Submitted by
MaTT Tkach
a Cross Country Rider
from Essex Vt
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2001
Strengths: Steel frame handles awesome, and it can take everything Ive thrown at it.
Weaknesses: Deore Drivtrain, The fork leaves something to be desired. Upgrade the drivetrain and throw in a better fork and you got an awesome bike
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike, It is super light so I can use it for my cross country races, and because of the steel frame and upgraded fork and drivetrain I put on it I can freeride with it to. This bike can handle alot, I did a 4 foot drop and nothing happened its great. I recommend this bike, I also recommend not keeping it stock. You can get it for 600. I paid about 300 dollars more in upgrades and now I can do anything on it.
Strengths: Super light steel frame, Decent components for price, great handling.
Weaknesses: If u upgrade the Deore deraileurs and throw on a better fork all should be fine with this bike.
Bottom Line:
I am very young and just started racing and needed a new entry racing bike without digging into my pockets. Although i had doubts racing the Marin, it held up great thx to the good solid contruction and awesome handling. I feel that with a few future upgrades my Bear Valley will be race perfect.
Bike Setup: clipless pedals, bar ends. Other than that I have done nothing to it.
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Submitted by
el woppo
a Cross Country Rider
from toronto canada
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2001
Strengths: Good value (that $800 was CANADIAN) feels light, nimble, responsive, climbs like a mountain goat, comfortable and oh so cool looking (totally dig the orange/yellow fade paint job)
Weaknesses: Magnum fork bounces when I pound out of the saddle on a sprint or rough climb, even dialed full stiff (I'm 5'11, 185lbs) not stock w/ clipless, front derailler "hangs" sometimes (see below).
Bottom Line:
I'm totally satisfied with the bike for what I use it for. It's totally comfortable (I've done up to 2 1/2 - 3 hour rides on it) and feels light and responsive, I think about it, and the bike steers there. I'm really impressed with the way it climbs as well, your power (when seated) goes straight to the rear wheel. Rear shifting performance (stock Deore shifters and LX rear) is good, the front derailler hangs sometimes when going from the big to middle ring, but it probably just needs some tweaking (been a couple months since the last tune-up). Also, as mentioned above, the Magnum fork is a little too bouncy when I'm out of the saddle. The $800 (CAN) was a 20% off end of season sale, and after test riding a few bikes and researching a whole lot more, I decided this was the best value for the money of the ones I researched, and the one that felt the best for me. I do a lot of road riding, and mountain bike for fun to mix it up a little, this bike is really all I need.
Similar Products Used: Older Bianchi full rigid mtb with cheesy 6 speed Suntour components.
Bike Setup: Stock except added Shimano knock-off clipless pedals and LBS swapped out Deore rear derailler for an LX because of a small cosmetic paint chip on the underside of the downtube (which they also touched up before delivery).
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Submitted by
David Peters
a Weekend Warrior
from Oakland, CA
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2001
Strengths: Fun to ride, feels like my effort is translated into forward motion efficiently, good climber.
Weaknesses: Deore drive train
Bottom Line:
This is the only bike I've ridden in 25 years since my Schwinn Varsity, so I can't compare it to other bikes. All I know is I like to ride this bike! Had constant, ongoing problems with front derailler not dropping from big to middle ring; had to go big ring to little ring to middle ring at lower rpm's, even without any load on. Kept going back to shop for adjustment, they kept not being able to fix it. They finally put on an LX front derailler which solved the ringset problem, but now I'm having trouble with a gear on the rear cassette, it likes skips under load. On rough downhills, I just stay off the brakes,trust the bike, and hang on. I think this is a great bike for a beginner, and I've fallen in love with the sport. Just change the derailler!
Similar Products Used: hadn't been on a bike in 25 years.
Bike Setup: Stock - Deore drive train, Manitou Magnum fork, etc.
