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Submitted by
Gavin Turnbull
a Cross Country Rider
from Darvel
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Glentress | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Mike Cookson Cycles | | Strengths: | Very plush ride, takes big hits easily, copes with far more than my abilities can. Gear changes are smooth and accurate. Good mud clearance and easily cleaned after muddy rides. Hope Disc brakes have amazing stopping power (you'll never use V's again). | | Weaknesses: | Paint comes off far too easily. Stem is far too long and which puts your body weight too far forward making it difficult to get front end up quickly. IRC Notos are crap in the wet. Some of the compoments appear to be cheap and not up to the job, BB failed after 700 kilometers, Hub failed at 800 K's and Head set looks like failing at 1400 K's (BB & Hub replaced under warranty), but it takes away some of the reliability confidence you should have in a bike costing this much. It is possible that some of these failures are due to the amount of wet rides we get in Scotland. | | Bike Setup: | UK spec with Hope Closed 2 Disc brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic ride, but Marin need to improve the quality of the main barings for the 2002 bike if it's to be a success in Scotland. Most mountain bikers will have fun on this bike, enabling them to mix XC with DH. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stu
a Weekend Warrior
from London UK
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Privatley imported bike | | Strengths: | Strong frame.
Smooth fully adjustable long travel.
Good value, good looks. | | Weaknesses: | I guess it is kind of heavy at 31 lbs. | | Similar Products Used: | Many FS bikes | | Bike Setup: | Stock US spec bike | | Bottom Line: | I almost bought the UK version of this bike with the monocoque frame (same as US Alpine Trail) and V brakes - then I looked on the internet and found the US spec had a completely different frame (3VH) and swingarm - and slightly better spec and disc brakes. I held out and imported one and I'm very, very happy with it.
It soaks up big drops with ease and is very forgiving if you aren't that good like me. It instills masses of confidence and you end up going for massive drops and jumps that scare the sh!t out of you. But the bike just keeps asking for more - it is great.
It is kind of hard to climb in the 6 inch setting and the front shock mount at the top because that makes the geometry very DH - (I always have the Psylo set to 5 inches). The good thing is that you can tailor the geometry if you ride more trails than freeriding like I do.
The SID rear shock is good so far. I tend to use virtually all the travel on drops and it still works fine. The Psylos are great too.
I thourougly recommend this bike for anyone. it is so adjustable that you can use it for all types of terrain/riding. Excellent value for money too. What more could you want. (Well actually - I'm upgrading to Psylo Race - Not because they are no good but 'cause I have another bike which is crying out for the Psylo XC's off this one)
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Racer
from Monaco
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | every single one! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3400.00 | | Purchased At: | built myself | | Strengths: | very versatily frame, forgiving suspension, front triangle very, very, very tough. awesome paintjob | | Weaknesses: | rear disc brake mout requires an adaptor.. c'mon marin.. i doubled the adaptors up so they would stop flexing on me! | | Similar Products Used: | ellsworth joker (nice but too much $$$) cannondale Jekyl and scalpel(holly crapo do they ever suck ass!) | | Bike Setup: | raceface north shore cranks, shimano xtr shifting gear, manitou x-vert super, spinergy Xyclone disc, hayes comp, raceface stem, trans-x seatport, WTB seat, bontrager handlebar | | Bottom Line: | awesome bike, frame hold up to the beating of me (6'1", 175lbs) although Marin can improve on the rear disc mount situation. they are very good about helping me on it, never a problem whatsoever with customer service.
i syou are like me and race XC whenever and wherever you get the chance, this is one for you.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GAVIN Callow
a Cross Country Rider
from Isle of Man, British Isles
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | South Barrule, IOM | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Moose Cycles, London | | Strengths: | Very forgiving, if you make a mistake the suspension will do its best to keep you onboard. Climbs really well, and can get up steep climbs that were a struggle on old bike | | Weaknesses: | some cheap components ie: marin brand handle bars, but work well I just dont like the look of them! | | Similar Products Used: | marin shoreline trail | | Bike Setup: | psylo xc front, sid rear | | Bottom Line: | I read reviews about how good this bike was and had to get one. In the end I got one via the internet from London. I was not disappointed. The adjustable suspension is great on the rear but sometimes I spend too much time thinking what length of travel should I have it in. I cant wait for the Foot and Mouth crisis to be over so I can try my fav trails. At the moment I am stuck to forests. However the bike has never let me down and is only held back by my ability which is increasing due to the confidence the bike gives me.
All in all I cant fault this bike! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grzesiek Wasila
a Cross Country Rider
from NY
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | where horses dont crap | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | adjustable suspension, Hayes brakes, Psylo works well
cool frame design, | | Weaknesses: | Hard to get in NY, rear rotor warped, no washers uder calliper mounting bolts(impossible to adjust without), fork flexes-little front brake noise | | Similar Products Used: | GT-Idrive,Jekyll(piece of crp) | | Bike Setup: | Factory | | Bottom Line: | Love the bike!!!!!! Big steo up from my little hardtail.Ride 15,5 size 5.7 height standover in 6 inch mode is a little tight but there is some margin for error with Marin's bent top tube. Great for downhills, uphill little slugish (31 pounds size small) but manageable.
