Marin Pine Mountain 1 Review
- Price: $1,499
- Frame: Steel
- Fork: RockShox Recon Silver RL
- Wheels: 29” Aluminum
- Drivetrain: 1×11
What we like about it: A record number of threaded eyelets brings much convenience to riders.
What we don’t like about it: There is only one colorway option, which is not friendly to some riders who prefer other colors.
Rating: (4.8/5)
The Marin Pine Mountain 1 is a hardtail trail bike with great performance.
It is painted in Gloss Grey / Silver/teal for a comfortable visual experience.
A record number of threaded eyelets brings much convenience to riders. In addition, its climbing and descending performance is also very good.
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
It’s always been a dream of mine to have a bike that performs well at a friendly price.
So once I got my hands on the Marin Pine Mountain 1, I couldn’t wait to see if it would perform as perfectly as I had hoped.
After seeing the spectacular terrain of Haleakala Volcano, Maui, Hawaii online, I immediately booked local flights and hotels on IHG Hotels & Resorts.
This time, I had to see it all!
Climbing
I started out on a flat road and found that the aggressive geometry of the Marin Pine Mountain 1 facilitated constant acceleration and as I rode, I came to a fork in the road and this was the secret place I was exploring.
Leaving the flat road, I turned my head up a steep uphill, and the Marin Pine Mountain 1’s straight handlebars were designed to handle well enough to allow me to turn the other way.
I have to say that the Shimano 1×11 drivetrain with 32T cassette and SunRace 11-Speed, 11-51T flywheel was a pleasant surprise, helping me to ride at the perfect speed on the different hills.
The 29×2.6-inch wheelset provided me with good grip, and my bike was able to stabilize the chassis without sliding off when climbing and experiencing steep surfaces.
Decline
The Haleakala Volcano has a complex and varied terrain, which was why I chose it as a test site.
Not only are there extensive roads, but there are countless uphill and downhill slopes to ride.
As I descended the Haleakala Volcano, the Shimano Deore hydraulic discs and brake levers on the Marin Pine Mountain 1 gave me very timely braking, allowing me to stop the bike in a very short distance.
In addition, the RockShox Recon Silver RL’s 120mm fork travel provided me with good cushioning on steep descents so that the bike didn’t hit the ground with a bang.
Another thing I really like is that the weather in Hawaii was really hot and dry and I needed to hydrate from time to time, and the Marin Pine Mountain 1 had an amazing number of holes in the frame to hold what I needed.
Haleakala Volcano, Maui, Hawaii has two routes to choose from, flat roads for those who prefer a leisurely ride, or steep uphill and downhill rides around the area for those who are interested in a more violent ride.
Still, either route is perfectly suited for the Marin Pine Mountain 1.
Specification
The Marin Pine Mountain 1 is a hardtail trail bike with a steel frame.
It’s loaded with mid- to high-end Deore components, including the Shimano Deore’s 1×11 drivetrain, which gives it 11 speed classes for climbing.
In addition, the Shimano MT400’s hydraulic discs and brake levers provide flexible and excellent braking; the RockShox Recon Silver RL fork’s 120mm travel offers effective cushioning.
Geometrically, the Marin Pine Mountain 1 uses a more aggressive geometry, which helps the rider maintain an aggressive position for higher speeds.
Visually, the Gloss Grey / Silver/teal paint job makes for a very comfortable ride; a record number of threaded eyelets brings much convenience to riders.
The Marin Pine Mountain 1 uses a combination of a large 29×2.6-inch wheel diameter with a wide outer tire, which adds a certain amount of grip and friction while maintaining speed.
Video
What do we like about it?
- Stunning Eyelets: A record number of threaded eyelets brings much convenience to riders.
- Radical Geometry: The radical geometry makes the ride feel more jumpy, the acceleration and pedaling more powerful.
- 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: The Shimano Deore 1×11’s drivetrain delivers amazing climbing power on complex terrain.
- High-value Appearance: Gloss Grey / Silver/teal paint body contributes to a very comfortable visual enjoyment.
What don’t we like about it?
- There is only one color scheme to choose from, which is not friendly to some riders who prefer other colors.
FAQ
- Who is this bike for?
Those who pursue speed and violent riding; those who demand performance and convenience; off-road enthusiasts; and those who demand a high level of bike appearance.
- What sizes does this bike come in?
It is available in four sizes, so riders can choose according to their actual needs.
