Submitted by
Graeme
a Cross Country Rider
from Crowborough
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2007
Strengths: Light, fast, Good spec, looks fantastic (even better as I paid £1700 for it). No need for any upgrades in a long while.
Weaknesses: Bit of creaking the 1st couple of times out and I'll have to wait to see how the tyres cope long term.
Bottom Line:
Coming from a hardtail, this bike is a whole new ball game, I find I'm looking further ahead and not worrying about every little stone/root/bump that's in the way. The suspension is perfectly smooth, the brakes give me so much more control and the shifting is flawless. I find that I'm enjoying my riding so much more, not only is it great going down technical tracks etc, but going up is just a joy, the bike seems ultra responsive over any terrain. Oh, and not forgetting that this bike is so fast. I was worried if I really needed a Full sus bike, but riding this has made me 100% sure I made the right choice.
Strengths: Responsive - I think "monocoque" is french for "telepathic." Yeah, it reads your mind.
Weaknesses: On uphills I can tend to wheelie - but then I'm not strong on riding technique... and wheeling is kinda fun - unless I need to keep that line to stay on the pedals.
Bottom Line:
If you can test ride one - do. If you do, you'll probably buy it.
Similar Products Used: It's the first f-s I've owned although I test rode many before buying. I was underwhelmed on all - except the Mt. Vision - It's like Venom to my Spiderman.
Bike Setup: Stock except for pedals - which are ow just flat pedals.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Alan
a Cross Country Rider
from Springfield, MO, USA
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2004
Strengths: Light wieght, very responsive, great climbing ability
Weaknesses: none yet, except those bottle rack locations
Bottom Line:
I'm 6ft 170 and the bike is a perfect fit with the 19in frame. It takes a few rides to get the setup just right but when you do its a great ride. Most of my experience is on hardtail bikes and was reluctant to go full suspension. Wish I had done this years ago.
I find the bike is very tight and handles excellent on narrow trails. I thought I really needed the lockout rear shock but have never really found a need to use it. The uphill climbs are much easier and traction is greatly improved over rocky terrain. Don't know if this is due to the quad design or not, but what ever it is Marin has it right. The SID front fork takes sometime to get setup for the best feel but worth the time taken.
All around component group is fantastic for the price. I will do the Push Industries Platform Damping Upgrade when the rear shock starts to go.
I wouldn't recomend this bike to a heavy rider or someone that likes large jumps because the light weight fork/frame may not hold up to extreme use. It is a great XC bike.
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from San Antonio, TX
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2003
Strengths: no bob, light weight in stock form, component group for the price.
Weaknesses: none found yet.....
Bottom Line:
I got a killer deal on a year end close out on a better spec'd bike than had been planning on purchasing. Only have ridden 3 times and still setting it up and getting comfortable on it. So far it has ridden like a FAST Caddy - after coming off of a 8 yr. old FS Caloi that bobbed like a pogo stick. Once I get everything adjusted and get used to it, I'm sure it will be awesome.
Similar Products Used: Looked @ Kono, Trek, Gary Fisher Sugar, Marin Rift Zone
Bike Setup: stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Texas
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2003
Strengths: No bob, great components, relatively light, flys downhill and climbs almost as good as a hardtail (better if you stay in the saddle).
Weaknesses: other than the stock pedals, none
Bottom Line:
I have had this bike only for about a week, but so far this is the nicest thing I have ever ridden. The component group is prefect, and is reasonably priced. I will repost in a few months after I have beaten it up a little, but as of now I have nothing but good things to say about this bike!
Similar Products Used: Specialized Epic, Giant NRS 2
Bike Setup: stock with easton ec70 flat bars and egg beaters
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
DOUGLAS TOMLINSON
a Cross Country Rider
from WEST YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2003
Strengths: There is no bob when pedalling hard,extremely responsive ride, lightweight, superb brakes and faultless groupset.
Weaknesses: Pedals a little flimsy, SID Fork has let me down twice in three months, but getting there with repairs!
Bottom Line:
A great bike. Problems with fork are teething problems only - any other fork would have to be heavier and would detract from lightweight ride. Definately a do it all bike for race, enduro or pounding trails. New suspension system is spot on. Full marks to Marin.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Epic, Stumpjumper FSR & Enduro
Bike Setup: As factory spec
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dayton Crites
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz, CA
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2003
Strengths: No Bob. A little when you are up and hammering out of the saddle, but stay in the saddle and the bike feels solid. A great four inches too- never feels like you are using all the travel, only on the real big hits. Also a fabulous spec for a stock bike. Only generic part is the seatpost ( I shall soon own a thomson...). The ride is amazing, decends as well as it climbs.
