|
Marin
Indian Fire Trail Bike
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
S Mallory
a Racer
from Washington State
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1795.00 | | Purchased At: | Seattle | | Strengths: | IFT - Lightweight, great climber, and with the right tire/rim combo you can leave everyone behind - a Gazelle. No shock and I like it that way, very good control for a 200# ex-road racer. Great XT gruppo. | | Weaknesses: | A little flexible at the bottom bracket when climbing but still very OK. Want to swap out handlebars eventually. | | Similar Products Used: | Not for any extended time. | | Bike Setup: | Mostly Stock, minor adjustments only. | | Bottom Line: | Perfect geometry if you are a bit taller. Easily the best Mtn. bike frame I have ever ridden. Extremely stable steering and nice soft front forks so if you are heavier it will save $$ not having the weight or expense of a shock. The overall stiffness and light weight will save your bacon every time. I am glad I picked this bike from all of the rest. Everybody who tests it, zips ahead in delight and rethinks their own ride. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tambo
a Weekend Warrior
from Newcastle, England
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | E-Bay, where else? | | Strengths: | Light frame and 8-speed components. Geometry. | | Weaknesses: | Marin-lite bar and stem are flexy and this together with the LX silent clutch (AKA ballbreaker) rear hub does not instill confidence to really hammer the bike and put your weight down. Manitou Spyder forks are flexy and and no good for a heavier rider (190lbs). | | Similar Products Used: | '89 Muddy Fox Courier Comp, '90 DB ascent EX, '93 Carrera Krakatoa, '95 RTS-3, '97 Eldridge Grade, '02 Coyote HT5, '04 Stumpjumper FSR Pro, '98 and '06 Indian Fire Trail, among others! | | Bike Setup: | Original apart from full 8-speed Deore XT, including hubs, Manitou Mars 1 forks and Mavic 217 rims. | | Bottom Line: | Got this bike off Ebay for £265 3 years ago and it was in as new condition. This is the '98 model in Mango colour and is a great bike in my opinion. It climbs better than most bikes I have ridden and on the straights it just flys. This is the "17 model and the geometry and sizing is exactly how I like it. Top tube is approx "22.5. Weight is very low and with a few component swaps it performs really well and not much different to todays racing hardtails. The XT 8 speed kit is great. Its my favourite of the 3 bikes I own (incase your wondering I kept the 3 Marins!). | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, Oregon, USA
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Old Mans Pass | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Everything | | Weaknesses: | Nothing found so far. For the record, not sure if my frame is a 98 or 99...that's pretty weak. | | Similar Products Used: | S-Works, Specialized P3, Rockhopper FS | | Bike Setup: | Judy XC Front Shock
Sun Rims
White industries hubs and Cranks
The rest all XT and XTR | | Bottom Line: | I heard a rumor about "the perfect hardtail" and found it. The climbing, downhill control, look, weight, etc. compliments me as a rider. Ther IFT completes me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lightning Crow
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque,N.M.
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | North foothills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Fat Tire Cycles | | Strengths: | Columbus Aluminium triple butted frame,VERY stiff,no flex,excellent welds,highly responsive,flows into fast corners,great at HIGH speeds and handles just as good at slow speed or stalling,fast climber fast downhill,feels like the bike is part of you,LIGHT FAST TRAIL BIKE,MARS 1 fork | | Weaknesses: | NONE FOUND | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000,Rockhopper,Klein Attitude Junk | | Bike Setup: | almost stock,LX crank,BB,Rapidfire shifters,XT rear,Avid 25 brakes w/1.9levers,Ovation bar,stem,bar ends,post,WTB seat,Mavic 221 w/IRC tires,Spinskins,CatEye,Mars 1 | | Bottom Line: | The Marin Juniper Trail is ONE SWEET hardtail,you can spend a lot more and the quality won'tget any better.This is a FAST LIGHT bike that can handle speed,climbs,jumps and keep on going.If you are looking for a GREAT hardtail you cant go wrong OR broke,check this one out,no need to upgrade parts,Marin thought this out really well,beats the KABOOKIE out of Klein's Attitude in ride,parts selection and feel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joshua
a Cross Country Rider
from Henniker, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | climbs well. Light. Seems pretty stiff. Fast as hell. | | Weaknesses: | no disk brake mounts... | | Bike Setup: | nothing stock, I just have the 98 frame. sun rims, judy XC fork, avid brakes.... | | Bottom Line: | In some ways it's hard to write a fully comprehensive review considering I having ridden a zillion bikes, but this frame is awesome. Very good at climbing hills. I feel like I have rockets under my pedals on this bike when I'm going up hills. No problems on the downhills either, seems very stable. 5 chilis because I can't find any real faults considering the model year. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Racer