| SIZE | Rider height |
| SM | 5’2″ – 5’7″ |
| MD | 5’5″ – 5’10” |
| LG | 5’8″ – 6’1″ |
| XL | 5’11” – 6’3″ |
- What other versions of the Marin Pine Mountain 1 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 Pine Mountain 1 | $1,499 | Steel | RockShox Recon Silver RL | 120mm front | Hydraulic Disc | 1 × 11 |
| Marin Pine Mountain 2 | $2,399 | Steel | RockShox 35 Gold RL | 120mm front | Hydraulic Disc | 1 × 12 |
Specs
Build
| Frame | Series 2 Double Butted CrMo, 29″ Wheels, Boost 141x9mm Open Dropout, 73mm Threaded BB, Plentiful Gear Mounts (custom bag templates here) BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded Color: Gloss Grey / Silver/teal |
| Fork | RockShox Recon RL, 120mm Travel, Compression and Rebound Adjustment, Alloy Tapered Steerer, Solo Air Spring, 110x15mm Boost Spacing, Maxle Stealth. 51mm Offset |
| Bottom Bracket | External Sealed Cartridge Bearings |
| Headset | FSA Orbit ITA, Sealed Cartridge Bearings, 1 1/8″ x 1 1/2″ |
| Stem | Marin 3D Forged Alloy, 35mm |
| Handlebar | Marin Bedroll Bar, 50mm Rise, 780 Width, 10°Backsweep, 6˚Upsweep |
| Saddle | Marin Pine Mountain Trail |
| Seatpost | Marin Alloy, 30.9mm |
| Pedals | Nylon Platform |
| Grips | Marin Bear Paw Locking |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore 11-Speed |
| Front Derailleur | – |
| Crank | Marin Forged Alloy 1×11, Hollow Spindle, Steel Narrow Wide 32T Chainring |
| Shifters | Shimano Deore 11-Speed |
| Cassette | SunRace 11-Speed, 11-51T |
| Chain | KMC X11 |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | Shimano MT400 Hydraulic |
Wheels
| Rims | Alloy Double-Wall, Offset Spoke, 32mm ID, Tubeless Compatible |
| Front Hub | Forged Alloy, 110x15mm, Disc, 32H |
| Rear Hub | Forged Alloy, 141x9mm, Disc, 32H |
| Tires | Vee Tire Co. Flow Snap, 29×2.6″, Wire Bead |
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Click View | Tires | Driveline | Frame material | Components |
| Cannondale Trail Women’s SE 4 | Click View | 29” Aluminum | 1 × 10 | Aluminum | Deore, FSA, Shimano |
| Santa Cruz CHAMELEON D MX / Aluminum | Click View | 29” Aluminum | 1 × 12 | Aluminum | SX Eagle, NX Eagle, SRAM |
| Trek Roscoe 6 | Click View | 27.5” Aluminum | 1× 10 | Aluminum | Deore, FSA, Shimano |
| Kona Honzo DL | Click View | 29” Aluminum | 1 × 12 | Aluminum | Deore, FSA, Shimano |
Marin Pine Mountain 1 vs Cannondale Trail Women’s SE 4
The Cannondale Trail Women’s SE 4 is a hardtail trail bike designed for women.
Taking into account the physical and psychological needs of women, it features a purple body and dimensions that match the height characteristics of women, making it look very youthful and stylish.
The internal alignment design not only makes it look very simple in appearance, but also facilitates care and maintenance.
In addition, its aluminum frame is lighter than the steel frame of the Marin Pine Mountain 1, making it easier for women to carry.
The Marin Pine Mountain 1’s Shimano 1×11 drivetrain is a much more powerful climber than the Marin Pine Mountain 1.
With a 32T cassette and a SunRace 11-Speed, 11-51T flywheel, the Shimano 1×11 drivetrain has a wider range of speeds to handle more hills.
On top of that, the Marin Pine Mountain 1’s external cabling design effectively reduces the noise caused by line and frame collisions while riding.
Marin Pine Mountain 1 vs Santa Cruz CHAMELEON D MX / Aluminum
Between these two bikes, the Santa Cruz CHAMELEON D MX / Aluminum enjoys higher-quality SX Eagle, NX Eagle, SRAM components.
Among them, consisting of SRAM, 32t cassette and SRAM PG1230, 12spd, 11-50t flywheel, the SRAM 12 drivetrain exerts good climbing performance; SRAM Level’s hydraulic disc and brake lever also produce flexible and timely performance in braking.
A record number of threaded eyelets brings much convenience to riders. Riders can carry more stuff, which is very beneficial on long rides.
In addition, its tubeless-compatible design makes the tires lighter and the internal fluid allows for tire repair.
Marin Pine Mountain 1 vs Trek Roscoe 6
The Trek Roscoe 6 comes in three different colorways of Purple Flip / Trek Black; Olive Grey / Waterloo Blue for a wider range of colors to choose from.
In addition, the 2.8 inch tire clearance allows for compatibility with different types of tire sizes, which is great for some pro riders as they can change to a different outer tire to suit the terrain that follows before riding.
The Marin Pine Mountain 1 is distinguished by its longer wheelbase.
Compared to the Trek Roscoe 6, the Marin Pine Mountain 1’s long wheelbase provides a more stable chassis, which can effectively protect the rider on downhill sections or uneven surfaces.
At the same time, its geometry is more aggressive than the Trek Roscoe 6, allowing for effective acceleration and sprinting on flat or uphill sections.
Learn More: Is Trek Roscoe 6 Worth Buying? [Trek Roscoe 6 Review]
Marin Pine Mountain 1 vs Kona Honzo DL
The Kona Honzo DL is a bike with a large amount of travel.
Compared to the 120mm travel of the RockShox Recon Silver RL fork on the Marin Pine Mountain 1, the 140mm travel of the RockShox Revelation RC fork on the Kona Honzo DL is more cushion-friendly, which is extremely beneficial on downhill sections.
The Marin Pine Mountain 1 is a great bike for the money.
A great price is paired with decent quality hardware that is rider-friendly, and the RockShox Recon Silver RL fork has good quality and wide popularity.
The high-performance Deore components make the Marin Pine Mountain 1 a very competitive bike for its price.
Summary
Above is our test of the Marin Pine Mountain 1, a hardtail trail bike that’s gentle on the outside but wild on the inside.
In our opinion, the Marin Pine Mountain 1 is a 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.
Lastly, if you enjoy our content, please consider sharing it with your friends! If you find our content helpful, you can also click on the subscription button below to receive updates via email. Thank you for your support！
