Submitted by
Antioch19
a Weekend Warrior
from Mesa, AZ, US
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2012
Strengths: Great for entry level 29er at the price. Within an hour of buying it did 13miles on entry to moderate level trail. As previous reviews noted the breaks do squeal...a lot but not really an issue when I worried about stopping before the cactus which they do. At 650 I can't complain and I can always upgrade parts as budget allows but this works for me since I'm mainly looking for a path to follow and the time to follow it. I'm not planning on racing.
Weaknesses: The wheels. As noted in other reviews the stock wheels suck and are no where near aggressive enough. Probably the 1st thing I plan on upgrading when budget allows. Seats not great but get good shorts.
Bottom Line:
This is an upgrade from a 96 Cannondale CAD3 M300 which, if I could have found a front shock for, I would probably still be riding. At 650 though, great bike.
Bike Setup: Stock with run flat set up. Lot of cactus where I ride.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
chipconstant
a Weekend Warrior
from Louisville
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2011
Strengths: 29er with great momentum, shifting is solid, good weight and feel
Weaknesses: Seat
Bottom Line:
Pretty good value for my first 29er. Great starting point. Nice ride, climbs like a dream, braking is smooth and solid (but noisy). Shifting is good.
Need to remember to tighten front hubs after removing wheel. Jumped out the fork and I ended up over the bars, not the first time though.
Submitted by
pingzingr
a Cross Country Rider
from Tacoma, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2011
Strengths: Good components.
Weaknesses: Frame. Bottom bracket was installed improperly and not tightened. Rode the bike for about nine months before noticed a little wobble. Bracket was stripped out and no replacement frames were available.
Bottom Line:
Purchased 2010 Gary Fisher Marlin Disc. Loved the red color scheme and bought it for the GF name, quality, and durability they are known for. Rode the bike for about nine months. Took it in prior to moving to Washington for tune up. Had noticed wobble in the front chain ring and told them to check. Shop came back and said bracket had not been tightened properly on installation and that the riding had stripped it out and the frame was done. Called Trek and they initially did not want to warranty the frame. They then agreed to warranty it but could not find a frame in inventory. Replaced my GF Marlin with a Trek 4500. Disappointed with the whole experience. If I had wanted a Trek 4500 then I would have bought one last summer instead of my GF. Trek is not getting a Christmas card from me.
Similar Products Used: older trek and diamond back.some old fuji bmx
Bike Setup: bb5 brakes.new seat.light kit.slick tires.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Billy Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from So Cal, US
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2011
Strengths: Well built, very good bang for the buck (used, anyway)
Weaknesses: Not the best components and a little heavy
Bottom Line:
I bought this to ride during a visit to CO--it was cheaper than renting and had low miles on it. I liked it so much I shipped it back home (and liked it even more on my local trails). This is a nice bike, handles well and is solidly built--in America (mostly, anyway). The Marlin should be a plough horse, but it just rolls along with only a modicum of work from the rider. It almost seems to give back more energy than you put into it. Nice. I really like this bike and it has already gone into the rotation. I originally thought I'd lighten it up and upgrade the components, but now I may just ride it as is until it dies. It could really use that 9th gear, however. Judging from my '96 Big Sur, it probably will run forever...
Submitted by
Sore-Ass
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2011
Strengths: 2010 model... Lightweight Hydro-formed aluminum frame is very stiff and responsive, handling is superb on the street with incredible lean andles. SRAM rear-cassette and full Deore drivetrain. All aluminum cockpit is light. Looks very sharp in white
Weaknesses: Dart 3 fork is awful! Heavy and has lots of lateral flex, it literally darts all over the trail! Lockout simply doesn't work, and preload and rebound adjustments yielded almost no noticeable results. Saddle is THE most uncomfortable saddle i've ever ridden. Tires perform OK on hard pack surfaces, but get them outside their element and they certainly let you know! Avid brakes are paired with cheaper Tektro levers. Center-lock rotor hubs are out-dated
Bottom Line:
Excellent frame and components for the money, besides the fork and saddle. But lets face it, nobody offers a 7-800 dollar bike with a quality air fork. Wheelset is also a bit heavy and flexy, but that is to be expected for the money. I wish Trek/GF/Bontrager offered these bikes with a quality name brand tire instead of their own Jones XR tire. Don't hesitate to purchase this bike, it is very well rounded and great value. These weaknesses are easily overcome. This bike is excellent for somebody who wants to begin mountain biking because it does everything well out of the box and if you decide this sport is for you, it is easily customizable/upgradeable. First thing should be the fork, saddle and tires to suit your riding.
