[McMartinMark]

Hi, I am looking at a Trek Marlin 6 for my full size teen boy. (Hard tail, Suntour XCT 30 shock 100mm, Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc brake, 1x10, Shimano Deore M5210)

Mostly school/town riding, but we do some trail riding on Colorado and Utah single track. The Marlin 6 was recommended, especially at the price point of $800.

Some reviews I have seen have described it as very much a beginner's bike. One reviewer said not to take it on rocky single track. So, what is the concern here? Is it frame or component failure at risk?

When my son is ready for racing or big drops, he can buy his own performance mountain bike. When he has an extra $1,000 to spend, he can upgrade to an (entry level) full suspension.

I rode a hard tail RockHopper for years and it was fine for me (cue cranky old-school guy).

Until then, this seems like it will get him up and down some bony single track okay; and hopefully can go with him to college as his town bike.

Thoughts? Thanks.

 

[eb1888]

The main limitation is the fork. Inside the fork are plastic bushings. Those aren't metal like higher performing forks. Rocks and roots repeatedly cycle the stanchions and the plastic scores and begins to fail.
It has only a spring to set the sag. Air is better for adjustability. No adjustable rebound damper.
This'll get overwhemed easily hitting bumps at speed. Usually the rider needs to go heavy on the brakes.
And that brings up the next limitation. Poor strength brakes.
SLX brakes and a Suntour Epixon fork off ebay could add $300.

CRC/Wiggle has good Vitus bikes with air forks I'd pick instead.

Nucleus 29 VR Mountain Bike (2021)

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CRC lets you get on the notification list. 30mm inner rim width wheelset.

 

[J.B. Weld]

Gotta agree with eb, the biggest dog on that bike is the fork. Other than that it could be a decent starter bike for not too rowdy trail riding imo. The non-tubeless ready wheels are kind of a bummer too.

 

[749800]

If the cost is an issue, a quality used bike might be an alternative.

How old is the kid, and how into it is he?

You don't want to buy a kid a microscope with inferior optics to save money.

 

[eb1888]

This is the least expensive current bike Trek has for true trail riding.

Roscoe 7 | Trek Bikes

Discover your next great ride with Roscoe 7. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now!

www.trekbikes.com

And it has a poor performing air fork with a poor damper. Motion Control is junky. $1699.
A Ragley Big Al 1.0 has a very good performing Marzocchi(Fox owned) Z2 fork.

Ragley Big AL 1.0 Hardtail Bike - Red | Chain Reaction

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When bikes comes in stock, free delivery takes 4 days no tax.

 

[J.B. Weld]

This is the least expensive current bike Trek has for true trail riding.

My son has a buddy who does true trail riding on a Trek Verve hybrid. Ignorance is bliss.

 

[McMartinMark]

If the cost is an issue, a quality used bike might be an alternative.

How old is the kid, and how into it is he?

You don't want to buy a kid a microscope with inferior optics to save money.

He's 16 and doesn't do a lot of trail riding.
Local used is not much of an option, we are in a rural area and there is very little inventory. New or used.

 

[McMartinMark]

My son has a buddy who does true trail riding on a Trek Verve hybrid. Ignorance is bliss.

That's kind of where I am leaning. This bike is bird in hand. Let him have fun and use it up, and if the shocks or whatever fail eventually, we can upgrade then. Or maybe by then, he'll have the cash for an upgrade.

 

[McMartinMark]

This is the least expensive current bike Trek has for true trail riding.

Roscoe 7 | Trek Bikes

Discover your next great ride with Roscoe 7. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now!

www.trekbikes.com

And it has a poor performing air fork with a poor damper. Motion Control is junky. $1699.
A Ragley Big Al 1.0 has a very good performing Marzocchi(Fox owned) Z2 fork.

Ragley Big AL 1.0 Hardtail Bike - Red | Chain Reaction

Ragley Big AL 1.0 Hardtail Bike - Red - Lowest Prices and FREE shipping available from The World's largest online bike store - Chain Reaction Cycles

www.chainreactioncycles.com

When bikes comes in stock, free delivery takes 4 days no tax.

Thanks. I am old school enough that I really only looked at the old leading national brands. And face to face purchase to try it out. I could probably learn to broaden my horizons.

 

[DeoreDX]

Bike is held back mostly from Geometry, the fork, and brakes. Some others may disagree but it's not that I couldn't ride those rocky/rougher trails on a bike like the Marlin 6, I just couldn't do it at the speeds and comfort level I could with better geometry, brakes, and suspension. I'm sure there are plenty of trails in Colorado and Utah where Marlin 6 is more than enough bike. You can always be a bit more selective in trail selection. Or if there is a particular trail you want to ride, seek local knowledge as a lot of times 90% of the trail would be fine on less aggressive bike and there could be some bypasses or ways to avoid the big features you wouldn't want to tackle on a Marlin.

 

[eb1888]

A bike like the Marlin has its limitations. Make him aware of the limitations so he can be safe if you want to go with it. Suntour knows the fork is not for trails. They've setup an upgrade program for about $200 to take the fork out of service forever in exchange for a fork designed for trail riding. https://www.srsuntour.us/pages/upgrade-program

 

[749800]

He's 16 and doesn't do a lot of trail riding.
Local used is not much of an option, we are in a rural area and there is very little inventory. New or used.

Then what you have will be fine. If he outgrows it (physically or in terms of ambition) you won't take much of a loss.

 

[McMartinMark]

Bike is held back mostly from Geometry, the fork, and brakes. Some others may disagree but it's not that I couldn't ride those rocky/rougher trails on a bike like the Marlin 6, I just couldn't do it at the speeds and comfort level I could with better geometry, brakes, and suspension. I'm sure there are plenty of trails in Colorado and Utah where Marlin 6 is more than enough bike. You can always be a bit more selective in trail selection. Or if there is a particular trail you want to ride, seek local knowledge as a lot of times 90% of the trail would be fine on less aggressive bike and there could be some bypasses or ways to avoid the big features you wouldn't want to tackle on a Marlin.

Thanks. It's possible he might mature to that same sentiment at some point. But for now, he doesn't know what he doesn't know. So he'll skid around and bounce around and stick to his comfort level (whatever that might be God help us) and he's young enough not to care if his teeth get rattled.

 

[McMartinMark]

A bike like the Marlin has its limitations. Make him aware of the limitations so he can be safe if you want to go with it. Suntour knows the fork is not for trails. They've setup an upgrade program for about $200 to take the fork out of service forever in exchange for a fork designed for trail riding. https://www.srsuntour.us/pages/upgrade-program

That's good to know thanks