Marin Hawk Hill 1 Review
- Price: $1599
- Frame: Aluminum
- Tires: Vee Tire, Crown Gem 27.5×2.3″
- Gear: 1×10
What we like about it: It has perfect suspension and front and rear balance and is more comfortable to ride.
What we don’t like about it: Not having a dropper may not be enough for some riders going downhill.
Rating: (4.6/5)
Riding recklessly through the woods has always been popular. In my imagination, the sunlight pouring through the gaps in the leaves and riding through the smell of the woods is very comfortable and pleasurable. So I found this Marin Hawk Hill 1, and I hope this tremendous full-suspension woodland bike will give me that experience.
Below, we will analyze the riding experience, key features, components, and specifications as well as other versions of the bike. And at the end of the review, we will also compare several best bike models. If you want to know more about bike reviews, don’t hesitate to follow us.
Riding Experience
The Marin Hawk Hill 1 is a great full-suspension forest bike. I wanted to ride this bike to overcome every obstacle on the road. So, I bought a ticket on Skyscanner, booked a hotel, and came to Rain Forest Adventures Costa Rica Pacific.
At Rain Forest Adventures Costa Rica Pacific, we chose this route called Sendero 1. It is a relatively long descent, with each part rather large and the trail challenging at 2km in length. The road is mainly forested with short exposed sections, relatively narrow, uneven, and with a lot of gravel and dead branches. I think driving on this road is still a big challenge for newbies.
Off-road Riding
On a sunny day after a rain, as I drove along a quiet forest route, I felt a significant reduction in rear wheel vibration thanks to the X-Fusion O2 Pro R. In addition, the 130mm RockShox Recon RL fork reduces the huge impact from the ground when jumping or landing, resulting in a very stable landing. The Vee Tire also provides excellent grip, and I can grab the Marin Mini-Riser and drive the bike without coming off, even after taking maximum impact.
Also, thanks to my experience and 66.5° head angle, when I made a sharp turn on this road, which is very difficult on narrow roads, I was able to slowly change direction. I was always worried about danger on such narrow roads, but this bicycle with Shimano BR-MT201 Hydraulic Disc was ready to go, and I was prepared to brake to avoid hitting trees.
Also, the Marin Alloy saddle helps me find the proper seating position whether I’m turning, accelerating, or decelerating.
Is that all?
The Vee Tire excels at handling gravel and wet surfaces. A 27.5 x 2.3″ tire will travel well on both surfaces. I drove the bike on gravel roads, and it didn’t feel too bumpy. The Marin Speed Concept helped take the pressure off my hips. I didn’t feel a lot of stiffness in my hips during the entire descent.
In addition, even on wet roads, the 2.3″ tire width supports easily on very soft surfaces and does not sink. Even on snow or dry sand, I can pass through without any hindrance.
Overall, the Marin Hawk Hill 1 is an excellent full-suspension forest road bike, and I was impressed with how I could immerse myself in the woods the entire ride.
Specification
The Marin Hawk Hill 1 is an excellent full-suspension forest road bike. On short rides, it is very responsive and has incredible agility with its 650b wheels.
The bike also has a 6061 aluminum frame with internal alignment, a low-slung top tube, and a small rocker link driving a vertically-orientated shock. Aluminum frames allow the bike to be both lighter and stronger.
On top of that, the X-Fusion 02 Pro shock works very well with its single-pivot MultiTrac suspension to give the rider a smooth and supportive feel. In addition, the Marin Speed Concept also provides the rider with a very comfortable seating position.
Video
Other versions
After many tests, we know this bike even better. It’s a perfect hardtail trail bike.
However, many riders have their own requirements for its performance or components, so we found the same type of bike for further comparison.
Marin Hawk Hill 3
The geometry of the two bikes is identical, but the Marin Hawk Hill 3 has a traditional 1×12 system that offers a better range and smoother shifting than the Marin Hawk Hill 1’s 1×10 drivetrain. Also, the Marin Hawk Hill has a dropper seatpost, which lowers the seat post on downhills to prevent obstructing the rider’s ride.
In addition, the tires on the Marin Hawk Hill 3 are Vee Tire Co, Flow Snap, 27.5×2.35″, which are wider than the Vee Tire, Crown Gem 27.5×2.3″ on the Marin Hawk Hill 1. The wider tires allow riding on softer sand or snow and will enable you to ride on softer sand or snow and avoid sinking tires.
