Submitted by
Jason Fullbrook
a Cross Country Rider
from London
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2010
Strengths: Its versatility,i mean it is quite simply one of the best all round bikes.Marin have used the same John White designed frame on their whole frs range from xc through to downhill,says it all really!
Weaknesses: access to front mech for adjustment.
Bottom Line:
this bike is fantastic!Apart from havin to replace the pivot bearings(cost me $10),because i do ride hard,this bike is the mutts nuts!Where ever i point it,b it up or down or whichever line,the east peak is spot on.As i've upgraded all my components i'm only really commenting on what can be achieved when this frameset is used to the maximum of its capabilities-basically i have practically built the equivilant ov a Mount vision pro,as the frames are the same across the whole marin frs range.This bike was built up for less than $1000 & rides like a $10000 bike..so if u want a brilliant bike that can do anything & still looks & performs superbly-get one of these,spend a little time creating your masterpiece & thats what u will have-A MASTERPIECE,that doesnt look or perform out of place,even tho shes 10years old.Get 1,i love mine & i'm sure u will to.
Bike Setup: XT-front mech,rear mech,chainset/crank,shifters.Hope m4 disc brakes,mavic rims,shimano 545 disc hubs(soon to be changed to mavic crossmax,specialized Armadillo tyres,Raceface Deus polished alloy stem,Easton monkeylite riser bars,Chris King headset,Rockshox Recon SL air with on the fly lockout,Fox float R rear shock & yeti grips with lock ons.
Strengths: Great Frame, very light. Good rear suspention. Front forks decent.
Weaknesses: Many of the componets are cheap, I had to upgrade the back derailer and the front shox. The grips are bad, they almost defy the name "grip".
Bottom Line:
A great, light weight frame. But the componets are cheap, they work, but for the price of the bike I would expect some better parts. Great ride, and looks.
Similar Products Used: Marin Rift Zone (Great Bike)
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Submitted by
Phat Bstrd
a Weekend Warrior
from Jersey
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2002
Strengths: Great geometry,light weight for a dual suspension
Weaknesses: some cheap components
Bottom Line:
This is a great light weight full suspension bike. The rock shock psylo upgrade balanced the plush rear fox float. The stock IRC mythos tires are a bit squirly when wet, the maxxis helter and intense took care of that. This is a ride hard rig that can handle all but the most insane DH and climb like the best hardtail.The frame is worth any upgrade to fit your needs
Similar Products Used: gary fisher sugar, GT I drive
Bike Setup: upgrades:rock shock psylo xc,shimano xt crank,shimano lx v-brakes and Maxxis rubber
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Submitted by
Daddy-O
a Weekend Warrior
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2002
Strengths: Nimble, decent climber with good suspension and an excellent component mix for the price.
Weaknesses: Only one water bottle mount that ends up positioning the apparatus in a precarious alignment with the riders favourite apparatus. Can be painful! The stock IRC tires are so so, and the saddle is not great.
Bottom Line:
This is a good bike. I've raced it about a dozen times in the last year without a problem and thoroughly enjoyed it. It would be ideal for your first full suspension bike and its a worth while bike to upgrade for the long haul. Tough to beat the overall value.
Submitted by
Craig Holvey
a Weekend Warrior
from ontario
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2001
Strengths: The Manitou magnum r fork is great it's easy to work with and oh so plush. the frame is very strong and so is the rear triangle. but the single pivot make for les fixing of broken parts (simple)
Weaknesses: the house brand or ovation brakes have horrible mudulation and the cranks are no good also throw out that seat as soon as you get it cause it blows. and what's with putting a front alivio with an LX rear. it should be at least a deore.very weak handle bar. mine's bent like the golden arches
Bottom Line:
this is a great entry level full suspension performance bike. it's an incredible climber and has great handling.
Submitted by
paul schofield
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne Australia
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2001
Strengths: Handling, lighness and it's fast!
Weaknesses: The seat! Get rid of it and get something more 'bum friendly'
Bottom Line:
This is the 1st full sus bike I've owned. The Marin is terrific! It's light, fast and the suspension works well. For the money, I'd expected an adjustable preload/damping but the air shock is simple and effective. The brake blocks are a bit wooden and I've had better grip on my tyres before today. If you want a bike for all-round use, this is the one for you! Purists will slate it but I like it 'cos I'm more of an 'all-rounder'! It's an expensive bike but worth the money
Similar Products Used: 3yrs everyday use of hardtails (Orange, Kona and Klein)
Bike Setup: Standard 2000 model.
