Submitted by
allan white
a Weekend Warrior
from sunderland UK
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2005
Strengths: Bought the bike 2nd hand and paid a high price but it was very well-specced with Fox Float rear and Marzocchi Bomber SSTV (something or other) front plus Hope XC 4 pot hydraulic discs.Taken separately these are strengths but the real gem is the Marin frame itself: the single-pivot swingarm somehow looks right; it's simple, does the job very well and is inherently reliable. The positioning of the rear shock is also a key strength: out of the way of the flying crud and so less prone to long term wear and tear. I hate to think how often the shock bearings on some other makes have to be replaced given that they are often right in the firing line.
Weaknesses: If there is one I haven't spotted it though I did replace the headset with a Pig-Pro DH but only because the original was ready for retirement. The pedals that came with the bike were Shimano M515 (or somesuch) and I replaced these with DMR V12s since I don't like being clipped in when I crash and I like the big platform that the DMRs provide.The Hope hydraulics are closed circuit and there is noticeable pump-up on long descents: brakes almost lock on but, hey, you can always get off and pee on them to cool them! I may replace the Fox Float with a lock out shock but I don't race and so performance loss when 'honking' is acceptable for me.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike - paid a lot given that it was already 3years old but it has proved to be a good investment. Only once changed the rear shock bearing for a small cost and it's simple DIY. The Hope 4 pot hydraulics have great stopping power AND they don't squeal!! The Mags keep banging on about the high bottom bracket on Marins and the overlong wheelbase. Well OK the BB is high but I find this helps on rocky/ rooty single track - bags of clearance. The newer Marins do have a 45 inch wheelbase but the 1999 bike is 43 inches so I guess has the sharper turning ability that the shorter wheelbase is supposed to provide. I promised myself I would keep this bike for weekends and use my GF for commuting to work (offroad) but I keep giving in to temptation and out comes the Marin - it's seductive!!
Favorite Trail: Almost any on the North York Moors
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At: swallwell bike shop
Similar Products Used: None. Got a Gary Fisher Paragon Hardtail which has its own virtues - 'horses for courses'.
Bike Setup: As above - I can't get excited about seat posts, bars, stems and the like - perhaps I need to try more bikes? What is fitted is standard Ovation from Marin: it works, probably better than I can make it work! What intrigues me is that the frame is only 15.5 inches (my GF is an 18 inch!) yet it feels right.
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Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Pontefract
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2002
Strengths: No need to adjust riding style from hardtail Smooth plush well balanced suspension Light even by todays standards Lifetime warranty on pivot bearings
Weaknesses: Seat post clamp comes loose is easily sorted with shim though
Bottom Line:
This is a superb bike , so smooth its like riding an armchair.Have had it for 3 years and have just had the swingarm pivot bearings replaced, done free by bike shop where I bought it. Thats the fist thing Ive had to replace due to wear apart from tyres which were irc myhtos and dont wear very well. This is a really easy bike to get on with and I would recomend it to any type or age rider. One gripe was its supposed to be disc ready and by the time I wanted to upgrade to discs the size of the bracket on the fork had changed so I struggled to find a disc to fit without buying a new fork.Not really Marins fault but down to Manitou who changed the size of the fork fitting twice in 2 years .I fired off an e-mail to complain and the nice people from answer products sent me a new fork with the new size fitting free of charge, not bad as I'd had the bike 3 years !
Similar Products Used: Cannondale flying v Gt Coyote
Bike Setup: As supplied standard apart from just fitted hope minis and disc rims and panaracer fire xc's
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Submitted by
Ian Gilbert
a Weekend Warrior
from Glossop
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2001
Strengths: Beautifully simple rear suspension design is just so perfect for our British weather, especially up here in the Peak District (with added Lizard Skin to keep the crud out). I haven't needed to do anything to the rear suspension pivots or Fox air shock in 2 years, except regular cleaning! Manitou forks have also proved totally dependable and are still plush. Climbs better than my old hard tail on rough ascents, I can actually climb stuff I coldn't do before.
Weaknesses: Bike was supplied with Diatech cable disc brakes which suffered terrible disc warp on even mild downhills, and which provided crap stopping power after running in (sorted by swapping to Hope hydraulics). USA spec tyres were also not up to the job on wet grit and mud (sorted by swapping to FireXC Pro - best tyres I've ever tried). Marin saddle is pretty crap too, given the quality of the other components.
