Good frame, looks good, nice parts

none

I really like this bike. It doesnt matter that it is mostly deore and ovation(marins house brand) i cant tell a diffrence. It a great all around bike and has a nice paint job. I got a great deal at www.doingitoutdoors.com I havent had any problems except with thorn.

Amazing frame for the money. Setup maybe budget, but I can still kick some ass on it.

Could use some upgrades, a little on the heavy side.

I used to have a Trek 820, which was tough as a tank, but also heavy as a tank. This bike is pretty quick and very responsive. I pass commuters everyday on my ride to work who have super pimped out roadies and the gear to match. I have been mountain biking for 8 years or so and I have to say that for the money, this bike is incredible. I have had no trouble with it so far. Of course, the components could use a nice upgrade, but I am going to stick with what I have right now because the stock deore are working better than anything else I have tried. Marin hardtail cromoly bikes are indestructible. I highly recommend this bike, everything is growing on me...even the paint job.

Similar Products Used:

Trek 820. Specialized Hard Rock, Rockhopper, Stumpjumper. Giant Awesome and Iguana. And many others...

good shocks, nice chromoly frame, pretty good brakes, Shimano Deore rear derailleur

crappy rims, pedals need to be upgraded as well as rims

this bike is awesome for the price that at bought it for and it's 10x better then my old bike. I can't wait to go biking some more this summer. I wasn't used to the brakes the first day i bought so i went straight over the handlebars. I would love to buy some disc brakes they would really help.

Similar Products Used:

raleigh discovery

Good entry level bike. I like the frame - not too stiff - good for someone new. Plus I got a good deal when I bought it.

Rims seem to bend/dent rather easily - when on rocky tracks (however, easily straigtened also :-)). Paint job is a bit hard to take (blue/purple effect).

"Upgraded" from a road bike - first MTB owned. Also used for commuting to work (I know I should get a second set of rims with street tyres for this). Still getting used to using it on the hills around Christchurch. Was recommended to me as a good entry level bike, with reasonable components, and a frame that was of sufficient quality that components could usefully be upgraded later, and so far, I agree with this.

Similar Products Used:

Avanti - tried a couple in same price range.

Value
Agility

Reliability
Fork so-so

Lovely bike - but all the non Shimano components broke - but it is still very good value and I loved riding it.
Now progressed onto an Eldridge Grade - review to follow later!

Similar Products Used:

Specialized Rockhopper

Nice components! Even the Marin brand components are pretty decent... handles very nice and has a light, responsive frame. The bike also has nice cranks and the Magnum fork is nicer than most bikes at this price range. It also comes with a very nice saddle.

Brakes, front derailluer, and rims aren't that great. I basically bought the bike for the frame. Not too many companies make a chromo frame (which is better than those piece of XXXX aluminum frames). Also, I am not that fond of the two tone, purpulish whatever, color of the frame. I like to keep it muddy for that reason. I will probably upgrade the brakes and the shifters first, and then steel the heavy powerhorse wheels of my swamp bike.

Definitely a nice bike for a weekend warrior and a mid-level rider like myselfe that enjoys going out and rough housing more than racing ... really light and responsive with the ability to upgrade at your leisure. I would have probably spent the extra and gotten the stiffer Bear Valley frame with more Deore parts and better quality forks, and of course a better color... but I will stick with my Muirwoods... She has grown on me... and gotten me out of a couple of scrapes with the elements. I give it a 4.5 Chilis... For value and performance...

Similar Products Used:

Univega Alpina, Specialized Hard Rock FS, Iron Horse Marauder, Marin Bear Valley

Good value
Nice forks
Decently made components

A couple of the components were a bit dodgy but that was it!

A very good entry level bike,not for hardcore bike thrashers but can still take a load of stick,plus some very good deals on them. Make sure you get one cheap because i don't think there worth buying at the retailers price!

Similar Products Used:

--

great price. Sturdy frame. Excellent warranty

frame cracked at right chainstay. Really poopy components. I live in HUmboldt county- the only original components left are the headset and the handlebars(after about 8 months)

Decent bike if you ride fire trails and crap like that. Won't hold up with a p.o.s. fork like that(though i rode on it down some beefy stuff) I would not recommend it to people that love to ride as frequently as possible

Similar Products Used:

GT avalanche, Santa Cruz Superlite,

Good Value
Handling

Using the bike for commuting as well as cross country has taken its toll, in 2000 miles of riding I have had to replace the chain twice, the headset and the cassette, the rear hub is on its last legs and the rims are not too healthy either.

Great bike for the money, better than some £800 bikes I've tried but if your looking to buy one upgrade the wheels before leaving the shop...