Columbus Thron, Full Double butted Cromoly, with Mega top and down tubes, Anti-Flex Tri-Burner seat and chain stays.*Answer Mars Comp Coil, 80mm of Travel Fork*WTB Momentum Comp ST Threadless 1 1/8" Headset
Submitted by
KJ
a Weekend Warrior
from Decorah, Iowa, USA
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2002
Strengths: Durability of steel and simplicity of design. Componentry is well-selected and a lot for the money. One of the few steel hardtail mtn bikes left to purchase on the market... Even Marin has cut back significantly on the steel products that they sell for 2003.
Weaknesses: None that i can see. I had a steel burr in the seat tube that damaged (scratched) the original Marin seatpost, but my dealer reamed the tube and replaced the Marin post with a KAlloy one to my satisfaction... no big deal... and no problems since.
Bottom Line:
I am a 42-year-old, 6'1" 200 lbs. that recently discovered the sport of Mtn Biking this year and I live a few blocks from some of the best trails in the Midwest--and I am riding almost every day. Maybe I'll get a full suspension bike someday when I get even older and greyer--but the steel bike takes a lot of the pounding out of the ride. The bike feels good under me and is easy to control. It seems to move with me on turns and I feel confident on it climbing and descending and hanging on to the side slopes that we ride here--that's the bottom line. I did a lot of checking online and in the shops before and AFTER I purchased this bike and you will be hard-pressed to find a bike better equipped for the $$$ than this one. I have been riding this bike hard (as hard as a 42-year-old can!) for at least an hour and a half each day--since I got it a few months ago. I am one who often suffers from buyers remorse after I make a big purchase--BUT NOT THIS TIME. I love this bike and the service/advice I have received from my dealer has been outstanding. Every time I get out on the trail with this bike I like it more and more. I see myself riding this bike for a long time to come--and I plan to work on component upgrades as things wear and break. The frame is solid at about 26.5 lbs. for an 18.5" frame. I really wanted something different and distinctive from the rest of the pack of production bikes. This fit the bill and I love it! I would buy it again--and I would buy a Marin!
Favorite Trail: Palisades, Ice Cave, Van Peenan Loop
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At: Oneota River Cycles
Similar Products Used: I test rode a Giant NRS, and looked hard at a 2002 KHS Comp ST... My old bike was a 2nd Gen. Miyata from the mid/late 80s.
Bike Setup: Stock except for Crank Bros. Eggbeaters, Kalloy seatpost, and Night Hawk 12-volt light kit.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
junior pasion
a Weekend Warrior
from san diego, san francisco
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2002
Strengths: frame is bullit proof, i've taken this thig on some of the most knarly trails i could find and took some huge, HUGE, HHUUGGEE spills and they didn't even leave a dent. it's very nimble on some nice single track and climbs very well.
Weaknesses: color the only color it came in was some purple/blue contraption. components leave some to be desired( deore, lx)avid brakes wish it would of came with disk compatable hubs.
Bottom Line:
this bike is a great buy and i would recommend this one to everyone. i believe the 2003s come with disks and the color is black (hint hint)i give this bike 5 flaming turds for value and 5 flaming turds overall
Submitted by
Arkonbey
a Cross Country Rider
from Williston, Vermont
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2002
Strengths: Steel Frame, remarkably decent fork, inspired parts package
Weaknesses: none, really, but see below
Bottom Line:
This bike was quite a find. The only 'problem' is the stability of this bike. It is STABLE. This is not to mean static. It enjoys being moved, but, it is not twitchy and not all that agile. On jumps and (small wheelie) drops it never pulls to one side and lands comfortabley. It loves fire roads with long sweeping turns and decends as if on rails. Singletrack is a bit problematic and takes a little getting used to. The bike will move quickly and go without force, but it needs to be asked nicely. If forced, it can easily be oversteered, if allowed it will track straight. Swapping the stock 135mm stem for the 105 quickened up the front end while leaving the frame wonderfully stable. A good overall bike, a true bargain. But, if you are looking for a nimble singletracker, see if you can somehow ride one on the trail before committing.
Similar Products Used: I've ridden nothing but rigid and hardtails for the past 13 years
Bike Setup: 17" Stock with exceptions: Ritchey Comp stem (105/6deg.), ODI Rouge Lock-On grips, WTB Velociraptor Rear/ Spec. Team Control Front
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2002
Strengths: Very light frame, with good components, the mars compcoil is an awesome fork, great geometry for tight singletrack.
Weaknesses: Wierd frame sizes
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for the price, it's a top notch xc bike and will blow the doors off any other xc bike in that price range. If want an even better bike get the juniper trail (if you can). If your a gardcore xc get this bike, even if you enjoy a great riding bike, get it. bottom line; this bike rox.
Weaknesses: unusually large frame sizes- 15 frame requires a 30in inseam. Test ride before you buy.
Bottom Line:
I wanted a steel frame with a well built bike around it. This bike is built how i would build it. From the wheels to the headset Marin always builds a quality bike. They upgraded the fork and rear derailleur from last year and I couldn't pass it up. Even the colors are great.
My first real mountain bike was a 2000 specialized hardrock fs which I rode for two years. I plan to race and the Marin EG is what I found after searching six monthes. Great mid-range bike!
Submitted by
Daren Harris
a Weekend Warrior
from San Rafael, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2002
Strengths: Steel frame, design, low weight, Answer Mars fork, Deore front and XT rear deraileurs, Hollowtech crankset, 15 gauge black stainless spokes look great, lifetime warranty on frame.
Weaknesses: None yet.
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks. It is my first mt. bike and I really worked at getting the best bang for my buck. I am just starting out, so it's hard to say who should and should not buy this bike. It cost just a bit more than the Giant Rainier, but I feel that it rides better and is much lighter. The Fisher bikes under this price range don't have as much to offer. The Big Sur costs a little more and is also good, but the Eldrigde put side by side was the better value. (My bike shop sells Marin and Fishers, so that was nice to ride both.) In my opinion, it has the better components. It's built to last much longer than the other bikes it tried. Also, the frame design is pleasing to the eye -- very streamlined. Cheers.
