Marin Presidio 2 Review
- Price: $719
- Frame: Aluminum
- Front fork: Aluminum
- Wheels: 700C
What we like about it: Easy to get started for newcomers, great for commuting, fitness, and fun.
What we don’t like about it: Backswept bars could be a little wider.
Rating: (4.7/5)
The Marin Presidio series consists of three models. Model one is a mid-range bicycle with beginner-friendly features and an affordable price. Model three is the highest-end option in the series, featuring the most premium components and the highest price. This review focuses on model two, the Marin Presidio 2.
The Marin Presidio 2 is also a beginner-friendly bicycle. If you’re looking for a bike that meets most people’s expectations without requiring too much maintenance, then the Presidio 2 is the right bike for you. It’s not only beginner-friendly but also doesn’t require frequent time-consuming maintenance.
Now let’s analyze the riding experience, specifications, and pros and cons of the Marin Presidio 2. If you want to learn more about bike reviews, feel free to follow us.
Riding Experience
Park Cruising at Ocean Parkway
I chose to go for a bike ride on Ocean Parkway. The route spans a full five miles from Prospect Park to Brighton Beach. Ocean Parkway is America’s first bike path and offers beautiful scenery. It passes through several neighborhoods, and most of the route is shaded, providing a comfortable riding experience.
It’s also the closest and easiest route to the beaches near New York City. During my ride, I found the Marin Presidio 2 to have very responsive components, enhancing my overall experience.
The bike has a high handlebar position that allows me to ride in an upright posture, reducing strain on my lower back. It features Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, providing stable and smooth braking performance.
Additionally, the Presidio 2 utilizes an aluminum frame and fork. Compared to other steel bikes in the same price range, it’s lighter, more agile, and requires less effort. It seemed like I covered a significant distance without exerting much energy.
I felt extremely happy as the stress from work dissipated during this park ride. If you’re considering purchasing a bike or planning a leisurely ride through the park, I believe the Marin Presidio 2 is a solid choice.
Cycling on Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk
Take the Presidio 2 on the Staten Island Ferry, ride a few miles on the bike lane, and you’ll come across the beautiful Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk, running parallel to the eastern shoreline of Roosevelt Island.
It’s a scenic bike path where I enjoy taking it slow, soaking in the breeze and vibe of the bridge. Cycling, for me, is not just an activity; it’s where I find my joy.
So, in my opinion, cycling doesn’t always have to be fast, but it should be comfortable. I appreciate the design of the Marin Presidio 2. Its braking system is smooth, providing a silky ride and requiring less effort. It surprises me in unexpected ways.
The lightweight aluminum frame makes it agile and easy to maneuver. The excellent geometry gives the bike a sleek and aesthetic appearance. Marin pays attention to detail, with features like hydraulic disc brakes and puncture-resistant tires, ensuring a convenient and reliable riding experience.
If you purchase the Marin Presidio 2, you should try this route.
Specification
Cycling for commuting is not just a hobby; it’s a way of life. The all-new Marin Presidio 2 is a purpose-built commuter bike designed for modern urban riders. We understand that life doesn’t exist in isolation but is connected to everything else. That’s why we create these bikes—to provide a convenient mode of transportation that connects you to the outside world in your daily life.
And with a lightweight and durable bicycle, you can also enjoy the pleasure of riding. The Presidio 2 comes equipped with Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, puncture-resistant tires, and comfortable contact points. This allows you to take care of business while smiling and enjoying your daily journey.
The Marin Presidio 2 features a lightweight aluminum fork and Shimano Nexus 7D internally geared hub. Compared to previous models, it offers higher quality, reduced risk of damage, and improved performance, making it more reliable.
The aluminum fork and frame make the bike lighter, providing a better riding experience and requiring less effort. You can enjoy scenic views on long-distance rides with minimal exertion.
Video
What do we like about it?
- Commute butted and formed aluminum frame: It’s more robust compared to the Marin Presidio 1.
- Lightweight aluminum fork: It provides a lighter and easier ride for commuting.
- Shimano Nexus 7D internally geared hub: It enhances shifting performance, reduces the risk of damage, minimizes noise, and improves reliability.
- Shimano disc brakes: They are more advanced than the previous generation, with lower maintenance costs.
- Flexible: The braking system is convenient to operate.
What don’t we like about it?
- Backswept bars could be wider.
FAQ
- What is the biggest improvement of the Marin Presidio 2 compared to the Marin Presidio 1?
The biggest advantage is that the Marin Presidio 2 features the Shimano Nexus 7D internally geared hub, which significantly reduces maintenance costs.
- What are the suitable scenarios for the Marin Presidio 2?
It is suitable for commuting, touring, and some medium to long-distance road cycling.
- How to choose the right size?
