Submitted by
Not Given Out Ever
a Weekend Warrior
from USA Date Reviewed: August 15, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Like gnarly singletrack and downhill
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$699.00
Purchased At:
lBS
Strengths:
Great bike. Fantastic frame=lots of compliments. Nice riding position. Single-track-killer. Upgrade if you want to. Very upgradable.
Weaknesses:
heavy-ish. (And I'm making mine heavier with freeride type parts). Seat is crap! (Fortunately, saddles are a fairly inexpensive and simple upgrade)
Similar Products Used:
Lots of hardtails. This is probably the cheapest quality full bouncer you can get.
Bike Setup:
Stock with these upgrades: Ritchey Rizer Pro handlebar, Alex TD17 disc-specific Rims, Nokian Gazzaloddi Dual 2.3 tires, SRAM ESP 9.0 shifters and derailleur, Specialized Body Geometry Pro saddle, Time Z clipless pedals, Niterider lighting system, wireless bike computer, bashguard. The fork is next to go (although stock Insync 565 is suprisingly not too bad, I'd like more than 100mm and more adjustability)
Bottom Line:
Great bike. Good place to start and then upgrade as you go. Frame is versatile - start adding light XC parts and turn it into a light XC / trail bike. Or do like me and add heavier freeride/downhill type parts and you've got a great hucking bike. Or keep it stock (although I would change out the saddle and shifters at the very least) and it's a great, albeit slightly heavyish trailbike. Either way, you can't go wrong.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Teeny Wahine
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles Date Reviewed: August 23, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$335.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
13.5" FS entry level! (I'm very small). Light - 29lbs. Got a killer price at $335.00
Weaknesses:
Water bottle cage goes on top tube. Weak component package, but I'm a beginner and will slowly upgrade.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. My husband and I searched for a 13.5" frame for months and was stoked to get one full-susp. This bike is great all around. It has seen Moab, Washington, Northern and Southern Calif. in the last month and has been a blast. I'm only 4'10" and 90 lbs. so I don't see myself breaking this bike soon, but I do see upgrades in the future as I get more aggressive!
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Submitted by
Graham Nott
a Cross Country Rider
from Stafford, UK Date Reviewed: August 14, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Cannock Chase
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
Bonthrone Bikes
Strengths:
Strong light frame, quick steering/handling, big bump cpability at a low entry cost
Weaknesses:
Cheap components in drive-train and wheels don't last
Bike Setup:
MXC-ECC Forks, SRAM 7 rear mech, Shimano XT front mech, Shimano LX chainset, Mavic X618 rims on Hope hubs, Shimano M515 SPD pedals
Bottom Line:
A good deal at £495 for entry level full suspension XC bike that is able to take a bit of agressive riding on the downhill bits without the weight penalty on the way up the next hill. However, some of the components are not up to scratch. After 12 months it cost me £300 to replace the drive train complete because the SRAM 5 rear mech pivots were worn out, the middle chainring had smooth teeth and couldn't be changed without new chainset, the BB bearings were shot and the rear hub was gradually losing its bearing surfaces. After the first main service, costs have been minimal except for a bent front wheel replaced with a strong Mavic X618/Hope combination. I am currently upgrading the forks to MXC-ECC air but haven't ridden the new set-up yet. I hope the extra travel doesn't change the handling too much!! In total over 2 years its cost me £1000 but I have now got a good set of components that I can move to my next frame (Orange ?).
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Submitted by
David Scandrett
a Weekend Warrior
from Christchruch Date Reviewed: June 1, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Don't have one
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Penny Sports Cycles
Strengths:
Good Strong Frame
Weaknesses:
Shifters,rear shox,front shocks,com
Similar Products Used:
nothing
Bike Setup:
Front Rock Shox Psylo XC,Deore Shifters rear derailleur
Bottom Line:
its good if you want it to last for 6months,other wise forget it,i have snapped the Sram 5.0 shifters/derailleur. Cluster worn in 6months with chain as well.Rear shox Bushs are hopeless i was at the B.M.X Track and my rear shox popped out and bushes.You shouldnt buy this unless you are going to upgrade the front shocks/rear as well and comperty.
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Submitted by
sie coupy
a Downhiller
from wolverhampton Date Reviewed: April 26, 2002
Favorite Trail:
the hucension
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$420.00
Purchased At:
bonthrom bikes
Strengths:
The marin has a good frame and is well light for the price you pay.The fork is good even though it dosnt have dampning and the rear shock is well plush.
Weaknesses:
the rims are crap and lets just leave it at that and the are pedals horible.sram shifter keeps pushing out
Similar Products Used:
kona stuff
Bike Setup:
pedals wellgo.and soon to be chaged rims upgraded to mavic d521.
Bottom Line:
this is a good bike for a cross countyer who likes a litle down hill every now and again.this is a great bike for the price you pay of corse down the line you are going to need to upgrade but its only small stuff.to be honest with you i didnt think full susp at this price would be any good but the marin has been a suprise bottom line its great!
