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Submitted by
Bob Cat
a Racer
from Tallinn, Estonia
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | velodroom | | Strengths: | Nice frame, titanium colour. Very easy to climb up and good on roads. | | Weaknesses: | saddle is lil bit uncomfortable. Heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | marin hawk hill | | Bike Setup: | Alivio shifters, rock shox judy tt front shock( 80mm) v-brakes, acera front shifter and other alivio parts. | | Bottom Line: | I think its a good bike.Im planning to buy a new bike next year(hawk hill, palisade or nail trail) but meanwhile I have to get along with bobcat... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee Sherratt
a Cross Country Rider
from Cheshire, England.
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Red Bull @ Coed-Y-Brenin | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Second hand | | Strengths: | The Marin Bobcat Trail is a good solid bike, it will go for miles and miles. It is quick and easy to climb on, I have raced on it and got respectable results. I would recommend the Bobcat to anyone who is looking for a bike they can ride on all day with the occassional dabble into racing. | | Weaknesses: | I feel the only weakness with the Bobcat is its handling, It is not the correct geometry to be leaning right over on bends, so SLOW DOWN on those hairpins!! | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Palisades Trail | | Bike Setup: | Upgrades are: XT front mech (Highly recommended), Sachs grip shift (don't bother), STX RC rear mech (Highly recommended) | | Bottom Line: | If you want a quality bike with a quality name for a all day cross country riding, road riding, city and occassional racing then this is the bike for you. As for me I've just got a Nail Trail frame so I will see how this perform's and review it here soon. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
justdave
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere remote in Singapore | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$440.00 | | Purchased At: | Sembawang, Singapore | | Strengths: | strong parts and frame for the price paid until it been wear off ... | | Weaknesses: | those listed in my replaced and up-graded list. | | Bike Setup: | upgraded/ replaced - manitou 3 fork, Lx brake lever and rear derailluer, a-tac stem, spd, cannibal tyre and araya rims | | Bottom Line: | Mine is in titanuim colour, so I guess it's pretty much an older bike.
Anyway, I have done a great deal of riding time on it, from cross-country, single-track to "not too steep" fast descend and a fair bit of road riding commuting to work and to neighbouring country. It's a strong and trustworthy bike, though I do have some serious CRASH time on it.
If you love to fully-utilise your hard earn cash and equipement but have a budget problem like I do ... don't wait buy it, trash it and do a up-grade later...have fun !!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cool MTB Nom de Plume
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal now
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Cheap, long lasting | | Weaknesses: | Makes more expensive bikes look like a waste of money | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Heckler | | Bike Setup: | Still stock except for new rear wheel & chain, bar ends and roller-ma-jig. | | Bottom Line: | This is my second review (see peter from Melbourne). Well I have had it 4 years now, in that time it has done as shamefull 2600km (1600 miles) and I have replaced due to wear and tear:
1 bottom bracket
1 rear hub
1 set of tyres
2 sets of brake pads
(been a few other replacements due to crash damage (seat, bar ends etc)
It is now my commuter bike since I have upgraded to a XT Santa Cruz Heckler. It speaks volumes for this bike that every now and again that I like to throw a set of knobbies on this bike and hit the trails. And you know what? My smile is just as wide on the trails as on the Heckler. If you have got no cash, buy one of these and enjoy yourself just as much as anyone else on the trail. Value wise it eats my Heckler for breakfast, but of course is not a better bike than the Heckler!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Edinburgh
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Great beginners bike! | | Weaknesses: | Wheel hubs and rims less than solid! | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Absolutly spot on for the price. It's lasted well since 1995 and seems set for doing a few more years. Well worth keeping it going and upgrading the components as you go. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
marco righetti
a Weekend Warrior
from uddingston lanarkshire scotland
Date Reviewed: November 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
strathclyde park,chatellherault country park scotland 25 miles | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
lightweight for price | | Weaknesses: |
inferior gear shifter | | Similar Products Used: |
own a titanium mtb a dna
russian titanium bike | | Bottom Line: | i use the bobcat trail to go to work 5 miles there and 5 miles back its a good work horse
especially since i upgraded to xt brakes,lx rear meche,stxrc crankset and stxrc shifters this is one good bike. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David P
a Cross-Country Rider
from Arlington TX
Date Reviewed: November 10, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
None | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Great frame | | Weaknesses: |
Cranks gears are not replaceable.
