Frame
6061 Aluminum, fully hydroformed mainframe and swingarm, Quad-Link XC 2.0 suspension system, disc specific Rear Suspension
Fox 32 RP23, with rebound adjustment, dual position ProPedal w/3 position ProPedal lever adjustment Fork
Fox 32 Float RL, 120mm with rebound adjustment, lockout and air spring preload
Submitted by
sillymonkey
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Canada Date Reviewed: May 30, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Don
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
Cyclepath
Strengths:
No bobbing when climbing seated. Durable frame.
Plenty of mud clearance in the rear.
10 year North American warranty on bearings.
Weaknesses:
Sometimes my heels or calves when wearing shin/knee guards rub against the rear swingarm.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Stumpjumper, Trek Fuel EX 8, Cannondale Rush
Bike Setup:
Mostly stock except for Thomson 90mm stem, Thomson post, Time ATAC pedals and Selle Italia saddle.
Bottom Line:
This review is for the 2008 Mount Vision.
For 2008 Marin did not have an XC bike so the geometry of this bike is more XC than All Mountain. Potential buyers may want to try a bike that is one size smaller if they don't like the XC feel of a long top tube. For example the medium frame has an effective top tube of 23.5" which is the same as the Turner Flux XC bike.
Based on research the frame is a bit heavier than most trailbikes, perhaps 0.5-1 lbs but the trade-off is better durability. Plus most people can lose a few pounds from riding more :-P
Components included with the bike are top notch consisting of an entire XT drivetrain. Most bikes at this price range may include a non-XT cassette or crankset to reduce costs. Unfortunately the price of the bike skyrocketed for 2009.
I've used this bike for plenty of 8 hour and 24 hour relay races with no problems. It climbs great and there is no suspension bob as long as the rider stays in the saddle. 99% of the time ProPedal is not needed. For me the only time ProPedal is engaged is when riding on pavement.
Most of my bike is stock. The WTB Prowler MX tires are the only weakness of the stock components. I would recommend changing out the rear tire for something grippier i.e. Panaracer Fire XCs for climbing.
As mentioned above sometimes my heels or calves may rub against the rear swingarm. However this could be because I'm bow legged. Also noticed that its usually the right side rubbing against the swingarm.
Overall this is fun and reliable bike for trailriding with a great value in components.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eilidh
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston, MA Date Reviewed: February 14, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Klondike Bluffs Moab
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
Birkenhead UK
Strengths:
Light, rides really well, has lasted me over 10 years with nothing changed
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Various
Bike Setup:
Pretty much as it came from the factory
Bottom Line:
I bought the Marin Mount Vision Pro more than 10 years ago (so obviously its a bit out of date). Since then, other bikes in my garage have come and gone but this is here to stay. It has done the English MTB Coast to Coast, the Colorado Hermosa Trail, the hills of France and Switzerland and my local state park as many nights a week as I possibly can. Its dealt with sand in Moab, mud in Wales and, since coming to live in New England a lot of tree roots. Its never had a component change, its hardly ever even been oiled and its full XTR still works as perfectly as the day I bought it. The only thing I changed were the forks as I was too light (being a woman) to get the original ones to work. I forget what the original ones were but now it has UK Pace forks. I cant praise this bike highly enough. I'd change it and buy a modern one.... but its still perfect and fits like an old friend.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
TallyTwhacker
a Cross Country Rider
from Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 Date Reviewed: October 3, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Guadalesca
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$802.00
Purchased At:
Marin Mount Vision F
Strengths:
The Marin Mount Vision is a technically superior platform. Initially, I had read the reviews and tried to get a Whyte Carbon Fiber model from over seas. I settled for the Mount Vision frame when it came available on Ebay. The rest of the bike is also components purchased from various locations (always the cheapest deal) making the retail value somewhere between $3,000.00 and $5,500.00 (if this sort of thing really matters). I am also not an advocate of advertising for others for free so the decals come off the bike. Looking at the physics behind the arrangement, there really is no other option for suspension available and I was surprised to see the Edison Bionicon was once a set up on a Marin Bike. This also confirms the physics aspect of the suspension set up. This bike improves with velocity making the suspension more effective as you accelerate. The responsiveness of the bike simply continues to improve as you push it. The frame is well balanced and the design works in conjunction with the riders center of gravity. Moving on the bike to get the best line of attack and keeping your body balance consistent with the application will only serve to improve the riding circumstance. I looked at alot of full suspension models and the shock is jammed wherever it fits in an alignment with what seems to look like the place preswsure will push it. this is consistent with the engineering application someone in this industry would come up with based upon the value of the employment position. I.e. your not going to find any rocket scientists building these things for a third of the value of their ability.
