The Canary Islands have long been known as an escape for winter-weary mountain bikers, especially La Palma. What is largely missing on the islands, however, is a list of attractive singletrail tours. Ride seized the opportunity, flew to the Canary Islands for a month of tour research and packed an oven-fresh Scott Genius Supertrail in the box. The research trip was the best opportunity to put the newcomer from Scott to the test.

The genes of the Genius, the character of the Ransom

What was already obvious at the product launch at the beginning of November: The new Genius should replace the previous Ransom in the Supertrail version with larger suspension genes. And it does. The all-mountain bike handles downhill like an enduro chair. Smooth and easy to swallow. The grippy tires contribute to this. However, the Genius is not a sluggish tractor, rather the bike wants to be guided. The sporty genes from Scott are unmistakable. Grosso modo: Anyone who has come to appreciate the previous Scott Ransom on the descents will recognize the character in the new Genius Supertrail.

The big difference between the Genius Supertrail and the Ransom is on the climbs. The Genius climbs surprisingly well and has unexpected thrust uphill. This propulsion is due to both the low weight and the progressive geometry data with the steep seat angle. These advantages are particularly evident off-road, for example on single trails uphill with smaller drops and steps. Here, a completely different power is applied to the cleats compared to the Ransom. In other words: The new Genius has the uphill genes of its all-mountain mother, the previous Genius. Downhill, on the other hand, it has the character of its enduro father, the Ransom. A successful hybrid for trail mountain bikers who are not afraid of climbs.

Packed feels great

One more word about the packed shock, the big change compared to the previous version. In terms of ride comfort and suspension characteristics, the suspension is clean and sensitive, as you would expect. Access to the adjustment levers and valves is also trivial. Functionally, this is a tried and tested system, but it has a particular advantage in the Canary Islands: It is sandy and dusty here, with salt water coming in again and again. It feels good to know that the spring unit is protected and packed away. The integrated spring kinematics are a clear advantage in such conditions and also in muddy conditions.

What Scott (and other manufacturers) still don't deliver is a frame finish worthy of a bike in the five-digit Swiss franc/euro range. Once you've lightly touched an edge, a large piece of frame paint has chipped off the Genius. We are familiar with this problem from previous model series, but it still seems unresolved. It's also a shame that there's a lot of plastic on a bike like this. This may be good for the low weight, but it looks cheap. For example, the plastic chain guide disappeared into the bushes after just a few rides.

Conclusion: a Colt for all occasions!

After four weeks, the Genius Supertrail has proven to be a solid and reliable partner for tour research. Everything is possible with this thing, from the long ascent on asphalt to the knobbly single trail descent or the dizzying carrying passage. We've experienced it all with the new Genius. Test passed! After the intensive familiarization phase, the bike will be my faithful companion for the 2023 season. A Colt for all occasions!

https://www.scott-sports.com/ch/de/genius

New tours on Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote

During a four-week tour research trip, the Genius was mainly used on Gran Canaria with side trips to Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. The Canary Islands are not considered a mountain bike hotspot for nothing. Gran Canaria is particularly impressive - an island with almost inexhaustible mountain biking potential. Including a route that is undisputedly one of the best descents in the world (Pico de la Bandera)!

Here are the results of the four-week research trip:

• 17 tours on Gran Canaria: ride.ch/tours/gran canaria
• 8 tours on Fuerteventura: ride.ch/tours/fuerteventura
• 2 tours on Lanzarote: ride.ch/tours/lanzarote

Canary Islands in December 2022: