Submitted by
S Mallory
a Racer
from Washington State
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2008
Strengths: IFT - Lightweight, great climber, and with the right tire/rim combo you can leave everyone behind - a Gazelle. No shock and I like it that way, very good control for a 200# ex-road racer. Great XT gruppo.
Weaknesses: A little flexible at the bottom bracket when climbing but still very OK. Want to swap out handlebars eventually.
Bottom Line:
Perfect geometry if you are a bit taller. Easily the best Mtn. bike frame I have ever ridden. Extremely stable steering and nice soft front forks so if you are heavier it will save $$ not having the weight or expense of a shock. The overall stiffness and light weight will save your bacon every time. I am glad I picked this bike from all of the rest. Everybody who tests it, zips ahead in delight and rethinks their own ride.
Submitted by
Tambo
a Weekend Warrior
from Newcastle, England
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2007
Strengths: Light frame and 8-speed components. Geometry.
Weaknesses: Marin-lite bar and stem are flexy and this together with the LX silent clutch (AKA ballbreaker) rear hub does not instill confidence to really hammer the bike and put your weight down. Manitou Spyder forks are flexy and and no good for a heavier rider (190lbs).
Bottom Line:
Got this bike off Ebay for £265 3 years ago and it was in as new condition. This is the '98 model in Mango colour and is a great bike in my opinion. It climbs better than most bikes I have ridden and on the straights it just flys. This is the "17 model and the geometry and sizing is exactly how I like it. Top tube is approx "22.5. Weight is very low and with a few component swaps it performs really well and not much different to todays racing hardtails. The XT 8 speed kit is great. Its my favourite of the 3 bikes I own (incase your wondering I kept the 3 Marins!).
Similar Products Used: '89 Muddy Fox Courier Comp, '90 DB ascent EX, '93 Carrera Krakatoa, '95 RTS-3, '97 Eldridge Grade, '02 Coyote HT5, '04 Stumpjumper FSR Pro, '98 and '06 Indian Fire Trail, among others!
Bike Setup: Original apart from full 8-speed Deore XT, including hubs, Manitou Mars 1 forks and Mavic 217 rims.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, Oregon, USA
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2007
Strengths: Everything
Weaknesses: Nothing found so far. For the record, not sure if my frame is a 98 or 99...that's pretty weak.
Bottom Line:
I heard a rumor about "the perfect hardtail" and found it. The climbing, downhill control, look, weight, etc. compliments me as a rider. Ther IFT completes me.
Similar Products Used: S-Works, Specialized P3, Rockhopper FS
Bike Setup: Judy XC Front Shock Sun Rims White industries hubs and Cranks The rest all XT and XTR
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Lightning Crow
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque,N.M.
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2000
Strengths: Columbus Aluminium triple butted frame,VERY stiff,no flex,excellent welds,highly responsive,flows into fast corners,great at HIGH speeds and handles just as good at slow speed or stalling,fast climber fast downhill,feels like the bike is part of you,LIGHT FAST TRAIL BIKE,MARS 1 fork
Weaknesses: NONE FOUND
Bottom Line:
The Marin Juniper Trail is ONE SWEET hardtail,you can spend a lot more and the quality won'tget any better.This is a FAST LIGHT bike that can handle speed,climbs,jumps and keep on going.If you are looking for a GREAT hardtail you cant go wrong OR broke,check this one out,no need to upgrade parts,Marin thought this out really well,beats the KABOOKIE out of Klein's Attitude in ride,parts selection and feel.
Similar Products Used: Trek 8000,Rockhopper,Klein Attitude Junk
Bike Setup: almost stock,LX crank,BB,Rapidfire shifters,XT rear,Avid 25 brakes w/1.9levers,Ovation bar,stem,bar ends,post,WTB seat,Mavic 221 w/IRC tires,Spinskins,CatEye,Mars 1
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Joshua
a Cross Country Rider
from Henniker, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2000
Strengths: climbs well. Light. Seems pretty stiff. Fast as hell.
Weaknesses: no disk brake mounts...
Bottom Line:
In some ways it's hard to write a fully comprehensive review considering I having ridden a zillion bikes, but this frame is awesome. Very good at climbing hills. I feel like I have rockets under my pedals on this bike when I'm going up hills. No problems on the downhills either, seems very stable. 5 chilis because I can't find any real faults considering the model year.
Strengths: Full XT components. No japanese made no name junk. Easton Ultralite Frame. Sid xc fork kicks ass. I love the lively ride of the Aluminum frame
Weaknesses: A bit to lively at times. Not that great on descents.
Bottom Line:
An excellent bike. If Marin would stop putting their own relabled crap components on their bikes many people would like them more. It is like Kona putting Kore imitation Stems on their dual suspension bikes.
Similar Products Used: Trek PRO 9.9, Trek 8900, Marin Team Marin (cromoly), Cannondale f-4000 SL, Kona Hei Hei, Giant MCM team, Marin Team Titanium, Ironhorse 7.0, 9.0, and Team
Bike Setup: Everything stock except for Rapidrise XTR rear, Titec big al stem, Titec al handlebar, titec micros barends, Thompson Elite Seatpost. Michelin Wildgripper Slick
Strengths: -frame Geometry -attention to detail -weld quality
Weaknesses: Cable routing to the Rear derailleur from the factory is not compatible with 2.1 inch tires.
Bottom Line:
This bike does everything perfectly! I`ve taken this bike downhill and it was very stable(probably because of the fork) I raced it in the Canada Cup at Hardwood Hills and the bike ate up everything, the only complaint I have is that there are not any trails that can challenge the bike including trials which I do as well.
Bike Setup: Marin indian fire trail with 99 Marzzochi Bomber Z2 Bam.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben Wilton
a Weekend Warrior
from Hamilton, NZ
Date Reviewed: September 6, 1999
Strengths: Lite Rigid Frame Nice Component Spec
Weaknesses: Bottom bracket creak Grip Shift
Bottom Line:
I brought the I.F.Trail 2 years ago after trying so many other XC bikes, which had either heavy frames or crap Components. I quickly replaced the Grip Shifts with XT rapid fire shifters, I have had no problems (yet) with the Marin Lite parts. The bike responsed well in corners gives excellent feedback at speed and the Judy Shock soaks up some big hits. The bike has served me well for 2 years and show no sign giving up.
Strengths: Light, Stiff, Good braking response, That SID fork !!!!!
Weaknesses: Only one I found is that when shouldering the bike the ovalized top tube digs into your shoulder
Bottom Line:
Amazing that Marin could sell a light bike spec'd like this for such a low price. If you are considering the purchase of a light XC specific bike do yourself a favor and try out the Marin!!!!
Similar Products Used: Trek 8900 Trek Elite 9.8 Fisher Procaliber Cannondale F-3000 Shwinn Homegrown Elite Kona King Kahuna Kona Kula
Bike Setup: Stock full XT components except for a XTR rear and a cane creek bottom bracket. Stock Sid XC fork.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eldon
a Racer
from fort McMurray, Alberta
Date Reviewed: June 12, 1999
Strengths: -rigid frame -short rear stays -strong frame -reactive -easy to throw around when doing trial riding
Weaknesses: -on the heavy side -marin lite components are fragile -bottom bracket creaks easily
Bottom Line:
Its a good bike for trial riding and is quite fast. It climbs good due to the short rear stays. A little heavy though but it makes up for the durability. The bike is fast but the price is a little steep at $2,700 Canadian. Although I got a $1000 knocked off that because of my racing deal. I suggest a person who purchase this bike should replace the marin lite components before you get injured like me. Especially the stem.
Bike Setup: Indian Fire Trail Full XT, except for the white Industry front hub, ESP 9.0 brake levers and shifters SID XC
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Auckland
Date Reviewed: April 4, 1999
Strengths: Light, good derailer set (XT/STXRC) and great LX shifters and cranks.
Weaknesses: None I have found except the bottom bracket creaking when pedaling hard.
Bottom Line:
Lovely bike nice and light with great components and getting it at the end of 1998 when the 1999 bikes had arrived I got it for a great price. And after riding both I perfer the 1998 model to the 1999 model, didnt like the new Ovation frames.
Submitted by
Richard Babb
a downhiller
from Barnstaple North Devon
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1998
Bottom Line:
Please tell me about your new 99 DH range so that I can take in some consideration into buying a new DH bike . At the moment I have got the 97 B-17,so I would like to upgrade to the new 99 B-17 or something a better at a slightly higher price, but will have better suspension and other components.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Christian Skillen
a cross-country rider
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: September 23, 1998
Bottom Line:
After riding the Fire Trail for three racing seasons, I've come to know every detail about this bike. The Fire Trail is often characterized as a hardtail freeride bike. This is because of the fat tubing and long frame geometry that makes your body more outstretched. I've come to accept this and try my best to use it as a cross-country bike. If your looking to blast down long rocky fireroads, this bike will suit you fine. I live on the East Coast where rocks, roots, and streams are on my every day ride. I've put my bike through so much abuse and the only thing I've had to replace was my drop out. (Not to mention I also preform trials with this bike.) On the other hand, if your looking to cruise down some extremely tight singletrack with many turns, you might find your self in a little trouble. You realy have to throw the bike into the turns and brake early so you don't crash going around the outside of the turn. You may be thinking that this bike is not a climber, but surprisingly it climbs with no problem, partly because it is pretty damn light. When racing, I often find my self riding up steep rocky hills while most of the other riders are off pushing. This is one of the Indian Fire Trail's best qualities. In conclusion, if your looking for a realy good cross country bke, this may or may not be the bike your looking for. It mainly depends on the layout of the course where you will be riding.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gianluca Wallisch
a cross-country rider
from Austria, Europe
Date Reviewed: August 24, 1998
Bottom Line:
I´ve got the Indian Fire Trail since 1994, with a Marzocchi XC 500 fork. The bike isn´t the newest, but it´s still in commerce and hasn´t been changed for a couple of years, and that´s wonderful. It means: Never change a winning bike! The IFT is best described with two word´s: Biker´s Heaven!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andreas Reis
a cross-country rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: August 21, 1998
Bottom Line:
Ich habe mein IFT seit nun mehr als 5 Jahren und eigentlich ist außer dem Rahmen kein Originalteil mehr vorhanden. Trotzdem ist es ein IFT geblieben und war es immer wert verbessert zu werden, trotz der alten Mag 21 wiegt´s nicht mehr als 9,9 Kg. Happy Trails und Gruss aus Deutschland !
