Submitted by
Slade
a Weekend Warrior
from Knoxville, Tennessee, USA Date Reviewed: June 25, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Haw Ridge
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
A bud
Strengths:
Standard size would make it easy to swap out fronte end components and drivetrain. Inexpensive for full Suspension and so far it has performed well both climbing and downhilling.
Weaknesses:
That Manitou fork is junk, way too spongy and the adjuster knob does nothing. The drivetrain is also subpar for the frame toughness. Comes with a 0 or 5 deg stem which is no good for downhilling if you are over 5'9". Stock Aheadset is also crap.
Similar Products Used:
Marin Hawk Hill (HT)
Bike Setup:
Kore Elite stem, Kore Lite Bar, Shimano m545 pedals.
Bottom Line:
This was a good bike for me to get back into biking. A few dudes said it's heavy but they're lame. The paint job and the water bottle placement suck, but who uses a bottle now anyway? The drivetrain needs to go and will be the next thing I upgrade right after I put a new shock and headset on it. It's a good tough frame that will serve me well until I am ready for the next "level". The Kore stem was a huge improvement for downhilling, I had to walk down anything remotely steep before. I would give it 3 chilis since it's a good novice to intermediate bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Seamus Allan
a
from Christchurch, New Zealand Date Reviewed: April 16, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Strengths:
Full suspension is really cool. Lose nearly no power climbing, yet downhill ride is sweet.
Weaknesses:
I find the stem a bit long, and the front wheel doesnt have the best grip, will upgrade both of these as the finance allows
Bike Setup:
Pretty much stock
Bottom Line:
Very cool bike, didnt cost me much at all, and being a first bike it was super. I spent a lot of time flying over the handlebars on my first ride with it, but getting used to the long stem and not so flash front tire has been ok, and i spend much more time riding now. This would be a great first [full suspension] bike for any other rider who loves hammering down a bit of lumpy downhill singletrack, and with a few upgrades could be a excellent bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brandon
a Weekend Warrior
from Cincinnati, Ohio Date Reviewed: September 19, 2001
Favorite Trail:
anything that's not horizontal
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Bio Wheels
Strengths:
Durable, plush rear end, cheap!
Weaknesses:
a little heavy, terrible paint job
Similar Products Used:
Jamis fs, some cheapo fs ride from Sam's Club
Bike Setup:
Psylo XC, Mavic Cross Ride wheelset, Shimano SPD clipless, bottom end shimano and Avid components, WTB velociraptor rear/cheapo front tire
Bottom Line:
This bike loves singletrack, period. Anything with roots, rocks, drops and jumps is fair game. Couldn't bottom it out until I dropped a 6' vertical. The faster you go, the smoother it gets. I built mine so I can't comment on components, but if yours doesn't have the Psylo, spring for it, as it matches this frame beautifully (I guess they're stock on the new ones) This bike has given me the confidence to overcome some seriously gnarly ungroomed trails. If you race, forget about it, as it climbs very confidently, but not quickly. If you ride on pavement, forget about it, go buy a road bike. If you want to have some serious fun in the woods, or in the mountains, or in the desert, or anywhere there's a lack of flat and smoothe, go buy one now.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kirk
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: February 4, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Anything in Sedona
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$700.00
Strengths:
Great rear suspension, good geometry. Back shock (Shock Works brand) although large and heavy, works wonderfully with adustable rebound. Good price.
Weaknesses:
Rear brake. 1.95" tire on the back, honestly no seriouse rider that I know uses a 1.95" rear tire. Why do bike Co.'s put them on stock bikes? Stickers are cheesy and poorly applied and there are too many of them. Improve the look of the bike and pull them off. The water bottle mount is of no use. No standard size bottle will fit there. Mount a pump there and use a Camelback, then you will have no worries about standover height. Finding Marin Dealers can be tough.
Similar Products Used:
Chro-mo Diamondback hardtail
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
This is a terrific bike and Im really glad I got one. The 2001 bike is a complete re-design and very sweet also. Unfortunatly I dont want to be the one who finds out any weak spots on a new design so I went with the 2000 model. The frame is bomb proof and the components are really pretty good. Ride them till you need to replace them.
It rides wonderfully and is a whole new riding style for me having upgraded from a hardtail. Im sure its not a racing style bike, but I dont race so thats not a problem. I rode the bike for a couple days around Sedona in the big bumps and it performed well. It also does good for general cross country use as well. Interestingly some of these bikes came with a rear shock that has adjustable rebound, so hopefully anybody considering one will look at that.
The only thing that seems unusual about the bike is the 5" of travel in the rear compared to the 3" up front. It does not seem poorly matched but it does make you wonder. I will upgrade the front shocks in time to 4" Zokies as the stock shocks, although good, are pretty basic.
