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Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from IndianapolisDate Reviewed: October 7, 2007
Strengths: Beautiful Design, great components, very fast, and climbs beautifullyWeaknesses: NoneBottom Line: Great bike, 2005 model, would buy it all over again. The knucklehead below me thought his opinion was so important, he needed to knock the bike 4 times. I would knock him right off the trail.
Favorite Trail: Westwook
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At: Bike Connection
Similar Products Used: Specialized FSR, Marin Hardtail
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Chester U.KDate Reviewed: November 8, 2006
Bottom Line: This is a follow uo to my earlier revue.....
My frame has 2 large stress fractures around the main pivot bearing. My local bike shop says it is inserviceable and has had to sent the frame back to Marin for inspection.
This is a cross-country bike and has benn used, accordingly, for that purpose alone.
This is a poor enditement of the quality of design or frame materials.....possibly manufacture that Marin use.
Favorite Trail: Marin
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Chester U.KDate Reviewed: November 8, 2006
Bottom Line: This is a follow uo to my earlier revue.....
My frame has 2 large stress fractures around the main pivot bearing. My local bike shop says it is inserviceable and has had to sent the frame back to Marin for inspection.
This is a cross-country bike and has benn used, accordingly, for that purpose alone.
This is a poor enditement of the quality of design or frame materials.....possibly manufacture that Marin use.
Favorite Trail: Marin
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
John Mills
a
from B.C CanadaDate Reviewed: November 6, 2006
Strengths: Single Pivot and low maintenance.Weaknesses: Rear shock...Fox Float R is unreliable.Bottom Line: I have found 2 large stress fractures around the main bearing on the down tube.
This bike has been used for XC riding only. My bike shop has told me that it is unsafe to use and the bike is being stripped down and the frame sent to Marin for inspection. Imagine my amazement when the guy in the shop tells me that this is the forth one they have seen with a cracked frame!!!
Not impressed! This is either a bad design, poor metalergy or poor quality control over the construction.
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Purchased At: LBS
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from ChesterDate Reviewed: November 5, 2006
Bottom Line: This is a follow up to my previous review.
Next month I will have had this bike for 4 years and I have taken great care of it, using it as intended as a FS Cross-country bike. As a middle aged and well experienced rider, I do not jump or take part in other "circus tricks".
To my horror, I have found 2 substantial stress fractures just above the single pivot on the down tube. This makes the bike dangerous to ride. I am waiting to see what, if anything, Marin are prepared to do about it as it has a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser (me). Never-the-less it has seriuosly worried me. Only I know how little abuse this bike has had and I am not impressed that fractures should appear....not impressed one bit!!!!
Favorite Trail: Marin
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Purchased At: Leisure Lakes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brett Rivera
a Weekend Warrior
from Menlo ParkDate Reviewed: June 29, 2006
Strengths: Nice frame,very good brakes, top of the line wheels and tires, and its pretty light weighing.Weaknesses: Comes with a bad fork (Manitou Mars), the Frame can get scratched up easily, rear suspension isn't that good. The fork can't even take going over a curb, so i always fall when I tryBottom Line: This is a pretty good bike except I suggest u change ur front and rear suspension.
I got my bike used so thats why it was kinda cheap.
Favorite Trail: any
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At: Blazing Saddles
Similar Products Used: None really. I had a old Trek, but it wasn't a mountain bike.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Patrik
a Weekend Warrior
from Basking Ridge, NJ, USADate Reviewed: June 3, 2006
Strengths: When the bike is not broken or having problems, it's a great ride, climbs well, glides over logjumps and drops and feels stable in down hills.Weaknesses: Poor quality. The bike has been in the shop more than any other bike I've had. Many of the stock components needs to be changed. (The WTB pedals are aweful).Bottom Line: The bushings around the pivot points went soft after about a year for me, and the whole bike turned wobbly. I'm a pretty big and heavy rider (6'4" @ 220lbs). After replacing all of them, now the whole frame is out of alignment and completely useless.
