US made Aluminum 3VH extruded front triangle with multiple position shock mount, extruded 3 position adjustable Travel swingarm with Disk Mounts. • Answer Black Elite 100/120 Fork • Fox Float R, with Rebound Adjuster Rear Shock • WTB Momentum Comp AL Threadless 1 1/8" Headset
Submitted by
Colin
a Cross Country Rider
from Essex, VT
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2003
Strengths: stiff, srtong, fast, adjustable, balanced suspension, fun as hell to ride, good parts,
Weaknesses: wheels are weak, tires suck, stem is to long and it creaks
Bottom Line:
A great over all light freeride/heavy trail bike with the right set up, can take 6-7ft drops no problem, builds confidence, worth the extra $$ over the rock springs.
Similar Products Used: Rocky Mountian slayer, Tomac 98 special, Klein adept pro
Bike Setup: '02 wolf ridge w/ XT disc hubs laced to Mavic F219's, WTB weirwolf 2.5 up front and a IRC kujo DH 2.35 in the back, 90mm Easton EA 50 stem, Race Face bash ring
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Submitted by
Brent Harding
a Weekend Warrior
from Bend, Oregon, USA
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2003
Strengths: Adjustable travel, Well built frame, Good components, WEIGHT-under 28lbs! How often do you find a F/S w/ disk brakes under 30 lbs.Rare bike to see on the trail.
Weaknesses: None at this time. While I was researching this bike I had a hard time getting a brochure from Marin. As soon as I registered for my warranty they sent me an 02 and 03.
Bottom Line:
I've only had it for a month now and love it. The TARA system is exactly what they say. It takes only a matter of seconds to go from 4" to 6". The Black fork has about every adjustment that you could want and then some. I got a sweet deal on this ride. The LBS has someting to be desired of. I was looking to step up from a hard tail and have the flexiblity to tailor a bike to my choice of riding style and this fit the bill.
Similar Products Used: Trek Fuel 90, Giant NRS, Rock Hopper FSR, Stump JumperFSR, K2 (something), Marin East Peak and Rock Spring.
Bike Setup: Stock except XT shifters and Time pedals.
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Submitted by
Schmoo
a Cross Country Rider
from Nottingham, England
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2003
Strengths: Looks fantastic. Plushness of ride. Lightness. Comfort. Speed. Barring weakness of TARA adjustment, once done it is extremely versatile (just as the ads say!).
Weaknesses: TARA adjustment is a little sticky when covered in mud. The whole mechanism tends to seize with grit unless careful.
Bottom Line:
This is an awsome bike. Value is outstanding (especially if purchased towards the end of the season!). The bike and kit has required little adjustment to date. Constantly set to 5" travel on TARA and this will permit aggressive climbing without losing much power. Very effective on steep technical gradients with loose rocks. Downhill feels secure at high speeds and I have come to rely on this machine as it has pulled me out of a couple of potentially nasty scrapes. Will suit intensive xc users and moderate downhillers (those with kids and responsibilities!). Don't buy this bike if you intend to use it for pootling along easy trails, you will not get the best out of it. If care is taken with TARA, and it is cleaned after each use, no problems should arise. Go out and buy one!
Bike Setup: As per purchase except I have upgraded to Magura rear brake and Magura Louise front disk, Xlite head set and bars, shimano spds.
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Submitted by
Jon
a Weekend Warrior
from Cape Town South Africa
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2002
Strengths: On of the most comfortable bikes I have ridden - climbs well, very little bob, generally goes like a demon!! The 3 rear suspension settings works very well!!
Weaknesses: Wheels were terrible - bent a set on the demo ride - changed to mavic 519's and it's all good!!
Similar Products Used: Specialised Enduro, Giant NRS
Bike Setup: Standard, except for Mavic 519's, Time Atac pedals, Hope Mini disc brake system
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Submitted by
Kussatz Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Lincoln, NE
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2002
Strengths: Adapts to all riding conditions. Great brakes and shocks. Very balanced ride
Weaknesses: Pedals, rims and tires.
Bottom Line:
Of the 8 mountain bikes I've had over the years, this one has been the most fun and most capable. At 6'3, 225lbs I needed a bike that could take the abuse and doesn't feel flexy. So far, the only thing that's isn't holding up well are the rims. The bike sits up pretty high and will wash out in turns pretty easy because the tires aren't the best. My best example of it's ability was when I came flying down a hill and around a corner to find a set of small logs forming a steep pyamid log "jump". I didn't have time to slow down so I just rammed the bike into it. I pushed back as far behind the seat as possible and got ready to flip over the handlebars but the bike sucked everything up and handled like a dream. You can ride the bike so much faster through all types of terrain (as opposed to a hardtail) and the bike always stays predictable. Worth the $$$
Similar Products Used: NRS 2, Fuel 90, Marin Team Issue, Proflex
Bike Setup: Stock
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Submitted by
James Lusher
a Cross Country Rider
from Gt Missenden
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2002
Strengths: The flexibility of the 4,5 or 6 inch set up allows you to have a number of different riding styles from one bike. Brakes (hope upgrade hydraulic discs) are superb, bringing huge confidence.
Weaknesses: Race face cranks kept falling off. Now replaced with XT, thanks to a nice marketing man at Marin and a few quid from my pocket.
Bottom Line:
The tara adjustment gives you great flexibility, but in reality 90% of the time you leave it in 5 inch and just go. This is a bike that is a long way from the superlight hardtails and XC suspension like the sugar 3 - all have different styles that suit different people. At 6' 2" a 19 inch frame gives a stretched out feel that doesn't give the same control on the very technical sections that the other bikes (above) would allow. However, the compensation comes when you get to the top of the hill and go down - no-one can touch you. Long taravel sus gives you an unrivalled ability to tackle really rough trails that most others cant handle.
