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Marin
Eldridge Grade Bike
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Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Wales, UK.
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Braddocks, Cardiff, Wales. | | Strengths: | Superb steel frame, light, strong and responsive. Weighs about 25 lb. (11.3kg) Looked pretty at the time, still does. Easy to maintain compared to suspension bikes. | | Weaknesses: | Seatpost was a pain to clamp, always slipping down. Handlebar barends gouge the crossbar when turned to full extent. | | Similar Products Used: | At the time of purchase I tried several other similarly priced bikes from GT, Trek, and Specialized. All were inferior. | | Bike Setup: | Just renewed nearly all components. Shimano LX 9 speed shifters, chainset, front and rear mechs, Mavic XM 317 wheels (non disc, 9 speed compatible).Spesh BG Rival saddle. Frame, rigid forks, seatpost, stem and handlebar remain original. | | Bottom Line: | I purchased the bike in,I believe,1992. At the time everyone wanted a Marin. They were way ahead of the competition at the time. It'll go just about anywhere, it's great for climbing, pretty good on roughish terrain, accelerates like a scalded cat and gives most road bikes a run for their money. I still love riding it. Worth buying used models even now,(pick one up cheap on ebay). I've recently bought a Spesh Enduro SL Comp. Wow! Superb bike. (I'm 47, I appreciate the comfort!) Like my old Marin, does everything so well. Mountain biking has changed so much in 15 years. Two bikes from different eras, so very different from each other, yet both the best all rounder of their time. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
j t
a
from finland
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | steep cliffs and very narrow paths | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | finland, 1993... | | Strengths: | Light. Extreme.
Durable!
Great geometry.
And still rolling after 14 years
Tyre grip on snow. | | Weaknesses: | No insurance compensation if it gets stolen, not anymore :( ,so hope it won't.
Original light spikes
Brakes need yearly attention or they start to "squeek"
Original chain was way too long | | Similar Products Used: | tested many when buying | | Bike Setup: | almost original - including tyres, xt-dx-lx, only rear spikes had to be replaced 5 in 2001 | | Bottom Line: |
NOT for sale. This one is still in great shape and it is mine!
Great value considering the bikes age.
Powerful | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete Marshall
a Cross Country Rider
from Birmingham
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | somebody on e bay | | Strengths: | Frame is great, Rock star forks are the best rigid forks every made. | | Weaknesses: | For its age, nothing. | | Similar Products Used: | all sorts of bikes | | Bike Setup: | After rebuild..wheels Shimano XT Hubs, DT 4.1 rims. LX 9 speed everting else except brakes Avid Arch rival front, 7 rear (I don't use the rear brake so why bother!) Avid levers, STX shifters. | | Bottom Line: | If you can find one second hand that has been well looked after you can pick up one of the best frame/fork combinations every made for a song.
I got this for £41.00. I have replaced everything except the bottom braket and the cranks. This has produced a really great rigid bike thatno body will nick (unless I get in painted!)
The frame and forks are as good as new, Marin really built good stuff in the early ninties, steel made to last. If you want to build your own bike then they are an ideal starting point.
