Marin Alpine Trail E1 Review
- Price: $4,899
- Frame: Aluminum
- Fork: RockShox Recon Silver RL
- Wheels: 27.5”/29” Aluminum
- Drivetrain: 1×10
What we like about it: 150mm rear travel and 160mm front travel have good shock performance.
What we don’t like about it: Only one color option, not friendly to some riders who prefer other colors.
Rating: (4.8/5)
The Marin Alpine Trail E1 is a high-performance, full-suspension enduro electric bike that definitely goes above and beyond your expectations, scoring well on climbs, descents and flats.
It is an all-round versatile electric bike that combines jumping and stability, shock absorption and abrasion resistance.
Below, we will analyze the riding experience, key features, components, and specifications as well as other versions of this bike.
Additionally, 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
Ever since Marin launched the Marin Alpine Trail series of electric bikes, I’ve been eager to get my hands on one and test it out.
I finally unboxed the Marin Alpine Trail E1 not long ago and was so excited that I booked a flight and hotel on Skyscanner to Whistler Mountain Bike Park, Canada for a thrilling ride.
With over 80 kilometers of trails and rides descending to over 3,000 feet, enthusiasts of all levels will find something to enjoy. Follow my ride to find out!
Climbing
I fully charged the Marin Alpine Trail E1 before my ride and I found that its BT-8035, Internal 504Wh battery had a large capacity and good range, which provided an effective escort for my riding trip.
At the beginning of the ride, the different types of travel in the dropper seatpost configuration facilitated me to raise the seat tube height, thus bringing my center of gravity upwards and promoting forward acceleration on the climb.
In addition, the Shimano 1×10 drivetrain, consisting of a Shimano 38T cassette and Shimano Deore M4100-10 10-speed 11-46T flywheel, enjoyed 10 different climbing speeds and had its own solution for different hills, offering a good climbing experience on both gentle and steep hills.
In addition, the 28mm Rise, 5°Up, 9°Back handlebars with an upward lift angle created clear, confident handling.
As I rode, I reached the top of the hill, and then it was time to descend.
Decline
Before I went down the hill, I adjusted the angle of the dropper seatpost downward, in order to maintain a stable chassis.
I admit I like the combination of the Marin Alpine Trail E1’s 29×2.5-inch front wheel and 27.5×2.8-inch rear wheel configuration, which provided great stability and grip without too much friction leading to unduly rolling resistance.
In addition, the braking system, Shimano MT420, 4-Piston Hydraulic Disc Brake, 203mm Rotor and Shimano MT4100 Hydraulic Lever showcased very effective and timely brake braking, bringing a silky-smooth and mature braking experience in a short distance.
Finally, I have to compliment the fork and rear shock. 160mm of RockShock 35 Gold RL fork travel made the Marin Alpine Trail E1 land more smoothly on descents, and 150mm of RockShock Super Deluxe Coil R rear shock travel soaked up bumps and prevented tailspin at the rear of the electric bike.
I love the performance of the Marin Alpine Trail E1! It’s a really surprising full-suspension enduro electric bike to me!
Specification
The Marin Alpine Trail E1 is a full-suspension enduro electric bike with mid- to high-end components.
It has a flame-like Red / Black Charcoal paint body that makes it visually striking.
Geometrically, the aggressive geometry allows the rider to bring the rider a violent experience of accelerated riding.
The longer wheelbase adds stability to the chassis with the Marin Alpine Trail E1’s jumping performance, preventing the bike from not having enough grip.
In terms of performance, the Marin Alpine Trail E1 has 160mm of RockShox 35 Gold RL fork travel and 150mm of RockShock Super Deluxe Coil R rear shock travel, which gives the bike excellent shock and cushioning.
The Shimano 1×10 drivetrain, consisting of a Shimano 38T cassette and Shimano Deore M4100-10 10-speed 11-46T flywheel, has 10 climbing speeds, giving me a good climbing experience on both gentle and steep hills.
In addition, the Shimano MT420, 4-Piston Hydraulic Disc Brake, 203mm Rotor and Shimano MT4100 Hydraulic Lever provide very effective and timely braking.
29×2.5″ front wheel and 27.5×2.8″ rear wheel combine to provide a perfect balance between speed and stability.
The Marin Alpine Trail E1 uses a BT-8035, Internal 504Wh battery, with good capacity and range. In addition, the Shimano 250W 60Nm mid-drive motor is lower-maintenance and less-noisy.
Video
What do we like about it? (Battery Motor)
- Configuration of the Seatpost Dropper: The design of the drip tube sitting bar greatly facilitates the adjustment of the seat tube height.