Marin is fortunate enough to have a design predicated upon physics and not the market value bicycle engineering will bear. This observation bears out is designs similar to the specialized "Brain" technology actually invented to offset flaws in the original technology. Being an advocate of Occam's Razor (the principle that the simplest most obvious solution is most often the best and only solution), the Marin design is the most direct answer to the suspension issue. introducing additional items into the equation merely makes the matter more complicated than necessary (like the Brain technology). Anyone choosing to purchase a Marin XC frame will immediately realize the benefit of engineered suspension verses a shock placed in a location to bounce when the back end hits something.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Specialized, Trek, Giant, Scott, Moots, Ventana, Santa Cruz, {all tested never purchased but the Moots got a second glance}
Bike Setup:
Marin Mount Vision Frame, Fox RLC F100 Fork, Crank Brothers Cobalt Rims, SDG I'Beam Seat and seat post, Bontrager Race x light handlebars and cranks, Knoa Pedals, John Tomac Nevegal (Stick-e Tube with sealant "tubeless") 2.3 on front, 2.1 on the rear. Shimano "deore" rear derailleur, XT front, Hayes Hydraullic "Trail" Brakes, and a Thompson Downhill stem.
Bottom Line:
The bike is a rocket flying gracefully over every conceivable obstacle in its path. merely shifting the weight of my body results in immediate setup for any upcoming challenges. Drop offs, rock gardens, roots, inclines, g-outs, and verticals are all effortlessly encountered with minimal effort. Care must be taken when descending not to exceed the physical limitations of the rider (there are none for the bike it will traverse anything the rider can negotiate). A very nice introduction into the industry that will doubtlessly improve the circumstance any rider will encounter while riding it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rewop
a Cross Country Rider
from England Date Reviewed: September 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
Chevin Cycles, West
Strengths:
Lifetime warranty on main bearings, quality parts throughout, Fox Suspension, Shimano XT, built to last and stand up to wet/mud conditons.
Super smooth ride over cobbbles/small rocks, plenty in reserve to handle the bigger stuff.
Responds well to assertive handling, responsive but not twitchy, confidence building.
Rear suspension arrangement realy seems to dig the back wheel in up steep rocky climbs, and gives great grip.
Hayes Carbon Stroker brakes surprisngly powerful
Weaknesses:
This bike is is ideally suited to trail riding rather than racing, its is not ultra light. The Hayes brakes although powerful are a bit grabby - maybe they'll wear in, I've only ridden about 120 miles on the bike so far. I'm 6 foot 2 inches and find the XL size comfortable. The sizing is very similar to my old Single pivot Marin large size
Similar Products Used:
Marin Rift Zone 2003 (Single pivot)
Bike Setup:
Standard set-up except changed the bars for Easton Monkeylite Carbon, and a shorter 75ml FSA stem
Bottom Line:
This bike has been Bike of the Year in its class two years in a row. Get this bike if you want something that will last long term, a great all rounder, more than enough suspension for general trail riding with reserves for bigger stuff. If you can't do it on this bike its not the bike that's the problem!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
luv2mbike
a Racer
from Colorado Springs, CO Date Reviewed: September 25, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Buckhorn
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3600.00
Purchased At:
Marin Bikes
Strengths:
Components are perfect for the bike, the new 15 mm thru-axle on the Fox F-120 fork makes the bike so much stiffer. Frame is awesome, bike tracks well, and corners great.
Weaknesses:
No water bottle holder, not the end of the world by any means.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Epic
Bike Setup:
2009 Mount Vision 5.8. Mavic x317 rims, Hayes Stroker Carbon brakes, Fox F-120 fork with 15 mm axle, Fox RP-23 Shock,XT-Shadow rear Der., Moto Raptor Race tires,
Bottom Line:
This bike is everything I hoped it to be plus more. The main feature of the bike is the frame/suspension design. This bike peddles extremely well and descends even better. Cornering on the bike is effortless, and traction on short uphill sprints is phenomenal. This bike is great at making the small bumps seem to not exist, yet I have yet to bootom out the shock or fork even on 4 foot drops. I love the new fork on the bike. The Hayes Stroker Carbon brakes are very powerful, and do their job almost too well at times. Marin did a great job with the bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
HarrisonBn
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden, CO, USA Date Reviewed: September 17, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Dakota Ridge
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Components, suspension design, most everything important.