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Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Stanford, CA
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2001
Strengths: Handles like a banshee on speed. Gawd this thing flies. Just think about turning it and it's there. Great frame. Great frame. Great frame.
Weaknesses: Deore derailleurs need to be upgraded. Fork is a bit sticky. Overall value is not the best as bigger manufacturers can offer a bit more at price.
Bottom Line:
Awesome deal for the money. Marin makes the best frames for the money hands down. Look at the welds on a Marin and then a Trek or Specialized and you'll see what I mean. Also nothing handles like these do, and that's the bottom line for me, great geometry. Go ahead and replace the fork and pedals as this bike's frame is the perfect setup for any one who wants to have a race worthy ride . Just throw on a couple upgrades and BAM. You've got everything you'll need. A resonably light frame which does even more than it advertises.
Similar Products Used: Univega Alpina S7.7 Also great bike, but some thief thought so too...
Bike Setup: Uh.. Marin Bear Valley
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Submitted by
Stu
a Cross Country Rider
from Portsmouth, England
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2000
Strengths: Light for steel, offers good feel of what is going on underneath the wheels. The basic spec is good value for money, the Deore drivetrain is reasonable quality gear.
Weaknesses: So far none, although I did have a problem with a clunky bottom bracket, which isn't helped by my weight, 224lbs (16 stone).
Bottom Line:
I find this bike easy to ride on climbs and descents. Although I am talking from the perspective of an upgraded drivetrain, the bike has proved to be easily upgradeable, and an excellent starter bike, and I think should, with care, last years. With my weight it has stood upto some hard hits, and is very manouvreable. I'd recommend this bike to anyone starting out in mountain biking or on a limited budget. Put aside a few quid for a good quality drivetrain and you will have a great bike that can be enjoyed until you win the lottery and go mad in the bike shop. The XT cranks and XTR rear mech have really transformed the bike. Go buy it, and enjoy your riding.
Strengths: Steel!! Great buy, for the money what a bike. Seat is comfy, great components, will take a royal beating.
Weaknesses: For more control I upgraded the brakes.
Bottom Line:
Is a great Bike. If you are looking at spending $500.00, please just spend the extra cash, you will be very pleased. Nice steel ride and after a year, when you break everything, just upgrade it! You can have a nice bike for few good years of hard ass riding. Totaly the way to go if money is an issue. Happy Trail.
Similar Products Used: Voodoo Hoodoo, Level Betty, and a few Giants
Bike Setup: With a few upgrade: LX drive with XT rear (detroyed original LX rear), LX breaks, Ritchey pedals, Magnum shock
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Submitted by
Christopher
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston,MA
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2000
Strengths: Frame(Cromoly Baby!!! Just like my BMX) Can handle my weight fine!!!(215)
Weaknesses: Forks seems a little soggy
Bottom Line:
Super comfortable, Cuts through every trail I've ridden Smoke grey color is very stealth!!!! For the money, $$580.00, best ride for the price Will stay with Marin, East Peak or Eldridge next!!!!
Similar Products Used: Specialized Hard Rock, Trek 7000
Bike Setup: New seat, Everything else stock
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Submitted by
Scott Watts
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2000
Strengths: Strong Frame, money paint job, great components for the $$
Weaknesses: NONE
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. The frame is strong - chromoly. It looks great. It performs even better. For the money, you cannot find a better bike - except maybe the Voodoo HooDoo. My bike came with an LX drivetrain instead of Deore. The Ovation components seem to work fine. I upgraded the seatpost to a RS suspension and am very happy with the switch. Another good early update is the pedals. I switched to Shimano 535's becuase they are mid priced and match the bike. So far so good. The bike is nice enough to use as is, but with a few upgrades it totally kicks ass. My next purchase will probably be a Judy Race fork. This bike is perfect for weekend warriors like myself who don't live in the mountains of Colorado. Dallas has some cool trails, and the BV can take them all. Unless you race or get totally agro, you do not need any more than this bike offers - with a few minor upgrades.