This is a 1993 model and isn't really sutiable for shocks9although you can get them to work) as adding them will spoil the geomitry, however the forks and frame are so good that most of the time you don't really miss them (just slow down a bit!) and going up is far better, something very important to an old man like me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kerry Williams
a Weekend Warrior
from Colwyn Bay
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Ladybower Reservoir | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$757.00 | | Purchased At: | second hand | | Strengths: | Light weight steel frame, extremely strong, great downhill bike and exelent on the hill climb | | Weaknesses: | Handle bars hit the top tube and the shifters are not to accurate | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | xtr deraliers, brakes as spec, x thumb shifters | | Bottom Line: | This bike handles like a dream amd responsive on both the road and hard trail. Looks great even after using it for 10 years. Acceleration is great, but it come to its own on the down hill when it responds to an extra push and take any punishment given to it. When you have ridden this on hard trail, you know you have had great ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Spagman
a Cross Country Rider
from Wellington New Zealand
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Giffins Fire Trail NSW Australia | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Serivces | | Strengths: | Fantastic Steel, Frame White Industry Cranks | | Weaknesses: | Brakes needed replacment, Standard Set up too long for most riders, bars can dent top tube | | Similar Products Used: | Scott Boulder | | Bike Setup: | XTR V-Brakes, White Industry Cranks, Duke SL rock shox, LX/XT | | Bottom Line: | This has been a great bike over several years and it has taken me on fire trails, single track and tours across Australia and New Zealand. It climbs like a mountian goat. Light responsive frame and has great handling. The std bars can dent the top tube when the bars are turned full and I used a piece of Aluminium tube around the frame to prevent this. The bike also came with weird badly designed Marin brakes that were impossible to adjust. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sasha
a
from Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Eldridge Grade (natch!) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$385.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Stop, Ocotepec, Morelos, Mexico | | Strengths: | light as a feather, strong as an ox, tasty as a bagel, salty as lox. | | Weaknesses: | Why have a mountain bike without a shock absorber? Maybe because it's so light and fast? | | Bike Setup: | original methinks: No shocks, Shimano Deore LX everything, and Marin Lite this and that. | | Bottom Line: | I am so very pleased that I chose to buy this 1995(?) bicycle. It seems that this bike was almost not used at all for 6-7 years from looking at the tires. I was torn about buying it, but after studying the website and checking the resale values, I realized that anything I bought new here in Mexico would be much more expensive and would depreciate super fast the moment I crossed over to the US where I mostly live. The eloquent waxing over the feel of the frame and the handling is all true! Cowabunga! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guppy
a Weekend Warrior
from Indy
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | gnaw bone camp | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Strengths: | Frame, Frame, Frame. | | Weaknesses: | Nit Picky, the internal wrenching bolts supplied with the frame tend to rust rather easily. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 7000, Giant Iguana, Diamondback Ascent. | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Pro C fork
Ritchey Scuzzy Logic Headset
Thomson Elite Stem
Marin Lite Bar (kalloy I think)
STX RC hubs, silent clutch rear Mavic rims
Velociraptor tires
LX levers and shifters
XT v-brakes
Drive train:LX front end XT rear end
| | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome! Light as most aluminum frames without the harsh ride. The ride is silky smooth, handling is fantastic. When I bought the bike in 97, the group/price ratio was great. It also offered a decent group with a steel frame. It seems when you move up in group, you have to move up(down) to an aluminum frame. When I was looking for this bike I wanted steel for the ride characteristics and I haven't looked back. I still ride it mostly stock. I am 210lbs and the frame has handled anything I have thrown at it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Edinburgh, Scotland
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Pentlands | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Friend | | Strengths: | Light, strong, good for climbs. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock 95, 97 | | Bike Setup: | Avid Arch Rival brakes, XTR levers, XT shifters(8), LX drivetrain, Judy 96 fork | | Bottom Line: | Bought this bike second hand from my cousin and it's been a trooper. So light, and indestructible!! Mates who all have recent aluminium frames are all envious!! Steel kicks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
B H
a Weekend Warrior
from Indiana
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Strong yet fairly light frame
Great fit
Climbs well | | Weaknesses: | Top tube on a 17.5 in frame could be more sloping to give more crotch clearance | | Similar Products Used: | Huffy Blade | | Bike Setup: | '96 Eldridge Grade frame
98 Z2 BAM fork
XT front and rear deraileurs
XT shifter/brake levers
LX V-brakes
LX cassette and chain
White Industries Crankset w/ LX and Real rings
Mavic 238 rims on LX hubs
WTB SST Ti seat
FSA Orbit DL headset
Panaracer Mach SS tires
Marin Lite Stem, handlebar, seatpost