- Radical geometry: The radical geometry makes the ride feel more jumpy, which contributes to a more powerful acceleration and pedaling.
- Good Braking System: Shimano’s hydraulic discs and brake levers have a flexible and timely responsiveness, making the braking distance shorter and the efficiency greatly enhanced.
- Climbing Powerful Drivetrain: Shimano 1×10’s drivetrain delivers amazing climbing power on complex terrain.
- Excellent Travel: The Marin Alpine Trail E1 has 160mm of RockShox 35 Gold RL fork travel and 150mm of RockShock Super Deluxe Coil R rear shock travel, which gives the whole bike excellent cushioning.
What don’t we like about it?
- With only one color choice, it is difficult to satisfy everyone’s needs.
FAQ
- Who is this bike for?
People who pursue speed and violent riding; people who demand performance and convenience; people who demand high shock effect.
- What sizes does the bike come in?
It is available in four sizes, so riders can choose according to their actual needs.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| SM | 5’2″ – 5’7″ |
| MD | 5’5″ – 5’11” |
| LG | 5’9″ – 6’3″ |
| XL | 6’1″ – 6’4″ |
- What other versions of the Marin Alpine Trail E1 series are available?
Here we provide you with a comparison of other versions. You do not necessarily have to follow this standard. The best way to find the most suitable model is to test ride.
| BIKE | PRICE | FRAME | FORK | TRAVEL | BRAKES | DRIVETRAIN |
| Marin Alpine Trail E1 | $4,899 | Aluminum | RockShox 35 Gold RL | 160mm front 150mm rear | Hydraulic Disc | 1 × 10 |
| Marin Alpine Trail E2 | $6,299 | Aluminum | Fox Performance Elite Float 38 | 160mm front 150mm rear | Hydraulic Disc | 1 × 12 |
Specs
Build
| Frame | All New Series 4 Alloy Frame, 150mm Multitrac suspension, Integrated Battery/On-switch/Charging Port, 148mm Rear Thru-Axle, Built-in Rear Speed SensorColor: Red / Black Charcoal |
| Fork | RockShock 35 Gold RL 29″, Motion Control Damper, 160mm Travel, Maxle Stealth Axle, 44mm Offset |
| Rear Shock | RockShock Super Deluxe Coil R, Rebound Adjustment, 205x65mm, 25mmxM8 Lower Hardware, S/M Spring Rate = 300lb, L/XL Spring Rate = 400lb |
| Headset | FSA No 57, 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 eMTB Saddle |
| Seatpost | TranzX, YSP23JL, 1x Remote, Size S 125mm Travel, Size M and L 150mm Travel, Size XL 170mm Travel, 30.9mm |
| Pedals | Marin MTB Plastic |
| Grips | Marin Single Clamp Locking |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore 5100 Direct Attachment, 10-Speed |
| Front Derailleur | – |
| Crank | Marin Forged Alloy 165mm Length, Narrow Wide 38T Chainring, e13 Plus Chain guide, Aluminum Plate |
| Shifters | Shimano Deore M4100-R, I-Spec EV, 10-Speed |
| Cassette | Shimano Deore M4100-10 10-speed 11-46T |
| Chain | KMC X-10E, EBike Specific, Silver |
| Brakes | Shimano MT420, 4-Piston Hydraulic Disc Brake, 203mm Rotor |
| Brake Levers | Shimano MT4100 Hydraulic Lever, I-Spec EV Compatible |
Wheels
| Rims | Front: Marin Aluminum Double Wall, 29″ Diameter, 32mm Inner Rim Width, Pinned Joint, Disc Specific, Tubeless Compatible; Rear: Marin Aluminum Double Wall, 27.5″ Diameter, 38mm Inner Rim Width, Pinned Joint, Disc Specific, Tubeless Compatible Wall, 27.5″ Diameter, 38mm Inner Rim Width, Pinned Joint, Disc Specific, Tubeless Compatible |
| Spokes | 14g Black Stainless Steel |
| Front Hub | Shimano MT-410B, 110x15mm, Centerlock Disc, 32H |
| Rear Hub | Shimano HB-MT400B, 148x12mm, Centerlock Disc, Standard Freehub Body |
| Tires | Front: Vee Tire Co Attack HPL, 29×2.5″, Top 40 Tubeless Compatible, Rear: Vee Tire Co Crown Gem, 27.5×2.8″, TACKEE Compound, Tubeless Compatible |
Electric Components
| Motor | Shimano STEPS E7000, 250W, 60Nm |
| Battery | BT-8035, Internal 504Wh |
| Remote | SC-E7000 Display |
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Click View | Tires | Driveline | Frame material | Components |
| Trek Rail 5 Gen 3 | Click View | 29” Aluminum | 1 × 12 | Aluminum | Deore, e*thirteen, Shimano |
| Specialized Turbo Kenevo Comp | Click View | 27.5” Aluminum | 1 × 12 | Aluminum | GX Eagle, Praxis, SRAM |
| Cannondale Moterra Neo 5 | Click View | 29” Aluminum | 1× 10 | Aluminum | Deore, FSA, Shimano |
| CUBE STEREO HYBRID 140 HPC, PRO 625 | Click View | 27.5”/29” Aluminum | 1 × 11 | Carbon | Deore, Shimano |
Marin Alpine Trail E1 vs Trek Rail 5 Gen 3
I think the two cars are mainly different in terms of battery and drivetrain.