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Submitted by
Marc
a Cross Country Rider
from Chester, UK Date Reviewed: September 19, 2001
Ritchey wheels, no changable derailleur hanger, front chainset middle ring, awkward to adjust front mech.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Abused wobbly wheeler
Bottom Line:
I came off once and the bike went end over end down the road. Luckily I was OK, but on inspection of the bike the rear wheel was bent as f**k. So, no luck with the rear wheel, had it trued twice but its never been right since. Got some Mavic wheels ordered on XT hubs to replace the originals. I've not tried many hubs, but the Marin ones on this bike were good and its a shame to ditch them. If sprayed and oiled up they run really smooth. I tried a jump once, but accidentally caught my gear selector and my chain got caught between my front rings, bending the middle one. I had to bash it with a rock to get it to shift again proper, but its never been right since. That is now being replaced too. Also, I tried going down some steps and bottled it,- as the rear came round behind me the rear derailleur must have bashed. Later when shifting down, my rear mech was catching in my spokes, which wasn't good but it survived. I noticed here that the hanger isn't replaceable, so bent it back myself (all I could do!). Its fine again now.
Obviously I dreamed of a better bike, but there is the cost to consider. I do like this bike. I got it discount as it was last years model. For the money I paid there wasn't really anything to match the spec. or Marin's reputation.
No regrets at all, but if buying one, prepare for some upgrades if riding hard.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Cross Country Rider
from BG, KY Date Reviewed: May 2, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Bike Butler
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$438.00
Purchased At:
Overstock.com
Strengths:
Great design--the swingarm suspension works very well. Perfect for upgrading as you want/need to. Handles and feels great on the trail. For a "cheap" fork, the Sync was a nice surprise. The frame design is superior for standover clearance--very "family friendly" for male riders and perfect for unexpected dismounts.
Weaknesses:
The decals aren't the best. Mine had some bubbles in them (although I'm probably the only one picky enough to notice.) Also, the "R" in "MARIN" touches a weld and the edge doesn't want to stay stuck--I'm sure it will curl over time at that spot. I know that lots of makers don't do this, but in my opinion, all "name brand" bikes should have a nice shot of clear coat to protect decals.
Similar Products Used:
Checked out a slew of other full suspension bikes.
Bike Setup:
Factory so far. Going clipless soon. Down the road I'll switch for 9.0 shifters.
Bottom Line:
This is an excellent bike for either a rider wanting to sample full suspension w/o investing a fortune or someone on a limited budget. The bike is well worth upgrading, which I plan to do along the way. I had looked at a lot of "budget" full suspension bikes and finially decided that Marin was the bike for me. The design is simple (which leaves less room for mechanical failure), yet very effective. The Marin literature states that the monopivot design climbs well, which I have found true so far. This is an excellent trail bike—it handles twisty singletrack as well as my rigid one. Plus, I got the bike for a great price at Overstock.com for $439! I doubt the Shoreline Trail would live as long as upper end bikes under riders doing extreme, drop off cliffs type riding, but as far as a capable and comfortable trail bike, this is the way to go. (If you're thinking of going full suspension and don't need a dealer to get you set up, you can't find as good a bike as this at anywhere near the price Overstock.com has them.)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Kiker
a Cross Country Rider
from North Carolina Date Reviewed: March 29, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Beech Springs in Charlotte North Carolina
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
Bike line
Strengths:
Very Good price,Great Frame and Suspension
Weaknesses:
Front fork is not good and also the Grip shift. I had to go to rapid fire.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bottom Line:
Very Good bike for the money. I have ridden it over 2,000 miles and the only thing that broke was my rear deraller and that was because my brother slamed into it from behind at 25 miles per hour and spun me aroung two times. Hard hit for the rear deraller when I am sitting stoped and someone slams into you at 25MPH. I suggest this bike to anyone. I also had to go to Clipless pedal but thats my own thing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Near London, England Date Reviewed: June 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Oxshott woods
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Great entry level full sus bike, good price, good company, great for beginners(me) Good all round bike
Weaknesses:
Some cheap components, not very good forks, but wot would you expect for a mere £595
Similar Products Used:
Raliegh Avalanche
Bike Setup:
same w. wellgo pedals
Bottom Line:
This is a great entry level full sus bike if u just plain ride, good for xc, jumps, dual(i beat my friend on his £1500 Kona Chute) and a bit of everything. The compnents wont last very long, even if you don't ride hard like me, and will soon need to be upgraded, but should not be a problem if you upgrade, and soon youll have a better bike compared with the money you woud pay for for upgrades!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nigel
a Cross Country Rider
from Oxford Date Reviewed: May 26, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
good price, nice looking
Weaknesses:
Very cheap bolt on components.
Similar Products Used:
Raleigh Max, specialized comp.
Bike Setup:
standard
Bottom Line:
For a new mtb starter the bike is ideal. You get to try out a full sus at a good price. It handles o.k and is alot of fun. It is not long before you start realising the limitations. I rode it hard for six months and then it started to fall apart. The scram pivot wore into the plastic causing the gear change to sieze. The seals on the wheel hubs allowed water to get in freely wrecking the bearings and causing large maintenance. The suspension is to rigid, but that is not so bad, it does not bounce or bottom out. The last thing to mention is , dont expect to change the gear system over to shimano without replacing the whole system.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sam
a Weekend Warrior
from Kingsport Tn. USA Date Reviewed: April 23, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
suspension,great frame
Weaknesses:
pedals (switched to spds)
Similar Products Used:
diamondback,mongoose(walmart),raleigh
Bike Setup:
stock except wellgo pedals
Bottom Line:
bottom line is I wasnt even in the market for full suspension but the shop owner was going to be shut down for 5 weeks to remodel the shop and he sold me the bike for 499.00(the bike retailed for over 750.00)with the pedals 6 years free tune ups and discounts on all there acc. the bike is plush and pretty light at 29 lbs my scales it climbs great the frame is well worth upgrades with is what ill do when something breaks or i get tired of it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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