Bottom Line:
Absolutely excellent bike, I looked at plenty of full sus bikes from Scott, Cannondale and Specialised, but it was the Marin that just felt right for me. It was the only bike that I felt part of when riding, the rest just felt like I was sitting on top of them!
Similar Products Used: Hard tail Pacific XT, Kona cinder cone.
Bike Setup: standard spec, but brakes and tyres totally upgraded.
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Submitted by
KEITH BLACKWOOD
a Weekend Warrior
from KNARESBOROUGH UK
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2001
Strengths: BUILD QUALITY, LOOKS, HANDLING GOOD REPUTATION
Weaknesses: CABLE ROUTING, AS THEY QUICKLY CLOG WITH BEING OPEN ROUTED. SADDLE
Bottom Line:
FIRST FULL SUS I HAVE OWNED AND AM REALLY PLEASED WITH MY PURCHASE.FRIENDS LOVED IT AFTER TRYING IT.PITY ABOUT THE CABLING PROBLEM. HAVE TO REPLACE ON A REGULAR BASIS
Weaknesses: crap inner tubes,susceptable to pinch flats,US spec tyres not very good for UK mud
Bottom Line:
only get's 4 chilis on value because of UK price fixing,this bike cost 1295 UK Pounds.Hats off to Marin for producing an awesome full susser.Absolutely perfect for blasting round my favourite trails down the SHERWOOD PINE'S and SHERWOOD FOREST.
Similar Products Used: Univega hardtail=awesome bike
Bike Setup: stock setup LX/XT Manitou SXR Fox Float Mavic 221's
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Submitted by
Eddie
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2000
Strengths: Light, bulletproof suspension system, good quality components, great all-round x-country ride.
Weaknesses: not as sophisticated a suspension system as some (although that's not necessarily a weakness)
Bottom Line:
Fantastic for all round use... light, simple, reliable, dependable.. Ride is great... Makes everything more comfortable and do-able, and the simplicity makes for easy maintenance and reliability. Hasn't let me down once... Some bag the discs, and OK, they're no hydraulics, but with careful set up, they work very well and suit the bike nicely... All in all, a great all-round package for someone who enjoys their riding... It's no downhill machine or freeride monster, but it was never intended to be... A mountain bike designed for going up, down and around mountains really....
Similar Products Used: Avanti ADX 250, Avanti Hammer, Trek Y
Bike Setup: XT/LX, Velociraptors, Manitou SXr, Fox Float, Dia-tech discs
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Submitted by
Arden Kysely
a
from Santa Barbara, CA
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2000
Strengths: Great handling, great ride, and the IRC Mythos XC tires have excellent grip. The bike climbs well, with very little bobbing in the lowest gears. The simple shock/swingarm setup appears bombproof.
Weaknesses: A little heavy, and the stock disk brakes were lousy. I replaced them with XTR V-brake, which are excellent. The shock went south so my dealer replaced it for free on warranty, which took two weeks.
Bottom Line:
It probably takes more effort than a hard tail in the long run, but I ride for fitness and fun, not competition. I'm 40+ and the dual suspension takes most of the jarring out of rough trails so it's well worth the little bit of extra work I do.
Similar Products Used: None. I moved up from a Trek 8000 rigid MTB. I looked at the Santa Cruz Heckler and Heckler X, but believe I got more for my money with the Marin.
Bike Setup: Box stock except the brake change to XTR V-brakes.
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Submitted by
Ron Jeremy
a Weekend Warrior
from Tumon, Guam
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2000
Strengths: Climbs competently.. No bobbing... Comfortable ride, solid frame/pivot no creaks. Not your grandpa's bike, it's lightweight.
Weaknesses: seat tube size is odd 30.0mm hard to find. grips are so twentieth century old school like John Holmes.
