Submitted by
Peter Bolt
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston,TX,USA
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2005
Strengths: Solid design
Weaknesses: Components choice
Bottom Line:
I love this bike, goes anywhere I want to go up or down. Very reliable now, rear shock was an issue. Other than that it has been a joy and as each new component goes on it just seems to ride better and better. Alright it isn't lightweight but the rideability makes up for that.
Similar Products Used: Tried a lot of full suspension before plumping for this one
Bike Setup: Now : RS Psylo, Fox Vanilla RP3, Shimano XT all through, Hope - hubs, headset, Mini disc brakes. WTB Y2K saddle, Answer bars.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Josh Aurand
a Racer
from edgewood,N.M.,U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2004
Strengths: great design, and its really light. You can bomb hills both up and down.
Weaknesses: cheap components
Bottom Line:
Awesome intro bike, it has preety fair quality. This bike has lasted me quite a long time it is great full suspension bike. Its held up my abuse for a long time it still just glides through the gears. The only down fall is cheap components.
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2001
Strengths: Simple design, seems to be strong so far
Weaknesses: Back shock
Bottom Line:
Note that I modified my bike from day1 so I can't comment on the stock setup. I have riden this bike in quite a few differnt locations (i.e Moab, Vancouver, Rocky mountains) in rain, snow, and obviously sun, and for the most part it has performed beyond my expectations. The suspension works quite well especially since it is matched with the Z2 forks. Maintenance for the rear suspension is minimal since it is just one pivot, although mine does seem to be creaking at the moment . However, I have been plagued with rear shock problems, the Fox vanilla air shock kept leaking air and locking up (i.e. no amount of pumping air into was going to help). I have had it fixed twice and this third shock seems to be holding up quite well. I put the shock problems down to riding once in a while in -15 degree weather (I assume it makes the seals brittle). Anyway enough about the rear shock. The overall handelling is excellent. If you can get a shock with better rebound dampening I would since the ride can get bouncy. As for the component I'm most glad I changed, it would be the front fork, the component I'm grad I didn't change would be the brakes (Avid 1.0) they work fine. From attempting to ride stunts to just plain crusing this bike can do it all. Just note this is not a high performance racer, this bike is more a trail bike for getting out and exploring the mountains. I would recomend this bike to anyone looking for a quality bike that can be easily upgraded as mountain biking skills improve. I would have given it 5 chillis however the rear shock keeps me from doing that.
Strengths: light wieght.. great geometry... extremely good value... nice travel... over all good bike...
Weaknesses: fork.. i do a lot of jumping so busted it 2 times but now have a marzocchi z3 light on it... no other major flaws... some minor things but nothing to change your decision about the bike...
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for free riding and practically anything you throw at it.. I has held up well... (the frame) Like I said.. i busted the fork 2 times but that was 4 ft. drop offs so it would hold up to xc and some free riding...
Weaknesses: Stock fork basic relative to rear shock performance, lower shock bushing finally died after massive abuse, but took a year to go.
Bottom Line:
Phenomenally useable - the East Peak's your mate. Doesn't need to be ridden differently from a hardtail, but gets you out of trouble again and again. Climbs brilliantly and descends competently as well. The original fork is shown up by the general excellence of the rear suspension but the Pace is a much better match and makes the bike feel whole.
It's about to get some lighter wheels, but then I didn't have the originals, which are pretty good. Round here discs would be a good thing as the trails eat rims and brake blocks plus anything else that dislikes abrasion, but I'm reluctant to add the weight.
I would recommend this bike to anyone looking for a comfortable, competent all rounder for technical day long riding. It may not be rare and scarce, but there's a good reason that you see so many about and it is that it does the business in an understated, competent way. The CBR600 of mountain biking (if you're a motorcyclist)
Similar Products Used: Marin Bear Valley, 98 East Peak, Specialized Stumpjumper FRS thingee, Whyte Preston plus various others.
Bike Setup: Now runs Pace RC36 fork, Easton Monkey bar, XT rear mech and chainset, Deore front mech, LX vee brakes, soon to get ceramic rims / pos. disc brakes.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Croker
a Cross Country Rider
from Steyning, West Sussex, England
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2000
Strengths: It all works and stays working, with the sole exception of the rear shock which lost all its damping after 9 months. It was re-built under guarantee and has been OK for a year now (psssssst - what was that?!?). The frame design is good and functional - the upper bottle cage mount means no crap on the bottle, there's plenty of standover room too. The main 'problem' with the rear suspension is that it shows up the relatively inaffective front forks. I changed to Z4 air forks, which are better than the Manitou's, but are still no match for the rear. As you can imagine I am very impressed by the ride (you forget just how good it is untill you get back on a hardtail) and the way the rear suspension works on climbs, maintaining traction over all sorts of bumps.
Weaknesses: None really, assuming that the rear shock damping failure was a one-off, apart from the forks that are a bit basic. The foam handlebar grips are a bit naff, but easily changed.
Bottom Line:
Excellent value for money full bouncer. But remember that you do loose that lively hardtail feel, and the Marin can almost feel 'dull' as a result of the rear suspension being that good. A very good all-day-ride machine, but maybe not one for a quick blast?
Favorite Trail: South Downs Way - Devil's Dyke to Chanctonbury Ring
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Similar Products Used: First off-road bike was a Trek 830 (now with Manitou Spyder 'R' forks......)
Bike Setup: Standard apart from Bomber Z4 Air forks and Cane Creek grips.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
sean daoust
a Racer
from van, B.C., can
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2000
Strengths: the conponents and the frame and rear suspension r very nice the front fork is even better manatou x-verts 2000 with 4 and a half inches of travel.
Weaknesses: the front rim that is all.
Bottom Line:
this is a sweet small size bike for of people 11 to 14about sizes 5feet to 5-7.the front fork was crap but i put on 2000 manatou x-verts so now it is even better this is a sweet bike and it is equal 2 a stinky or better.and about 29 puonds. this bike will not be good for people who can't bike. this bike can take it all 15 foot drops what ever.
Similar Products Used: 1999 rift zone and kona stinky-five
Bike Setup: very nice strong frame garanteed will not brake and sweet very plush 4 and a half inch travel fork.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Adrian Robinson
a Cross Country Rider
from Dunedin, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2000
Strengths: Great frame set, same as Mt Vision Light wheels Good forks and rear shock
Weaknesses: Magnum R's and Fox-coil undersprung for my weight (85kg) Tange headset and front derailleur are shoddy
Bottom Line:
Great value bike. Insignificant differences in weight and equipment to Rift Zone but substantially cheaper. Simple but effective rear suspension does the job, without fuss and little bob if you stay in the saddle. Much kinder to my 32yr-old back; go places at speed I wouldn't have contemplated, much less enjoyed, on the hardtail. Would echo Ron Babcock's comments further down, regarding braking. The bike doesn't toss you off under heavy downhill braking, but still takes the hits. Plenty of stand-over clearance for the tricky stuff. Tange headset is crap. Be sure to service it when new as the assemblers don't put squat grease in the bearings. Same goes for the wheel bearings. Otherwise, it's a keeper.
Bike Setup: I found the Fox coil too soft, so changed to 700 pound spring. (Compromised a bit of weight for less hassle with the std Fox coil-over rather than an air shock). Also the MagnumR spring kits are the go for smoother action and firmer rates. The relatively high bottom-bracket is good for ground clearance but the seat height combined with low-ish headstock meant the grips were too low (90mm), esp on downhills. Steeper stem fixed that.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Andy Bliss
a Cross Country Rider
from Truro, Cornwall, England
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2000
Strengths: Just the lightest and easy to use bike I've ever ridden. This is the first bouncer I've owned and I'm already a convert. I've hardly got the best out of it yet and already I'm convinced I've made the right choice. I've yet to bopther with stuff like suspension set up which can only make a great bike even better. Oh, mine's a 2000 bike in full silver and it looks the bizzo!
Weaknesses: Stock (LX) rear mech won't last long I don't think, but I plan to upgrade to XT before too long anyway. Works okay at the moment though - just feels a bit clunky and a bit hit and miss. Had to take bike back to the dealer to have front mech set up 'cos it was jumping from big to granny ring without touching the middle one. (Why oh why hadn't that been checked before I picked it up?)I'm also a bit unsure about the stock rubber (IRC Mythos) On my first ride they were skittery over wet roots and on my second ride (again on wet trails) I lost the front end on a fast, downhill sweeper that would've hurt if I hadn't caught it. I'm going to run them through the summer but if I'm not sold on them later in the year I shall return to my trusty Tioga Psychos or try some factory muds!Also, bottle mount is a pain in the nuts if you come off!
Bottom Line:
If you're looking for a top quality full susser that you would be able to tour XC one weekend and hold your head up racing XC the next this is the bike for you. It's a bit expensive, (therefore 4 chilis) but if you can scrape the dosh together buy one now!You won't regret it.
Similar Products Used: First bouncer but demo'd a Marin Rock Springs (with Hope discs!) and a Specialized Rockhopper A1 Pro FS (didn't like) Previous bike Giant Chicago so no comparison really!
Bike Setup: Absolutely stock.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Johnny Wizz
a Cross Country Rider
from Durham UK
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2000
Strengths: Very light for full suspension - replaces 95 Nail FRS which was 4 lbs heavier and half the travel! Excellent climber especially technical rooty climbs. Good price and my all silver 2000 bike looks great!
Weaknesses: So far only the pivot bearing at the end of the Fox shock which lasted 10 weeks - replaced quickly under warranty! E mail if you've had this problem. Also you really should get a shock pump in the price!!!!!!!!
Bottom Line:
Its a great bike for long XC rides but the wear in the shock pivot worries me after 10 weeks, my Nail FRS was constantly in the shop with pivot wear. Marin told me they couldn't solve the problem wth the Nail Trail FRS but "at least I owned a bit of MTB history!!" For the record if you own one of these ancient machine it can be solved - a local engineering shop made me needle roller bearings for the pivots for £50 (probably better that Marin's plastic bushes!!) - they lasted ages. Next move is better equipment wheels and drive chain.
Similar Products Used: 95 Nail FRS and Specialized Rockhopper.
Bike Setup: Standard except Xlite XC riser bars and LX parallel push V brakes.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Scratch
a Cross Country Rider
from Sheffield, UK
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2000
Strengths: Excellent frame set. Good "budget" components. Cheap forks which work.
Weaknesses: Wheels are poor quality. Avid 1.0 brakes.
Bottom Line:
For the price of £995 (UK pounds) this bike is excellent value for money. It works great "striahgt from the box, but once you've adjusted and start to push it the quality of some of the components really shows. The Avid 1.0 V's for example were not good, and the general build quality of the Ritchey Rock Comp OCR wheels was poor, as were the quality of the rims.
The front forks Manitou Spyder R's have performed exceptionally well for a budget fork for 9 months before being replaced by some quality Pace RC36's.
A large number of the budget components were replaced by XT within a couple of weeks, the rest as they wear out. UN 52 BB has just failed after 11 months, and Fox Vanila shock had to be returned for new seals after 7 months. Other than that I've had no real problems - except, despite some spongeyness from the rear brakes, DO NOT FIT A BRAKE BRACE - it can hit the frame, and I have the dent to prove it - duh!!
If I had to replace it, I'd buy the same again - but spec better components before it left the shop.
Similar Products Used: No other full sus - previous bike '97 GT Karakoram
Bike Setup: 1999 East Peak, Pace RC36 EVO MXCD Forks, Hope/X517 front wheel, XT/X517 rear, XT V's + levers + shifters + rear mech + cassette. Rest as it came.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
leslie
a Weekend Warrior
from new mexico
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2000
Strengths: light weight, fox shock
Weaknesses: none yet
Bottom Line:
after almost 3 years on a hardtail this thing is great. it climbs almost as well as my moab2, but you can bomb the down hills . you can ride this bike all day with out your back locking up no matter how many baby heads are in the trail. handles the switch backs with out a problem[except for being able to go way to fast sometimes]. hve to give it 5 green chilis because they are hotter than the reds
Bike Setup: stock frame,judy 100 fork, xt-xtr driveline, archrival 50 brakes, easton monkey bar, velociraptor tires,mavick wheels-lx hubs
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ron Babcock
a Cross-Country Rider
from Elk City
Date Reviewed: December 6, 1999
Strengths: Light weight for the price Climbs well in and out of the saddle Well equiped for the price Very light wheels for the price Lots of stand over clearance
Weaknesses: Falling rate rear suspension goes through it's travel a little to fast. Lack of ability to change the damping of the rear suspension.
Bottom Line:
This bike is by far the best suspension bike that I have had the chance to ride on. A lot of people talk about the characteristics of a low forward pivot design in a bad way. They say that the rear end locks out during braking, it biopaces in the granny gear and it is not as plush as a 4-bar linkage. Well to me these are not disadvantages but advantages on the trail. Having owned a 4-bar linkage bike for 3 years before buying this bike I have the opportunity to compare and contrast the two designs. Both work really well but there are differences. The biggest advantage that a 4-bar linkage design has over a low forward single pivot design is the ability to be very plush. The Marin can be set up very plush mind you, just not quite as plush as a 4-bar design.The other aspects of the Marin I enjoy over the Specialized. The rear suspension locking out while braking is a positive to me because it acts a little more like a hardtail when braking hard into a corner. The Specialized always felt like it was going to throw me because the rear end didn't lock out. This is because when you brake on a 4-bar design the sag in the rear end of the bike is taken up while the front end dives, this can result in as much as a 4-6 shift forward on a 4 bar linkage bike while it is only in the 2-3 range on the Marin. I also enjoy the rear end locking out when stomping on the pedals. This gives the bike (to me) better pedaling efficiency. On the specialized when I got out of the pedals and hammered the bike the bike would sag quite a bit. On the Marin the rear end locks out and again still acts a little more like a hardtail while still absorbing shock. When it comes to climbing the rear end digs in due the rearend being pulled down on the Marin while on the specialzed it is relatively neutral. Overall though I really enjoy the ride of the Marin. The rear end is very solid (I weigh 235 lbs), the bike is very comfortable, it's light for the weight, handles fairly quick, is great in the tight woods, takes drop offs with aplomb, and for the price is very well equipped.
Similar Products Used: Specialized FSR Trek Y bikes
Bike Setup: I have changed the stock shifters to Shimano XT shifters and levers, the handlebar to a Control tech, The seat to a Titec Berzerker and the tires to Tioga XC's
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill Thomson
a Weekend Warrior
from Ashtead, Surrey, UK
Date Reviewed: November 27, 1999
Strengths: light for full-sus bike handles and climbs really well basic components but so far lasted well
Weaknesses: Spyder R forks far too stiff and unresponsive, not a good match for the excellent Fox rear shock IRC Mythos semi-slicks lack the grip for aggressive riding on the Downs Lateral play on rear wheel - maybe bearings needs tightening.
Bottom Line:
Compared with my Orange P7 hardtail this bike climbs just as well, but not quite so precise on the single-track. It's so comfortable to ride (like your favourite armchair) so you can go all day. This is a great value-for-money full sus bike. Why pay ridiculous money when you can get this performance/weight for less than £1,000? However you do need to upgrade the forks to get a well-balanced bike.
Bike Setup: As supplied but swapped Manitou forks for Pace, and replaced worn chain-set with LX and cassette with XT
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross-Country Rider
from Wellington, NZ
Date Reviewed: November 24, 1999
Strengths: Frame, Fox shock
Weaknesses: Rear suspension bearings,bushes
Bottom Line:
I brought this bike for the frame. I transferred all the bits off my Proflex 856 which had been upgraded over 3 1/2 years. The Marin had a great frame, very ridgid and the rear suspension works great for cross country. I upgraded the FOX shock to the model with adjustable rebound and this made a big difference. The only problem I am having is with the rear suspension pivot bearings/bush. After a couple of weeks it developed sideways slop. The bike shop simply tightened the bolts up and suggested that I do the same. I wasn't happy with that solution as after 4 months or so I was tightening up the bolts every 10-20 kms. Eventually it got to the point where it wouldn't tighten up any more. Into the bike shop to have it seen to. Its seems that I have wrecked the rear bearings by continually tightening the bolts. The bush needs replacing and the bearings will no longer sit square as with the tightening the bearings have worn away the face they sit against. Let me make this clear - the bike shop is saying it is MY fault that the rear suspension bearings/bush are worn out because I have been tightening the bolts. I was told by the bike shop to do this. The bike shop is now having trouble getting the parts - specifically a new bush - to repair the bike. Meanwhile I have been told to keep riding the bike with its sloppy rear suspension. Its OK except on fast downhills where it gets a bit scary when you can feel the rear suspension moving around.I was expecting better durability from the bearings and bush as my old Proflex was still on its original bushes after 3 1/2 years.I would give this bike 5 chillies but for the rear suspension pivot. I consider this a serious problem and as such it only rates 3.
So I'm thinking really heavily of getting this bike.... What do you guys think?? Good deal? Bad deal? Good bike? Bad bike? It's going for [B]$400[/B]
[I]'99 Marin County "Eas Read More »