a
from Edmonton
Date Reviewed: November 11, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Full XT components. No japanese made no name junk. Easton Ultralite Frame. Sid xc fork kicks ass. I love the lively ride of the Aluminum frame | | Weaknesses: |
A bit to lively at times. Not that great on descents. | | Similar Products Used: |
Trek PRO 9.9, Trek 8900, Marin Team Marin (cromoly), Cannondale f-4000 SL, Kona Hei Hei, Giant MCM team, Marin Team Titanium, Ironhorse 7.0, 9.0, and Team | | Bike Setup: |
Everything stock except for Rapidrise XTR rear, Titec big al stem, Titec al handlebar, titec micros barends, Thompson Elite Seatpost. Michelin Wildgripper Slick | | Bottom Line: | An excellent bike. If Marin would stop putting their own relabled crap components on their bikes many people would like them more. It is like Kona putting Kore imitation Stems on their dual suspension bikes. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kobie Mercury- Clarke
a Racer
from Toronto, Ontario
Date Reviewed: October 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Any at Hardwood Hills | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
-frame Geometry
-attention to detail
-weld quality | | Weaknesses: |
Cable routing to the Rear derailleur from the factory is not compatible with 2.1 inch tires. | | Similar Products Used: |
-92 Rocky Mountain equipe | | Bike Setup: |
Marin indian fire trail with 99 Marzzochi Bomber Z2 Bam. | | Bottom Line: | This bike does everything perfectly!
I`ve taken this bike downhill and it was very stable(probably because of the fork) I raced it in the Canada Cup at Hardwood Hills and the bike ate up everything, the only complaint I have is that there are not any trails that can challenge the bike including trials which I do as well. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Wilton
a Weekend Warrior
from Hamilton, NZ
Date Reviewed: September 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Te Miro | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Lite
Rigid Frame
Nice Component Spec | | Weaknesses: |
Bottom bracket creak
Grip Shift | | Similar Products Used: |
Giant Warp
Avanti Montari
GT LTS-1 | | Bike Setup: |
Judy XC Front Shock
Mavic Rims
White industries hubs and Cranks
The rest all XT | | Bottom Line: | I brought the I.F.Trail 2 years ago after trying so many other XC bikes, which had either heavy frames or crap Components. I quickly replaced the Grip Shifts with XT rapid fire shifters, I have had no problems (yet) with the Marin Lite parts.
The bike responsed well in corners gives excellent feedback at speed and the Judy Shock soaks up some big hits.
The bike has served me well for 2 years and show no sign giving up.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rider From Canada
a Racer
from Saskatoon
Date Reviewed: July 1, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
459 Rogers Ct. | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Light, Stiff, Good braking response, That SID fork !!!!! | | Weaknesses: |
Only one I found is that when shouldering the bike the ovalized top tube digs into your shoulder | | Similar Products Used: |
Trek 8900 Trek Elite 9.8 Fisher Procaliber
Cannondale F-3000 Shwinn Homegrown Elite Kona King Kahuna Kona Kula | | Bike Setup: |
Stock full XT components except for a XTR rear and a cane creek bottom bracket. Stock Sid XC fork. | | Bottom Line: | Amazing that Marin could sell a light bike spec'd like this for such a low price. If you are considering the purchase of a light XC specific bike do yourself a favor and try out the Marin!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eldon
a Racer
from fort McMurray, Alberta
Date Reviewed: June 12, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
NGF | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
-rigid frame
-short rear stays
-strong frame
-reactive
-easy to throw around when doing trial riding | | Weaknesses: |
-on the heavy side
-marin lite components are fragile
-bottom bracket creaks easily | | Similar Products Used: |
specialized S-works
Gary Fisher supercalibre
Gt Pantera
Rocky Mountain Vertex T.O
Giant ATX 990
Schwinn Homegrown XLT
Cannondale Raven
Brodie | | Bike Setup: |
Indian Fire Trail
Full XT, except for the white Industry front hub, ESP 9.0 brake levers and shifters
SID XC | | Bottom Line: | Its a good bike for trial riding and is quite fast. It climbs good due to the short rear stays. A little heavy though but it makes up for the durability. The bike is fast but the price is a little steep at $2,700 Canadian. Although I got a $1000 knocked off that because of my racing deal. I suggest a person who purchase this bike should replace the marin lite components before you get injured like me. Especially the stem. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Auckland