Weaknesses: It is a pain to get in and adjust the front derailer- and one needs to put a few electrical tape patches on the frame to keep the hydraulic hose from rubbing the frame. However, the big problem is in the 18.5 inch size, the top tube is a bit short for me- so if you are a taller rider, you might have to switch to a longer stem.
Bottom Line:
A great bike, a great deal. The weaknesses are only nitpicking, and my personal physiqe. The overall ride quality on this bike is just amazing. Ride it.
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Derbyshire, UK
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2003
Strengths: Lightweight, responsive bike. Very agile with little bobbing & excellent traction on climbs. Absorbs hits on descents without fuss and with modifications (see below)it makes an ideal cross-country/endurance bike. Durable and well engineered frame with lifetime guarantee on bearings. (essential for UK weather)with excellent mud clearance. XT groupset as always is reliable and lightweight, new 2003 XT crankset stronger than last years model. Hope mini disc brakes huge improvement over "V's" especially in this climate. Hope hubs and DT spokes make up a quality wheelset.
Weaknesses: Vey minor weaknesses - RS Sid fork may not be to everyone's taste. Race orientated geometry a little to long for me (fitted new stem). Poor location of bottle cage mounts.
Bottom Line:
My first full suspension MTB. Can't understand why I didn't buy one earlier really. This bike is so smooth on both climbs and descents it really is awesome. Little bob and excellent traction.
I changed the fork for a 2002 Marzocchi MXC (used Sid's previously and found them to flexy)The shorter(110mmx15)higher rise stem suits my relaxed riding style. Also chopped an inch of each end of the riser bars. The rear lockout switch is handy for road use. Can't really comment on the stock tyres (WTB Motoraptor)as I fitted the IRC mud mad's - essential in not so sunny Derbyshire during winter.
The bottom line - Many UK buyers will be looking to upgrade from last years single pivot bike and they won't be disappointed. Another masterpiece from "Mr Suspension" - John Whyte.
Bike Setup: Stock except for Marzocchi MXC (02), IRC Mud Mad tyres and Thompson stem.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel Trusler
a Cross Country Rider
from Pisgah Forest, NC,USA
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2002
Strengths: This bike has zero flex and sprints like you would not believe. Comes with a great parts spec for the money especially when compared to Blur. Thanks again to Wes at Sycamore Cycles for getting this to me asap after they became available. The only negative about the bike so far is that the orange stckers are a bit overdone.
Weaknesses: See sticker comment. Tires are plenty big enough for cross country riding.
Bottom Line:
This bike will change what people expect of a cross country bike. There will be a lot of single pivot riders looking to upgrade soon.
Similar Products Used: Santa Cruz Superlight, Haro XLS, Specialized Epic
Bike Setup: Stock except for upgrade to carbon fiber bar.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Hufster
a Cross Country Rider
from W. Orange, NJ
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2002
Strengths: No bobbing sensation, solid durable, non flexing pivots able to leap tall boulders in a single bound!
Weaknesses: Needs bigger tires
Bottom Line:
A new floating pivot design from Formula One guy John Whyte, creats a virtual pivot point that must be ridden to be appreciated. There is absolutely no bobbing what so ever. Owners of previous Marins should not ride this bike unless they plan to buy one, It's that much better. With the likes of the Specialized Epic and Santa Cruz Blurr, this bike is serious competition. Solid ground feel, and very light weight this bike handles everything the east can dish it. Add bigger tires and turn up the fun! Not a free ride bike but a stellar Cross Country/ play bike. Goes all day. Aren't I the lucky one!
I'm seeing great deals on this bike - and I'm always skeptical when I see major markdowns. Could you guys enlighten me on why this bike would be 50% off retail?
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I am hoping for a bit of information that I have not been able to locate through my research and various literature sources.
1. Are the East Peak and Mount Vision bikes built on Read More »
Hi all, hoping I can get some advise. I've been lurking the forum off and on for a while, and there seems to be a great deal of collective knowledge here. Pardon me for the long Read More »
Hi all, hoping I can get some advise. I've posted this in the Marin forum, but I realized I'll probably get more response here.
I've been lurking the forum off and on for a whil Read More »
Hey all. I'm looking at possibly picking up one of these frames in a large size, which is typically the size of frame I ride. I'm a little concerned about the 23.3 inch top tube; w Read More »
