This is something you should probably get used to in the mountain bike world: When a manufacturer presents a new product line, there is usually always a version of it with a motor drive. This is the case with the new Scott Genius, which has been completely redesigned for the 2018 model year and will be available in specialist stores (link to the report on Ride.ch). There is also an E-Genius of this Genius with the identical new features. These include the new suspension kinematics and, in particular, the free choice of wheels. In other words: The E-Genius is one of the first motorized mountain bikes that can be ridden with 29-inch wheels without having to accept any significant losses in frame geometry. In off-road use, the larger wheels should help many mountain bikers to steer the heavy vehicle safely over rough trails.

Maneuverable thanks to short chainstays

The significantly shorter chainstay (compared to the previous E-Genius) is noticeable in the ride test. This has shrunk by three centimetres, which makes the bike noticeably more agile on serpentines. In contrast to many e-mountainbikes, which to this day often feel more like a tractor than an agile mountain bike on the trails, the new E-Genius comes much closer to the riding characteristics of a conventional mountain bike.

Welcome back: the kickstand

In many areas, the new E-Genius is based on the features of the "normal" Genius. It is powered by a Steps motor from Shimano. The battery is "hidden" in the down tube and the speed sensor is barely visible on the rear wheel hub. It is also possible to fit a bottle cage, which is not possible on many e-bikes today. An interesting feature is the universal option of bolting a stand to the high-tech bike. Scott has developed a super-stable stand for this with its Syncros component line, which it says meets a market need.

www.scott-sports.com