| | Bottom Line: | This is a great frame and well-suited for the type of riding I do which is mostly singletrack with some rocks and roots and lots of hills. The top tube is just the right length and lets me get a low crouched position to really hammer on the climbs. I wish there were more slope to the top tube so I could have more clearance for my crotch. But the most important factor in bike fit is top tube length not standover clearance. This bike has taken some crashes which I'm sure would've dented aluminum frames but left this one with nary a scratch. I like the ride of steel and will keep riding this one until I decide to get a new bike during which I'll spring for high-end steel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Castaneda
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Captain Jacks | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Two Wheel Drive | | Strengths: | Excelent Frame and components. I bought this bike new in '95 and have been riding hard ever since. The balance of this bike is amazing especially during quick switchbacks. Climbing is easy without much flex. I ride the front range of the Rockies in the Pikes Peak region, lots of tough technical climbs and seriously fun singletrack downhills. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Stock with a Manitou 4 shock | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike and frame that can take a real beating (I'm 210lbs). I would recommend this bike to anyone who wants to ride serious single track and rough downhills. 5 Flaming Chilis!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pau; Davies
a Cross Country Rider
from Wrexham UK
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Wales | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Resilient steel ride.Durable,stable,neutral handling.Good acceleration and decent components.Very good frame.Easy to get along with,go anywhere bike.Avid V-brakes effective.Good range of sizes.I am 6ft 7 ins and the 20.5 in frame fits me perfectly.Manitou Spyder 98 forks easy to maintain and OK on Medium hits | | Weaknesses: | Paint chips off too easily.STX-RC chainset functional but ugly lump of metal.Manitou forks not supple enough on small trail hits.Frame a tad heavy | | Bike Setup: | WTB saddle,Titec 235 seatpost,XT front mech,Xt bottom brackrt and SPD 535 pedals | | Bottom Line: | A good bike which I got discounted at £560 instead of £665.A reliable steed which i would ride anywhere. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry Silcock
a Cross Country Rider
from Middlesbrough, England
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Trail 10 in North York Moors by S&G McLeod ISBN0 948153 30 X | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | The EG is a great bike - goes fast and pulls up when you need it to. Great Avid brakes with a srong but light frame. | | Weaknesses: | The IRC Mythos tyres are showing cracks in the walls indicating perishing. Can this be normal IRC ? the Mythos though give super grip in mud and cornering. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Standard + Shimano PD-M545s | | Bottom Line: | The EG was my first mtb when bought in 1998. After 1 month I had a real hummdinger up & over - the EG survived brilliantly but my radius bone head was sheared off ! So guess it's a strong frame.
The EG copes super with all types of terain you care to throw at it from mud, rocks, pebbles and boulders. The front Manitou shocks have a fair re-coil, but maybe mine are not set right. Overall the Eldridge is excellent and I would recommended to anyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Damian Deskins
a Cross-Country Rider
from Framingham , MA
Date Reviewed: June 22, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
VIETNAM | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Very strong but yet forgiving frame! | | Weaknesses: |
A little more travel in the shock? | | Similar Products Used: |
K2 zed m
diamond back z-tek
bear valley | | Bike Setup: |
Cromoly Frame-Lx,Stx-rc
manitou spyder r | | Bottom Line: | Very smooth ride..... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mats
a Cross-Country Rider
from Sweden, Trollhattan
Date Reviewed: May 23, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
The strength with EG is the strong frame.
It's turns very fast.
I have had the bike for 6 years and it's still working. | | Weaknesses: |
The spoke nipples are very weak, i had to tighten the spokes after every ride in the beginning. Now i have canged the spokes to Ritchey comp and the rims to mavic 221.
The rims were too soft, had to change to some with harder rubber. | | Bike Setup: |
Marin Eldrig Grade ,Stiff fork. DX and LX components, and some marin light components. | | Bottom Line: | I think it's a very good bike that you can begin with and use even when you are no longer a novice on MTB. Have had mine since -93. The weakness is the very bad spokes and the rubberlike marin tires without any grip at all. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guido Scherer
a weekend warrior
from Uetikon, Switzerland
Date Reviewed: February 26, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I ride my Eldridge Grade for more than 5 years with great fun and no problem at all. Advice for using in the high swiss alps: change front gear to 22/36/46 and maintain your bike regularly. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
d pierce
a weekend warrior
from texas
Date Reviewed: January 29, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I have put about 85 miles on my new eldridge grade since christmas. This is a great bike! I ride extermely hard and the terrain around Austin is tough, but this bike is tougher! I am a BMXer at heart and I have broken many frames, handlebars, etc, but this bike is indestructable. Great shifting & balance - it is all here! If you are looking for a new bike, put this one at the top of your list. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
paul p-b
a cross-country rider
from california
Date Reviewed: January 17, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I'm wondering if anybody could tell me how the eldridge grade '99
is?
I'm close to buy it. It seems to be a very good deal ($699) for a complete LX drivetrain bike... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek Hartley
a cross-country rider
from Hamilton New Zealand
Date Reviewed: January 13, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I used to own a 97 Eldridge grade which I upgraded with Judy XC's Long travel, and Mavic crossland wheels and it was the sweetest handling hardtail I had ever ridden. Due to sponsorship I rode a Trek 8000 and while it climbed better than the Marin it didn't handle as well. I lost my sponsor ship because I didn't tell people that Trek's rule, because they don't so now I think I might have to buy a 'Marin Team' because they kick arse! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RICK
a cross-country rider
from Trenton On Canada
Date Reviewed: December 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
There is a problem with the integrity of decals and problems in obtaining replacements.My bike is nearly 3years old with nearly 10000Kms. I would like to repaint it and some the decals didn't last the first year Have upgraded a lot of parts and really enjoy the bike | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Javier Bosc
a cross-country rider
from S.S de Jujuy, Jujuy, Argentina.
Date Reviewed: November 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Tengo 16 años y me compre ésta maquina en Junio del '96, y la suigo teniendo porque es un maquinon. Con mi MARIN gane muchas carreras que se hacen acá en Jujuy y en la Argentina. Pude salir subcampeón Argentino de la categoria pre-juveniles en cross-country. Como ya tiene sus años voy a ver si la cambio por otra MARIN más nueva. Yo la comre en Genoa Bikes que queda en Córdoba. Me gustaria saber si el precio del envio de una es mucho o si me conviene comrarmela de nuevo en Genoa Bikes. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kirk Morrell
a weekend warrior
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Marin Eldridge Grade is one of the best bikes going! I have ridden mine for just over 3 years and have only replaced the chain and tires with just under 20,000 kilometers on it. It goes through anything and is very light with excellent components. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evs
a cross-country rider
from Wales
Date Reviewed: October 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The Marin Eldridge is a superb handling machine, utterly reliable and
amazing fun to ride. Accelerates like shit off a stick, handles like a dream,
aways goes where you want it to.
For the money - unbeatable.shame I've broken mine:-
lets' hope the warranty is as good as the bike ! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BABOOM
a cross-country rider
from MARIN
Date Reviewed: September 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
AFTER MOVING TO THE NAMESAKE OF MY BIKE FROM HAWAII I REALIZED HOW MANY GOOD TRAILS THAT THERE ARE HERE.