Weaknesses:
wtb hubs, color (mv pro is sweet though), and the sus design gets in the way of the limit screws. Nothing too important. The only truly annoying thing is that my front rotor warps all the time so I'm probably going to stick a 185 on there soon.
This bike ROCKS. It's my first fully, and I've seen a huge skill increase. The suspension is awesome, plush at first but haven't bottomed it yet. It's nice and light for the price, rims have held true for the most part, really couldn't be happier with this rig.
Marin's not too big out in CO but I strongly suggest if your local bike shop doesn't carry them, find one near you that does and at least give one a test ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JoshClarno
a Cross Country Rider
from Roseburg,OR,USA Date Reviewed: July 10, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Deer leap to Dread and terror
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2300.00
Purchased At:
Fundamental Bike
Strengths:
Great handling and looks. The suspension is active and lively, supple and yet the bike is super responsive to pedaling. Super efficiency is the word on this bike it slips and rips and thumps down and up every trail I ride it on. The bike climbs so well with plenty of traction and supplness yet it leaves most people on Epics or other racing full suspension in the dust. That is no joke.
The suspension as you climb absorbs most objects that would slow you down but the harder you pedal it the faster and more effective it becomes. Once you get used to the fact that this bike is going to respond better to you the stronger you get it will actually perpetuate your riding in my opinion.
Literally the bike has rewarded every gain I have made, the stronger I get the more efficient the suspension is.
Yet the suspension never becomes muted or not active from pedaling tension at the cranks, its amazing.
Weaknesses:
This is an updated reveiw so I have actually had time to pick this bike apart and find somthing wrong with it.
The only thing that really bothers me about this bike is the chain line. Its a little far out compared to most of the bikes I have ridden.
But I love this bike so much that I have learned to live with it. I even put a 12-34 cassette on it to experiment with different gears and I really like that gear range on this bike. It actually makes up for the chain line.
A true weakness in the bike though that bothered me was the weak derailer hanger. I probably went through about five of them before I installed a device called a 4 jerry. It is a sort of derailer hanger stabalizer. Willie from Fundamental Bike recommended it after I expressed my concerns to him.
This has not only solved the problem but stiffened up the drive train a little too.
I have to admit that I like this trail bike so much that there isnt much I wouldnt do to accomidate its supple yet super fast suspension.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Epic,KHS softail, Giant VT1, Giant trance 2005 and the 2006 model, Titus Racer X, Salsa Motorapido, BMC fourstroke,
Bike Setup:
2007 Marin Mt Vision frame with easton ea70 bars and a zero degree thomson stem. Cane creek S3 headset attached to a 07 Fox Talas fork. Avid juicy 7 brakes and the new XT wheelset.
Contienetal Mountain king 2.4 tires set up UST. Full XO drive train. 12-34 XTR cassette. Time atac XS pedals. XT cranks. Thompson seat post and a WTB shadow V saddle.
Bottom Line:
Like I said prior this is an updated reveiw. I had to let everyone know that this bike has gotten better as I have gotten back into shape. The pedaling only gets sweeter the more pressure you can put behind the pedals.
Also the suspension gets better the harder I have learned to push it. I do believe that this is one of those rare bikes that gets faster and faster the harder you push it.
I have tried a lot of Mt bikes in search of that one bike. I have always been looking for the full suspension bike that is cush enough to smooth the trail out yet a full suspension bike that pedals fast enough to maybey compete in an occasional race. THIS IS IT.
And it is so unique looking. I have to admit it took me a while to get used to the swooping hydroformed tubes but once I put some serious miles on this bike I have learned to marvel at its looks and performance.
If anyone is looking for a good honest dual suspension bike that will treat you to supple suspension and quick acceleration active suspension up and down the mountains this is it.
Running the rear suspension with about 25% sag with the propedal lever switched off is the way to go 90% of the time.
I have ridden this bike on very rough terrain to very smooth fast XC single track and it adapts to either.
I have mine set up for trail riding and it weighs 26.5lbs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
frey
a Cross Country Rider
from Hobart Australia Date Reviewed: June 26, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Luge
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Penny Cycles NZ
Strengths:
Really an amazing rear suspension system.
Great component set.