I did not like the pedals. | | Similar Products Used: |
GT, Diamond Back | | Bike Setup: |
Hard fork | | Bottom Line: | I got this bike so that i could use in a marathon, and still go offroad a bit. I love the way the frame feals, The brakes are awsome. I even like the Stock seat after riding 23 miles strait.I got tis bike for only 375.00 on sale. and tha cannot be beaten by anyone else around my area. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Downhiller
from San Ramon
Date Reviewed: June 1, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Who cares? | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
-Ligthweight and strong
-Powerful V-brakes
-Easy to upgrade
-Nice looking
-Great wheels(you fly!!) | | Weaknesses: |
-Grips tend to get loose
-Brakes tend to loosen | | Similar Products Used: |
-Releigh '97 MTB bike:M50
-Diamondback bikes | | Bike Setup: |
-I used a Bocat Trail '98 and haven't added any upgrades on yet. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is an overall great bike. I just went up to some mountains and it was great. I flew down the hills and the bumps, even though I don't have any suspension, were mainly not felt. This bike is a Bobcat Trail '98 model. I got it at a regular price of 399.99 bucks. It's a good deal for the bike because of the speed and weight. It also has extremem strength for an alumin. bike. The brushed alum. looks beautiful and the ridgid yellow fork is also great. Don't get any other bike besides a Marin, Releigh, GT, or Specialized. I would know this. I have experience. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a weekend warrior
from Cheshire, England
Date Reviewed: January 23, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike feels quick and is eager to leave the ground if you desire it to. It weighs about 27.5lbs.I have changed the pedals to Shimano LX SPDs and put on '99 Marzocchi Z3 Lights. The weight has gone up to 29.5lbs but it can still leave the ground easily.If you haven't got loads of money burning holes in your pockets then this is a great bike to get.I bought the bike 6 months ago and have covered over 350 miles. Overall £400 well spent. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Emerson
a cross-country rider
from Essex,England
Date Reviewed: December 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The best £400 I ever spent.Bought the bike 9 months ago and have clocked up 500 miles, Just cannot get enough!,Going to upgrade with front suspension and going to enjoy some serious downhill bumpiness. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie Romualdo
a weekend warrior
from Waialua,Hawaii
Date Reviewed: November 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I had my Bobcat Trail since 1994 and it is still Kicking Butt, Down here the trails are crazy. I still beat people with Full Suspension bikes at Waimea Downhill. I upgrade my bike a lot through out the years it has all XT parts and Rock Shox, SDG, Hell Bent Handlebars. All of my friends have Marins, only a few people down here got Marins because only one store sells it.(quote) MARIN KICKS A$$!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a weekend warrior
from St. Pete, FL. USA
Date Reviewed: October 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought my Bobcat Trail a few month ago; it's alloy. I think it's great for an entry level alloy! You need to upgrade the ridged forks to shocks, as I did with a Manitou spider set that kept me within my price range. I also use mine every day as well as weekends and I love it. As far as the lizard skin and stuff goes, I don't see why you would go that route. It's a bike and it's going to get that used look with or without that stuff. For the price, it's the best thing out there. ~Peace~ | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Bransby
a weekend warrior
from London, England
Date Reviewed: October 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought my Bobcat Trail early this year so it's the 98 alloy model, i think it's great for an entry level alloy!!! you need to upgrade the ridged folks to shocks and put some lizard skins on to stop chain slap but other than that i use mine every day as well as wekends and i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My next bike will deffinatley be a full sus Marin. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neil
a cross-country rider
from Bristol, UK
Date Reviewed: September 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have the 98 version and it is great. It's taken me over 300 miles without major fault. It rides very well for the price for XC including BMX style dirt jumps, hopping around and crashing into big trees! GREAT BIKE!!!!!! (shame about the components + wheelset, I've upgraded to full LX and the RST 461.) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mikko Mellin
a weekend warrior
from Tampere
Date Reviewed: September 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I only have one thing to say,Marin Bobcat trail is a good entry level bike!
