Marin Lombard 1 Review
- Price: $1,089
- Frame: Aluminum
- Tires: 700c Aluminum
- Gear: 2 × 9
What we like about it: The internal alignment does not collect dirt easily.
What we don’t like about it: Only one kind of painting looks a bit monotonous.
Rating: (4.7/5)
The Marin Lombard 1 is an inexpensive but capable urban commuter bike with a sturdy aluminum frame and a relatively loose geometry, making it more comfortable and flexible than its counterparts.
Some people may still be a little skeptical about its price/performance ratio, so I thought I’d test it out in depth.
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
Commuting
The daily commute is where the Marin Lombard 1 really shines, and the Norco Indie 2 is much more rugged than other city commuters.
700Cx40mm Vee Tire Co. G-Sport tires may cause some loss of speed, but they certainly provide plenty of stability.
This is a plus for me, as my daily commute has some potholes that I can run right over on the Marin Lombard 1 without having to worry about a flat tire, and the wider outer tire absorbs some of the ground shock, making me more comfortable.
The Marin Beyond Road Concept saddle is soft and flexible, and the 27.2mm Marin Alloy seatpost provides good support and relieves hip and back fatigue from long commutes.
Uphill
Although I usually rode in the city, I couldn’t avoid some hills.
The Marin Lombard 1, made of a lightweight and durable 6061 Aluminum frame, was lightweight to carry and thus save energy.
Also, the Shimano Sora 2×9-Speed drivetrain gave me a big boost, with plenty of gears to meet my daily needs.
In addition, the smooth Vee Tire Co. G-Sport tire surface produced little resistance on dry pavement, but occasionally slipped when riding on wet pavement after rain.
Downhill
Compared to uphill, downhill was obviously much easier and less stressful.
But in the city, this could often be dangerous.
I once got an impromptu business trip, booked my flight on Skyscanner and rushed to the airport on my Marin Lombard 1, which is faster than a car in crowded rush hour.
As I passed a long downhill, I glanced anxiously at my watch, and when I looked up again, I nearly hit a car on the side of the road and squeezed the brakes.
Thankfully, the Mechanical Disc brakes worked well and stopped me in time.
I took a moment to catch my breath, and continued on my Marin Lombard 1.
Of course, I never got distracted from anything else on the bike.
Specification
The Marin Lombard 1 is available in a total of six aluminum frame sizes, all paired with 700Cx40mm wheelsets and wide clearance to accommodate up to 700Cx45mm tires for further stability.
The wide tires not only reduce the sensation of bumps from the road, but also provide excellent traction and comfort on multiple surfaces, while remaining fast and efficient.
In addition, the 18-speed, wide-range Shimano drivetrain is also strong enough to handle the challenges of all kinds of terrain, with the low level pulling gears and conquering steep slopes, and the high level greatly increasing the speed of cruising on flat roads.
Finally, the Mechanical Disc brakes on the Marin Lombard 1 stop the bike in time, providing better braking than the traditional Rim brakes. It is also reliable in rainy weather and on long descents.
Although not as effective as the braking of the Hydraulic Disc and a little more wear-and-tear, they are much easier to maintain.
Video
What do we like about it?
- Internal cable routing reduces the reliance on cable enclosures, thus reducing the weight of the bike.
- Rich installation points are very friendly to riders with long-distance needs.
- 6061 Aluminum alloy frame is lightweight and durable.
- The frame size is complete and can cope with a variety of different height of the rider’s choice.
What don’t we like about it?
- Only one color to choose from.
FAQs
- What about the tires on this bike?
The bike uses 700Cx40mm tires from Vee Tire Co. G-Sport, which provide good grip and also reduce the slight bumps from the road.
- Is it suitable for long-distance driving?
It features Commute Platform pedals for a nice pedal feel, and the Marin Beyond Road Concept saddle is also great for relieving hip fatigue for long distances.
- How do I choose the size of this bike?
