Can there possibly be a mountain bike in the world that’s worth $13k? Scott USA’s Genius Limited is coming in at $13,225 for 2009, so they seem to think so. We’re talking about a single bike that costs as much as over four of the venerable Kona Dawg Deluxe trail bikes (MSRP $2999) or two Rocky Mountain Altitude 90 RSL full-carbon trail bikes (MSRP $6499). I know someone will actually try to convince me that this bike is worth every penny, but at that price, even the most silver-tongued salesperson couldn’t get me to pony up.
Tipping the scales at barely under 23 lbs., this little carbon-fiber beauty boasts the lightest weight for 150mm travel of any mountain bike in the world–heck, it’s lighter than most hardtails. The Scott Genius Limited can potentially hang with the best trail bikes on the planet at an average weight savings of 6-7 lbs. Over the course of say, the Leadville 100, that kind of a weight reduction will be noticeable, but it all comes a huge expense.
Yes, the Scott Genius Limited is a showpiece… kind of like those ultra-skinny and starved runway models who wear the most amazingly-ugly clothes on the planet (I’m no fashionista) because it shows what’s possible, not necessarily what’s reality. This bike is a showpiece that is also intended for public consumption, so is this over-the-top mountain bike it worth the price?
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Scott USA likely has this thing on a short leash, so not many people have actually ridden it–let alone touched one. Cam McRae from NSMB.com got a chance to spin on the $6300 Scott Genius 20 last month and shared his thoughts in this thorough review. However, he only rode it on the buffed-out trails in Sun Valley, Idaho. I’m curious how it would ride on Moab’s Porcupine Rim or on the Wasatch Crest Trail.
Regardless of riding time, the Genius packs some serious travel into that svelte carbon frame. With 150mm of travel front and rear and 6 trim levels that start with the Genius 50 at $3450 on up to the creme-de-la-creme Limited that sets you back the cost of a very nice used car.
Some of the technology behind the Scott Genius LTD Limited includes:
* 150mm travel via Proprietary Equalizer2 TC shock (co-built by DT-Swiss)
* DT-Swiss EXC 150 carbon-fiber fork (Saw this at Interbike… very sweet!)
* Bar-mounted shock adjustment (lockout, 95mm Trac Mode or 150mm)
* Carbon carbon everywhere–even dropouts and chainstays
* Single-piece front triangle uses IMP4 technology (everyone else joins each tube after molding)
* A svelte 4.05 lbs for the frame
* Barely under 23 lbs. fully-built
* The kicker… $13,224.99 MSRP (USD)