My friend have had her bike five(5!)year`s,and it is still in good condition.
Except one thing,the headset loosens during years,and finally rust`s to stuck,
it is no big deal,if you think about it`s age!Put a new fork(susp.),r-d and a
new seat,you got a perfect+cheap bike! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Deryck Thake
a racer
from London, England
Date Reviewed: September 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Ive had a Bobcat for several years. It's a good solid bike that has taken a real
pounding on London streets (potholes, etc). Ive used it all year round, including snow and icy conditions. The bike performed well. I use road tyres rather than the ones supplied. Some gripes:
- one of the handlebar grips tends to slide off during use
- plastic pedals, eurrgh! They broke after 9 months of daily use
- grip shift caused problems in the early days but seems fine now
Apart from that, a great bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Janne
a cross-country rider
from Finland
Date Reviewed: August 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought this bobcat trail last spring for my younger sister. After all I ended up riding it as well. I think the frame is too stiff for cross-country and its tires are too heavy. Otherwise, a good entry-level bike if you want alloy.
In Finland it was too expensive.
Since then I bought a Peugeot origin 30 mbike for me and was really satisfied with it. It has an excellent crmo frame and xt-back + stx-rc front components with good Michelin tyres. I really like it and it cost me only half as much. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
paul cooley
a weekend warrior
from montana
Date Reviewed: August 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got this bike on clearance sale for $250 here and really like the light frame and styling. I am going to put a judy fork on it my friend has and will have a killer bike for less than $400 bucks...I am going to strip the decals and go with the brushed aluminum look | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh Payne
a cross-country rider
from Colchester
Date Reviewed: July 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
It's the best thing i've ever had and it works very well. I like it because it is so light and very strong. The other day my wheel buckled really badly and it was too hard to repair so i have had to get a new one.WELL DONE MARIN VERY GOOD BIKE | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nicolas Navarro
a cross-country rider
from Bogota Colombia
Date Reviewed: July 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
It´s not the best thing i´ve ever had but it does the work that has to be done by a good bike and it´s perfect for the urban rides, its easy to handle and extraordinaly weightless. The shimano equipment is godd but it couyld be better for the prize i paid for the bike ($500) and could include a suspension system, other models are not avalaible here in my country and you have to bringt it from USA or Germany at your holidays trip and so gets the bike more expensive than the best GT or something like that. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
IQBAL
a weekend warrior
from S'PORE
Date Reviewed: May 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
...just bought a Marin Bobcat Trail '98 model (bright yellow) late last year.What can I say?It's a fantabulous bike.I've yet to fix on suspensions for the bike but even then the bike handles well and I'm talking abt off-road (suicidal down-slopes and terrain...the works!)Once you've erased the word fear from your vocabulary, the bike will serve you like a loyal servant.
Ride like the wind, my friends!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BUGSY
a weekend warrior
from Minnesota and parts unknown
Date Reviewed: May 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
No doubt that it is a great ride for the money. Grip Shifts can be a pain in the serious mud and the rear Alivio derailer could be upgraded if you want to get really wild, but it is an extremely solid and well engineered bike that will give ya a good taster of what MTB'ing is like. Brakes work perfect for me. Tip: invest in a decent front suspension and take extra water and chompables because this bike will take you a long way with some money left in your pocket to boot! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JOrma
a cross-country rider
from finland
Date Reviewed: March 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I also bought a ladies-frame Marin Bobcat Trail for my wife last summer. Cost 60$(cheap cause it was stolen). It rides really great. Definitely a great starter MTB. Looks nice too. This one really impress me so now I´am thinking getting for myself Marin MTB(perheps Bear Walley).MARIN mountain bikes are cool! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a cross-country rider
from London
Date Reviewed: February 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a ladies-frame Marin Bobcat Trail for my girlfriend last year and I think it's great. Cost £400. It's a nice light springy cromo frame (new model is Alu I think) painted green satin finish. Looks classy. Easy to ride with very good 21 speed STX rapidfire shifters. Brakes are basic Shimano cantis with Cool Stops and they work very well. No need for Vs with these. Came with WTB Velociraptor tyres which I'm not so impressed with but fine for occasional use, not as good as the Kendas on my Giant. Steel forks seem harsh after getting used to sussies. I'd buy again. Pedals should come with straps. Who doesn't fit straps or SPDs??? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marko
a racer
from London, England
Date Reviewed: October 29, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Like everyone else has said, definitely a great starter mountain bike, but a bit more than that too. I worked as a cycle courier in London for 4 months last winter (damn wet and cold) and the bike took it all, at least 10 hours riding a day, six days a week. Its heavy, but thats the price you pay for something this cheap (especially as mine was second-hand) and sturdy. Given that the rating is for value for money, it has to be | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pinky
a weekend warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: September 5, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Great bike for starters, i have used it for races and got a pretty good placing.