Overall great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben McLeod
a Cross Country Rider
from South Lake Tahoe, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tahoe Rim Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | The geometry of the rear pivot allows for some amazing technical climbing. I'm able to hammer through uphill rocky steps that I never even would have attempted on my old hardtail!
Six inches of travel are nice on the way back down! I just pull up on the front wheel as I approach the afore mentioned steps at great speed - and launch off them into a smooth, cushy landing.
The mechanical disc brakes are the icing on the cake. They're powerful and easy to maintain - but do tend to squeal.
I can't forget the amazing WTB Speed V saddle. It's so comfy - go get one now! | | Weaknesses: | As I mentioned, the brakes squeal. I have found that if I baby them, they won't sqeal. So before every ride I wipe them down with a rag soaked in rubbing alcohol - it usually works.
The wheel set-up is not quite where it should be with a bike that can take as much abuse as this one. The standard-issue tires are OK if you ride on super-buff singletrack (like the ones in Marin!), but here in Tahoe, we ride in sand and technical rocks. Also, the rims are a bit soft - I tend to tweek them on every ride (even with all the travel). | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Heckler | | Bike Setup: | Standard-issue: Rock Shox Psylo Front Shock, SID rear shock, XT drivetrain, with RaceFace Prodigy Cranks, Hayes Mechanical Disc Brakes, WTB Headset and LOVE seat, Ovation Hubs and Mavic 221 Rims.
The only change I've made so far is putting some WTB 2.4 Motoraptor tires on. As soon as I have some spare cash I intend on getting beefier rims. | | Bottom Line: | This bike kicks ass. I like to climb lots of vertical in a ride - so as to descend lots of vertical. This bike does both so well it's almost scary. While a wee bit on the heavy side (especially with the addition of the Motoraptor tires!), but if you don't mind the grunt, is well worth it. I scream downhill now at speeds (and a comfort level) far exceeding anything I've ever experienced before. I now look for big jumps.
If you ride singletrack and like to go fast, this is the bike for you. I've ridden this bike this summer on singletrack all around Lake Tahoe, Marin County, Hood River Oregon, Bend Oregon, Ashland Oregon, Mt. Ranier Washington, Crested Butte Colorado and Moab. It has seen almost every kind of singletrack you can imagine, and conquered them all. OK, so I've given some blood along the way - but that's all part of why we ride!
Hopefully I'l see you on the trail. Remember - the downhill rider must ALWAYS yield to the uphill rider, and we all have to yield to hikers and equestrians (get off the bike and lay it down when horses are approaching).
Ride on! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Williams
a Weekend Warrior
from Edinburgh
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Glentress Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Edinburgh Bike Co-op | | Strengths: | Good compromise between a XC and DH bike. Can handle most things you through at it. Very comfortable ride. Great at both climbing and descending - feels very light. Superb overall package. Good looks too. | | Weaknesses: | Paint comes off a bit too easy. I'm not too keen on the IRC Notos XC tyres as they are okay for dry conditions but aren't up to it in the wet/mud/roots as they slip a bit. Getting some Continental Vertical Pros for Autumn/Winter. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Spice, Orange Mr XC, Marin 2001 East Peak and Mount Vision | | Bike Setup: | As it came from the shop. Doesn't resemble the description in the wee box at the start of this thread. Comes with Psylo XC forks, SID XC rear shock. XT gears and I went for the Hope Disc brake option which I would strongly recommend. | | Bottom Line: | Very pleased with this bike so far. Much faster both up and down than my old hardtail. Climbs very well on rough stuff. It has the option of 4/5/6 inch rear travel settings at the flick of a lever but I think most folk buying this bike, including myself, will stick with the 6 inch option with 5inch Psylo travel up front. This setting is very plush and inspires you to go for it. It can go a lot faster than I'll let it!! Go for the disc brake option as this is the icing on the cake - these brakes are magic. Very very comfy bike to ride. It isn't a XC or DH bike by any means but simply a great all rounder which will win a load of friends who ride in wet conditions. I gave it the 4 flamin chillis for value only because £1,600 sterling is too much for a bike anyway. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Ottawa, Ont, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain Masters | | Strengths: | Solid E-XC 3VH frame (same as Attack Trail).
Good set of components for a beginner/intermediate rider.
Adjustable frame and components (need to change a spring in the front shock based on your weight). | | Weaknesses: | No useable water bottle mounts (use a camel back).
No front or rear lock-outs on the standard shocks. | | Similar Products Used: | None - previously used a hard-tail. | | Bike Setup: | Off the shelf except for upgraded pedals.
Note: It comes with Rock Shox Psylo XC front shocks standard. | | Bottom Line: | I have found this to be an excellent first FS bike since it requires minimal maintenance and is very forgiving.
A good all-around bike for trail riding, fire roads and exercising. It does weigh approximately 31 lbs but has good traction on the up-hills.
Trails that were next to impossible on my hard-tail now seem easy.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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