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Submitted by
Damon Chidester
a Racer
from Modesto,Ca. USA
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Clementine | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Valley Sporting Goods | | Strengths: | I bought this bike to replace a 1991 GT ZAZKAR that I had ridden for 9 yrs, and had started racing beginner class with. When I got the Marin it just felt great! I know it was made me a better rider, just after riding it for 5 days I raced it in the Sea Otter and finished 11th in my class of 200. Better yet I had finally beat a buddy rider that had been a consistant 2 minutes ahead of me in other races. | | Weaknesses: | Well, as I said, I think it made me a better rider, and the suspension soaks up anything. You find yourself attacking harder all the time.
The bad side is that the frame just cant handle it.
Moved up to sport class after finishing 5th in the CA. state X/C Championship series. I then broke my first frame afterjust two races, and dislocated my shoulder.
Then another frame the next season just before Sea Otter.
Now I have just broke my third frame, this one was the new quad link. The differance is that the single pivot frames both broke above the pivot, the quad broke below. I dont men just a crack I mean ripped in two! | | Similar Products Used: | GT idrive,fsr enduro,gt rts, | | Bike Setup: | I liked my bike firm, the first two had a mars elite fork with stiff springs and a lock out, and rebound. Good fork ( now on the ZAZKAR}
The quad bike has a skarabe fork, changed the springs for stiffer, still soft though, oh ya about 180-200 psi.
rear is a float R 300psi and about 5 clicks outfrouper slow | | Bottom Line: | The bikes ride great, single will let you stand and hammer climbs. But not the quad, I call it the "tork sucker"
I must say that if it was not for my great bike shop dealing with hard to handle Marin, I would go postal.
The last bike I had to pay another $700, and the bike broke after just three months riding. Still waiting to see what happens with this one.
Bottom line is that this is a great bike if the frames didnt break so easy. And no, I am not a jumper. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kernal_s
a Weekend Warrior
from Salt Puddle City, UT US
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | bobsled | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1189.00 | | Purchased At: | Canyon Sports | | Strengths: | Component mix for the price I paid. Frame, weight, long time Marin fan. | | Weaknesses: | Mythos tires, Shimano pedals seem beyond my ability to adjust correctly, flat bar. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS-3, Jamis Dakar, Spec. FRS XC, Trek Fuel- every bike under $1500.00. | | Bike Setup: | Stock- replaced Mythos tires with WTB Velociraptors, which made a huge difference in control, especially in deep-powder-covered switchbacks (it's been a dry, dry year here). | | Bottom Line: | Went to buy a bike I didn't really want (but was the best I could afford- a Giant NRS) and luckily found a closeout on the 2001 Rift Zone. An hour later it was on my bike rack. The hardtail I was replacing was a Marin, and I like the feel, quality, and (as mentioned above) having a bike that's unique compared to a Trek, Cannondale, Spec., etc. I'm just getting serious about XC riding (a couple of trails a week) and the Rift Zone has saved my butt numerous times. The suspension setup is cake, the components above average, and the frame is excellent. Like cars, women and liquor, personal preference goes a long way, as long as the basic requirements are covered. This bike more than covers the basics, and personally is still way more bike than I am rider. But that's how it should be... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken Robb
a Cross Country Rider
from La Jolla, CA.
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | As far as I know list price is $1695 and the East Peak is $1249 or $1299. I like the ability to adjust the suspension at both ends from really soft to rock hard. Some of the other designs either can't get as soft in the rear(Gary Fisher Sugars) or won't work correctly exceept at one "optimum" setting like the Giant NRS, although those are both good bikes too. I'd rather ride than work on my bikes so the simplicity of a sealed cartridge single pivot appeals to me. The standard component mix suited me at this price point. It took a really good mechanic to adjust my front derailleur so the chain no longer rubs when I stand in the big ring/small cog combo, not that I use that combo much. The subdued, industrial looking paint appealed to me way more than the screaming bright multi-hued schemes used on so many others like Jamis---UGH! The finish has been very durable. I like the adjustable damping on the rear so I can match it with the various spring rates(air pressure)I use. The saddle is a winner for me. My 19" weighs about 27lbs.ready to ride versus 28lbs. for a Sugar 3 on the same scale. Yours may read different. It fit me. Rear end has tremendous ability to absorb bumps and maintain traction. I rarely stand up. Very few dealers in SO. CAL. and fewer stock the bikes. I like not having a common bike. | | Weaknesses: | Front derailleur could be better. When I ride it on the street I wish I had the Fox RC instead of the R so I could lock it up easily. When I mash big gears and stand up on the road I get a lot of bobbing from jumping on the pedals. It is no problem when sitting. | | Similar Products Used: | C'Dales, Giant NRS, Santa Cruz Superlight + Bullet, Gary Fisher Sugar 2,3. and a bunch more. | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I think for a crosscountry rider like me this is a good compromise of comfort and performance which is holding up like a brick. Except for the spokes I wrecked with a stick through them it has needed nothing fixed. Whatever speed I may or may not lose due to the active rear end is more than made up in comfort and traction. The frame is the same as the top of the line Marin so it is very upgradable should I care to do so. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
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