It is friendly for riders of all heights, with 6 sizes to choose from. Here we provide you with a size chart, but of course you do not have to follow this standard. The best way to find the most suitable size is to test ride.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 5′ 0″-5’3″ | 49cm |
| 5’3″-5’6″ | 52cm |
| 5’6″-5’9″ | 54cm |
| 5’9″-6’0″ | 56cm |
| 6’0″-6’2″ | 58cm |
| 6’2″-6’4″ | 60cm |
Specs
Build
| Frame | Series 2 Lombard, 6061 Aluminum, 700C Wheels, Relieved Head Tube and BB, Internal Cable Routing, Disc Specific Forged Dropouts w/ Mudguard and Rack MountsColor: Satin Charcoal / Reflective Black |
| Fork | 6061 Aluminum, Straight-Blade, Post-Mount Disc |
| Bottom Bracket | Sealed Cartridge Bearings, Square Taper |
| Headset | FSA No.8B |
| Stem | Marin 3D Forged Alloy |
| Handlebar | Marin Butted Alloy, Compact 16º Flared Drop |
| Saddle | Marin Beyond Road Concept |
| Seatpost | Marin Alloy, 27.2mm |
| Pedals | Commute Platform |
| Grips | Marin Microfiber Tape |
Wheels
| Rims | Marin Aluminum Double Wall, 21mm Inner |
| Front Hub | Forged Aluminum Alloy, Disc, 32H |
| Rear Hub | Forged Aluminum Alloy, Disc, 32H |
| Tires | Vee Tire Co. G-Sport, 700Cx40mm, Puncture Protection |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Sora 9-Speed |
| Front Derailleur | Shimano Sora |
| Crank | Marin 3D Forged Alloy, 48/32T Chainrings, Ring Guard |
| Shifters | Shimano Sora 2×9-Speed |
| Cassette | Shimano HG-200, 11-34T |
| Chain | KMC X9 |
| Brakes | Mechanical Disc |
| Brake Levers | Shimano Sora 9-Speed STI |
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Click View | Frame material | Kits | Driveline | Tires |
| Jamis SEQUEL S3 | Click View | Steel | Shimano Altus, FSA | 1 × 9 | WTB Byway Tire with DNA compound, 650 x 47c |
| 2024 KHS URBAN XPRESS | Click View | Steel | Shimano CUES, microSHIFT | 2 × 9 | Kenda Kwick Journey, 700 x 35c w/K-Shield Anti-Puncture, 60TPI |
| Commençal FCB ESSENTIAL | Click View | Aluminum | SRAM GX Eagle, Rival | 1 × 12 | MAXXIS Rambler MAXXIS Rambler, 700 x 45c |
| Devinci Hex Deore 9S | Click View | Aluminum | Shimano Deore | 1 × 9 | Kenda Flintridge Pro | 700x35c |
Marin Lombard 1 vs Jamis SEQUEL S3
The Jamis SEQUEL S3’s solid color finish gives it a clean and tidy look, but the way the external cables are routed makes it more prone to dirt accumulation, especially since Jamis route the cables from the lower part of the downtube.
Still, as a city bike, the Jamis SEQUEL S3 won’t present too much of a cleanup pain if you usually only travel in sunny weather. Of course, you can also opt for the Marin Lombard 1 with its internal cable routing.
Also, the steel frame definitely adds to the weight of the Jamis SEQUEL S3, which can be a challenge for riders who need to go up hills frequently.
But if you’re looking for more speed, then the Hydraulic Disc brakes on the Jamis SEQUEL S3 are clearly superior in terms of performance and efficiency.
In short, if you need to brake a lot or want more security at high speeds, then the Jamis SEQUEL S3 might be better suited.
But if your riding route has a lot of uphill roads, the Marin Lombard 1 will make it a little easier for you.
Marin Lombard 1 VS KHS URBAN XPRESS
For those riders on a budget, the KHS URBAN XPRESS is a great choice.
The steel body and fork make the whole bike strong and durable enough, which of course inevitably adds some weight, but the steel frame also has some ability to absorb road vibration and can handle some minor bumps.
However, in terms of braking, the Marin Lombard 1’s Mechanical Disc brakes are more reliable than the KHS URBAN XPRESS’s Tektro 855AL, Aluminum Linear Pull’s Rim brakes for long descents and rainy weather.
In the end, both bikes are cost-effective products that have stood the test of time, and you can make the right choice based on your own conditions as well as road conditions.
Learn More: Is KHS URBAN SOUL Worth Buying? -[KHS URBAN SOUL Review]
Marin Lombard 1 vs Commençal FCB ESSENTIAL
Comparing the Marin Lombard 1 with the Commençal FCB ESSENTIAL, the two specialize in different areas.
Although both use a lighter weight aluminum frame, the geometry shows that the former is more casual and the latter is more focused on speed performance.
Geometrically, the Marin Lombard 1 has a higher Stack, thus providing a more upright riding position, which is a good choice for sedentary commuters or older riders.
For those seeking a more aggressive riding experience, you may want to choose the Commençal FCB ESSENTIAL.
In terms of drivetrain, the Commençal FCB ESSENTIAL’s 1×12 speed has fewer options than the Marin Lombard 1’s 2×9 speed, and is a little less capable of climbing, but less weight.
Considering the braking system, both bikes use mechanical disc brakes with similar braking capacity.
Finally, the Commençal FCB ESSENTIAL has a wider and thicker outer tube, which filters out small vibrations and is less prone to blowouts, while the Marin Lombard 1 has less rolling resistance and is lighter when riding.
Marin Lombard 1 vs Devinci Hex Deore 9S
First of all, the blue paint of the Devinci Hex Deore 9S really catches my eye.
Compared to the Marin Lombard 1, the other bike has a more sloping top tube, which not only looks a bit more dynamic, but also easier to get on and off.
The second thing that surprises me is that the Devinci Hex Deore 9S uses a Devinci Full Carbon fork, which on the one hand reduces the weight of the bike and on the other hand provides good support.
But obviously the aluminum fork of the Marin Lombard 1 is more able to withstand the impact.
Another point is that the Devinci Hex Deore 9S uses a higher level of Shimano Deore kit than the Marin Lombard 1.
Of course, the former Shimano Sora kit also has a good performance and does not feel much difference when driving on a flat surface.
Overall, both bikes have high cost performance and are good city bikes that you can choose according to your needs.
Summary
These are our tests of the Marin Lombard 1, which delivers a good riding experience at a moderate price.
In our opinion, the Marin Lombard 1 is a bike worth buying. All together we give it a high score of 4.7.
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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