Submitted by
smokey strodtman
a Cross Country Rider
from gilliam, MO USA
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2004
Strengths: Durability, price, genesis geometry, a good enough frame to be upgraded.
Weaknesses: weight, stock fork, stock wheels, shifters (all of these are related to the price, however).
Bottom Line:
This is a follow-up to my earlier report. After nearly 5 years, I still like this bike. As you can see, I've done a lot of upgrading; most of it has been done on closeouts and discount sales to keep the price down. Upgrading has had one other benefit; it's taught me how to work on my bike and keep it in top shape. It also brought the weight down a bunch, it's under 30 lbs. now, which isn't bad for an economy hardtail of this vintage. The only thing that will make me go to a different bike on my next one is my back problems (old motorcycle injury). The next bike will be full suspension and there's a good chance it will be another Gary Fisher from Walt's Shop.
Bike Setup: SRAM 9.0 9-spd halfpipes and rear derailleur, LX front der., SRAM levers with Avid brakes, different wheels, Thudbuster with Koobi seat, riser bars, Shimano 536 pedals.
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Submitted by
Brad D
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison, Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2002
Strengths: Frame is good, "Genesis" geometry (longer top tube shorter stem) moves weight back- it really helps on steep descents, RST-281 fork doesn't suck too bad
Weaknesses: The wheelset SUCKS. Both rims got messed up- they started splitting at the seams. I weigh 175 lbs and I'm not exactly a North Shore hammerhead so I'm not sure what the deal is with these pieces of crap. The rear wheel has had about 5-6 flats in a month and I had to replace it with an identical model because the rim was so messed up. Also, the weight is a bit on the heavy side...the bottom-of-the-line Altus/Alivio/SRAM 5.0 probably contribute to this. Also, I hate Grip-Shifters. I always accidentally change gears, and it won't stay in third gear sometimes, it just pops back to second. I would much prefer some trigger-style Shimano equipment (I would upgrade to Deore but I don't have the $), RST-281 fork doesn't have damping adjustability
Bottom Line:
Despite the TERRIBLE wheelset, this bike is a pretty good value. I bought it used last year for almost half off the list price, but I honestly could not find anything that made it look used. I think it was just a demo model that never sold or something. With a wheelset upgrade, and possibly a new fork, this bike could be used for serious competition. For a rider like me who just likes to dick around at the trails and commute and stuff, this bike works pretty dang good.
Bike Setup: New rear wheel (identical to stock) which has the same problem, Continental Twister rear tire, 2 water bottle cages, pretty soon I will have an LX/Mavic wheelset
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Submitted by
Andy Macdonald
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlottetown PEI CANADA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2001
Strengths: For the price the components were nice. suspension works better if set lower mine came with a Jett not the RST
Weaknesses: The cranks mine gave out a couple months later replaced them And am very happy
Bottom Line:
This is an amazing bike for the price a bike that will stand up to the abuse of a beginner rider going to move up to a soft tail soon to try and keep the rear planted
Similar Products Used: GT outpost? The price was about the same in Canadian funds
Bike Setup: Stock except for the Judy XC up front and disc brakes, new michelin wild grippers
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Submitted by
Jamie
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2001
Strengths: This bikeis worth the money, it is a good strong bike that can go threw anything that a sugar could. With this bike i have gone down a 4 stair staircase, over bumps, a food curb, and plenty of other stuff.
Weaknesses: It is a bit heavy, making it hard for me to lift. When you goover piles of stuff the chain rubs against the metal bar under neath it, making that bar just metal, all the paint is off.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line, the bike is pretty good for the money. It has got all the stuff i would expect on a bike of that caliber and price range. All i would do is change the shox to a middle line roxshox.
I would recommend this bike to someone who is starting tomountain bike and hopes to get good at it, this is the perfect bike for that.
Bike Setup: The setup is overall very well, i would just change how close the chain is to the bar. Maybe i need to get the chain tighened.
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Submitted by
Ken
a Weekend Warrior
from Broomfield, Co
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2001
Strengths: Compared to other bikes, the marlin is the best in this price range.
Weaknesses: Exchanged the seat before I left the shop.
Bottom Line:
Just a beginner at 50 yrs old. For the price and the quality you can't beat the Marlin. The bike shop sales person was very professional, answered alot of my novice questions. Excellant bike for the money!
