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Any Genius 900s or 700s around yet?

18K views 97 replies 18 participants last post by  weaverwins 
#1 ·
I was wondering if these bikes are out yet. I can't wait to see one in my bike shop.
If you have one or one on order, I'de like to here from you.
 

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#51 ·
For those awaiting either the 710 or the 910
(or those of you who are lucky enough to have one by now),

Are any of you planning on replacing the wheels immediately or are you planning a "ride and see" approach?

If you are planning on replacing the wheels, what are you planning on replacing them with?

Kegor
 
#52 ·
So my 910 came in but I've yet to touch it since I'm out of town. We did a lot of parts swapping and the xtr shifter will be in on Wednesday to complete the build. In response to the wheels question I went with kings on arch ex rims (stickers are removed) laced with sapim spokes.
Rest of the goodies are SRAM xo cranks with spider removed to run 28t bling ring 1x. Easton carbon bars, black market stem, magura mt8 brakes, xtr shifter and rear derailleur.
I'll get more pics tomorrow when I see it but he sent me these for now:








 
#56 ·
got the first ride in on it and its rather sick... we did some backtrails in Austin and I was having to grab brake to not run into the back of my friend on his 6inch 26er. This bike just rolls over everything... climbing and descending both. later i hit up some more xc style trails and a friend laughed when he watched me go over a rock garden and hardly move as the bike just ate it up...

still playing with pressures. was running too much front and back both on suspension and ive softened it up. tires i was doing the same... 3rd extended ride is this sunday at some GREAT trails at rprtexas.com which should definitely let me know how close everything is to being as i like it.

Bicycle Tire Wheel Bicycles--Equipment and supplies Crankset


with my heavy pedals and the stock XT brakes (waiting on my Magura MT8s to come back as a lever was spongy):

Bicycle Wheel Tire Bicycle wheel Bicycles--Equipment and supplies


first date:

Bicycle Wheel Tire Plant Bicycles--Equipment and supplies
 
#57 ·
Weaverwins,

Once you have your bike "dialled", would you be kind enough to post your final front and back shock pressures and rebound, along with whether your BB adjustment is high or low, and your "fully loaded" weight (tire pressure might help too along with tubed or tubeless). I see Scott has provided some starting parameters in the Genius manual and the suspension setup tool on the website. I seem to remember reading ?about the 2013 Spark 910 that the Nude 2 shock behaves better on the "soft" parameters from the suspension tool. I have not found any practical advice other than the above for starting parameters.

It would be a great help for those of us who are patiently (or not so patiently) waiting, and will want to get down to serious riding ASAP once our 910s arrive. In the meantime, we will live vicariously through your experience and pictures!

Kegor
 
#58 ·
Weaverwins,

Once you have your bike "dialled", would you be kind enough to post your final front and back shock pressures and rebound, along with whether your BB adjustment is high or low, and your "fully loaded" weight (tire pressure might help too along with tubed or tubeless). I see Scott has provided some starting parameters in the Genius manual and the suspension setup tool on the website. I seem to remember reading ?about the 2013 Spark 910 that the Nude 2 shock behaves better on the "soft" parameters from the suspension tool. I have not found any practical advice other than the above for starting parameters.

It would be a great help for those of us who are patiently (or not so patiently) waiting, and will want to get down to serious riding ASAP once our 910s arrive. In the meantime, we will live vicariously through your experience and pictures!

Kegor
yes will do. i literally just flipped it to high for my next ride after totally forgetting i even had the option haha. if i remember right the high setting is same angles as spark low which is what most people run the spark in. easy enough to flip on the trail even if it feels sketchy.

my buddy set it at the "recommended" pressures but ive let air out of the rear and front fork both a couple of times as it felt harsh and i wasnt using up even half my travel on some chunky central texas trails that should have been close to bottoming it out. im going by feel and oring marker right now until its right then ill check with my pump gauge and record and post for yall.

running tubeless and also letting out pressure little by little to find the sweet spot. im a big dude (250lbs no gear) but ill post all the relevant info after another ride or two once things are dialed in to my liking.

i meant to take more obligatory pics of it leaning on the trail markers etc yesterday but i was having too much damn fun riding it!
 