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Submitted by
andy bliss
a Cross Country Rider
from cornwall, england
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2001
Strengths: ease of use, light, dependable, chuckable
Weaknesses: front mech, rear mech, some cheap componentry
Bottom Line:
This bike is just brilliant. This is my first full susser and I'm converted. Suspension is the only way to go. I've had the bike for a year now and ridden it on just about everything in just about all conditions. Gripes are few, the front mech has a habit of jumping cogs and I can't tune it out, the LX rear mech does the job but no more. I feel an XT upgrade coming on when I can afford it. Standard Marin grips are AWFUL and split after six months ("they all do that mate" said the dealer!) The stock IRC tyres were dumped after they nearly had me off on slippery roots twice (the second crash of which would have been REALLY nasty!) They also punctured on a weekly basis. My trusty Tioga Psychos are an excellent tyre that seem to work really well on this bike. After a year of learning suspension I have started to fiddle with the suspension now and find the pre-load only adjustment of the Manitou SX fork a bit limiting, so will possibly upgrade (again when I have a few more pennies.)Again, it does the job well enough. I guess that sums this bike up really, it does everything well, without being outstanding in any area. It's a good Mount Vision wanna-be for those who can't stretch to "the king". I don't agree with those who say it's cheap, I had to stretch to afford it, but boy am I glad I did. It's an excellent upgrade platform that I feel I am going to enjoy for years to come. Oh, and it looks really sexy in silver and blue. BUY ONE!
Similar Products Used: Test rode rift zone with disc upgrade, otherwise nothing that comes close
Bike Setup: absolutely stock, although swapped standard IRC mythos tyres for Tioga Pshycos before I killed myself
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Submitted by
Steve Phillips
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2001
Strengths: Smooth slick and fast handling with a ride which feels like a hovercraft with out losing all the feel of the trail. An awesome piece of kit, even better when kitted out with higher spec componentry. Cuts through wet english mud like a knife through olive oil with still enough grip to put spiderman out of buisness.
Weaknesses: change the brake blocks. God is that all I can complain about.
Bottom Line:
There is a mountain bikers god. I have seen him. He rideth a great steed, and he doth call him 'Marin'. If your looking for a good cross country bike go elsewhere. If your looking for a great cross country bike choose this.
Bike Setup: Standard shop bike kitted out with LX componentry and hope 4pot discs
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Submitted by
Linda
a Cross Country Rider
from Florida
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2000
Strengths: Price, good/light frame
Weaknesses: I would have liked better components and a 9-speed cassette but for the price it's an all around great buy.
Bottom Line:
For under $1,000, you get a great bike! The low price allows you to upgrade (to what you really want) and still keep it at a reasonable cost. I really like the design and feel of the bike's geometry. It handles great in the technical stuff! You can fly down and climb up rough hills with control and precision. I'll definately upgrade the components in a few months to 9-speed XTR or Deore XT. I look forward to racing with this bike in the spring!
Bike Setup: Stock w/WTB Speedmaster wheel set, Race Face Ti B-bracket, Race Face Next LP Cranks,Rock Shox Sid Race fork & Speedplay Frogs
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Submitted by
Nicholas Hard Ass
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jo, CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2000
Strengths: Light, easy ride. Comfortable. Very Affordable. Quality Stock Setup.
Weaknesses: Some comp. could use an upgrade. Forks could use an upgrade (RST Crappo's). Fox is bottom of the line. One more Water bottle cage mount please.
Bottom Line:
Buy one, cheap, good ride. In terms of price, the only thing that compares is Huffy. This is dirt cheap, and an awesome ride all around. This bike is good for the beginner to the intermediate. It's quite forgiving. The Suspension Geometry is a little dated, but is quite light (it has a fair amount of peddle feedback). Good for the XC rider in particular. DH'ers wouldn't like the small rear suspension movement and UH'ers wouldn't like the peddle feedback
Submitted by
Kris Nagy
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin Tx USA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2000
Strengths: A very hardass bike, nice set up, strong frame. Can take a licken and keep on ticken. Looks easy to upgrade.
Weaknesses: having trouble keeping the chain in the smallest chainring when climbing a steep accent. Going to upgrade the crank.
Bottom Line:
The design on the this bike is great, nice stand over clearance for some rough stuff. When climbing, the real wheel grabs the trail insted of sliping and throwing you off balance for your climb. The rear Fox Vanilla coil over shock is great, no problems on the rebound when going down a steep decent and I've been down some nasty ones in the last month.. It screams over the technical stuff and seems like I have more control over the bike and what's on the trail when I do go faster in any condition so far..great at high speeds.
Once I mastered the bike and inprove the setup alittle I going to see how it holds up on my first 24 hour at Rocky Hill this year.
For a Full suspention bike, the weight is great for the money $1000. It looks and feels great for my first FS. So if your tight on some $$ and looking for a quality FS, check out the East Peak, the performance is 100%, you won't be undersold.
Similar Products Used: Nishiki Pueplo Comp. Haro EX 1-tested.
Bike Setup: stock so far.
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Submitted by
Steve Fellowes
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2000
Strengths: Excellent design,light for a full susser,ridable all day long, looks cool !
Weaknesses: Can't get along with the stock WTB saddle that came with it.
Bottom Line:
Superb bike for the money, looks cool in 2000 silver , gives you a great buzz riding it. Could quite happily ride all day long.
Just recently completed the RedBull 24hr Downhill Mayhem competition in Birmingham , the bike stood up to it without faultering in the slightest. If your in the market for a full susser, without paying over £1000:00, but one that you can easily upgrade the components ( which are pretty good - so far) then this is your bike.
Long,long Trails here I come :-)
I have not had any problems with the seat post stay,it hasn't budged and the Fox rear Air Shock seems to be keeping it's pressure ( 260lbs ).