Purchased At: Golden Bear Bike Shop Broomfield, Colo
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Submitted by
Niklas Sandin
a Weekend Warrior
from stockholm,sweden
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2001
Strengths: Most parts of the bike. The rockshox jett suspension. The feeling.
Weaknesses: The seat is like useless. when it´s raining it makes a good swimming pool in the seat. The front gear "altus".
Bottom Line:
I´ve haeven´t been a really good rider so Marlin was the right choise for me. The price wasn´t so bad when it comes to the joy you get out of it. But it could been a better front gear. I think it is the ultimate bike for a beginner like me.
Similar Products Used: Trek "singeltrack 810" Montana
Bike Setup: Alivio back and altus front. Hutschinson chamelon tires. Rock shox jett fork. Altus cranks. V.brakes.
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Submitted by
Ryan Hecox
a Weekend Warrior
from Baton Rouge, LA
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2001
Strengths: Overall a solid setup. Has quality parts where imprtant(frame, shifters, brakes)
Weaknesses: RST shock is crap, seat post wore out quickly
Bottom Line:
A great place to start mountain biking. Right price to enter with and then upgrade as parts wear out/break over time. The RST shock is the worst part on the whole bike. It eventually got so bad that it was like riding on a rigid fork. Replaces with a Z-2 BAM and am MUCH happier. Like a whole new bike. I am very happy with my Marlin purchase. Even convinced my father to buy one and give biking a try! He loves it too.
Submitted by
Stephen Lopez
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, Arizona
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2000
Strengths: Superlight bike, nice looking color(blue and silver)takes a licking on the trails.
Weaknesses: Seat clamp kept on getting loose. Drove me nuts because the seat would wobble on the trail. The seat itself is pretty hard on the trail. (all stock equipment)
Bottom Line:
Bottom line for a light, inexpensive, and pretty tough on the trails, it's a damn good bike. Maybe when I get a little (a lot) better on the trails. I'll move to a better(hopefully full suspension) bike. Until then my Marlin is for me!!!!!
Bike Setup: Right now I changed the stock bar with some Easton riser bars. I have some Velociraptors 2.1 instead of the stock wheels it came with. Looking forward to changing the seat or a new suspension seatpost.
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Submitted by
Alex
a Weekend Warrior
from Greensboro, NC
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2000
Strengths: Decent combination of weight, sturdiness, upgradable bits and price. A good beginner bike that not a POS.
Weaknesses: weak seatpost clamps; cranks could be better; needs end bars, unless you like constantly shoving the grips back on.
Bottom Line:
Considering the price it's a good combination of frame and parts. I've had to replace the seatpost (seat rail clamp gave out - I replaced it with a sturdier one which has proven to be bombproof) and a crank (cracked at the bolt; replaced under warranty), but otherwise nothing else's failed. I'm 6'4", 200#, and I ride pretty hard.
I could use more travel in the front fork, but for what it's worth I'll probably just get a new bike instead.
Bike Setup: replaced seatpost, added end bars, otherwise stock
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Submitted by
Mike Koh
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2000
Strengths: Value for Money. Bike is responsive and the frame is great.
Weaknesses: Could use a better crank.
Bottom Line:
For a starter, this bike provide me the equipment and terrain requirement knowledge of MTB riding. I find it most useful to prepare myself for my next MTB.
Submitted by
Joe Helmick
a Weekend Warrior
from Marietta, GA
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2000
Strengths: I test rode many bikes, but this one seemed the best value. I'm new to mountain biking, and so I didn't want to spend a fortune on the "wrong" bike. I've been very pleased with it so far...
Weaknesses: I gotta replace that seat! and get some clipless pedals...
Bottom Line:
I'm glad I bought this bike. Sure, I'll probably want to upgrade it as time goes on, but I'll have lots of fun riding it, abusing it and myself, in the meantime!
Similar Products Used: none, just test rode a bunch
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
Scott Bender
a Downhiller
from california
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2000
Strengths: I think it is a very strong and light bike. I have had mine for a year and I have fliped and fell and I only have had one thing wrong with the gears.
Weaknesses: I think there is not very many things that I think are week
Bottom Line:
I think this is a realy good bike for people who don't mountin bike that much and for some good bikers but some people might like more advanced ones. so this is my opinion on 1999 gary fisher marlin