Weaknesses:
Not a lot, biggest thing I could find was that I had to get a new shock pump because not all of them will fit onto the rear shock given its location.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Coiler
Bike Setup:
As stock, with Crank Brothers Mallet pedals and Panaracer XC Fire Pro tyres.
Bottom Line:
It took me some effort to get this bike, as there isn't a distributor in Australia so I had to buy it from Penny Cycles in New Zealand, who shipped it to me.
The spec on the bike is very good, solid components. I found the Avid Juicy's work exactly as you'd expect, powerful and predicatable. The XT gears are the same. The Easton Monkeylite handlebar is a great addition, Easton just seem to have the right balance of width and geometry for this to give a great riding position for climbing and weaving on tight singletrack. The Mavic Crossride wheels (American Spec, they're different in the UK I believe) are nice too, great power transfer and a nice freehub.
But then there's the frame and the suspension, which frankly is awesome. I set up the fox fork (be aware that Fox recommends pressures which are far to high) so that it sags about 1 inch when I get on the bike, and haven't changed it since. The rear end I initally had too soft (Marin recommends a max of 15mm sag, but 1 or 2 mm too much can make a fair difference here) and the bike would sag a bit on steep climbs, but I added a little pressure to the rear shock and that fixed that up.
Now I ride with Propedal on when I'm doing anything but long descents and it's amazing how this bike can be stable when pedalling but the rear wheel never seems to leave the ground! The inital part of the travel is so plush that the bike seems to have more traction than I thought was possible.
I open the shock up on descents and it really doesn't disappoint, it's ability to keep the wheels on the ground all the time makes it really inspiring on bumpy corners.
I would buy this bike over again with no hesitation, I can't find anything negative to say about it. For the price you're getting Santa Cruz Blur quality rear suspension
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jah soils
a Racer
from Petaluma, CA, USA Date Reviewed: January 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
rough go
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1900.00
Purchased At:
Marin Pro Purchase
Strengths:
Where to start, the bike to state it simply is just awsome. The rear suspension tracks like a dream on both the up and down hill. The pro pedal feature is amazing and the wheel path is flawless. The bike is perfectly balanced, and is a poin and shoot machine on the DH. IT has a wide selestion af gears and large rear casset to tackle any trail. The frame is solid enough to take to a bike park but light enough to race. i love this bike, i ride hard and crash alot you can ride it into a rock pick it up and keep on going with no issue.
Weaknesses:
issues i have with the bike are things that bother me personaly and not actual desighn flaws. a carbon fiber seat post and seemingly low bars slightly bug me.
stock, 2.35 maxxis minion dhf front/ 2.2 maxxis wet scream rear. new grips, kind of given though
Bottom Line:
The bike is amazing and floats over every thing. I simply love it. I strongly recomend it for anyone looking for a slightly longer travel but light weight trail/xc bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jagrr
a Cross Country Rider
from yorkshire Date Reviewed: January 6, 2008
Favorite Trail:
dalby forrest
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$3500.00
Purchased At:
chevin cycles
Strengths:
This bike is very stable, it has a solid well built feel to it .Climbs very well,with little bob and tracks downhill with confidence .
Weaknesses:
Slow on tight switchback corners and will lift its front wheel very easily on slow rocky ascents if you dont get your weight well forward .
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
Bought the MV because of all the glowing mtb magazine reviews of it and i have to say it is a very good bike but just not as good as the press would have you believe . You will have to work a little harder on this bike to get the best out of it, but it is possible.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Speedy Pete
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: September 7, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Strengths:
Great looking bike with the new swooping top tube. Handles like a dream. Climbs like a hardtail and floats like a butterfly on the downhill.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Trek and Specialized
Bike Setup:
Stock except with platform pedals and Kenda 2.35 tires
Bottom Line:
My last bike, a Specialized was fun but my new Mount Vision is just plain awesome. I really can't describe the rush I get when I bomb down the mountain on this sweet ride. It soaks up everything and it keeps asking for more. It has front and rear lockouts which is great on the climb. It climbs like no other full suspension. I am amazed how fast I am now. My new nickname is Speedy Pete given to me by KL and DD.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Samuel
a Cross Country Rider
from El Cerrito, Ca Date Reviewed: August 17, 2007
Favorite Trail:
China Camp
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
3000
Strengths:
Super fast on the downhill with the new geometry frame which soaks up all the bumps.
