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Submitted by
Jeff
a
from San RafaelDate Reviewed: September 17, 2004
Strengths: Speed, speed, speed. Progressive rear allows for generous traction without bottoming out, balanced feel, phenomenal cornering. Light weight, stiff front triangle, precise steering. Great product support, with people who are both knowledgeable and passionate.Weaknesses: Two piece swing link (which Marin seems happy to replace with one piece for free). Lengthened top tube for 2004, and of course I have to mention the really inexcusable placement of water bottle mounts on the top tube--silly.Bottom Line: Bike was almost pars excellent with an 80 mm fork, but absolutely FLIES with the 100. Used as a trailbike now, had doubts about running it without a rear lockout, but have not regretted it. Very progressive rear takes a bit of adjustment, but rides very neutrally (a great positive) after acclimization and with proper set-up. I fly uphill (at least as I can) with great traction and descend with almost as much confidence as when on my longer-legged steed. Medium drops (3-5 feet) are absolutely no problem(the bike is very hard to bottom out), and the Mount Vision Pro is very easy to handle in the air. It excels in both high-speed descents and rollers, as well as technical single track, and it's climbing ability is better than any bike I've ridden. Bought as a lark, it's now the favorite ride in my experience.
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Purchased At: as frame only
Similar Products Used: Titus, Specialized, Trek, Rocky Mountain, Giant.
Bike Setup: Marathon SL 100, X.O, XTR crank and front derailleur, Hayes, Crossmax SL's, Float R.
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Submitted by
Ron
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island, NYDate Reviewed: May 24, 2004
Strengths: Outstanding Suspension system, XTR group is unbelivably good.Weaknesses: Absolutly noneBottom Line: This bike (17" frame)is an absolutly incredible ride. My old 1998 rift-zone was great and reliable but this is a marked improvement over that design. I really like the new XTR stuff. The disc brakes are smooth and noise free. I got used to the change in shifting in about 5 minutes. I do use the thumb shifters though. Pushing your hand up to shift on the brake lever seems awkward to me. The weight is just over 24 lbs and it accelerates and climbs like crazy. It's expensive, but it's a total joy to ride. So far everything has stayed smooth and noise free. Marin's are one of the top bikes in soggy, muddy, rainy England and it's because they work so well in that harsh enviroment. It's really too bad this design doesn't get the same notice that the Blur gets because it works extremely well. Pedal feedback is virtually non-existant. It's design is straightforward and the frame is basically the same one they have used for years. If it had problems they would have changed it. The bike doesn't look much different than the single pivot design but it rides much better over the small stuff than the old one. If your looking for a full suspension bike this is one bike design that deserves a strong consideration.
Favorite Trail: cathedral pines, rocky pt.
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Purchased At: Sayville Bike Works
Similar Products Used: Cannondale Super-V, Marin Rift Zone, GT hardtails
Bike Setup: Stock with cane-creek S-6 headset and easton carbon fiber riser bar.
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Submitted by
WV Homegrown
a Cross Country Rider
from Charleston, West Virginia USADate Reviewed: July 2, 2003
Strengths: Very sweet ride - lightweight setup and little bob once the rear shock is inflated properly. No need for rear lockout except for commutes to the singletrack via road. Climbs well compared to hardtail due to constant contact with terrain. The quadralink suspension system works well and has drastically improved my downhill performance (the hydraulic disc brakes help too). The bike comes impressively outfitted with full XTR drivetrain, Easton carbon bar and seatpost, XTR hydraulic discs, SID World Cup, etc. This bike is the one for the serious cross country rider/racer who likes the all-day epics but still want to hammer out fast lap times when called for.Weaknesses: I am a tall rider (6 foot 3) and wish they made a frame larger than the 19 inch. I am forced to ride with my seatpost jacked way up and it sometimes makes it difficult to navigate on steep stuff. I have yet to get my XTR hydraulic brakes dialed in to prevent rubbing, either, but that is a different review. Headset came loose after the first 3-4 rides but no problem since then. Biggest complaint is water-bottle cage placements. There are 2 - one on top right behind the headset (which only allows enough clearance for a short bottle and causes you to constantly bang your knee on the cage) and one on the botton between the wheels (which is tough to reach, gets crushed on log crossings, and picks up lots of crud from the trail). You had better invest in a vice hydration system, b/c you will be wearing it.
Other that that, the bike is performing perfectly.Bottom Line: A sweet ride - perfect for all day epics or racing. Bottle cage placement sucks and a 20 or 21 inch frame option would be nice, but I'll get over it. Nicely specd with top of the line components and rides great. I'll give it 4 flamers all the way around.
Favorite Trail: Singletrack at Kanawha State Forest
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At: Local Shop
Similar Products Used: I used to ride an old Litespeed hardtail and was the last holdout that I knew. Never again. The FS being made now are just too sweet.
Bike Setup: I sold the SID World Cup on Ebay for over $600 and bought last years Marzocchi Marathon for $250. What a bargain. In my opinion I got a more durable, better fork and pocketed over $350. I did add some weight in the process, but I'll let the weight-weenies worry about that.
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