So, if you like long travel and downhill on a XC style bike this is a great one. I wouldn't swop mine for any other.
Watch out for the top mounted bottle cage. Either risk any chance of being a father after an accident or use a hydropack.
This would be a 5/5 if those cranks hadn't repeatedly fallen off. All credit to Marin (and Dees of Amersham)for sorting the problem out. I understand 02 models (oopps, mine is a Whyte design 01) have different kit.
Strengths: Very Burly, Very Adjustable. Climbs very well With the fork at 100mm and the rear at 4", and can bomb any downhill with the fork at 120mm and the the rear at 6" mode. Also very light for a bike with that much travel.
Weaknesses: Had some problems with the Hayes hydrolic discs, but after fixing that, nothing yet.
Bottom Line:
This is an awsome "do everything" bike. If you're like me and can't classify yourself as either a cross country or DH rider because you do all of it, then this is the bike for you. It's very burly, and it has plenty of ball room (which is very nice). Add in quality components and you have an awsome bike.
Strengths: Travel and geometry adjustment, can go from a tight FS cross country racer to a plush freeride rig in minutes, no unexpected maintainence, lots of "BALL" room, and takes a TON of beating, Manitou Black Elite is awesome! Get this bike if you like to do it all and don't want tons of bikes
Weaknesses: pedels - Box come stock, Rims - I taco'd mine within a month
Bottom Line:
The Black fork is a bit loose at the 120mm travel (I'm a big guy 200 lbs) but super tight at the 100mm lenghth. The damping adjustments are so sweet (on the back and front). It is possible to adjust the rear Fox Float R so there is no bobbing or kickback. The adjustment of the rear travel and frame geometry (check out www.marinbikes.com) does wonders for converting it to whatever you want. I raced this bike in a few races so far and I am not hindered by the weight or the suspension, I'm still winning! Fast, Furious, and Adjustable for all conditions, what else could you want!
Similar Products Used: Marin Attack Trail, Marin Alpine Trail, Marin Rock Springs, Cannondale Jeckyl, GT I-Drive Race
Bike Setup: replaced pedals with Crank Bros Egg beaters (sometimes Ritchey Comp Pros), ODI Rogue grips, cut bars 1" on each side, shortened rear brake line
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Submitted by
Dr Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Cumbria,England
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2002
Strengths: Light for a freeride bike (30.5lbs),easily adjustable suspension.Bomb proof(see build below).Lets me do whatever I like and never complains.Low maintainance(Very important).
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
This is a fantastic bike, if like me you some times cycle to your trails (4" setting),like to ride rough Xc (5" setting)AND love to bomb down some hills or over rock gardens(6"setting)all in the same ride. I also ride on beach shingle and this bike has masses of traction.The design also climbs well especially with the Z1`s ECC.You don`t need a rear lockout,save your money.English riders need have no worries about this bikes mud ability,it rules
Bottom line:- It does it ALL so well, BUT ditch the stock rims,get discs(it`s got the hubs) and think seriously about swapping the RATs to either Marzocchi or Fox(see the reviews).Overall rating 5 as spec`d above but 4 with the RATs and XC rims
PS:-Why is a Cannondale Jeckyll like a small hotel with no-where to dance?
Similar Products Used: Dawes FS Edge(good starter bike),Cannondale Jeckyll 700ELO (sucked like a hoover and boy do CODA parts break easily !)
Bike Setup: Stock except,Z1 freerides in grey(ditched the Manitou RATs),Hope Enduro 4`s(I weight 235lbs and need to be able to stop),Mavic D 321`s also in grey(221`s as supplied just would`nt have cut it).Swapped rear tyre to Panracer Fire XC pro 2.1,much better!
Weaknesses: pedals - come on marin box pedals on a $2000.00 bike - wheel set
Bottom Line:
I looked long and hard to find just the right trail bike for the type of riding I do - I am not a racer, mainly lots of loose rock trails with lots of climbing and plenty of mud - I had some concerns about buying a single pivot bike because of everything I read about bobing and being a dated design but I can tell you that this bike does not bob or kick back any more then any other dual susp bike I have had or used - I had a dakar for more then a year and it was a great bike but the marin is a better climber and has a plusher rear end by far - it is also less matinence as the dakar bushing needed to be disassembled and greased every other month or they would creak - I am really happy with this bike - it looks like a tank and yet rides and climbs like a sports car - the brakes are awesome - marin could have speced a better wheel set and pedals but it is obvious the majority of the money went into the frame and design itself - the adjustable rear suspension is also great and easy to change trailside however I have mostly kept in the 5in rear travel postion and it seems to be able to do every thing I want it to do from there - if you are a trail rider looking for a good bike at least check out the Wolf Ridge - you wont be sorry
Bike Setup: stock except for time pedals and xtr rear derailer & shifters
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Submitted by
davie
a Downhiller
from edinburgh scotland
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2002
Strengths: good all rounder climbs very well in 4" setting butt i mostly keep it 6" setting for blasting down the way.i upprated the brakes to enduro disks from hope they have loads of feel.the manitou black forks work very well. deore crankset lx rear mech lx shifters work good.fox floatR rear shock is really plush.the quick release on the rear swingarm is easy to use
Weaknesses: the mavic x221's bent after 2 weeks but that's riding hard quarrys and big rocks. changed for 521's
Bottom Line:
i ride a coyote downhiller with boxxers but the marin is a excellent bike to practise on you no pushing those big heavy bikes up hill i ride this bike hard and so far not a thing has went wrong with it bar the wheels.it's light for a full susser and it stops very well with the disks. very good value for money