The overarching clencher for me in buying this bike was the rear suspension. I tried several 4 bar bikes and although they are fine bikes it just felt like the rear end was disconnected somehow, like there was a commity at work back there. This bike feels great, I hardly notice there is suspension except that I can go over almost anything. Im also alot less sore when Im done riding.
Great bike, get one if you are the type that just wants to have fun, stay in shape and not obsess about your bike. The only thing comprable is the Santa Cruz line but they are far beyond my proce range for not alot more bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Israel Date Reviewed: February 4, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Carmel Mountains
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1150.00
Purchased At:
Rosen & Meents, Netanya
Strengths:
Very good value for money. A very responsive bike, good for general cross-country riding. Handles the downhills well, but doesn't take much more effort than a hardtail on ascents.
Weaknesses:
Components are at the lower end of the scale.
Similar Products Used:
First full-suspension bike.
Bike Setup:
Standard apart from 9 speed cassette
Bottom Line:
A great bike for someone looking for their first full suspension. The component group is a little on the lower end of the scale, but these are easily upgradeable by any competant bike shop, and it's better than Marin compromising on the forks or rear shock to meet the price.
5 Chilis for value, 4 for the bike (if had better components would be 5)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Peter Ellis
a
from Louisville, Ky Date Reviewed: October 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:
cherokee park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
GOOSE CREEK CYCLE
Strengths:
great ride for the money. rock solid. i can ride over and off anything and i havent had any problems. the rear suspension is great, and i think the stock brakes are pretty good.
Weaknesses:
none with the frame or suspinsion yet. the irc tires that came on it sucked. there just wasnt enough traction and they were a pain in the ass to get on and off the rim.
Bike Setup:
stock everything so far, exept tires. i got panaracer fire tires now, they rock. it is hard to upgrade when you dont have any money.
Bottom Line:
this bike is good for the money. the only bad thing is some of the stock components. it is a good bike for beginners and for people who want a good dual suspinsion bike for not very much.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cool
a
from CANADA Date Reviewed: June 11, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
good uphill and even better downhill unbelievebly plush sweet price.
Weaknesses:
brutal stock components
Similar Products Used:
rocky mountain pipeline
Bike Setup:
roox 4.0 handle bar Z.1 drop offs azonic shorty stem THE fender good tires s&m pedals soon to be front grimeca disc and rear magure hydralic rim brakes
Bottom Line:
this bike is so plush and really strong for the price. I have done over 5 ten foot drops and a couple 8 foot drops and its still runing strong. the bad thing is the components but what can you expect when you pay $1300 CAN. for a full suspension. I suggest you upgrade the fork right away.But its totally worth the price tag. (also get new brakes the stock ovation suck a$$)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew Riley
a Weekend Warrior
from Hull, England Date Reviewed: June 10, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
* highly efficient and reasonably light system * twin suspension saves my ass from taking a beating * excellent traction going uphill makes up for any power loss, then you go faster down too! * the deal I got (see below)
Weaknesses:
* still some 'pedal bob' * sokme componentry only Alivio
The suspension system on this bicycle is amazing. It's super plush (particularly at the rear) and highly efficient - whilst you do feel a small amount of energy being wasted when climbing/accelerating hard, this is more than made up for by the vast improvement in traction over a hard-tail. Then you go back down the hill that you've climbed with ease and you really reralise how smart a choice this bike was - its so fast and confidence-inspiring in comparisson to a hard-tail (I've already ridden one local downhill which I never dared on my hardtail, and I don't brake very ofeten anymore either :)
And speaking of brakes, my bike came with a free Hope upgrade (well actually it cost £1 but I won't complain) - hats off to Freetown Sports in Hull for this offer. The brake feels very smooth and progressive but simultaneously powerful.
Criticisms? The front end feels a little disappointing, though in isoltaion the Manitou Magnum fork is very good - it just can't compete with the outstanding reas design so I guess this is a compliment rather than a criticism). The drivetrain is not 'premium' stuff but it all works well. However, inspite of this, it detracts from the sense of pride you can take in owning something special which would normally make this bike rate right at the top end of being a 4-star model (the higher Marin's would get five). However, the disc brake makes up for this (other bikers looking with intrigue), along with the rear mech being above the normal spec at LX. And this just tips the balance over a stonkingly good 5 flamin chillis. So if you ride anything remotely rough and have the budget for one of these bikes, I would strongly advise you to test one - if your new to full suspension it will be a pleasant suprise and if you've ridden lesser full suspension bikes it will still be a suprise. Congratulations to Marin.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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