|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
M C M.
a Weekend Warrior
from wakefield uk
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | wrenthorpe meadow/lofthouse pit | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | agbrigg rd. wakefiel | | Strengths: | nice looking bike, very comfortable and reliable. i fell in love with it as soon as i saw it(and still do) i've only changed the back cog in the 7 years i've had it, not bad for 300 pounds! | | Weaknesses: | none. | | Similar Products Used: | none. | | Bike Setup: | very good. | | Bottom Line: | if only you could get them at halfords. i'd reccomend them to anyone! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
moderndrunkard
a Weekend Warrior
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Rivertown cycle | | Strengths: | Awesome Frame, Decent tires, Decent stock parts. Everything has held up over 3 years. | | Weaknesses: | This is a entry level bike and has some cheaper components. Luckily they are easy to upgrade. | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | Marin Stock, 2005. | | Bottom Line: | I have rode this bike aggressively for over 3 years. It has seen 4 winters of commuting and 3 summers. I weigh 200 lbs and this bike has put up with tons of abuse.
Sure some of the components are cheap (its a budget bike!) and it lacks disc brakes, but this is a premium frame. This bike will get you on the trails and keep you there for many years. Also the brushed aluminum is beautiful, i never hear the end of complements on the aesthetics of this bike.
Naturally i have been upgrading this over the years, the cheap spinner grind os shock is being upgraded to a Marzocchi TST2, and I am putting on an Avid Juicy disk on the front.
I have had to replace one tube and that has been it. This reflects the 2005 model. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cuffy
a Weekend Warrior
from DC Metro
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | 02gearShop.com | | Strengths: | Excellent frame quality and design. Very well constructed and fit/finish is top notch. Ride is very comfortable for a front suspension only bike. The seat is great and the price I paid can't be matched for what you get. | | Weaknesses: | The components aren't the best, but this is an entry/mid-level bike. The handgrips are okay, but twist with too much pressure. | | Similar Products Used: | '97 Univega Alpina 5.5, Specialized HardRock | | Bike Setup: | '08 stock | | Bottom Line: | If you're looking for the best bang for your buck on an entry to mid-level bike, look no further. The '08/'09 Marin Bolinas Ridge model is well worth the price in the under $450 category. The frame is outstanding and the components can be easily upgraded as your riding level increases. Stock it is more than capable of taking on the well traveled trails and forging some new ones. I paid under $300 and couldn't be happier. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SIKOSYC
a Weekend Warrior
from Isrel
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Israel | | Strengths: | Light weight [for this level]. Rear Derailleur: Alivio:[in the Israeli version]- very accurate and well responding even under stress situations. The 34 teeth Sprocket:[in the Israeli version]- is a life saver when you meet an "erected up hill".
The saddle is outstanding comfortable - even after 4 hours of riding without special clothing. The bike's geometry make the ride position very comfortable. | | Weaknesses: | Front Derailleur - Altus is a little disappointing. | | Bottom Line: | I am in love!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mikey
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Chaepskates consignment | | Strengths: | Rugged frame, gecko stickers, | | Weaknesses: | kinda heavy | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | original | | Bottom Line: | my commuting bike now- bought it used in 1993. tough enough to endure on the local Test of Metal XC race 42 miles(although your arms turn to jelly from the shaking). Never gave me a problem I didn't deserve. Not a lightweight. Good value in the rigid frame class. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Scotland / Ireland
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Alpine Bikes, Aberdeen | | Strengths: | Great bike, ride it to work every day and off-road on weekday nights and weekends. Almost no maintenance required except for cleaning and adjustments. Nothing has ever broken despite some fairly major tumbles. | | Weaknesses: | Stability at low speed is a bit of a problem, keep it fast and watch out for tree roots! Arms get a bit sore on long, fast, rough downhill sections. Brakes virtually useless in snow. | | Bike Setup: | Standard | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. None of the problems upset me enough to do anything about them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
William
a