Date Reviewed: April 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Light, good derailer set (XT/STXRC) and great LX shifters and cranks. | | Weaknesses: |
None I have found except the bottom bracket creaking when pedaling hard. | | Bottom Line: | Lovely bike nice and light with great components and getting it at the end of 1998 when the 1999 bikes had arrived I got it for a great price. And after riding both I perfer the 1998 model to the 1999 model, didnt like the new Ovation frames. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Babb
a downhiller
from Barnstaple North Devon
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Please tell me about your new 99 DH range so that I can take in some consideration into buying a new DH bike . At the moment I have got the 97 B-17,so I would like to upgrade to the new 99 B-17 or something a better at a slightly higher price, but will have better suspension and other components. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christian Skillen
a cross-country rider
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: September 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
After riding the Fire Trail for three racing seasons, I've come to know every detail about this bike. The Fire Trail is often characterized as a hardtail freeride bike. This is because of the fat tubing and long frame geometry that makes your body more outstretched. I've come to accept this and try my best to use it as a cross-country bike. If your looking to blast down long rocky fireroads, this bike will suit you fine. I live on the East Coast where rocks, roots, and streams are on my every day ride. I've put my bike through so much abuse and the only thing I've had to replace was my drop out. (Not to mention I also preform trials with this bike.) On the other hand, if your looking to cruise down some extremely tight singletrack with many turns, you might find your self in a little trouble. You realy have to throw the bike into the turns and brake early so you don't crash going around the outside of the turn. You may be thinking that this bike is not a climber, but surprisingly it climbs with no problem, partly because it is pretty damn light. When racing, I often find my self riding up steep rocky hills while most of the other riders are off pushing. This is one of the Indian Fire Trail's best qualities. In conclusion, if your looking for a realy good cross country bke, this may or may not be the bike your looking for. It mainly depends on the layout of the course where you will be riding. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gianluca Wallisch
a cross-country rider
from Austria, Europe
Date Reviewed: August 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I´ve got the Indian Fire Trail since 1994, with a Marzocchi XC 500 fork. The bike isn´t the newest, but it´s still in commerce and hasn´t been changed for a couple of years, and that´s wonderful. It means: Never change a winning bike! The IFT is best described with two word´s: Biker´s Heaven! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andreas Reis
a cross-country rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: August 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Ich habe mein IFT seit nun mehr als 5 Jahren und eigentlich ist außer dem Rahmen kein Originalteil mehr vorhanden. Trotzdem ist es ein IFT geblieben und war es immer wert verbessert zu werden, trotz der alten Mag 21 wiegt´s nicht mehr als 9,9 Kg. Happy Trails und Gruss aus Deutschland !
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy G
a weekend warrior
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: August 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just recently picked up a 98 Rocky Ridge (the bike is the model in between the Nail Trail and Indian Fire Trail but not listed on this site). I have to say I'm pretty impressed with it so far. Componentry is as good or better than anything in the price range. I swapped out the long straight stem for an Avenir riser stem, combined with the 1 riser bars (which I may eventually swap out to a 2 bar) this give you a comfortable riding position and you can really crank up on the front end for bunny hops, wheelies, etc. which are no sweat on this bike since it's so damn lite (I just trashed my steel Mongoose Alta so this thing is a feather by comparison). I also swapped out the stock hardass Ritchey seat for a Vetta ATB suspension seat which helps even out that aluminum ride. I plan to convertt to downhill/SPD pedals eventually but the stock pedals are fine once you take off the annoying plastic toe clips. Overall a very good bike, I went with a smaller (17.5) frame since my ideal ride is a cross between an MTB and a BMX cruiser.
One more note, look around for sales. I happened to find a local shop (Euro Sport) that was phasing out selling Marins (in favor of GT.... go figure) so they had all the 98's at 25% off. This means I picked up the $800 MSRP Rocky for 600 bucks (or about what you would pay for a Nail Trail). Cheers,Andy G | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sarinda Unamboowe
a weekend warrior
from Colombo Sri Lanka
Date Reviewed: July 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
As a weekend warrior who likes a good 'thrash', around off road tracks in the suburbs of Colombo, I am thrilled with the overall handling and performance of my IFT. Overall toughness is great and having XT components makes for slick shifting on the choppy courses that my mates and I ride on. Having ridden a 40lb monster for 3 years this was like dying and going to heaven.
The handle bar could be of a slightly better quality but this does not take anything away from my love for this new addition to my family. I love it!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lance
a cross-country rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: July 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought this 97' Marin Indian Fire Trial about a month ago, Although the Marin bikes Frame Are made in Taiwan, not in US. I am sure the bike has the Quality Comparable to those made in US. its 7000 Custom double butted tubing may weight a little more... but its strong enough to withstand the abuse I gave it in my X-C rides in Malaysia Wilds. The Handling of the bike is good, although you might want to change the handle bars and the Saddles and the Stems that comes with it with better quality products, such as Oury Grips ( the Marin Lite Grips Suxk!), SDG saddles and either a riser bar from Azonic. The Manitou Spyder R Front Suspension is good enough (at least for me) but the travel of it is a bit short. You guys might also want to change the Shifters that comes with it to XT shifters. The XT Derailers that comes together with the bike is good enough, but the hubs are not so good. So the verdict is .... its a good bike (although not great) for its money, but you should spend a bit more on upgrading its components for better control and performance..... ( I had almost change every components except for its FS Spyder shocks, and the Entire drivetrain system)P.S. The 98' Marin Indian Fire Trail, although its made from the same 7000 custom double Tubing as the 97' IFT and both share the same geometry, the 98' frame is kind of lighter, and had better components than the 97' without any serious price increase which should make the 98' a even greater value bike for your cash. damn, I should have got the 98'model :( | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Hall
a weekend warrior
from Pittsburgh Pa
Date Reviewed: July 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The indian fire trail is probably the best front suspension bike I have ever ridden.I had a cannondale and paid as much for my marin as I did for my cannondale, but got XT components on my marin and stx on my cannondale.I feel that you get a lot more for your money with marin. I feel that I recieved a great bike for a great price! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Lefaivre
a cross-country rider
from Taunton, MA
Date Reviewed: June 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The 98 Indian Fire Trail rocks. I traded in my Palisades trail bike for this one. I've had the bike for about six months and have beat it worse than I beat my other one in a year and half. The Manitou shock that comes on it really smooths things out. I have changed the headset but not because anything was wrong with the one that came on it. The XT components that come on the bike are great and can take a great deal of abuse. Well...time to go put a beating on it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Johan Gerard
a cross-country rider
from Namur, Begium
Date Reviewed: May 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Le modèle que je possède est très différent de la photo: les tubes sont sur-dimentionnés, et les bases arrières sont carrées. C'est un vélo très rigide, qui répond au quart-de-tour à chaque impulsion qu'on lui donne. Après une correction de quelques petits défauts (jantes, freins), il semble parfaitement adapté à un usage sportif et intensif. Pour améliorer l'adhérence compromise par sa grande rigidité, je lui ai ajouté une suspention ayant pour qualité de ne pas déformer la géométrie initiale: une Girvin Vector 2, avec contrôle du rebond hydraulique. Cette combinaison s'avère très efficace. Les accessoires qui équipent ce modèle sont de très grande qualité (moyeux et pédalier white industries, groupe shimano xt, ...). C'est donc un très bon vélo, très léger, et qui s'adapte à la plupart des usages qu'on peut en faire. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andrey kim
a weekend warrior
from Beaverton, OR
Date Reviewed: April 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Very rigid powerful bike with good climbing ability . With suspension seat post(mine is thudbuster quad) very comfortable. I've put a Manitout FS-ti up front on a 97 frame. Since I've built it from frame, no marin lite component to worry about. good HT for starters on a limited budget(I got the frame for 200 bucks used) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kelvin
a cross-country rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: January 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Excellent Bike! VERY VERY responsive, easy to maintain, and cheap enough for a person who doesn't have much dough to own one. But the Marin Lite parts Sux, so as soon as you get it, get a facelift for it. The XT components on it makes it such a sweet bike, you'll be surprised at its performance. I'll recommend it for
a entry level high-end bike, maybe more, but I think it's time for me to change to something else......maybe a Klein or Specialized. But hey, this bike STILL KICKS OTHERS ASS! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesse A. Urban-Styles
a racer
from South Euclid, Ohio, USA
Date Reviewed: January 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike has been a great racing stead for the 1997 season. I would strongly recommend it to any beginner or sport class racer looking for a dependable, fast bike. However for any hard and generally more frequent riding Experts (and often better sponsored), I would recommend doing a full upgrade to the lighter and higher quality XTR group and a Manitou SX-Ti. The leftover parts worked very well for me on my backup GT Avalanche (which is for sale at a very good price, and it will probably be joined by the previously mentioned Marin IFT depending on my new sponsorship next year; inquiries welcomed on both via E-Mail, I will reply!) I found my aftermarket Ritchey OCR WCS/XTR wheels were absolutely superb. Throughout the ENTIRE season they only required minor trueing once a month or so!! The Marin Lite components are O.K. for the first month or so, then you should replace them (my barends are bent, and the handlebar is crimped on both ends from the barends). Also the stock Diatech headset will be ruined after only a couple months if you live anywhere but the Sahara (I suggest Chris King, its expensive, but it will outlast the five-year warranty). The overall ride is perfectly suited to racing, the stiff frame never flexes on out of the saddle efforts or climbs, but the downside is the very tough handling anytime the bike is pointed downward on anything remotely loose or sketchy (this requires special pilot attention during fast paced race situations). This bike is not suited to epic rough and technical trail rides as the exceptionally stiff frame will leave a rider begging for a full suspension bike afterwards. Yet for any serious racer on a budget, this bike is very good for on the road training, I have done several centuries on it, even with the WTB knobbies (that do last pretty long, unless your into touring). In conclusion, this is a great bike either stock or aftermarket, even with the cheap Marin Lite stuff, the chipping paint job, and the slightly heavy frame (4.0lbs) and whole bike (stock, 25lbs., upgraded 23.9lbs.) aside; the fast handling in the singletrack, the superb climbing, its durability and its versatility on the road make it an easy choice for anybody looking for a top-knotch bike, at a low price. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adrian Seah
a weekend warrior
from MI, Ann Arbor
Date Reviewed: December 18, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Great bike. Handles like a dream. In and out, back and forth, I try my hardest to fall off but I just can't. It is one of the most responsive bicycles that I have ever ridden. I enjoy its crisp response but at the same time I enjoy how the bike flows through curves and handles the hills. Good BIKE!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rudi Riet
a cross-country rider
from Middletown, CT
Date Reviewed: October 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have the 1997 model, and it seriously rocks. The shortcomings of the past, like the shoddy wheelset, have been corrected. The new wheelset is tops: Mavic 217 rims, DT butted spokes, WTB Velociraptor K tires, and White Indistries hub (front only; rear is XT 8-speed). The Manitou FS fork is sweet, too - it makes the still-very-stiff aluminum frame much more bearable on fast descents.The drivetrain is tops. The front end is a White Idustries crank (U.S. crank w/Sugino rings) and XT derailleur, with a straight XT rear and XT Rapidfire+ shift/brake levers. The XT V-brakes are tops, too. I swapped the VP clipless pedals for M737's, and I'm loving the peformance. As far as the Marin Lite componentry is concerned, I haven't yet encountered a problem in about 2 months of hardcore riding. The bars, bar-ends, post and stem are still going strong. The Ritchey saddle is a fine choice. I'm not to plussed on the colour combo (black frame, white fork), but it's sorta like the old Model T Ford (any colour you want, as long as it's black). The whole thing (19.5 frame) weighs in at 24.7 lbs, which is a wonderful weight. Put on some Specialized Turbo/S ATB tires for the road, adn you're down to around 24 even - a great, fast commuting rig.I used to ride a Slingshot (1991 model - stolen), which was a sweet ride, if a bit flexy for my tastes. I also rode a 1990 Marin Eldridge Grade, which wasn't nearly as fine as this ride, though it was a sweet bike for its day.I'd heartily recommend the Indian Fire Trail to anybody who desires a taut, responsive aluminum rig with top-end componentry at a bargain-level price. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith Yan
a downhiller
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: July 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The IFT is one of the best mass production hard tails around! I have a 94 IFT which I have used for anything from urban assults to Dh run's, and even now after 3 and a bit years of trashing, it's still going strong. Plus the frame is great for upgrading. Which you'd need to if you want things to hold up for a while. Switch all the Marin lite parts to other stuff, they are ok for like the first month or so, but after that they kinda lose out in performance. I heard the 96-97 Marin lite parts are better but I'd recomend that you switch them soon after you get one. Four stars: for the spec
Five stars: for the frame
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Noel
a weekend warrior
from Liverpool, England
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I just bought the frame and built the bike up with Q21r's, XT mechs & V-Brakes and (after reading dodgy wheel reviews!) 217's on XTR hubs. I've got a Muirwoods too and the difference is phenomenal! I agree with the guy who was going on about shaking you teeth out, but this bike is quick.....sadly, i think everyone will be buying rift zones/mount visions from now on, so it might even become a collectors item! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard J Burgess
a cross-country rider
from england
Date Reviewed: July 13, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Indian Fire Trail
I have been riding marin bikes for 10 years and now I have the best, quite simply
a frill to ride. Well worth that little extra CASH>>>>> | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Barnes
a cross-country rider
from Aberdeen, Scotland
Date Reviewed: July 11, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a '93 IFT in 1993 (when else?) and rode it unmodified for a year on unforgiving routes in the Scottish highlands. This is a really stiff frame and shakes the shit out of you on loose downhills. It is second to none on the climbs, the tight rear triangle and low weight make it really shift, especially when you have to get out of your saddle - a delight to an ex-roadie. I eventually trashed the head tube on a hard ride (a 1.5 inch split from the bottom headset bearing) but the nice folks at Dales cycles gave me a shiny new frame (94 model). I immediately bought Manitou 3 front suspension/ Tioga Alchemy aheadset/Control Tech Stem , upgraded the front brakes (XTR cantis) and built some new wheels (Mavic rims, Hope Ti rear hub, Shocktech Carbon Fibre front suspension hub, DT spokes). This sorted out most of the shortfalls the bike had, most surprising was the difference in stopping power the XTR cantis have over the XTs (I can't explain this!). I still have XT cantis on the rear and they are lousy! The bike is still going strong, doing about 2000 miles per year and though I may upgrade to a Quake 9 (if wife/child/dog let me) I'd be sorry to see this bike go - its a joy to ride, you won't find a better frame geometry on any bike. Shame about the shitty rear brakes though - they just don't bite. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven
a racer
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: July 7, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought my IFT about a year and a half ago. Since I am getting a new bike I thought now is a good time to review it for you.This was my first real mountain bike and it definitely met or exceeded my expectations. This bike is an awesome climber. It is either the geometry or the stiff frame or both but it just flies up hills. The components are good. Mine came with a Judy XC fork and an XT, ritchey, White Industries mix along with Marin Lite. Most of these components held up really well though I must admit that I upgraded to Vbrakes and a better seat pretty quickly.This bike is perfect for someone who is a beginner to intermediate rider or weekend warrior, who doesn't want to spend a ton of cash, and wants a stiff frame. This bike is probably not suited to someone planning on doing serious mileage and/or racing.Pros: Good components for the price range. XT, Judy XC, Ritchey, Marin Lite, White all took a beating. Great climbing bike. Performs great on flat singletrack. Goes where you point it. Fair price. Decent weight (about 25lbs). Looks great.Cons: STIFF frame. It can beat you up on long technical rides (although this very trait make the bike go where you point it and clinb like a demon. Maybe a suspension seatpost?). Very skittish on downhills. I never felt comfortable riding this bike on loose downhills. The wheels are marginal. Mine never stayed true. Try to convince the dealer to put better wheels on your bike if possible. And replace the &*@$^ seat post binder or the seat will slip down on you regularly (Salsa makes an awesome one). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robin Theriault
a weekend warrior
from Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 1, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Got my Marin last year. Seems everybody here had to redo their wheels, i upgraded them as well(Kept only the rims) and also put Vbrakes on (Took me weeks to get used to, very good for exploring the space that lies beyond the handlebars). I love the responsive ride, the lightness, whether i'm in Montreal on slicks or riding Mt-Tremblant with friends. Now i'm thinking of putting Girvins on it, as my downhilling friends jump over my retro ass, but hey, i laugh at them bio-pacing their way uphill. Seriously, i think a good suspension is the only thing missing on my rig, and i saw Marin's crew fixed that in this year's release. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Poverud
a cross-country rider
from Yokota AB, Japan
Date Reviewed: March 31, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a Marin Rocky Ridge (Indian Fire Trail is just up spec'd) mail order from Supergo (I'm in Japan, and local bike shops prices are astronomical). Anyway, the bike came rigid, so I had Supergo add a '97 Judy XC for a very attractive price. It took Supergo a while to ship it (I think around a month), but I eventually got it and assembled it - promptly taking it to the trails. First impressions were favorable. The Marin Quake tires were better than
average, the frame's geometry seemed spot-on, the Marin Lite brakes (look
like close copies of Avid Tri-aligns) matched to Ritchey pads and Avid 2.0
levers did a very competent, if not spectacular, job. But after a ride or two, I encountered some problems. First the rear wheel
came badly out of true. Several spokes had come so loose that they were
just rattling around in their nipples. Upon closer inspection, the wheel gave
every indication of being assembled by a three-year-old with a pair of vice
grips and a butter knife. I mean, the nipples were just torn to Hell. Most
were totally rounded out, and one was actually ripped in half - with part of it
sliding up and down the spoke. Although I felt this was a glaring lapse in
Marin's quality control, I wasn't too eager to ship the wheel back across the
Pacific and wait for something to happen with Supergo, so I purchased some
new nipples from the local bike shop, swapped the massacred set out, and
haven't had any problems since.Shortly afterwards, the Ritchey Vantage seat started to take a terminal
list to the starboard side. I weigh 175lbs and don't consider myself hard on
equipment, but the rails just didn't seem up to the task. This saddened me a
little, because Tom Ritchey is somebody I admire a lot - I hate to see his
name on a substandard part. I replaced it with a Bontrager C30, which seems
to be working fine.Right from the start the seatpost had wanted to slip down into the seat tube
during a ride. I kept clamping it tighter and tighter...tried removing all the
grease, and clamping harder yet. That solved the slipping for a while, but the
thing emanated the most wretched creaking sound. With the sound becoming
unbearable, I regreased it and got serious with the clamp. Of course the
clamp stripped out, and of course it waited until I was about 10 miles from
home. Back to the local bike shop...new clamp, no problem.Then there's the head set. This unit is a DiaTech made by the Dia-Compe
folks in Taiwan. I haven't had any luck keeping this thing adjusted. Whatever
money Marin saved by spec'ing this part just couldn't be worth the hassles
it's going to give it's dealers. It's about ready to go the way of the seat,
seatpost clamp, decals, and nipples.It may sound like I hate this bike, and while some of the spec and quality
control hasn't been nearly adequate, I still like it. Certainly, it hadn't been
put together with thought and care that my last bike had been (Cannondale
Killer V), but it handles great on everything, climbs like Carter-era inflation,
and is reasonably light. I'll give it three stars - Great bike, with lousy quality control. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shane Taylor
a cross-country rider
from Auckland,New Zealand
Date Reviewed: February 21, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
l purchased my 96 I.F.Trail while working for a bike shop in London so l had had lots of choice,bought as a frame set with Maguras,Middleburn chainset
(which l must add are too soft and too weak)Pace MXCD forks and 121 rims
l still just love the bike,back in NZ the riding is more severe but it still
keeeps up with the best of them,light and direct,throw away any Marin Lite bits
though as they'll only break at the worst moment.Thumbs Up from me | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mr Lin Zuyi
a weekend warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: February 17, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I waited almost two months for my '95 IFT then, due to the Kobei earth quake, Then when I finally arrived. I have my components fixed up(I bought just the Frame).