Also, the Marin Hawk Hill 3 is almost $1100 more expensive than the Marin Hawk Hill 1. So if you are on a budget, the Marin Hawk Hill 1 will be a better choice for you.
What do we like about it?
- With excellent suspension and front and rear balance, riding is more comfortable.
- RockShox’s latest Recon fork offers 130mm of bounce for effective shock absorption.
- The 35mm handlebars bring the handlebars closer to my knees, and the steering ability is excellent.
- Have better agility in climbing or sprinting and can get more pleasure.
What don’t we like about it?
- Not having a dropper may not be sufficient for some riders on their downhill.
FAQs
- Is the Marin Hawk Hill 1 suitable for beginners?
Both beginners and experienced riders can handle it well.
- What is the braking system of Marin Hawk Hill 1?
The braking system of Marin Hawk Hill 1 is Shimano BR-MT201 Hydraulic Disc.
- Does the Marin Hawk Hill 1 have a water bottle holder?
The Marin Hawk Hill 1 is equipped with a water bottle holder to keep the rider hydrated.
- How to choose the right size?
The size chart for the Marin Hawk Hill 1 is as follows:
These sizes are only a general guide. The true fit may vary from person to person, and the easiest way to find your size is the best way to go for a test ride.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 5’1″ – 5’5″ | XS |
| 5’4″ – 5’8″ | SM |
| 5’4″ – 5’8″ | MD |
| 5’9″ – 6’2″ | LG |
| 6’0″ – 6’4″ | XL |
Specs
Build
| Frame | Series 3 6061 Aluminum Frame, 27.5 Wheels, 120mm Travel, MultiTrac Suspension Platform, 141 Boost Spacing (upgradable to 148×12), 73mm Threaded BB w/ ISCG05 Tabs BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded |
| Fork | RockShox Recon RL 27.5″, 130mm Travel, Solo Air, Compression and Rebound Adjustment, Alloy Tapered Steerer, Fast Black Uppers, 110x15mm Boost Spacing. Maxle Stealth, 42mm Offset |
| Rear Shock | X-Fusion O2 Pro R, Custom Tune, 210x50mm, 25mm x M8 Hardware Top and Bottom |
| Bottom Bracket | External Sealed Cartridge Bearings |
| Headset | FSA No 57E, Semi-Sealed Cartridge Bearings, 1 1/8″ x 1 1/2 |
| Stem | Marin 3D Forged Alloy, 35mm |
| Handlebar | Marin Mini-Riser, 6061 Double Butted Aluminum, 780mm Width, 28mm rise, 5º Up, 9º Back |
| Saddle | Marin Speed Concept |
| Seatpost | Marin Alloy, 30.9mm |
| Pedals | Marin Plastic Stock Pedals |
| Grips | Marin MTN, Closed End |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore Shadow Plus Direct Mount 10-Speed |
| Crank | Marin Forged Alloy 1×10, Hollow Spindle, Steel Narrow-Wide 32T Chainring, 76mm BCD |
| Shifters | Shimano Deore 1×10-Speed |
| Cassette | SunRace 10-Speed, 11-46T |
| Chain | KMC X10 |
| Brakes | Shimano BR-MT201 Hydraulic Disc, 180mm Rotor |
| Brake Levers | Shimano BR-MT201 Hydraulic Disc |
Wheels
| Rims | Marin, Double Wall Alloy, 29mm Inner, Pinned Joint, Disc Specific, 32H, Tubeless Compatible |
| Spokes | 14g Black Stainless Steel |
| Front Hub | Forged Alloy, 110x15mm, 6-Bolt Disc, 32H |
| Rear Hub | Forged Alloy, 141x9mm, Quad Sealed Bearings, 6-Bolt Disc, 32H, Standard Freehub Body |
| Tires | Vee Tire, Crown Gem 27.5×2.3″, Dual Control Compound, Folding Bead |
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Click to view | Tires | Driveline | Frame material | Components |
| Giant Stance 29 1 | Click View | Maxxis Forekaster 29×2.35 | 1×12 | Aluminum | SRAM SX Eagle |
| Canyon Neuron 6 | Click View | Schwalbe Nobby Nic 29×2.4″ | 1×12 | Aluminum | Shimano SLX |
| Santa Cruz CHAMELEON DMX / Aluminum | Click View | Maxxis Minion DHF 29×2.5″ | 1×12 | Aluminum | SRAM SX Eagle, NX Eagle |
| Cannnondale Trail Womens SE 3 | Click View | WTB Breakout, 29×2.3″ | 1×11 | Aluminum | Shimano Deore,FSA |
Marin Hawk Hill 1 vs Giant Stance 29 1
The Giant Stance 29 1 has a 1×12 SRAM SX Eagle derailleur with a better range and smoother shifts than the Marin Hawk Hill 1’s 1×10 Shimano Deore Shadow Plus Direct Mount 10-Speed derailleur.
