Submitted by
Nathan
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairbanks Alaska USA
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2003
Strengths: STEEL HARDTAIL, Columbus Thron tubing, LX shifters and drivetrain, avid breaks, nice seat and aggresive geometry for races and comfortable for long rec. rides. I've done 4hr races, all day rides and week long cycle tours (pulling a BOB Yak). The steel frame is responcive and yet forgiving, because it is so comfortable and light (compared to a FS) I can spend long hours in the saddle without being in great shape or technically skilled.
Weaknesses: Cheap Marin house brand aluminum seat post, stem and handle bars.
Bottom Line:
Very good value, I'm very pleased. One of the few production steel hardtails around that college student can afford with just a summer's savings.
Favorite Trail: anyone without mosquitos on long climbs
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At: local bike shop
Similar Products Used: Trek
Bike Setup: Stock, except tires, I use (cheap but heavy) WTB Motoraptor 2.4 for winter rec. rides and (expensive but fast and light) Michelin kevlar semi slicks for racing.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Gak
a Cross Country Rider
from Sunnyvale, CA
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2002
Strengths: Very nice frame. The geometry fits me very well. Long'ish top tube and nice agile handling. I love the Columbus tubeset. I like the pearl white paint job. Great climber and very secure down-hill
Weaknesses: Hmm... oh yes, could be lighter.
Bottom Line:
Marin is not a big brand but they consistently sells great products. Sure, I'd rather have a custom build Columbus Foco steel hardtail, but for value, the Marin Pine Mtn is hard to beat.
Climbs very well, feels secure going down-hill, agile on the single-track.
Similar Products Used: Many vaious HT - Specialized, Trek
Bike Setup: Frame from eBay. Marz Z3 coil, LX/XT set, LX/Bonty Mustang wheelset, Fizik Nisene saddle, SD-7 brakes, Panaracer Fire XC Pro, Bonty stem & post.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
andrea
a Weekend Warrior
from nevada city,ca,usa
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2002
Strengths: good ride of steel, xtr,lx parts, no deore! fork doesnt need air pump. great value!!!!!! awsome climber!!!!all quality parts. nice brakes
Weaknesses: very pretty paint job, but it chips easily, tires suck in all conditions, marin brand stem, post and bar(but i switch em)THERE IS NO REAR DISK TAB!!!!
Bottom Line:
THIS BIKE WAS A GREAT VALUE! $970 WITHOUT TAX, ALL THE PARTS WORK GREAT,WONT BE UPGRADING ANYTIME SOON, VERY NICE TRAIL BIKE AND WORKS FOR RACING. ID DEFINITALY RECOMIND IT TO ANYONE!
Weaknesses: The mix-match of components that manufacturers so often use these days (XTR rear, LX front, hubs, shifters). House-brand (Ovation) seatpost and stem leave a little to be desired, too - but they're not that bad really.
Bottom Line:
I got this bike for $1,100 - which is why I think it's a great value. The sweet steel frame makes this bike - and it's just as light as my friends' aluminum hardtails, only way more forgiving. I ride three to five times a week, an average of ten miles per ride, on standard East Coast singletrack - and I haven't had any problems yet. It's a great mid-level hardtail.