On the one hand, the Marin Alpine Trail E1 uses a newly upgraded 504 Wh battery that is the same size as the 630 Wh battery, making it easy to remove and replace the battery you want later.
Besides, the Trek Rail 5 Gen 3’s Removable Integrated Battery (RIB) system completely hides the battery in the frame for protection, allowing you to remove the battery without tools and install a water bottle cage.
On the other hand, the Trek Rail 5 Gen 3 has Shimano’s 1×12 drivetrain, with more speeds and better rear derailleur tension than the Marin Alpine Trail E1’s Shimano 1×10 drivetrain, and can handle more complex surfaces.
The Marin Alpine Trail E1 enjoys Shimano 1×10 climbing speeds, bringing lighter weight and more jumping performance.
Learn More: Is Trek Rail 5 A Good Bike? [2022 Trek Rail 5 Full Suspension Mountain E-Bike Review]
Marin Alpine Trail E1 vs Specialized Turbo Kenevo Comp
The Specialized Turbo Kenevo Comp is a bike that seeks high quality and high performance.
It is available in Satin Forest Green / Pine Green; Gloss Lagoon Blue / Black color schemes for a wider range of options.
The 180mm travel from the Marzocchi Bomber Z1 fork and the 180mm travel of the Fox Float X Performance Series rear shock have a higher level of cushioning.
But because of its high cost, the price is correspondingly a bit less friendly.
And while the Marin Alpine Trail E1 is a great-value-for-money electric bike, it doesn’t skimp on its quality at all.
It has 160mm of RockShox 35 Gold RL fork travel and 150mm of RockShock Super Deluxe Coil R rear shock travel, which makes the whole bike’s shock-absorption and cushioning effect more excellent.
The dropper seatpost design allows the rider to quickly and intelligently adjust the seat height without getting off the bike.
Marin Alpine Trail E1 vs Cannondale Moterra Neo 5
Both bikes are great performers. They both have motors that use Shimano’s 250W 60Nm mid-drive, which features low maintenance, low noise, and low power consumption.
Not only that, they also both boast Shimano’s 1×10 drivetrain, which is great for climbing.
In addition, the configuration of dropper seatpost and Shimano hydraulic discs brings amazing adjusting and braking performance to both bikes.
The difference lies mainly in their appearance: the Cannondale Moterra Neo 5 uses the Mantis color scheme, which is reminiscent of a powerful and fierce army; the Marin Alpine Trail E1’s Red / Black Charcoal paint job looks more like a blazing fire.
Riders with different color preferences may have different preferences for their appearance.
Marin Alpine Trail E1 VS CUBE STEREO HYBRID 140 HPC, PRO 625
The CUBE STEREO HYBRID 140 HPC, PRO 625 is a full-suspension enduro electric bike that is lighter and easier to carry and push.
It uses a lighter carbon fiber frame, which not only provides better propulsion but also absorbs road bumps.
The tubeless-compatible design eliminates the weight of the inner tube and is self-repairing with an internal self-repairing fluid.
Marin Alpine Trail E1 is an aluminum-bodied full-suspension enduro electric bike, not as light as CUBE STEREO HYBRID 140 HPC, PRO 625, but more friendly for people with a larger weight base.
When riding at high speed and on bumpy roads, too much pressure with a lightweight body may give people with a large base an uncontrolled floating feeling and prevent them from getting better stability.
Summary
This is our test of the Marin Alpine Trail E1. The Marin Alpine Trail E1 is a full-suspension enduro electric bike with more performance than you can imagine to suit your every need.
In our opinion, the Marin Alpine Trail E1 is an electric bike worth buying. All together we give it a high score of 4.8.
Of course, if you’re interested in exploring other similar 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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