Weaknesses:
Tires, I'm not a big fan of WTB.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz, Specialized and Trek
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
I must say I was never the fastest or the greatest when it came to the downhill but with my new 2007 Mt. Vision, I'm catching up to my buddies. I love the fact that I'm not getting tossed around like my last bike which was a Specialize. I definitely love the downhills now and I love the new speed I'm able to ride them at. I can see why my bike won bike of the year. Awesome is the word to describe this bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Zachary Colby
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco Date Reviewed: August 15, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Downiville Downhill
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Strengths:
5" of Plush travel front and rear with little to no bob on the climbs.
Weaknesses:
2.1 WTB tires. This bike needs a min. of 2.25 width. Also would of like to see a better headset.
Similar Products Used:
Trek Liquid 30
Bike Setup:
Stock except for new wider tires and a Chris King headset. Also Shimano spd pedals, just my preference.
Bottom Line:
This is the best bike I've ever own. I had a Trek Liquid 30, Trek Fuel 90, KLein Attitude, Salsa Single speed, and a Yeti. Basically this bike just floats over everything. If you want an awesome ride, this bike is it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Derek Ainsdale
a Cross Country Rider
from U.K Date Reviewed: March 18, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Ae
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Leisure lakes
Strengths:
Protected main bearings and shock. Good fork. Frame finish is reasonable and slightly more durable than previous models. RP3 is adjustable but difficult to access.
Weaknesses:
Rear shock is difficult to access and adjsutments make little operational difference. The bike bobs on climbs with noticeable bob when climbing out of the saddle. This is the heaviest Mount Vision that Marin have made. I cannot get 5" of travel from the rear of this bike. Slow and cumbersome on tight turns and it lacks the zip of its predecessor. Astonishingly high centre of gravity which becomes apparent when attempting slow technical manouvers. I can see no point to the top tube abd headset configuration. And who needs a bottle cage these days?
Similar Products Used:
Marin Mount Vision Pro 2004 and 2001.
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
This is not what I regard as a fast XC bike in the same league as the previous quad link Mount Vision models. This design is too top heavy, heavier all round and just not as agile as the original twin boomerang frame models. it also does not climb with the same efficiency regardless of how much tweaking of the rear shock I attempt. In the pursuit of a new design I feel very much that Marin has sacrificed the speed of the MV pro for greater travel (if you can get it) and better protection for its moving parts. I have owned 2 of these bikes before and I have a 2005 TARA and this 2007 model rides more like the TARA than either of the Mount Visions. I feel as if I am teetering on the top of the bike when the going is slower, especially on winding technical stuff that the previous model used to speed through. I have read the glowing test reports on this bike but for me I can only compare it with previous models and I expected such a new shape to be at least as good but preferably better for the extra cost. Basically I see it as more a freeride rig than the flagship superfast Marin Cross Country bike that it used to be.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alexis Colin
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA, U.S.A Date Reviewed: February 20, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Sunrise Trail Downieville, CA
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
The new 2007 Mount Vision, was the most plush ride I have had on a full suspension mountain bike. I have test ridin a lot of full suspension bikes from Yeti to Ellsworth, to Cannondale, but this is the first 5" travel XC bike that I have ridden. And for the amount of travel given on the bike it still manages to feel guick and responsive. I am an XC rider and prefer the feel of a quick hardtail.
But if I were to invest in a full suspension this bike would be at the top of the list.
Weaknesses:
Small frames won't fit water bottle cage!
Similar Products Used:
Yeti 575 Enduro
Bike Setup:
Quad link system, with Fox 120mm RL fork,5" Fox RP23 rear shock, XTR rear deralliar, XT shifters and Crank. Avid Juicy hydrallic B7 Brakes.
Bottom Line:
If you want a plush Full suspension XC bike that is
responsive and durable the Marin Mount Vision or Mount Vision Pro is the bike to ride!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Antonio Gordopilo
a Cross Country Rider
from Cold Spring Harbor, NY/Bustarviejo, Spain Date Reviewed: November 7, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Stillwell Woods, Rocky Point, White Rim, Sierra de Guadarrama
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Frenchie's
Strengths:
Versatil, light, smooth, beautiful. Perfect for XC, aggresive XC, and trail. Excellent suspension design, almost 100% pedal efficiency, no brake jack, no bob, but plush and smooth. The suspension hardware is flex-free and very durable. Apart from that, it is the best bike in the world because it is my bike. Good for racing.