#59 ·
some notes for myself as well as others.
today's ride was at some trails that test the limits of bike and rider for sure. they are even cutting new trails right now that are easier because its known to be tough for "xc" style riding. anyhow... i only mention this as the genius absolutely shined today. i found myself leaving the suspension wide open one the rocky climbs and descents and it soaked it all up. locked out on jeep roads made me have to shift to a harder gear instantly as it was obvious it was more efficient than the softer settings. railed corners... ate up chunk enough that my buddy yelled "cheater bike!" at me when i was going over some stuff ha.

to the details. im 250lbs without gear. 6ft tall. raced bmx for 25+ years and got into mtbikiing on hardtails that i often rode on the chunky "tx dh" trails we have hear. moved to suspension as i got older and my back started giving me issues. i think i pick good lines and am light on the bike (especially for my size). im in central texas where we have a lot of tight, tech, and ROCK. rock like you wouldnt know unless youve ridden here. not rock gardens but constant. limestone mostly. todays place is unique as its granite and primo dirt.

bike settings today:
front tire is the stock nob nic 2.25 at 20psi
rear tire is a ikon exo at 21psi
fork was set at 70psi (forget recommended)
shock was set at 110psi (recommended is 155 or more if i remember correctly for my weight)
link was in high setting for the first time.

i never bottomed out the fork (inch left) or the shock (3/4inch left i think) today and considering the location i could probably soften a tad. still experimenting. id likely run the link in low if i lived in CO or CA but like i said, we have less elevation change but its tons of twisty tech chunky trails. it was nimble as hell in high without being twitchy. if i remember correctly the high genius setting is same HA as the low on the spark and thats what i liked that one in.

3 rides in so far and i think its just about where i want everything. hoping to hit a different trail this week but worst case ill ride on our property and test some things more.
more later.
 
#60 ·
The suspension will definitely break in a bit after 10-15 hours of riding. I can't wait to get mine. It should be in next week. Either way I won't be riding it until early Marxh.

I'm a lot light than you. I weigh 150lbs and I'm 5'10". I'm curious how I will set up my bike but will start off in the low setting and lighter on the air in the shock and fork. It usually takes me about 5 to 6 rides until I feel comfortable.

Colorado has much different terrain than Austin. I like a softer bike thanks climbs well. My main bike is a single speed rigid and I also have a Trek Remedy that I use for the all mountain and long distances.

Erik
 
#61 ·
Yea I'm expecting to see some break in and find some finalized pressures. Look forward to getting out of state with this bike eventually (co, ca, Tahoe) but its ideal for the terrain we have here and today proved it was worth the wait.

Look forward to seeing you get yours and hearing your thoughts.
 
#62 ·
I wish there were 900 series here in the Phoenix area I could test before committing on a 920. I get a little hesitant every time I get the urge to just order one, because I coming from a 07 Trek 4300, and although on paper this is the bike I must have, I have not ridden anything other than this Trek. :(

In your opinions, what would be an adequate size for a 5'11" person?

The size chart seems to be right around the cusp of mid or large.
 
#64 ·
Wolv275,

For what its worth, I have a 910 coming in ?4 weeks, size medium. I'm 5'10" (measure 5'10 3/4"). My Trek Ex8 was probably too big for me and my preferences for borrowed bikes are always with the medium. I checked one of the sizing sites (?competitive cyclist), and it looked like the medium was the way to go. My LBS recommended the medium as well. I agree that 5'11" is either large or medium according to Scott.

I also didn't have the opportunity to ride before purchasing, but the Genius incorporated most of the features I was looking for in my next bike (on the handlebar shock adjustment/lockout (which wasn't as awkward looking as the Fox system), 29" (or 27.5), ability to modify the head angle, 2 x 10, dropper post with internal cable routing, climber>descender). A Rocky Mountain was my alternative.

I'm getting excited as more "real world" riders (weaverwins, above) provide their reviews. Best wishes.

Kegor
 
#65 ·
I'll try to get past the OMG THIS BIKE IS IT! reviews as I settle down with the new bike psych :)
Hitting the 4th different trail tomorrow and its what I'd consider my most regular trail so it'll be interesting to make the comparison there. I have one climb in particular I'm thinking of and a few drops and descents.

