Review]
Scott Genius 900 Ultimate vs. Pivot Switchblade Team XX Eagle Transmission
These two bikes have similar suspension travel and both use the same Fox Factory Float 36 front fork for suspension.
In terms of drivetrain components, both bikes use the Sram electronic drivetrain system, which makes tuning easier. However, the latter’s derailleur with a clutch mechanism makes the components more robust, eliminating concerns about derailleur deformation that can lead to imprecise shifting.
In conclusion, these two bikes are very similar full-suspension endurance bikes, both excelling in climbing capabilities and being lightweight. So, when it comes to choosing between them, I believe both are worth recommending.
Scott Genius 900 Ultimate vs. Pivot FIREBIRD Team XX1 AXS – Live
When comparing these two bikes, the latter’s Fox Factory Float 38 front fork has a thicker stanchion diameter and longer suspension travel than the former. Combined with the rear shock with a piggyback reservoir, the latter has more powerful downhill riding capabilities and better ground adherence.
In terms of drivetrain components, both bikes feature the same top-of-the-line SRAM electronic drivetrain components, providing an ultimate shifting experience and efficient power transfer.
Regarding the braking components, the former is equipped with Shimano XTR M9120 brakes, offering more linear braking performance, while the latter features SRAM Code RSC brakes, which are more aggressive and direct.
So, these two bikes excel in different aspects, with the latter having superior downhill riding capabilities, while the former excels in climbing, offering a more well-rounded performance.
Learn More: Is Pivot Firebird 29 Pro X01 a Good Choice? – [Pivot Firebird 29 Pro X01 Review]
Summary
Above is my review of the Scott Genius 900 Ultimate. In our opinion, this bike is lightweight and performs impressively in both climbing and downhill riding. That’s why we gave it a rating of 4.9.
Of course, if you want to explore other full-suspension endurance bikes, we also review many bikes at various price points, all of which are quite interesting. Feel free to check out our other reviews.
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