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Scene | | Strengths: | Nice colour, light frame. | | Weaknesses: | This bicycle is not stable. | | Bottom Line: | A good value except for its serious lack of stability (try riding this bicycle with no hands-- it's very difficult). This translates into a danger of unexpected falls. This is probably a design flaw related to the front wheel trail-length. The seat is very uncomfortable. Otherwise, the components are of decent quality. The best thing about this bike is probably its frame. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: December 12, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Brown Mountain | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Great bike for the money. Sturdy, yet flexable frame. Great rims, crank, chain rings and chain. Accurate shifting (when properly adj.). Nice color. I love the handlebars. | | Weaknesses: |
Seat is a bit uncomfortable, tires wear quickly and don't have good traction in sandy soil. No suspension (really didn't expect any for the money). Pedals don't accomodate clips. | | Bike Setup: |
Upgraded to Rock Shock Quadra, color doesn't match, but greatly improved ride and control. Changed pedals to VP clip/clipless. | | Bottom Line: | Love this bike. Great starting point with plenty of room to upgrade to awesome bike. I think it offers the best value for your money. The frame should last for years, and you can easily change componets you what to improve. Awesome color and great handlebars. Again, best in its price range. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sue
a Weekend Warrior
from dc area
Date Reviewed: May 3, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Great price for what you get
Rapidfire shifters | | Weaknesses: |
Not very comfortable
Marins hard to find in shops around here | | Similar Products Used: |
Mongoose Crossway 350 (ugh) | | Bottom Line: | Got this bike on closeout for $225. I'd never heard of Marin and thought it was some discount brand. Now I'm glad to see they have a good rep. Simple no-nonsense bike, never had a problem compared to the Mongoose which has been nothing but problems. Will definitely get another Marin, if we can find one! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stu B.
a Cross-Country Rider
from Salisbury, UK
Date Reviewed: April 27, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Excellent value for the money and good after sales service (you need it). Good solid ride. Nice colour | | Weaknesses: |
The bottom bracket has needed attention after only two months. Would definately benefit from front shocks. | | Bottom Line: | You'd find it difficult to match a better bike for the money. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
William
a Downhiller
from Klamath Falls, OR
Date Reviewed: April 11, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Bottom Line: | It is a great bike if you are looking to spend the least amount of money. I have swaped out ever part on the bike with XT and XTR are parts along with an X vert R triple clamp fork on the front. For DH it isn't that great of a frame. It has too much flex in it. If you try to run tires bigger than 2.1 on the rear than they rub on the frame. Haven't had an problems with it besides trying to run bigger tires. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robo the downhill demond
a downhiller
from Australia
Date Reviewed: February 8, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased a bollinas ridge 1 year ago from my uncles bike shop it is an excellent bike i have upgraded the forks to RST hi 5 triple clamps and a disc brake front end i also run a 2.30 tioga dh front tyre and a 2.10 tioga factory tyre on the back it has an sdg big boy seat and i have put big mamoth rims on it
and xtr shifters and gearingit has dh profile barsand overall it is an xellent bike.R^o^b^o.bye | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
stewart britton
a cross-country rider
from england
Date Reviewed: December 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have recently puchased a marin Bolinas Ridge as i am only 13 i am a bit restricted to price , i was amazed of the build quality of this bike and fo only £315 i thought it might be a bit to cheap but it proved me wrong CHEERS MARIN!!!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ashlea Rives
a cross-country rider
from TX
Date Reviewed: November 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I love it. My bike and I have a very strong bond! I love the color and weight of the frame. A more comfortable seat would be a great improvement, but overall, a great bike for the price! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joseph Curran
a downhiller
from Canada
Date Reviewed: October 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I love this bike. The frame id llight and solid and the tires are incredable.
I got it about a week ago. It is great. It is a quality bike for a good price.