I've had a lot of fun and use of the bike, but too much frustration and time spent in the shop, and I'm disappointed that it didn't last me longer.
I think this is probably a good value bike for a smaller and lighter rider. If your over 180 lbs, I'd stay away from it!
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At: Sports people, Far Hills
Similar Products Used: K2, Trek Fuel, Giant
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Lakewood, Ca, USADate Reviewed: June 9, 2005
Strengths: Solid frame, xt rear derrailer, Avid mech brakes. Handles and pedals very well. Frame is solid yet light.Weaknesses: Rattles and hum, sounds like disc brake pads, I find this annoying. Having a hard time accepting this is a weakness. I'll just have to live with it and ride on.Bottom Line: I bought this bike because I wanted a full suspension ride. My first. I did much research and reading and found Marin makes a great bike, as do many other bike companies out there, way too many good choices in this price range. The price was right, a great value, only 2002 remaining, just happened to be my size. This bike is a blast to ride, snappy handling, light weight, suspension pedals efficiently. I hate the rattling, I think it is the brake pads. Yes, they're set up right and Avid was great, they sent me a new pair of pads for free. The rattle continues, I'm going nutty over it. What else could rattle while just pedaling or turning so intermitantly. I get no support from Sport Chalet after 30 days. I've taken it to another bike shop and they say just live with it and ride. I can't live with it, this is really frustrating. I should have bought a different bike. How do you rate a bike for quality? simply by the fact that it didn't fall apart after 3 months. Although admittedly this bike rides well and stops well. I hate the rattle and hum, this is a sign of low quality in my view.
Favorite Trail: Turnbull
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At: Sport Chalet
Similar Products Used: Specialized Hard Rock Pro 2003
Bike Setup: Stock except WTB Power V saddle, Ritchey grips, Azonic platform pedals.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Barry
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver,BCDate Reviewed: March 29, 2005
Strengths: Great ride and construction. Solid, dependable. Strong swingarm. Handles very well. Low maintenance.Weaknesses: Poor fork, tires are summer only, pedals suck.Bottom Line: This is still as great a bike as when I first rode it 3 years ago. No trouble at all. I've had to change the shock carriers on the Fox, but that is expected.
I'm just not in to the multiple pivot point bikes ...too much maintenance. This design is super strong and all but maintenance free. With the changes that I have mentioned above this bike is superb and deserves 5 all round as it still superb after 3 years of really hard use. My friends who have Specialized full sussers can't believe that I do nothing to this bike.
Favorite Trail: Mt Seymour
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At: lbs
Bike Setup: Changed the fork to a Marzocchi MX Pro.
Changed the SPDs to Shimano M959s
Changed the tires to Conti's first vertical and now Gravity.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ironman
a Weekend Warrior
from Upper NYDate Reviewed: February 3, 2005
Strengths: Exceptionally agile and strong frame and swing arm. No maintenance required and a single pivot design with a lifetime guarantee on the main pivot. Rides like the wind...up or down. Good groupset. Very reliable.Weaknesses: The forks are flexy and need more travel.
I ahve upgraded to Marzocchi MX Pro 105mm and it rocks!
WTB pedals are crap moved to Shimano 959's.Bottom Line: Outstanding bike!
Single pivot is back thanks to pro-pedal technology. No bob just great climbing with an all round superb performance. Single pivot is soooooo reliable with no flex...brilliant. And this bike has such a strong swingarm with no flex.
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Bike Setup: Stock but Marzocchi 105mm Forks and Fox Pro-pedal rear shock.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Juice Bigalow
a Weekend Warrior
from Northridge, CA Date Reviewed: December 18, 2004
Strengths: Excellent Frame and easily upgradable components. Nice Single Pivot design means easy maintenance without any loss of performance and very strong. Great frame geometry...rides like the wind, up or down.Weaknesses: Fork is a bit flimsy...I have upgraded to Marzocchi. The WTB pedals are difficult to clip out of.Bottom Line: Excellent Frame that makes into an excellent bike. You can upgrade as you feel like it knowing that you have a frame that is one of the best in the business.
