Australian Mountain Bike — December 01, 2017

(Jacob Rumans) #1
http://www.ambmag.com.au - 89

MIKE BLEWITT


RIDER BIO


Riding Experience: A lifetime of
riding bikes, selling bikes and
writing about bikes.


Generally Rides: Norco Revolver 29
FS
Height: 179cm
Weight: 72kg
Bike Test Track: Victorian High
Country, Gap Creek, Brisbane trails


TESTED


The suspension has had huge updates,
with a Horst link added to make it a
true four-bar action compared to the
previous Genius. This gives better
support in the suspension, instead
of sitting well into the travel, and it
also gives a more progressive action,
which a bike like the Genius needs. The
geometry has been radically changed,
and this must be one of the longest
29er long travel bikes out there from a
major brand. I tested a large and with
a top tube of over 630mm, the bike has
a reach of 466mm in the low setting.
With a 65 degree head angle in the low

position (65.6 in the high position) it is a huge
departure from the previous Genius which was
quite short and a bit steep.

The Syncros wheels come taped and after buying
some tubeless valves they were a cinch to inflate
tubeless with a track pump. That said, the 2.6”
Nobby Nics might not be for everyone, and
something closer to a 2.4 or 2.5” tyre might suit
your trails. The Syncros rims are wide and give an
excellent base for new, wider tyres.

Looking over the bike, the precise design stands
out in many places. The main pivot bolt locks into
a keyed unit, which is the mount for the included
Free download pdf