Moreover, Giant Stance 29 1 has a wheel size of 29″, which is larger than the 27.5″ of Marin Hawk Hill 1. The larger wheel size will make the bike more passable, while the smaller wheel size will make the bike more agile.
In short, if you want a wider range of derailleurs and smoother shifting, the Giant Stance 29 1 is for you; And if you like a nimble bike, the Marin Hawk Hill 1 is for you.
Learn More: Is Giant Stance 29 2 Worth Buying? [ Review]
Marin Hawk Hill 1 vs Canyon Neuron 6
The Canyon Neuron 6 has 140mm front and 130mm rear travel, more than the Marin Hawk Hill 1’s 130mm front and 120 mm rear travel. The former has better damping, and the rider can get a more comfortable ride.
In addition, the Canyon Neuron 6 is available in 27.5″ and 29″ sizes, giving riders more options. It also has an Iridium Dropper seatpost, which can lower the height of the seatpost when going downhill to avoid hindering the ride.
In short, if you’re not on a budget, the cheaper Marin Hawk Hill 1 may be more suitable for you. Meanwhile, Canyon Neuron 6 will be your better choice if you want better shock absorption.
Learn More: Is Canyon Roadlite 6 Worth Buying? [Canyon Roadlite 6 Review]
Marin Hawk Hill 1 vs Santa Cruz CHAMELEON DMX / Aluminum
The Marin Hawk Hill 1 is a full-suspension bike with 120mm rear travel, while the Santa Cruz CHAMELEON DMX / Aluminum is a hardtail suspension bicycle with no rear travel. The Hill 1 has more advantages, with a 27.5″ wheel size and 66.5° head tube angle to make the bike more flexible, while the Santa Cruz CHAMELEON DMX / Aluminum has a 29″ wheel size with more passability.
The stack/reach ratio of the Santa Cruz CHAMELEON DMX / Aluminum is 1.37, greater than the 1.28 of the Marin Hawk Hill 1. The rider will be more comfortable on the Santa Cruz CHAMELEON DMX / Aluminum. So if you want a more comfortable ride, the Santa Cruz CHAMELEON DMX / Aluminum is perfect for you. And if you want full suspension, I recommend the Marin Hawk Hill 1.
Learn More: Is Santa Cruz CHAMELEON A Good Bike? [Santa Cruz CHAMELEON Review]
Marin Hawk Hill 1 vs Cannnondale Trail Womens SE 3
The Cannnondale Trail Womens SE 3 has a Premium SmartForm C2 alloy frame and RockShox Judy Silver TK 120mm fork. It is also equipped with Shimano Deore 11-speed shifting, Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes, and TranzX dropper seatpost.
The Marin Hawk Hill 1 has a Series 3 6061 Aluminum Frame and Shimano Deore Shadow Plus 10-speed drivetrain and its RockShox Recon RL 27.5″, 130mm fork, with solo air for effective shock absorption. Shimano BR-MT201 hydraulic disc brakes can effectively protect the rider’s safety.
In short, the prices of both bikes are basically the same, and riders would do well to buy the right bike for their needs.
Summary
These are our full reviews of the Marin Hawk Hill 1. It is a very good full-suspension forest bike that riders can ride freely on the trails. Overall we give it a 4.7 out of 5.
Of course, if you’re interested in exploring other full-suspension forest bikes, we have reviewed a variety of bikes at different price points that you might find interesting. Feel free to check out our other reviews as well.
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