This bike is really cool, rear end flex is virtually non-existance, thanx to the CNC yoke. I had mine build up with Mavic 217 rims/XTR/DT combo. And a load of XTR stuffs. I've also just purchased the Judy DH fork, and had my IFT frame 2K coated in racy yellow.
I'm a 240 pounder, and a crazy rider with the need for some air-time! But I must say that Both the Wheelset and the Frame held up really well! If U must ask the onlt penalty to the bike is the weight! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Damon Farrar
a weekend warrior
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: November 8, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I own a '93 Indian Fire Trail (purchased at Adventure Bicycle Co. in Mesa, AZ). I would have to agree with all the reviews of the new bikes in that the wheels on mine were fragile when I purchased it. However,those fragile wheels held up until September '96 when i finally tacoed the back one bunny hopping a curb. anyway, it still got me home, though the wheel was trashed and a local shop (Full Cycle) fixed the rear wheel for me. I did order a new wheelset from Winkel Wheel (Kent, WA) but I have no real complaints about my bike. For the price I do wish that it came with a front shock (which I still have not upgraded). This bike will take any punishment you can give it. I don't consider myself any more than a barney that can barely ride, but I highly recommend this bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Seymour
a racer
from Southampton - Britain
Date Reviewed: November 3, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought just the frame on its own, and we've been together now for just under a year! It's a classic frame, and the box section and CNC'd yoke are both trick and functional. Okay, so it's not superlight but you know its going to withstand almost every thing you can throw at it. And even if it does break, Marin's no-quibble warranty on frames mean that you will soon have another. I also really like the new down-sized tubes, although the seat tube internal diameter is a bit of an odd size (30.0). It's a pitty they've discontinued the box section and CNC'd yoke this year - I thought it was what set it apart from a lot of other bikes in that price bracket. In short an excellent frame! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Pace
a
from cross-country rider
Date Reviewed: October 15, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Love this bike, Judy XC with Judd springs up front, rebuilt front wheel with DT spokes, rear is now a King hub with 217's, ridden hard for two years. Brakes are a pain to adjust but WILL WORK... Bike is light and goes where you point it, best ridden light | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TIMOTHY RUSSELL
a cross-country rider
from BELLEVUE, WA. USA
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Excellent bike! I agree with the prior reviews, even down to the garbage rims and nipples. Mavic 217's with DT spokes and blue alloy nipples corrected the weak points. Purchased with a mag 21 sl titanium shock, DO NOT BUY WITHOUT THINKING OF FRONT SHOCK!
This bike allows you to feel everything you ride over but, it is the best climber I have ridden. Upgraded to a W.I. speed racer rear hub and W.I ti bottom bracket to acheive sub 25 poundage. Next upgrade is new brakes, they did not stop me in time to avoid
breakin my wrist. The bike survived 7+ drop off with no marks. The brakes are impossible to tune. Also, went to ride-on cables. I ride the cascade foothills and numerous single track trails in the seattle area. The bike rides itself, if the person can
hang onto the bike it will steer itself out of many obstacles. The bike has been worth the purchase price and the upgrades. The bike has been changed to grip shift in 96, cheaper and lighter, remember the rims and nipples. Overall, a four chili bike...be a
five if Marin or the consumer corrects the negs. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a racer
from Denver, CO. USA
Date Reviewed: June 21, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Bike Purchased:
Indian Fire Trail
Manitou 4
Grip Shift
Paul Brake Levers
I'm an X-Trek Carbon 9900 and Cannondale (Bandits Stole both!) rider. The Marin is a good solid frame with very light manners. A good bike if your a bit long in the body. I would not recommend for short torso individuals. I agree with the individuals above, especially about the wheels. Great rims, suck nipples. I had to re-build my wheels with DT nipples (blue anodized of course). All in all, with the upgrades I did GREAT BIKE. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christian
a cross-country rider
from Frankfurt, Germany
Date Reviewed: April 12, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I agree with Andreas review, with the exception that my brakes especially
the front brakes work pretty poor. Great bike, needs at least front suspension though.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andreas
a weekend warrior
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: March 12, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Great bike! Incredibly light. Easy acceleration. Comes with good parts,
especially the MarinLite brakes (good imitation of Onzas), White
Industries hubs and crank, seat, etc. Minuses - rims, spokes, and spoke
nipples are too weak.
| | Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 1239.00
