Scott Genius LT 700 Tuned Plus

This also means technique is key to riding the bigger tyres, and this was something we found when testing 29” wheels some years ago. Timing is everything to getting the rhythm correct, however the steering characteristics on harder terrain and shallower corners still catches us out on occasion. But we feel the advantages outweigh this trait. Tyre pressures are very much key here, and so to the riding surfaces. At lower numbers (12-16psi depending on rider weight) the tyres are prone to folding and rolling under cornering which is unnerving. We found most success with pressures between 18-22psi for riders 85-90kg particularly in the harder faster conditions in Bike Park Wales. On natural terrain the lower psi works and boy do you get a good anchor from that large surface area on slippery banks.

You’ll notice that the Scott comes with Syncros TR1.5 Plus rims and 160mm travel. This makes it pretty unique and incredibly rare. The rims here are key because we found the larger tyres on narrower rims such as the Stumpjumper 27.5+ to buckle when loaded. This was not such an issue with the super wide Syncros.

As ever its not the tyre that makes the bike, you need the bike to have good integrity to begin. We didn’t like the damping on the standard 27.5” 700 LT but now it makes sense with different frequencies at work on this machine. And hell it one of the fastest most fun bikes we’ve ridden all year.

Which ultimately leaves us in a tricky position. Prior to riding concerns of drag, poor grip due to the poor compounds, lack of tread and thin sidewalls have all proved ungrounded to some degree.

It’s so good and so up to date that it’s hovering in our minds that it could be bike of the year.