Favorite Trail: Kachees Ridge (WA)
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Bike Setup: Marzoccchi marathon SL forks/XT Chainset & BB/Easton Bars,Stem and Post/Shimano 959 pedals.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
JASON RANOA
a Cross Country Rider
from MURRIETADate Reviewed: October 12, 2004
Strengths: GREAT GROUP FOR THE MONEY. VERY LIGHT AND EASY TO HANDLE. GREAT FRAME DESIGN. SUSPENSION SOAKS UP THE BUMPS.Weaknesses: THE PEDALS ARE THE WORST (WTB COMPOSITE). BOUGHT NEW ONES RIGHT AWAY. FRONT FORK NEEDS SOME HELP ( MANITOU MARS CC). BUT FOR THE MONEY NOT TERRIBLE. UPGRADING TO SPV.Bottom Line: GREAT BIKE FOR THE MONEY. UPGRADABLE TO THE SKY. THE FRAME IS THE BEST PART OF THE BIKE. SIMPLE PIVOT POINTS AND LIGHT. GREAT BUILDER BIKE. I RODE THIS BIKE STOCK IN A 24 HR RACE AND DID WELL. THE BIKE SOAKED UP THE BUMPS AND DIDNT LEAVE ME TIRED!
Favorite Trail: HURKEY CREEK
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At: sports chalet
Bike Setup: XT/LX/ DEORE. KENDA TIRES XT HUBS AND MAVIC RIMS. VELO SEAT AND EXERVTHING ELSE IS STOCK
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Roger Sainsbury
a Weekend Warrior
from AZDate Reviewed: August 23, 2004
Strengths: Handles so well. It's light and poised. Well balanced and smooth at the back but climbs real well. Single point so not too many things to go wrong. Fantastic at speed and it tames the techy descents. Good sturdy Deore gear.Weaknesses: Just the standard forks are a bit flexy and not enought travel.Bottom Line: This bike handles itself very well with no nasty surprises. It glides through difficult stuff and tames hard descents. I have no trouble climbing in or out of the saddle.Had it more than 2 years without a single problem. Bearings are tight, there is no tail wag at all. Just change the fork the Manitou Mars Comp is not up to the standard of the rest of the bike.
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Bike Setup: As standard apart from: Marzocchi SL forks, Hope hubs and Hope Mini discs on Mavic 717 Disc rims. Easton flat bar.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ted
a Weekend Warrior
from SoCalDate Reviewed: August 19, 2004
Strengths: Light, well built, great design and geometry, agile and a great climber as well as descender.Weaknesses: Fork....the Manitou Mars Coil Comp isn't as good as the rest of the bike.Bottom Line: A Superb bike from Marin. It does everything I want it to do. I've had no reliability problems of anything on this bike. I've tried the new quad Rift Zone and I prefer the feel of mine. I feel like I get more travel out of this model (Mk 2) than the new quad and I prefer the simple lack of too many pivots. Provided I sit for climbing this bike will go up anything and for that matter there isn't much out of the saddle bob. A little more damping of the rear shock, which you can do on the fly will sort that.
Definately the best I have bought.
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$1850.00
Purchased At: LBS
Bike Setup: Stock except Marzocchi MX Pro fork.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Matt LeBlanc
a
from U.KDate Reviewed: July 25, 2004
Strengths: Smooth suspension. Climbs very well. Excellent at speed through technical terrain. Stable and extremely capable on downhill sections. Life-time warranty on the main pivot.Weaknesses: Paint work can scratch easily.Bottom Line: A superb Full-suspension bike.
I deliberately chose the single pivot as opposed to the quad linkage. I prefer it. I feel as if I am getting the full travel without ramp-up.
It handles almost everything but the most extreme surfaces with absolute ease and complete confidence. It has improved my bike handling massively and simply inspires confidence.
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Bike Setup: Changed the fork to a Marzocchi Marathon SL 105mm.
Changed the breaks for Hope Mini Discs.
Changed the wheels for Hope Disc Hubs with Mavic X717 Disc rims.
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