Scott's flagship is their all-round model Genius, which now also rolls on the fat tires from stock. The suspension, frame geometry and solid specification of the Genius wheels are well known and have already featured in many a test report. In this case, the focus is on the 2.8 inch wide plus-size tires. The tread comes from the well-known Nobby Nic from Schwalbe. Accordingly, the bike rolls smoothly over the trails. There is no trace of the expected sluggishness. The extra weight is also not noticeable. Despite the thick tires, the bike has lively propulsion. A noticeable difference lies in the lateral agility. The larger and rounder tires give the bike a calmer, somewhat more comfortable character.

A plus on the downhill

The most striking difference of the plus-size tires is noticeable on descents. Thanks to the increased feeling of safety and the additional grip, your riding technique takes a significant step forward. With the thick rubber, you can simply roll over areas that were previously almost impossible to ride. For good riders, the plus-size tires open up new possibilities and pave the way to very demanding regions. However, they have the greatest impact on less technically experienced mountain bikers. Bikes like the Genius Plus make it possible to ride routes that were previously avoided or mastered on foot. Especially in alpine terrain, where there are often crisp passages, bikes with plus tires offer a noticeable advantage and make riding more fun.

Conclusion:

Plus tires are still in their infancy, but the first models such as the Genius from Scott make a promising impression. They won't win any mountain rankings, but they are a lot more fun to ride. For use in very technical terrain, however, grippier tires are urgently needed.

Manufacturer: www.scott-sports.com

Test report published in issue 01/2016 of Ride Magazine