Submitted by
CHRISTIAN HEIDT
a Cross Country Rider
from MONTREAL,QUE,CANADA
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2002
Strengths: ROCK-SOLID FRAME, BEAUTIFULY SMOOTH SHIFTING, EXCELLENT RANGE OF GEARS GOOD FOR TRAILS AND LONG-DISTANCE, SUSPENSION AWESOME AFTER TWEAKING, AN ALL-AROUND SMOOTH RIDING BIKE NO MATTER WHAT THE TERRAIN.
Weaknesses: SLIGHT VIBRATION IN REAR SWING-ARM DURING UPSHIFT, WISHED IT WAS A LITTLE LIGHTER. STUPID LOCATION OF WATER BOTTLE HOLDER.
Similar Products Used: GIANT FULL SUSPENSION, SPECIALIZED FULL SUSPENSION
Bike Setup: AS ORIGINAL EXCEPT NEW TALLER HANDLEBARS, SPECIALIZED SADDLE AND STREET/MUD TIRES, TRIPLE HALOGEN LIGHTS WITH SWITCHES LOCATED BESIDE SHIFTERS, TRAILER-HITCH WITH REAR BLINKING LIGHT, FRONT HANDLE-BAR BAG, MODIFIED WATER BOTTLE HOLDER.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mick Golding
a Cross Country Rider
from Stockport,Cheshire.
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2002
Strengths: Rock solid frame,Hope C2 brakes (upgrade).Brilliantly adjustable standard suspension.Manitou forks (upgrade)
Weaknesses: Standard discs.
Bottom Line:
Nigh on bullet proof.No problems at all apart from ridiculously weak Diatech disc brakes which were rapidly replaced.All original parts including chain are still fitted.(the bike gets a thorough clean and lube after every ride!)The only other bikes i had considered where the Scott,Specialised fsr and the Marin East Peak.I made the correct choice for the riding i do which is gnarly cross country with steep rocky descents.Although as stated previously it isn't light but it rides light.
Similar Products Used: None.My other bike is an aluminium hardtail.
Bike Setup: Absolutely standard 1999 set up bar Manitou forks (from '99 Wolf Ridge) and Hope C2's which were fitted from new.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Patrick
a Weekend Warrior
from Brookfield
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2001
Strengths: This bike is ment to last it has put up with me from when i first got in the sport and it was treated like crap and it ran strong. Nice amount of travel, this was my intro. to freeride. Not priced too high.
Weaknesses: Ok what the hell happened to the rear end: the shock sucks,so dose the breake,and I had to replace the swing arm because my wheel kept falling out. Needs upgrades badly.
Bottom Line:
Its is an ok bike, would I buy it again knowing what I know now? NO. But VERY STRONG AND SOLID and if that is what you are looking for and have money to upgrade go for it, if not get some thing else.
Strengths: Stiff AL frameset, decent components, Marin quality, stuff like that.
Weaknesses: Rear disk brake sucks, that was the first thing to go. I replaced it with a XT V-brake, and my life is much better now.
Bottom Line:
This is my second review of this bike. I still love to ride it and bust up the trails. This bike allows me to go places that just hurt to damn much on my hardtail. I love wheelie dropping off of pretty much anything I want to... Life is good and full suspension makes it much nicer.
Bike Setup: Stock, with the exception of rear XT v-brake, Rear rim is now a Rhyno lite, Panaracer Fire front tire, new seat.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Patrick
a Weekend Warrior
from Brookfield, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2000
Strengths: This bike is a great climber and good down hiller, it has good parts for the price, and it has great brakes.
Weaknesses: This is not a super light, it has to be at least 28 lbs. The disc brakes are easily bent. This bike likes mud on it, if its not cleaned it 24 hours for your last ride the frame gets stained.
Bottom Line:
This is the best bike I had ever had, its defiantly for a weekend warrior. This was the bet bike for the price when I bought it, and I still think it is.
Strengths: Good price, AL frame, solid swingarm, decent components for this price.
Weaknesses: Makes me want to sell all my possesions and move to a mountainous area so I can ride all the time.
Bottom Line:
I got this bike as a Demo from last year, had to hunt a while and found it at a very good price. This bike rocks! It takes NO CRAP from any downhill. I had to adjust it from the shop, as they had it set up for cruising down the sidewalk. I took off the silly ass bar ends, rotated the bars forward, moved the lever and shifter pods up, and made a few other adjustment.