and oh yeah, i switch the fork for a RST 460 , the cranks for an XT and the rear derailluer fo XT thats all, no other changes . I LOVE MY BIKE.
MARIN RULES OK . | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith Simmons
a weekend warrior
from Boston MA USA
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have ridden my Bobcat Trail for over 100 miles and between trail riding and road biking and I have been very pleased with its ride and handling. I have three friends who also have Bobcat Trail's and they are extremely impressed with the bike. This is not my first trail bike but it is certainly my favorite! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Jarvie
a cross-country rider
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: July 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had my Bobcat Trail since October 1995 for 400 pounds and it has coped with the erratic Scottish weather ever since, through rain, hail or snow. Although I don't use it as much for cross-country riding, it still performs well off-road, with only the occassional rattle and squeak. I've recently changed the tires to slicks and the reduced rolling resistance makes the going much easier on the road. Apart from the addition of bar-ends, very little's be done to the bike (although some suspension would be great). The only problem is the griup shift which has been very erratic, but this seems to bave been cured by having the bike serviced at a professional cycle shop. This however, is the only repair that hasn't been done by me, which goes to show that it is a great bike for the mechanically illiterate. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesse M. Smith
a weekend warrior
from USA
Date Reviewed: March 26, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Excellent bike for the beginner, bought it for $420 and well worth it! Good mudding bike, I'm from the Pacific Northwest, it has held up to all the terrain aroung here! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Martin
a weekend warrior
from Moscow, Idaho
Date Reviewed: February 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought my Bobcat Trail in 95 for about $450 plus change. I was living in El Paso, Texas at the time and took to the trails on a reasonably regular basis for a couple of years(mainly on weekends as I was in the Military and was busy during the week). I have done only routine maintenance and cosmetic touches with toe clips and new grips(recently a front suspension) and the bike held up very well on the rugged El Paso trails. I would recommend this bike to anyone who wants to get into a fairly good entry level bike, and I would definitely look at buying another Marin if I was ever in the market again. But, for now I will keep taking to the trails on Old Faithful. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a weekend warrior
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: December 23, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I brought my Bobcat trail back in May and have done about 800km (500 miles for our American friends). I have done everything on it from going to the shops to racing and even snow (snow is tough). It has also been crashed with monotonous regularity (at least once a month, maybe more). Overall it has been pretty good value. It feels better than a friends Specialized to ride (see Hardrock review) and is holding up better under similar abuse. The gears need constant tuning, especially in winter. The Shimano parts (alivio and Acera X) work well enough. The bottom bracket is now loose and will need replacing soon which is my only beef. In summary a pretty good entry level bike (my 1st mountain bike), it certainly has not put me off buying another Marin. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a weekend warrior
from Ottawa
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Great entrance level bike for those of you who don't have a lot of $$ to
spend. I picked one up (new) for $600 Canadian. I've put it through some
torture in the Gatineau Park trails, and nothing has broken yet!
Add a few accessories (Toe clips, bar ends) and your rolling.
The shifting is a bit slow on the rear (Shimano Alivio derailer), but a
pretty inexpensive upgrade to an LX made a big difference.
Great overall bike, well worth the money. | | Overall Rating: |
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