I will say that on our property I have a steep supet rocky ascent that I couldn't touch before that I cleaned most of the first time on it on the 910. That climb segment should be named 'because f$%k you that's why'.
 
#67 ·
Ive got a 710 showing up tomorrow at work!!

the wheels are listed as tubeless ready (TR), do ya'll know if they already have rim strips in them??
i didnt use the stock wheels on my 910 but i saw them and they had cool rubberish tape that appeared to make them tubeless ready if i recall
 
#68 ·
also... trying not to post a bunch of OMG posts but ive ridden this bike at a different location in each of the 5 rides ive done since getting it and OMG. it loves all terrain. people ***** about the extra cables and fuzz of twinlock but its the best thing especially when combined with a dropper post (yes another cable). the lockout is true lockout in the rear and you can feel the efficiency and to be able to toggle between the middle and plush settings so easily is HUGE especially in our terrain.

last night my buddy was trying to watch me everytime i was going over "features" such as rock gardens etc and he repeatedly said "kiss my ass...".

still rolling 20psi on the tires (more like 19 front/21 rear)
lowered the fork and shock both by about 5psi so fork is around 65psi and shock around 100-105. im leaving it there until another week or so of riding then ill re evaluate. i still havent use the full travel on either at locations that use it up for most riders.

made climbs yesterday that i never had and keeping up with my buddy "the rabbit" was much easier.

look forward to hearing and seeing yalls bikes as they come in.
 
#70 ·
Bike is in. It weighs a touch under 28 lbs with no pedals and it is not set up tubeless. Overall I'm happy with the looks of the bike. Couple if things though. The rims on this bike are super narrow. They are listed at 17mm.

Erik
nice bro! glad it came in and look forward to hearing your reports on it!
 
#71 ·
My Genius 700 sl finally came in and built it up Saturday night, rode 25 miles/5k climbing the following day on it. Unbelievable how fast and responsive this bike is on trails I have ridden many times before (combination of chunky rocky singletrack, and smooth fast tight single track). Weighed in at exactly 25 lbs with pedals (small). Missing FD because I ordered the wrong direct mount version, but after actually riding it, I will keep it 1x10. TwinLoc is amazing.

<img src=https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8505814396_2df382048e_b.jpg>
 
#73 ·
Final swap complete. Magura MT8s installed and got a first ride in on them. Longer levers and more modulation make me happy. Was so used to the MT6s I ran that it's nice to be on a similar feel.

Rode some more technical, less traveled trails yesterday. Was nice to be somewhat hidden in the woods as the winds here were gusting up to 50mph! Im really liking my decision to run the chip in the high setting as it steers exceptionally well in the tight stuff especially when the suspension is in the mid setting (less sag occurs) or on smooth trails in the locked out setting (no sag! actual lockout).

Im no weight weenie but still amazed that we got this beefed up, 5inch large 29er with a dropper post down to the same weight as some of the more XC oriented bikes my friends ride. I am considering putting more beef on for tires and would love to hear what people are running. Considering 2.35 Hans Damf up front with snakeskin 2.35 nobby nic in back. Current setup is extremely light and works for most of the trails but a little more would be nice on some of the fun stuff.

Still running same tire pressures and suspension pressures. Fork finally bottomed for first time yesterday and rear shock comes close so im letting them settle in as I continue to tour all the different trails in our area.

Final weight with garmin sensors and pedals:

 
#77 ·
333, I'm waiting for my 700SL frame to arrive (ordered on 8 December '12) and have an XX1 groupset waiting to be fitted... I've ordered XTR trail brakes and Ritchey SuperLogic bars, stem and seat post for it... Are you running the factory fitted fork?? I can't decide between a Fox Talas 27.5 160 CTD-Adj or a DT Swiss carbon fork, any suggestions??
 
#80 ·
Put a 2.3 spec butcher control on front and 2.3 spec purgatory on rear and the bike lives the more aggro tires.

Been hitting all types if trails and it eats them all up. Really love how noticeable the full lockout is especially in its removal of sag and thus steepening of ha.





 
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