The Scott Genius eRide is a good looking bike. It looks like the other emtbs on the market in a lot of ways. But there are some differences.
Different cockpit
Scott is known for their Twinlock suspension lock-out system. There is a lever on the handlebars for firming up or locking out the front and rear suspension simultaneously. The lever sits under the handlebar at the left hand side. On many other bikes, this is where you will find the dropper post lever. The seat post lever sits on the right side, on top of the handlebars. We pressed the wrong lever repeatedly during our time with the bike, but one will get used to it.
Do you really need firming or locking out the suspension on an emtb? Well, why not? We know some people really like the Twinlock. So we think it’s a good thing having bikes on the market with this option. And we did actually use and appreciate it during our test. Once. When the bike ran out of battery.
We were struggling a bit with the positioning of brakes. The Shimano MT420 is a four pot brake with decent power, but it’s got s a two finger brake lever. It’s designed for braking with the index and middle finger. But when descending hard, especially in a wet environment, we want as many fingers as possible around the handlebar grips. We tried moving the brakes towards the center of the handlebars, to use just one finger. But we felt the braking power was suffering, and we couldn’t reach the remote for the seat post and motor. We understand that Scott have to make some sacrifices to keep the bike price down. But could they prioritize differently?
Equipment
There is mostly Shimano Deore level drivetrain components on the Genius eRide 920, except for the Shimano XT rear derailleur. Would a Deore rear mech allow Scott to fit the Shimano MT520 one-finger brakes? Regardless, the new Shimano 12 speed drivetrain is pleasant. It shifts well under load. And we are very happy to see the Fox Rhythm 36 fork on the Genius eRide 920. Where we live, this is a very good fork for the money. We see a few shops selling this bike for € 5.299. The Fox Float EVOL Performance shock is nice too.
So, we really like a lot of the components on the Genius eRide 920. Tyre choice is good. The Schwalbe Hans Dampf 29×2.6″ rear tyre has the pretty hard Speed Grip rubber compound. We would prefer a softer tyre for the wet trails we’re currently riding. But this is a good choice that will work through the season for us. Up front is the Schwalbe Magic Mary with the Soft rubber compound. This is a grippy tire, even for the wet autumn trails.
Motor and battery
The Scott Genius eRide was updated with the latest Bosch Performance CX motor for the 2020 season. This is a powerful motor that can easily be controlled on the trails, even in Boost mode. Here’s a test of the motor. Genius eRide has also got the big 625 Wh battery integrated in it’s aluminium frame.
On the trails
“Safe and steady” is the first impression from all who rode the bike. The Genius eRide will easily go up even the steepest climbs. Thanks to the fairly long 465 mm chainstays, we don’t have to work much to keep the front wheel on the ground. Most hills are climbed easily and care free.
The long rear end combined with the slack 64.5* head angle means the Genius eRide has a fairly long wheelbase. The chainstay length leads to a slightly forward biased seating position. So the bike isn’t the most playful. Riding at low speed on technical trails, it can feel a bit heavy. We have to help the bike going through tight turns. And we have to work a bit harder to get the front wheel off the ground. It can be felt if you want to bounce about over every little bump on the trails. But the Genius eRide is confident and stable for those prefer going fast or riding difficult lines.
And this stable ride really comes into it’s own on the descents. Especially on the wet and slippery trails we’re currently riding. The bike sticks well to it’s line. The tyres can slide a bit sideways over wet rocks and roots. Still, the bikes takes us were we point it. Riding feels safe and composed over both rockgardens and jumps.
Conclusion
Scott Genius eRide 920 is the bike for those who appreciate a safe and stable bike for all round trail riding. At the same time, it’s the bike for those who enjoy fast descents.
Specs
Price: several stores list it at € 5.299
Weight: our scale says 24.5kg with pedals
- Alloy Frame / Virtual 4 link kinematic VLK
27.5″ and 29″ compatible / geo adj. / Boost 148x12mm
150mm travel / Bosch Gen4 / Integr. removable Battery
Range Booster Ready - Fork FOX 36 Rhythm Air
Grip 3 / 3-Modes / 15x110mm QR axle - Rear Shock FOX Float EVOL Performace Trunnion
3 modes / DPS / Reb. Adj.
Travel 150mm / 185x55mm
- Remote System SCOTT TwinLoc Suspension System
3 modes front and rear / integ. Grip clamp - Drive Unit Bosch Performance CX
Battery PowerTube 625Wh - Display Bosch Purion
- Charger 4A Charger
- Rear Derailleur Shimano XT / 12 Speed
- Shifters Shimano SL-M6100
- Crankset FSA CK-745 165mm / 34T
- Chainring FSA WB345 / 34T / DM / Steel
- Chain KMC e12S
- Cassette Shimano CS-M6100 / 10-51 T
- Brakes Shimano BR-MT420 4 Piston
- Rotor Front: SM-RT30 CL 203mm / Rear: RT-EM300 CL 203mm
- Handlebar Syncros Hixon 2.0 / Alloy 6061D.B.
12mm rise / 9° / 780mm - H’stem Syncros FL2.0 / 6061 Alloy
- Seatpost Syncros Duncan Dropper Post 2.5
31.6mm / S size 100mm / M 125mm / L size 150mm / XL 170mm - Seat Syncros Tofino 2.0 Regular
CRMO rails - Headset Acros Blocklock / Tapered 1.5″-1 1/8″
OD 52/62mm / ID 44/56mm
- Hub (Front) Shimano HB-MT400-B CL / 15x110mm
- Hub (Rear) Shimano FH-MT410-B CL / Boost 12x148mm
- Rims Syncros MD30 / 32H / 30mm / Pin Joint
Tubeless ready - Front Tire Schwalbe MagicMary 29×2.6″
Snake Skin / TL-Easy / SuperTrail / Addix Soft - Rear Tire Schwalbe Hans Dampf 29×2.6″
Snake Skin / TL-Easy / SuperTrail / Addix Speedgrip
- Lights Bosch Light Cable pre-installed F&R
- Extras Syncros Trail Fender
- Max. System Weight 128 kg