AFTER TOTALY BREAKING DOWN ON MY LAST RIDE BEFORE I CAME HERE, MY FAITHFULL BIKE DIDNT MAKE THE TRIP. A NEW BIKE I WANTED. DIDNT HAVE TO MUCH MONEY BUT I KNEW I WANTED A SOLID BIKE WITH SOLID COMPONENTS. THE EG HAS XT REAR, LX FRONT, XT BRAKES, AND OTHER PRETTY SOLID STUFF. FOR MY 200 POUNDS I BREAK ALOT OF STUFF. SO FOR 750 DOLLARS IT WAS ONE THE BEST BIKES I WAS LOOKING AT. MY BROTHER HAS A MARIN AND HE LIKES IT. HIS IS A LOWER MODEL THAN MINE BUT VERY LIGHT? MY MAIN COMPLAINT IS THE HEAVYNESS OF MY BIKE. THE CRANK IS STARTING TO CRACK ALOT TOO. I HEARD THAT IS A PROBLEM ON MARINS. THE ONLY CHANGES I MADE ARE CLIP IN PEDALS. WHY ARENT MARINS POPULAR IN MARIN? I ONLY SEE KIDS AND OLD GUYS RIDING THEM? ALL THE RICH PEOPLE HERE BUY EXPENSIVE BIKES AND THEN SIT OUTSIDE OF THE LATTE HOUSE WITH THEIR TIGHT SHORTS ON. I RIDE MY BIKE ALMOST EVERY DAY AND ITS SMOOTH FAST AND SOLID ,AND IT TAKES A PRETTY GOOD BEATING. FOR THE PRICE A FOUR STAR, NO FIVE BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Bradshaw
a cross-country rider
from Manchester England
Date Reviewed: September 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a '93 when it was new, it was my first MTB so I didn't know what to expect. It did everything I could throw at it, with ease. I lived and rode in Germany where the Marin brand was considered 'uncool' so I took some stick off my co-riders. Eventually I sold it on to a friend, since then I've rode Cannondale, specialized, Checker Pig and Kona, all top of the range and expensive here in the UK. A telling comment, I've never felt as one with a frame since my Marin, I would buy it back at the same price I sold it for. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin James
a cross-country rider
from Wales
Date Reviewed: September 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The ELDRIDGE GRADE copes with the Preseli Mountains in Pembrokeshire, Wales really well. With XT and LX components throughout on the 97 model the specification is better than later models. So far kept I have managed to stay on the bike most of the time and the V brakes really are effective! It's a great bike. Diolch yn fawr Marin. Thats Welsh for Thanks Very Much! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a cross-country rider
from Miton, Ont, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the Marin Eldridge Grade used from a co-worker one yaer ago, to see if I would like mountain biking (of course I am now hooked!). It is a 1994 (I think) model with all LX components. I replaced the rigid fork with a Bomber Z1, and this bike has really looked after me from beginner to semi-racer. It's very solid but light enough, goes where I point it as long as I don't interfere, and climbs anything that I have the strength for. It's very durable, having suffered many of my novice and not so novice wipeouts. The LX/Rapidfire components are all that I need and work consistently well (Note: I do maintain the bike well also) although I find the front derailleur hard to get exactly perfectly adjusted. The Ritchey rims have held up well and are still going strong. The only thing that had to be replaced were the spoke nipples (brand?) which kept breaking - but after 4 years thats not too bad. Even though it's getting old now, I have no reason to replace it. It's a plain good bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Kincade
a weekend warrior
from PA
Date Reviewed: June 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
i have this bike, and i must say i was happy to recieve the product. it also helps with some quality forks mach 5. i would like some x-tra stuff. it was excellent. i won 4 major tournments in 5 weeks and it was great. i rode 50 miles straight n back and finished 3rd in the philly race. it is not as light i would it to be, but overall i like the bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy Behler
a weekend warrior
from Bloomington, IN
Date Reviewed: June 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought this bike in August of '97. It was my second real mountain bike. I put a Rock Shock on it and it has been great! I am living in Boulder, CO for the summer and am putting it through all kinds of hell. This bike takes a beating and doesn't lose a thing. The double butted frame is very light as light as many of my friends aluminum frames and that much stronger. Although the lack of rear suspension hurts on downhills, it more than makes up for it in efficiency on climbs. Full LX componentry is great for all non-racer types. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JP
a weekend warrior
from Finland