Get some better components. Altus X sucks. Love the frame, the color, everything else. The v-brakes are very touchy and the shifting is a little slow but a great deal in every way for the price. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joey
a weekend warrior
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: October 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Still looking for a good bike. I've test-ridden about 10 in the last five days. This one looks grrreeat and is light. Nice color, good graphics, but it feels really cheap on the road. It felt wobbly, loose shifting... the Gary Fisher Wahoo and Aquila and the Kona Fire Mountain I tried were much better. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Masters
a downhiller
from Biddeford, Maine
Date Reviewed: August 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Observation surfaces the hypothesis that if you don't like the Bolinas Ridge then you obviously can't spell. Casey's perfesional fix and d t's obove (above?) break way in proving this. Casey and d t probably didn't enjoy the Bolina's ride because they had a hard time understanding how the pedals work. It really is a decent bike for the money. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy Johnson
a cross-country rider
from Houston, Texas
Date Reviewed: July 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
For the money this is a great bike. After two years of riding this bike I still like it. The only improvement I would make would be to add some RST shocks to the bike. The altus crank is finally getting worn but wouldn't you say that is pretty good after two years. Everybody that bashes these bikes should go and shop around and tell me where you can get this quality for this money. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Eckersley
a cross-country rider
from Creston, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
First off, this is a pretty good entry level bike for it's value.. I started mountain biking on a '93 Bolinas Ridge. And, besides the cheapo Suntour componentry that was on back then, it is a nice bike.. I eventually up-graded to Acera-X(not really an UP-grade) and the ride improved. It's a pretty comfortable bike all around, and really helped develope good riding skills.
And I couldn't help but reply to d t, the racer, about the fact that he sucks so much. You cannot compare a $350 dollar bike to an Ibis bowtie or a dean, that easily run over $4000 bucks.. This is an entry level bike.
Well, I've ridden this bike for several years, and it is what got me into mountain biking. I now ride a Bear Valley, because I like marin and want to stick with them for the time being. I am very impressed with the BV.
Good job Marin!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CRAVEN MOREASS
a weekend warrior
from RAMDEEP PAKISTAN
Date Reviewed: November 7, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I just wanted to say that your new forks give me and my BUM BUDDYHour after hour of great anal pumping action. Screw the bike, take these puppies off, lube em up with some extra sticky, extra creamy lube. In the right position three of my dearest friends will be groaning in no time!!!!!!!!! Sincerly your friend (please leave your number) Craven Morass.PS: the five chilies is for the forks not the bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
d t
a racer
from vancouver
Date Reviewed: October 26, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
UMMMMMMM this bike sucks. How much travel is their on these forks? Try an ibis bo-tie or maybe a dean titanium!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! P.S. is there still such thing as no suspention? they could have at least stuck on some cheap peace of crap 200 pound R.S.T.'s. If I had this bike I would ride it down to the garbage dump and take a bus home. Man, I can't believe that someone actually stole this guys bike bellow me. well I geuss you pay for what you get. Most people would spend this much on a new rim!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you have the obove garbage dispose of it immediatly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I wish they had a rating lower than -1000 chilies because I would give it to this bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Matsumuro
a weekend warrior
from Walple, MA USA
Date Reviewed: October 18, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I started biking on a toy bike from Toys-R-Us. I then purchased the Bolinas Ridge. I really like the bike. It rides well, and takes all the abuse that I give to it. I've crashed on this bike twice and both times the only thing that happen to the bike is the handle bars got twisted. I've had the bike serviced and adjusted to specs and it rides very well. I've never experienced any problems with the bike and I'm extremely satisfied. All I've had to do to the bike is routine maintenance. I keep the bike clean and lubricated. This is an excelent entry-level MTB. I would recommend this bike to everybody. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Julian Hine
a weekend warrior
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: August 11, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I had a BR for approx 3 months. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I have just had a it stolen.It was an entry level bike for me but on my last trip it was very disappointing in muddy, wet but not difficult conditions. The Altus gears were awful. My arms (like
Chet's) also took a pounding on relativley flat ground | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chet
a cross-country rider
from Swindon, UK
Date Reviewed: April 15, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I thought this would be ideal as an entry-level MTB for mainly XC use.
Unfortunately in the 5 months I have had the bike, the bearings in the
bottom bracket completely sheared (requiring a new hub), and now the
rear hub is displaying more than unhealthy lateral movement! A friend
also bought the same model at the same time, and his bike has also been
plagued by these problems.
In general, I would not really recommend the bike for off-road use;
the frame doesn't really soak up bumps, and your arms take a pounding
on downhills. The gears frequently suffer ghost-shifts. In fact I am
hard pushed to find anything positive about this model!
An interesting point to note is that Marin spec. the bike (on their
Web page) as having a sealed bottom bracket, but in fact the one on
both our bikes was not....
Very dissapointing I'm afraid.
| | Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 329.00