Similar Products Used: Late 90's GF Marlin
2007 GF Advance
2007 Trek 3800
Bike Setup: Magura Durin 80mm SL fork, Magura Marta SL disc brakes, Lock-on grips. Michelin Wild Run'r street tire for commuting, stock tire for off-road.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
ERIK
a Cross Country Rider
from CHICAGO, IL
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2010
Strengths: I HAVE HAD MANY BIKES THIS FOR THE MONEY IS BY FAR THE BEST VALUE IT IS LIGHT SMOOTH FAST WILL NOT FIND A BETTER BIKE FOR THE MONEY PERIOD
Submitted by
JarheadMtnBkr
a Weekend Warrior
from Stafford, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2010
Strengths: Great geometry and components. Awesome starter bike. Love the fact that it is disc upgrade ready.
Weaknesses: Stock tires leave something to be desired and the stock seat is uncomfortable on long rides.
Bottom Line:
Bought this bike to get started into mountain biking and I love it. Handles singletracks with ease, minus the stock tire weakness, but that is easily overcome. I would highly reccomend this bike to anyone looking to get started into the sport. I also LOVE the fact that it is easily upgraded as your skill progresses. For the price, you can't beat it.
Weaknesses: A mix of the components and the brain dead people who assembled the bike at Eddy's
Bottom Line:
Bike would be fantastic if it was assembled correctly, the first, second and third times. Bike was sold with a dry headset, dry chain, and the front brake cable zip tied to the stanchion. There response to any of the above problems was you shouldn't ride your bike offroad.
Similar Products Used: No other xc bikes but numerous bmx and dh bikes.
Bike Setup: Broken fork lockout with custom ghost shifting available from Eddy's.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
preston
a Cross Country Rider
from pa
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2009
Strengths: i fr ride with it and xc race with it and it takes all the abuse i can give it and it keeps going. frame strong. ive crashed a few times in a xc race and nothing broke
Weaknesses: tires sucked. and brakes were good. seat not that confie
Bottom Line:
bottom line great bike they tires not the best but upgrade to a tire for your area. the stock breaks were fine till i really got in to racing so and i got disc. bottom line great bike for the money not many hardtails in this price can keep up and the 24 gears stock nice and work great(but when given 9 speed shifters for free upgrade)
This is a great bike! The Gary Fisher G2 frame design is outstanding. I can climb hills much easier. It will also take a beating. I have crashed several times, sending my bike flying. Haven't broken anything yet. The only issues I have are the tires and pedals (this is why I gave it 4 chilis for overall rating). The tires do not grip that well and tend to get gummed up with dirt and sand. I find myself climbing a steep hill and end up not making it because the back tire slips causing me to stop. As for the pedals, they do not grip that well causing your feet to slip off. Both of these problems are cheap, easy fixes. You will not be disappointed with this bike.
Submitted by
dpastore22
a Cross Country Rider
from Alpharetta,GA,US
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2009
Strengths: Overall quality, design, geometry, warranty, & starter components. I cant recommend a better bike to enter the MTBing world with.
Weaknesses: Tires, I ride alot of rugged XC trails and wish the tires had better treds.
Bottom Line:
This bike is fun, duarable, and affordable. I get tons of compliments on the looks and I couldnt be happier to own this bike. If you plan on using this bike for awhile, add the disc brakes. The v-brakes work good but I would prefer the disc on more technical trails. Test ride this bike at your LBS, I promise you will not be disappointed.
Bike Setup: Stock excecpt for a nice pair of OGI grips.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
bikemayberry
a Cross Country Rider
from Mount Airy, NC
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2009
Strengths: Great value here. I own a dual suspension bike and wanted a hardtail to ride in certain situations, trails, etc. For the price this bike is built very well with Genesis Geometry and great components.
Bottom Line:
If you are looking to get into mountain biking without breaking the bank, go check out the Gary Fisher Marlin.
Submitted by
joehoek
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2009
Strengths: Love the frame and geometry. Climbs and descends well, puts up with the beating I give it. Stock drivetrain are pretty good for the price. I upgraded to an xt rear derailleur though.
The lifetime warranty on the frame is always nice, too.
Weaknesses: Tires are terrible. Replaced those immediately. If you are doing any type of riding not on hard-packed dirt, you will need to do the same.
V-brakes weren't spectacular, but weren't terrible either.
For this price, it's hard to find a bike without a few complaints though.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the price. If you are wanting to get started into mtn biking or upgrade to a pretty decent bike, this is the bike for you.
Similar Products Used: 97 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
Bike Setup: Stock except for some Hayes HFX 9 disc brakes, xt rapid rise rear derailleur, wtb velociraptor tires, wtb speed v saddle, and some time atac pedals.