Here we have provided you with a size chart. Of course, it doesn’t have to be according to this standard, and the best way to find the most suitable size is to test ride.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| XS | 149cm-156cm |
| SM | 153cm-167cm |
| MD | 164cm-177cm |
| LG | 174cm-187cm |
| XL | 184cm-191cm |
Specs
Build
| Frame | Series 2 Commute, 6061 Aluminum, 700C Wheels, Sliding Dropouts, Internal Cable Routing, Belt Drive Compatible, Flat-Mount Disc, Fender, Rack, and Integrated Kickstand Mounts Color: Satin Charcoal / Silver/gloss Black |
| Fork | 6061 Aluminum, Disc Brake, Straight-Blade |
| Bottom Bracket | Sealed Cartridge Bearings, Square Taper |
| Headset | FSA No.8B |
| Stem | Marin Alloy |
| Handlebar | Marin Alloy Flat |
| Saddle | Marin Fitness Plush |
| Seatpost | Marin Alloy, 27.2mm |
| Pedals | Commute Platform |
| Grips | Dual Density Ergonomic |
Groupset
| Crank | Forged Alloy, 42T, 140mm, Ring Guard |
| Shifters | Shimano Nexus Twist Shifter 7-Speed |
| Cassette | Shimano Nexus Cog, 19T |
| Chain | KMC Z1RB w/ Anti-Corrosion Coating |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | Shimano Hydraulic |
Wheels
| Rims | Marin Aluminum Double Wall, Disc Specific |
| Front Hub | Forged Aluminum Alloy, 32H |
| Rear Hub | Shimano Nexus 7D 7-Speed Internally Geared Hub, Disc, 32H |
| Tires | Vee Tire Co. Baldy, 700Cx32mm, Puncture Protection, Reflective Sidewall, Wire Bead |
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Click view | Tires | Drivetrain | Frame material | Groupset |
| Bianchi Torino Dama Acera | Click View | 700c Aluminum | 3 × 8 | Aluminum | Acera, Shimano |
| Commençal FCB ORIGIN PYRITE | Click View | 700c Aluminum | 1 × 11 | Aluminum | SRAM Apex 1 |
| 2024 KHS URBN XCAPE DISC | Click View | 700c Aluminum | 3 × 8 | Steel | Shimano Altus |
Marin Presidio 2 vs Bianchi Torino Dama Acera
The Bianchi Torino Dama Acera is a general urban bicycle that was introduced. It has gained some popularity due to its excellent appearance and competitive price.
The Bianchi Torino Dama Acera features a lightweight aluminum frame, fork, and wheels. It also comes equipped with a 3×8 drivetrain, allowing for versatile shifting to meet daily needs. These features make it a suitable choice for commuting to and from work.
However, compared to the Marin Presidio 2, the Bianchi Torino Dama Acera falls short. Based on interviews, user feedback, and observations from friends, the Marin Presidio 2 has a higher rate of positive reviews and greater popularity.
Even in terms of availability, the Marin Presidio 2 is more widely accessible. Therefore, we can gather more information about the Marin Presidio 2 from various sources to determine if it meets our personal needs for a bicycle.
Learn More: Is Bianchi Sprint – 105 Di2 A Good Bike? [Bianchi Sprint – 105 Di2 Review]
Marin Presidio 2 vs Commençal FCB ORIGIN PYRITE
The Commençal FCB ORIGIN PYRITE is a 700c aluminum frame general urban bicycle. It comes equipped with mid-range components and hydraulic disc brakes, along with aluminum suspension, frame, and fork. It utilizes Apex components and has a tire size of 700c. With its stylish appearance, it has gained popularity.
However, due to its less competitive price, the Commençal FCB ORIGIN PYRITE falls behind in terms of popularity and sales compared to the Marin Presidio 2.
Currently, the prices on their respective official websites are as follows: Marin Presidio 2 is priced at $719, while the Commençal FCB ORIGIN PYRITE is priced at $1,900. Undoubtedly, considering the similar component structure of the two bikes, the Marin Presidio 2 is the better choice.
Marin Presidio 2 vs 2024 KHS URBN XCAPE DISC
The KHS URBN XCAPE is a city general-purpose bicycle with a blue-colored frame, currently priced at $769 for pre-sale. It features a steel frame and fork, along with aluminum wheels and a mechanical disc brake system. This makes it a suitable city bike for daily commuting and weekend trips without any issues.
It should be noted that the downside of the KHS URBN XCAPE compared to the Marin Presidio 2 is the weight of its steel frame and fork, which is heavier than the aluminum frame and fork.
For a daily commuting bike, the heavier it is, the more effort it requires. Therefore, overall, the Marin Presidio 2 offers better value for money.
Learn More: Is KHS GRIT 220 Worth Buying? – [KHS GRIT 220 Review]
Summary
Above is our review of the Marin Presidio 2. The high-end components, lightweight frame, and agile braking system are all important factors contributing to the growing popularity of the Marin Presidio 2.
Therefore, the Marin Presidio 2 is a bike worth considering, which is why we gave it a rating of 4.7. If you want to learn more about bicycles, feel free to check out our related reviews.
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