Like pedalling anywhere and all the time, keeping our feet up through sketchy corners, blasting long jumps over obstacles with a complete lack of regard of line choice. There is so much traction, the dilemma we had testing this thing was what to do with it all? Jumping onto the Genius after riding various long travel 29ers we found ourselves doing some pretty cool things when we began to get comfortable. After the release of the new Pivot Mach 5.5 with its 2.6″ Maxxis tyres on 35mm wide DT Swiss rims and the 2017 Specialized Enduro 650B with 2.6″ tyres, we’re expecting that platform to put a dent in the popularity of the big 3″ tyre plus bikes next season. While we’re not able to see into the future, we can bet on a few things now and then that the industry is up to, and where things are going. Why not just big tyres on wide rims? Well, that’s a good question, thanks for bringing it up. The Maxxis tyres also have a more regular shape to them, the Maxxis Minion tyre on the front is particularly incredible. This Scott Genius Plus uses 2.8″ Maxxis tyres on 35mm internal width Syncros rims, which traditionally is on the smaller end of the scale to what we’ve used previously on plus bikes. That said, we are about as close to that pace as we are to winning anything, so we’ll back away from that debate and get back to bashing around the trails for the fun of it. It’s the way that the tyres can still bounce and squirm when pushed at race pace. Plus bikes, are they your thing?ĭespite the marketing teams from the big brands telling us so, we’ve still not seen a plus bike raced at the top level at an Enduro World Series race we’d have to agree though, for race speed we’d opt for a 29er with chunky rubber on wide rims over a plus bike. When it comes to dual suspension bikes, then the matter is a bit murkier, and it becomes more of a horses for courses kind of issue.

You’ll crash less, get fewer flats, have more fun. It makes perfect sense: Unless you’re looking for a full-blown cross-country racing machine, you’re better off on a hardtail with 27.5+ wheels/tyres. That said, in the world of hardtails, we do think it has the potential to take over. The Plus format is an excellent option though it’s not going to be ideal for every rider, or every trail. This all lets you drop the tyre pressures right down low, that’s where the grip comes from. The Plus tyres are typically between 2.8″ and 3.0″ in width, they have a huge volume of air and mount to wide 35-40mm rims. So, you’re a mountain biker in the market for a new bike, what wheel size do you choose? Let’s simplify it here 27.5″ for agility, 27.5+ for traction and control, and 29er for speed and confidence. Arrgh, it’s still convoluted to explain after a couple of years coming to terms with the middle wheel size 27.5″ plus.

2020 scott genius review