Date Reviewed: May 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike is a well-kept secret. The brand itself is not that cool anymore and Eldridge Grade is hidden in the middle of the product line. The bikes below it are stx-level stuff for gullible beginners and the bikes above EG face competition with much cooler brands like Klein, Breezer etc. I have never seen a n Eldridge Grade in any magazine-article or ad.So it is quite hard to notice EG, but you should. It has a combination of good enough components and above all, a marvelous cromo-frame.I think that all this talk about stiffness is misleading. In reality you do not need a rock-hard piece of metal between your legs, but a lively, springy instrument, that becomes an extension of your lively, springy body. A bike should breathe with you and EG breathes.Upon purchase I put Manitou Spyder R-fork to the bike. I keep the fork quite stiff, so it is in sync with the frame. The combination is superb.I also would like to question the conventional wisdom concerning frame size. My experience says, that a rider should not stretch over the bike, but the bike should be under the rider. Riding a bike should not resemble riding a large horse. I am 172 cm tall and I chose a 15,5 inch EG frame. I think that this frame gives me superior ergonomics, control and feeling of unity compared to 17 or 18 inch frames, that the dealers recommend as fitting.Nevertheless, I give EG only four chilis, because Marin is stingy with the components. Mostly STX-RC-level parts work OK, but other companies give you more for the price. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve H
a cross-country rider
from Taupo New Zealand
Date Reviewed: November 14, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Got my Eldrige about a year ago straight away put Halson Design shocks on it,
this bikes done me well for the past year but recently I have had to replace the rear rim, the original tires quite sucked have replaced the Marin Quakes with Tioga Psycos and I have replaced the rear rim with a deep dish sucker which I KOOZED in two rides. This is not a bad bike but I'm gonna be a blouse and get a soft tail in a about 6 months. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gavin Dickson
a weekend warrior
from Zululand South Africa
Date Reviewed: November 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
My EG really is a good bike,sometimes i think i should break my bank account and and splash out on a full suspension Mount Vision (dream on!) but then i think what for? I ride some really remote african trails and my bike really kicks ass.I am thinking about a front fork though, can anyone out there tell me wether the RST spider is a good choice???? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geoff Bell
a cross-country rider
from Philly area
Date Reviewed: October 8, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought my Marin around 1994 and am quite pleased with it. It was equiped with LX and Marin Light parts. The LX parts have worked very reliably with relatively little maintanence. However, I did break the bottom bracket and rear derailer (both upgraded to XT). The front Richey rim has held up great. I can't say that for the rear though (replaced with Mavic 217). A Manitou Mach 5 SX replaced the original rigid fork. A great fork once it got 'broken in'. I think it has definitly saved my life on a few hairy descents. The ride is a good all-arounder. It does everything good, but nothing exceptional. Complient yet not so soft as to loose power when hammerin on it. I also disagree with one other reviewer. I find it to be a good technical rider. It can climb with the best of them!Here's a note on tires. It came with Merin Lite tires. Good all-around tire(do you see the theme with this bike?). After that I put on a Continental Leader Pro and some other Continental. GREAT tires. Worked good on almost everything I hit. After that, I got ahold of a set of Psycho tires. They sucked, nothing else to say. Now I have VelociRaptors. The rear sticks good for climbs. The front, however, seems to wash out easier than the Continentals around high-speed turns with loose or sandy conditions. They also don't hold well on wet rocks.Overall, this bike is a great general use bike that's good at just about anything. It's better than your average bike (especially with a shock), but not a top-of-the-liner. Four kudos for you. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Morten Strømstad
a cross-country rider
from Copenhagen, Denmark
Date Reviewed: October 7, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I am the owner of a '96 model with full shimano lx deore (rapidfire gearshifts).
I chose not to have suspension on the front wheel because i feel the steel tubes of the frame provides enough absorption of shocks from the usually rough surface i'm driving on. OK, i like it hard. Sofar the setup of the bike has met my needs for biking performance and i am overly satisfied with my purchase. My only comment is that the wires are not drawn along the top tube and therefore harder to maintain. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Yuhgo Yamaguchi
a weekend warrior
from NYC
Date Reviewed: August 15, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a '96 EG (closeout) and couldn't be happier with it. It's light, the Grip Shift X-rays and LX derailleurs shift like a friggin' dream, and stops pretty damn well despite the plain-Jane cantilever brakes.
I don't really have any complaints at all. It doesn't have a front fork (I think they all have one in '97), and I _may_ throw one on if I can scrounge up the cash. But it handles really well without one (I'm not a downhill racer but the trails I ride do get hairy at times) and don't really feel like I'm suffering without one.
I may also throw some lower profile tires on them. Nothing's wrong with the ones that came with it - it's just a personal preference thing.