Now this bikes is a bombs-away machine, amigo! I am already taking 3-4 wheelie drops and it eats em up, no prob. I am considering climbing up to the roof of my house and riding off, just to see if I can max out the rear suspension.
The adjustment of the front and rear shock is way cool, I can make it bounce or set it to soak and spin. This bike climbs well and I forsee many joyous days of riding and bashing the downhills on this machine. This bike is NOT light, but I have a AL hardtail for racing, get it?
Similar Products Used: C'dale hardtail, Specialized FSR sport.
Bike Setup: Stock Rock Springs setup.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Colin
a Weekend Warrior
from Formby, England
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2000
Strengths: Super smooth suspension, take the time to "tweak" it to your preference and the comfort and traction are amazing. Stock brakes are excellent, but the Hope upgrade is even better and good value. Slightly heavy, but it hides its weight well and climbs superbly for full suspension...you only really notice the extra weight when you have to carry it over a fence but it's a highly class competitive weight and well worth it for the descents. Brilliant all rounder, not the ultimate XC machine, but you have to spend a lot more to get any better. Add a crud catcher and have unparalleled fun!
Weaknesses: So good I keep wanting to phone in sick and go ride....
Bottom Line:
Could this be the ultimate weekend warriors bike? Fast, brilliant handling, climbs well, highly capable XC, downhill missile also good value for money and appears to be massively durable. Tremendous all round fun,looks great as well!
Similar Products Used: Marin shoreline trail GT lts 3000
Bike Setup: **recomended upgrades** D521 rims hydraulic disks seat x-lite riser bar
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tomi
a Weekend Warrior
from Helsinki, Finland
Date Reviewed: November 5, 1999
Strengths: Good frame and suspension works nicely and smooth Diatech discbrakes really work after running in
Weaknesses: Rear shock is not too good, maybe mine is broken. Front is too stiff and needs tuning.
Bottom Line:
Suspension works well, but front lacks travel (89mm) . Good bike overall and it has GOOD discbrakes! Great on downhill, but still climbs very well. With better fork and shock this could be ultimate freeride bike!
Similar Products Used: GT iDrive, Kuwahara Extreme RC
Bike Setup: Coil springs to fork
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DuDe
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto ontario
Date Reviewed: June 6, 1999
Strengths: very good frame disk breaks
Weaknesses: front shock
Bottom Line:
its a really good bike for the money. it climbs better then most fs bikes and is pretty light. the mozo isnt very adjustable and is to stiff. the rear shock performs well, but lacks adjustability. the frame is much stronger then many fs bikes i have riddenoverall great bang per buck and high upgrade potentail
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross-Country Rider
from Northampton
Date Reviewed: May 28, 1999
Strengths: The frame with disk brakes and a super rear shock with adjustable rebound shock.
Weaknesses: The Marins own brand of saddle does'nt seem up to the job, it did not seem strong enough on technical sections .
Bottom Line:
This bike was excellent value for money. The avid rear and front disk brakes work sharp and effective and performance off road really good. The Marin with rear suspension performed better on the technical sections compared to the Orange Gringo. I felt the front suspension worked really well and for my first full suspension bike I feel this is an excellent bike. I recommend anybody on a budget who wants an average full suspension bike to seriously consider buying the Marin Rock Springs.
Strengths: Super rear shock, disk brakes, seatpost adjustment
Weaknesses: Front Fork
Bottom Line:
I tested this for a weekend with a friend, alternating between my fully rigid bike and this. It was my first go with full suspension and I was impressed and hooked. It climbs easily, couldn't keep up with it on the hardtail - either of us chasing the other. I couldn't get the front fork adjusted properly (probably my inexperience), however it did seem to let down the handling, being not as precise as my rigid, but it's more of an upright position and the stem isn't as flat. That didn't stop me from loving it - sitting down or standing up it absorbed every bump and I suffered less pain than my mate on the rigid on the rough sections. The front end is loaded quite lightly which means it's a lot easier to lift up over rocks and tree roots (the big ones). Will be comparing this to a Trek VRX400 (Can't get a VRX300 to test) soon and hopefully a Specialized FSRXC Comp. I think that this bike would be a lot of fun for a Freerider - not ideal for XC, but those disk brakes saved my life!