Bottom Line:
Rides like a Veteran porno queen.. smoooth like buttah... Makes my mouth watah... Like ODB says... Hey dirty, baby I got your money, got your money.. Of course it's a 4.5 lbs weight gain from my 23 lbs hard tail but the comfort and confidence you get pays off. The bike climbs like a hard tail even on rutty technical steep climbs w/no bobbing, really! Get rid of the Disc Brakes and the bike gets lighter. Lightened it more by putting Race Face Ti BB, WTB Ti saddle, Monkey Lite riser bar, and XT/517 wheelset and this is a race ready XC bike. The only drawback is the odd 30.0 mm seatpost, but a shim will cure that and replacing the spongy grip is no biggie. Regular price was $1,699.99 got it for $1,250.00 up in Hawaii's North Shore. Buy this bike and you will smile, ride this bike and you will be a better biker and person. Bottom line is, this bike rocks and it's worth your money, it's great all around.
Submitted by
Simon Doig
a Cross-Country Rider
from London
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2000
Strengths: THIS IS THE Y2K BIKE: Going UP, Going DOWN Light weight for the money, very smooth ride. Low maintenance
Weaknesses: Supplied Ovation brakes
Bottom Line:
After long demo rides on other bikes (and borrowing friends) I choose the Marin. Excellent for XC and the sealed bearings should help to stop it squeaking! Only bad bit was the cheap Ovation brand brakes so I had my LBS upgrade these to XT V- Brakes - may get discs later. Looked at a Mount Vision but thought I'd put the £400 UK pounds I saved on the Rift Zone towards petrol to get out of London and into Wales more often! Very impressed with the climbing ability - just point and pedal.
Strengths: Climbs well Stable at speed Quick handling Comfortable
Weaknesses: OEM disc brakes needs to be contantly tuned Heavier than my old hard tail Stock tires IRC XC slicks not grippy on loose terrain Rear triangle flexes with XT-V
Bottom Line:
Upgraded my biking form steel HT to full sus. Demo'ed many bikes (K2 4000, FSR XC, Heckler, Trek Y) and did lots of research. Picked the Marin because of the long'ish TT and low standover and liked the simple pivot design. Would have picked the Hecker if not for the Heckler's taller stand-over.Climbs very well. This surprised me 'cause I expected some loss of pedaling power but it climbed almost as well as my trusted Barracuda on the smooth stuff and actually better at climbing the gnarly trails.The stock Diatech disc brakes just didn't do it for me. To their credit, Diatech had great support. The disc brakes were not set-up right from the factory. Diatech send me new and improved pads and a whole re-build kit ! Manage to get it to work very well, but by then I was already biased and have decided to go XT-Vs. I had to put in a brake booster to tame the rear triangle flex cause by the XT-Vs.Stock tires Mythos XC were light but the rear XC Slicks tires was not giving me enough traction on loose pack. Changed to Fire XCPro and made a whole lot of difference. I must say the FireXCPro is the best tires I have tried so far. (vs SP Team Master/Control, WTB, Ritchey Max, Bonty Jones)Very stable down hill as I would expect from a full sus bike. Very well balance and surprsingly very nimble for the single track. I do wish it was lighter. My had a real world weigh of 27.5 lbs. I could shave another pound by spending another $400 but I don't think I would do it.In all a very good full sus bike. Well balance, climbs well and plush.
Similar Products Used: K2 4000 Barracuda A2E (gone but not forgotten) Specialized FSR XC Santa Cruz Heckler Trek Y
Bike Setup: All stock xcept - brakes and tires
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Submitted by
Dunzie
a Cross-Country Rider
from Guelph, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 3, 1999
Strengths: Bang for the buck.
Weaknesses: Discs are weak until worn in.
Bottom Line:
The bike climbs extremely well despite a slick-like rear tire, and after comparing the bike with the others I find that there is little to no loss of pedal torque even when cranking down hard. I am extremely happy with the bike, keeping in mind that I have upgraded the forks, the crank, and the bars.
I have a UK spec 1999 Marin Rift Zone and I every time I ride it my technique improves a little more and I am again astonished at what it will do. I don't know how heavy it is but I haven't picked up any bikes within £500 of it £1295 price tag that felt as light, and that includes hardtails. This an awesome bike for the money. The UK spec bike doesn't have disk brakes, but the avid v-type brakes are surperb. The only complaint I had about this bike was that US spec rear tyre that it comes with is nowhere near chunky enough to cope with our UK crud.
