Submitted by
bobby black
a Cross Country Rider
from london, ontario, canada
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2003
Strengths: really light frame, the quality...we've had it for almost 5 years, and it's lasted this long with not to many repairs :)
Weaknesses: the shifters wear down after a while and ummmm...the seat
Bottom Line:
This bike is a great bike and is a very good quality bike. It is also really light and good for all riders. After a while all u have to do is keep the frame but change the componants and it will be a really good bike!! :):):)
Bike Setup: Im going top change ewverything on the bike exept for the frame, so it will be like a new bike again!!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Steph
a Weekend Warrior
from Ithaca, NY. USA
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2002
Strengths: The bike is light and sturdy. A decent beginner bike for very light duty. Not too agressive.
Weaknesses: The components are junk, especially the wheels which tend to be important for riding. Both my rommate and I, who purchased identical bikes have trashed the wheels. Since we are both women weighing less than 150 lbs, I doubt if we use them in an extremely harsh manner. My wheel actually potato-chipped on an easy trail completely breaking the rim (and my collarbone).
Bottom Line:
Marin should charge $50 more and put some safer components on the bike! Only lightweight beginners who plan to upgrade everything if they like the sport should buy this bike. I think the frame is the best part of it, mild flex, but decent.
Bike Setup: Decent frame. Manitou shocks, junk wheels, shimano bottom-of-the-line crank and deraileurs.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jose Manuel Meda
a Cross Country Rider
from Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2001
Strengths: The frame is great, and the stock accesories are good for the price that you pay.
Weaknesses: Mmmmmhhhhhh ... I think that the handle bar and the sadle
Bottom Line:
The best bike that I can find for this price. I have spent almost double of original price upgrading or installing new components, but this have been a 4 year process that I never afford to make it in one pay.
Similar Products Used: GT, Mongoose, Giant. Sorry, don't know what models.
Bike Setup: Stock whit: Treck computer, Manitou A cartridge fork, Specialized clipless pedals, Specialized body geometry sadle, Shimano LX V-brakes, hubs and wheels
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
phil chaloux
a Cross Country Rider
from E'ton
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2001
Strengths: The bike is great! The fork that came stock was a Rock Shox Indy C and it is a bang for the buck! The frame is super! It came with nice lite wheels, velociraptor tires that bite, and mostly Shimano STX components.
Weaknesses: the saddle took a little getting used to and it didn't come with clipless pedals
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for the money and I've gotten my moneys worth 5 times over in all the enjoyment it has brought me. It's a great racing bike for cross country and single track. I would recommend it to most riders.
Bike Setup: Stock frame, Shimano STX hubs, Velociraptor tires, Shimano STX rapid fire shifters, STX derailer, STX crank, Wellgo clipless pedals, Ritchey Vector seat, and Rock Shox Indy C fork.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO ,USA
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2000
Strengths: The frame is incredible. Buy it for the frame.
Weaknesses: Weak spec. The RST fork is a P.O.S. The brakes are adequate.
Bottom Line:
The frame makes the bike well worth it. It is very light. Even though it is not made of Easton Alu, it shares it's design with Marin's higher end bikes. The frame is very stiff, but remains flexy enough in the rear to approach a steel ride. The frame is wicked strong for a light bike. Check out the welds at the head tube. The way the ovation tubing meets gives you a very strong ride. I got it as my first real mountain bike (from my dad) and have ended up using it on the roughest trails. Unfortunatly, I have outgrown its capabilities. I'm keeping it for XC type stuff, but I have caught the freeriding bug. Although it has held up so far, I might crack it on some of these big drops. My buddy got a Specialized Hardrock Comp and he loves my bike, but hates his. Plus, you won't be the same as all the other bike dorks if you ride a Marin. The parts are mainly forgetable. I give it a low value rating, if you could I'd just buy the frame. But, all in all it's a good first bike for someone who just discovered technical XC or singletrack.
Submitted by
Phil Han
a Cross Country Rider
from Carol Stream IL, USA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2000
Strengths: Great Frame for the money, awsome looking bike, great component group, smooth ride...(review on the Palisades Trail bike 99')
Weaknesses: I will have to say the saddle...but you can aways upgrade it right???...
Bottom Line:
Great bike for its price of around $529.99....perfect for beginners to advanced riders...smooth ride...great climber...reliable components...strong frame for its class...just an awsome bike overall! Hey i am only 16 years old and been riding for 3 years this was my first "PRO" bike and won several MT races with it!!!...LOL...
Similar Products Used: Mongoose, Schwinn Moabs, Trek...
Bike Setup: Upgraded some parts already...Ritchey Titanium Clipless pedals (changed from stock pedals with clips), Continnetal tires, computer, and about to change derailleur from Alivio to Deore XT... :) and changing forks to Manitou
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
RascaL
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2000
Strengths: Good frame.Very well polishec as well.I really like the welds.
Weaknesses: It has to be the saddle.
Bottom Line:
Well when I test ride this bike it feels good.Could really feel the bike moving off easily and smoothly.Geometry of this bike is really great.I've tried test riding other bicycles such as Muddy Fox,Giant and Mongoose but this one feels right to me.It would be an awesome bike if u upgrade the components bit by bit.(That's what I'm doing) The only setbacmk would be the saddle but,that could be rectify.(Get a better 1 like Koobi)
Bike Setup: all the components sucked they all gave
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
HL
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlottesville, VA
Date Reviewed: September 2, 1999
Strengths: The frame is the greatest strength of this bike. Other bikes offer similar or better components for the money (Raleigh, for one), but the frame is very agile and responsive for a bike in this class. Marin has also done a good job of component matching. Hawk hill, which shares the same frame but has cheaper components, is less suitable for a full fledged entry into mtb. PT is just about right.
Weaknesses: a few, but not significant for a bike at this price. saddle is one,
Bottom Line:
Good value. Adequate for beginning riders like myself, and more than adequate for getting around town/campus. 4.5, but let's be mathematical and round it up to a 5.
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Louis, MO
Date Reviewed: August 6, 1999
Strengths: Great frame build, good but cheap shock, nice component group for the price point, fast, very light for the price, great climber, looks great
Weaknesses: Shock springs not heavy enough for a 195 lbs. rider, tires could be better
Bottom Line:
This is the best bike for under $600.00. Totally lost in most reviews etc., the PT is well worth your time to seek out and ride. The frame is beautifully made and in a clear-coated polished al. All Alivio components (mine was an end of production year model so it came with a stx-rc rear de.) are a nice plus when everything else in the price point had a mix of cheaper shimano stuff. The RST shock has many advantages over the trashy jett's. Much heavier, stiffer, construction that won't flex, more travel, disc brake mounts and offset wheel mounts. This bike flys down hills and cross country. The wheel set with shimano hubs while not silly light does feel strong and aggressive. Overall a great ride. I cann't wait to start upgrading parts as they wear out to really make this thing move. I think this is a bike you could live with for a good while. If you've only got $600.00 lok no further.
Strengths: Light, agile alu frame, functional parts
Weaknesses: Seat post creaks
Bottom Line:
Cracking bike with a good frame and fork. Also a special mention should go to Bierspool Cycles in Pembroke Dock, Wales for such good before and after service. If you are looking for a bike in the South Wales area got to this shop
Submitted by
gary oneil
a weekend warrior
from Nu Zealand
Date Reviewed: February 18, 1999
Bottom Line:
I looked to see and was shocked to see no reviews - so heres one - am looking to buy a bike and took this baby for a test ride - what a cool bike !! Way better value for money than anything i seen yet $1179 for a good lite frame and components hopefully won't fall to bits too quickly - solid choice for the first time buyer !