I don't think I could've gotten more for my money when I bought my EG! Great frame (geometry and quality of construction), great component mix - what more could you ask for? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimbo
a weekend warrior
from Fairbanks, AK
Date Reviewed: July 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I just purchased a '97 Eldridge Grade and after a few rides I love it. Or I should say I mostly love it. The frame is light and responsive with a good ride and just the right amount of stiffness. The LX/XTgroup is just right for my weekend warrior needs. This bike is very responsive takes no real preplanning, just point and shoot. The Manitou Pro C forks are a little stiff but do an admirable job soaking up the bumps. Over all an awesome bike for the price, one drawback so far, C'mon Marin make your frames over HERE in the USA not in Taiwan! If this bike were made in the US 5 peppas but it loses 1/2 a peppa for the foreign frame | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Moreno
a cross-country rider
from Longmeadow, MA
Date Reviewed: May 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've been riding this pup since the Fall of 94 and I'm pretty impressed with it. I'm still running most of the original components except for the rigid fork and the wheels. Back then, the Marin lite wheels, while light, couldn't handle much abuse. But with a little help from Mavic, a local bike shop and my bank account, the bike is holding up very well. As my 30th year approaches, full suspension becomes more appealing, but I'll keep this bike until either it or myself returns to the dirt. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a weekend warrior
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: May 14, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This is my 2nd serious bike and I love it. It's very light, extremely responsive and maneuverable. I have a Manitou Pro C as the front fork which just makes it even better. There aren't many upgrades I'll need for this bike. The frame is light with some flex and just a kick to ride in the city or in the dirt or mud. I give it a 4.5! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Snootch
a weekend warrior
from Edmundston N.B. Canada
Date Reviewed: March 16, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I like this bike.It's very stiff and it's lite.It also very brake great
and rims are strong too.And it shift great for a lx group.It's a great
bike also when you put a Manitou 4. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Smith
a cross-country rider
from Syracuse, NY
Date Reviewed: February 26, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I guess this bike isn't to popular here on the east coast, but it should be.
The frame is lighter than many aluminums, and it doesn't fatigue. The bike is equipped with LX components, and a few Marin Lite house pieces. I like this bike a lot. I don't see any necessary upgrades, except of course for a front fork. It comes with a ridgid one.I also like the fact that this bike is not made by Trek or Giant. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Smith
a cross-country rider
from W. Lafayette, IN
Date Reviewed: October 30, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased my Marin because I wanted a good bike with awesome components with the best deal (duh?). This meant getting a rigid fork and a cro-moly frame. There are only a few companies out there now who sell a good equipped bike with a rigid fork. Even Marin's cro-moly frames are as light as most aluminum bikes. I was in love after my first test ride. There is a good amount of frame flex - from the steel - and the dimensions are spread out very well. The only thing I changed from stock was: added an XT rear derailler (a must at this price range), added m535 pedals, put slime in the tires (a must unless you like changing flats), and added an avocet 25 cyclocomputer.This is a perfect bike for cross country riding in the midwest because If you've ever ridden here, you know you don't need full suspension. Front suspension is questionable. My favorite part is beating people who are riding fs bikes. My next step is to get a Judy fork.Get a bike with good components and RIDE, RIDE, RIDE! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grahame Clark
a weekend warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: October 19, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
My Eldridge has taken a lot of punishment but its still going strong. I'm amazed at its strength for such a light machine. It took a while to get used to riding it. I find the harder you ride it, the more it responds. Next step is front suspension but that needs money! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KW
a cross-country rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: October 7, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This Bike is light and stiff, not for finess riders or riding around logs.
Its made to go over and through. It needs front suspention, mine has a ridgid
fork. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Gregorowicz
a weekend warrior
from Oakville Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: July 24, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I cant believe no one has posted a review on this bike. I have been
riding one for about a year now and this thing absouloutly ROCKS.
This is a totally point and shoot rig, just point it where ya want to
go & it goes. Sweet frame, climbs great, descends well (I've got an EFC
helpin' out) The only downfall I can see is the price, here in Canada
$1575 rigid (OUCH!!) | | Overall Rating: |
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