Submitted by
ics
a Weekend Warrior
from Wellington, New Zealand Date Reviewed: September 30, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Makara
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
Bike Barn
Strengths:
2008 version - great ride, looks mint, stiff for a full suspension, goes up hill really well. super on the the downhill. Really impressed - can swap out the tyres to better rubber, same with the shocks but the frame is the same as the next models up so with a bit of money later on can upgrade with no worries on the frame. Super solid entry level bike. Can't get better for the $$.
Weaknesses:
lower end components but can be replaced inc shock low.
Similar Products Used:
Specialised XC, Merida's
Bottom Line:
Can't go wrong with a bit of tweaking on teh set up.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Davey Quong
a Weekend Warrior
from Sparks, NV. usa Date Reviewed: August 14, 2007
Favorite Trail:
flume , lake tahoe, ca
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1320.00
Purchased At:
rei
Strengths:
Bike handles like it is ready to race. The extra room on the top tube lets you have more confidence going over rocky conditions.
Weaknesses:
Wish the suspension was at least 5 inches if not better by going to 6 inches. Bike is a little heavies but worth the weight by the shape of the frame.
Similar Products Used:
Canondale
Bike Setup:
2.35 Kenda Cool Blue tire up fromt and Kenda Nevalda in rear. Has good grip climbing. Little twitchy in the sand.
Bottom Line:
Recommed the bike. I got the 2006 frame and every one loves the look of the frame. The design of the rear swing arm is a genious. It gives you alot of room from chain slap.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Will
a Cross Country Rider
from Anchorage, AK Date Reviewed: August 8, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
climbs like a goat, very plush feeling rear suspension, very little pedal bob, sealed bearings at the pivot points, nice tires for soft conditions.
Weaknesses:
Some of the components are second rate, but about the same as the competition for the price. There are lighter bikes out there for the price.
Similar Products Used:
First full suspension ride, test rode alot of others.
Bike Setup:
all stock so far
Bottom Line:
This review is for the 2006 version, which I picked up at a discount. It's a fantastic bike from a ride standpoint- great cockpit feel, great front-rear balance, nice and rigid, no perceivable pedal bob, very confidence building on downhill and muddy trails. All in all a very well sorted out bike. It's a bit heavy though when compared to the competition @ 32 lbs. Also, the brakes and pedals would not have been my first choice in components and will get replaced when they fail. At the price I paid for it it's a 4.5 chilli bike (5 chillis if it had 5" travel front and rear). If I were buying the 2007 model and paying full price, it would be a 4 chilli bike because of weight.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob Wentner
a Weekend Warrior
from Fargo, Minnesota, USA Date Reviewed: May 21, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Forest Valley
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
RSCycles
Strengths:
Moutain beater!!! Climbs with ease, great over logs,rocks! Takes drops no problem!
Weaknesses:
None!!!
Similar Products Used:
Norco Six Three, Giant Anthem
Bike Setup:
upgraded fork to 120mm; bash guard added
Bottom Line:
Bring on the competition!! This easily stands up to all psuhed onto it - easily converts to trail, downhill, or street riding!!! Very light and easy to transport. Anyone wanting an overall gerat bike, jump at chance to buy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
brian
a Cross Country Rider
from charlotte, n.c., U.S. Date Reviewed: February 25, 2007
Favorite Trail:
tsali trails
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
rei
Strengths:
plush ride. the bike handles great due to the quadra link design on the swingarm, and it climbs like a monkey.
Weaknesses:
none
Bike Setup:
stock. fox float r rear shock, rock shox tora front fork, shimano deore lx derailers, wtb motoraptor tires
Bottom Line:
great ride! seems to never lose traction over logs, rock gardens, etc.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lowe Clay
a Cross Country Rider
from Cypres, Texas USA Date Reviewed: May 25, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Hershey
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
Freind
Strengths:
The bike is very light. I climbes like achamp and tracks really well. I ride a little aggressive than cross country. i have jumped this bike and taken it on some good drops. It is solid. However I ride a Cannondale Gemini for more freeride style stuff. The Marin is still a Cross country style bike.
Weaknesses:
First I ditched the fork. I went with a Bomber 120mm. It was a very needed improvment for the type off riding i do. I also went with bigger tires WTB Weirwolfs. I suggest wrapping the swingarm due to chain slap.
Bike Setup:
Bomber fork, WTB Weirwolf tires. XT rear drailer, Bontrager short stem. everything else is stock.
Bottom Line:
This is a easy pedaling, great tracking, very light, somewhat all purpose bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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