Weaknesses:
Suspension stiffens a little bit going up hard in the technical part of the trail, but is a ridiculous price to pay for the rest of qualities of the suspension. Some high-ends components (Fox RP2 and Avid Juicy's rotors) were defective, but everything got changed and set up as many times as needed with kindness.
Similar Products Used:
Just demoed 5 min in parking lots a Trance a Stumpjumper and a WolfRidge. None felt like the MV.
Bike Setup:
FSA riser carbon handle bar and Marzocchi All Mountain 130mm fork, to make the bar be only 1 inch lower than the saddle (I'am 6.3 ft).2.3 Kendas cause I am 220lbs. At the same times these changes increased the trail capabilities. The original bar, fork, and tires were very good and went to upgrade my wife's bike.
Bottom Line:
100% Perfect wonderful bike for rallies, epics, marathons, technical/aggressive XC, singletrack and trail. Get the WolfRidge to go all mountain/light free ride. It is meant to eat roots, rocks, stones and bumps at medium/medium-high speeds (no kamikazee downhill)and for climbing, to take you cruising long and far, and also to enter the rooty trail, go up and down over and over again the technical sections, take your small jumps and drops and go home several hours later. Always 1st or 2nd in the magazine tests (check MBAction, of course). Ohhh, and the 07 models with that extra inch of travel...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Sweden Date Reviewed: September 17, 2006
I've had the Mount vision for a year now and although this is a 2005 it has exactly the same spec as the 06. This was my first full suspension bike.It felt weird when I first sat on the thing.Super long handle bars and a rear end that moved up and down!I got found mine to be 12.5kg. I set up the suspension according to the book and took my first ride.I gave the bike a while and a chance to grow on me but the handlebars had to be shortened!About 2cm from each end I removed.I also had too many spacers under my stem so I removed a few to give the front end more of a secure feel. Since then I've covered some long distances on the bike including a few long XC races this year.It does take time to get the set up right but when you do you are rewarded with a very controlable bikes which rolls over the rocky stuff very first indeed and goes down hill as good as the best.The front and rear FOX are excellent plush items enabling a set up to suit all.The avid brakes have been brilliant although be prepared for quick pad wear if you are used to V-brakes.The shimano XT gearing has been as usual very reliable as long as you look after it.The WTB raptor race tires have been excellent-a great allround tire! The frame/joints have all been super reliable and the tough black paint work has grown on me.The only perhaps minus point are the WTB laser lite disc hubs that came with my bike.They are not the sweetest running hubs and I can see a set of Hope XC hubs in the pipe line.Nothing wrong with the 317 rims. All in all I've been well pleased with my Marin and hope to get to know the bike even better!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ross
a Cross Country Rider
from Ashland, OR, USA Date Reviewed: September 9, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
bicyclebuys.com
Strengths:
Suspension design and performance, build quality, weight (sub 28 lbs.), value at purchase price.
I have been very happy with this bike. The suspension performance, in contrast to my 2002 NRS2, is amazing. The bike absorbs hits so well I feel like I'm riding in a cocoon. It climbs almost as well as the NRS (especially once I got the air pressure right on the RP3). I typically lock out the front fork when climbing (a nice feature, but it would be nice to have the automatic feature with a SPV design). Value rating is considering purchase price. Overall 4 Chilis since I would probably have gone with a Blur if price wasn't a factor.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from Texas Date Reviewed: March 14, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Tyler State Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
Used.
Strengths:
looks heavy, but is actually pretty light. XT components, fox floats,
Weaknesses:
Hayes brake levers, WTB saddle, water bottle location, handle bar toooooo long. (easy fix)
Similar Products Used:
demo'd plenty,
Bike Setup:
All XT, Fox front and rear, Hayes disk, thompson elite.
Bottom Line:
Bottom Line:
Very solid ride. I used it for hard trail riding as well as cross country, and lock out the suspension for cement riding. Took me a little bit to get all the right settings for my suspension (front and rear), but now that I have, I can bomb down some serious terrain that I wouldn't even think of doing on my old Trek hardtail. Climbs very well, as long as you have the right tire pressure. I run 45 psi front and rear, but also weight a bit more than most, so that works for me. I had the handle bar cut back to 26", they were a staggering 27 1/2". The WTB saddle is light, semi comfy, but just seems unstable at times. I plan to upgrade seat post and saddle soon anyway. I wouldn't pay the MSRP for this bike, but for $900, no way I could turn it down.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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$ 2990.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
