Marin Team Marin 1 Review
- Price: $1,499
- Frame: Aluminum
- Fork: RockShox Judy Silver TK
- Wheels: 29” Aluminum
- Drivetrain: 1×12
What we liked about it: It‘s great to see a Deore 12-speed drivetrain at this pricepoint.
What we don’t like about it: The internal cable routing design effectively protects the cable, but may cause the cable and frame to collide and make noise during the ride.
Rating: (4.8/5)
If you want to feel the excitement of off-road riding, I recommend this Marin Team Marin 1 hardtail bike.
The Marin Team Marin 1 is a pioneer of the Marin Team series, and the philosophy of passion and exploration is deeply engraved in its design.
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
I have to say that the Marin Team Marin 1 gives me a feeling of contrast.
It looks very clean and tidy on the outside, with a white paint body and internal alignment to avoid a messy visual experience; while its inner performance is fierce.
Whether climbing or descending, it can handle it with ease.
For this reason, I immediately ordered a ticket to Alabama on Skyscanner and planned to visit the Double Oak trail there.
On this 5km or so ride, there were uphill, downhill, and some slightly muddy gravel roads.
Could Marin Team Marin 1 deliver a perfect answer? Let’s wait and see.
Climbing
I’d admit that the Marin Team Marin 1 is in the top five of all the trail bikes I’ve ridden, and the Forged Alloy 1×12, Hollow Spindle, Steel Narrow Wide 32T Chainring crank with SunRace 12-speed, 11-51 flywheel has the best climbing performance of any bike of mine.
A wide range of gear ratios and superb climbing power allowed me to climb up at the right speed for different grades.
Not only that, the 29×2.3-inch wheelset had low rolling resistance, which kept the momentum and speed on the uphill to run over some potholes on the road; the large-grain outer tire gripped the ground well when I went through gravel, which made my ride more stable.
It’s worth noting that the Marin Team Marin 1 had an aggressive geometry, which allowed me to lean forward for a more forward center of gravity and more powerful pedaling.
I love the way it feels.
Decline
The Marin Team Marin 1 is a hardtail trail bike with an aggressive, modern geometry.
The longer reach and slacker head angle gave me more stable handling as I descended.
Not only that, the RockShox Judy Silver TK fork with 120mm of travel had good sensitivity to absorb bumps and vibrations from the road.
In terms of braking, the hydraulic disc and brake lever of Shimano BL-MT201 enjoyed a flexible and timely response, which shortened the braking distance and greatly enhanced the efficiency.
Finally, the Marin Mini-Riser, 6061 Double Butted Aluminum, 780mm Width, 4ºUp, 9ºBack handlebar cross gave me flexible handling, especially on small trails, where its advantages was more obvious.
I really like the Marin Team Marin 1, not only for its looks but also for how it performs on climbs and descents.
Specification
The Marin Team Marin 1 is a hardtail trail bike with mid- to high-end RockShox Judy Silver TK components.
It has a clean look, with a Silver Metallic paint color and black logo that looks crisp and tidy.
The linear geometry makes for a smooth visual effect, and the internal cable routing design avoids a cluttered feel to the bodywork.
At the same time, the aggressive geometry makes the ride feel more jumpy, which makes acceleration and pedaling more powerful.
In terms of drivetrain and braking, the Forged Alloy 1×12, Hollow Spindle, Steel Narrow Wide 32T Chainring crankset with SunRace 12-speed flywheel makes the Marin Team Marin 1’s 1×12 drivetrain very advantageous on climbs, allowing different speed combinations to climb different grades.
The Shimano BL-MT20’s hydraulic discs and brake levers provide flexible and timely braking, which greatly improves braking efficiency and safety.
As for the tires, the Marin Team Marin 1 uses a large diameter 29×2.3-inch wheelset to keep the rolling resistance low and the kinetic energy better during the ride.
The large grains on the outer tire provide good friction and grip on complex roads; Dual Control Compound, Folding Bead, Tubeless Ready technologies are used to make the tires more wear-resistant.
Video
What do we like about it?
- Clean look: Silver Metallic paint color and black logo look clean and tidy, linear geometric design makes the visual effect smooth, and the internal cable routing design avoids the messy feeling of the body.
- Radical geometry: The radical geometry makes the ride feel more jumpy, bringing a more powerful acceleration and pedaling.
- Good braking system: Shimano BL-MT201’s hydraulic discs and brake levers boast a flexible and timely responsiveness, making the braking distance shorter and the efficiency greatly enhanced.
- Climbing-powerful Drivetrain: Shimano 1×12’s drivetrain delivers amazing climbing power on complex terrain.
- Speed-friendly wheelset: 29×2.3-inch large diameter wheelset keeps rolling resistance low and kinetic energy better during the ride.
What don’t we like about it?
- Although the design of the internal cable routing effectively protects the cable, it may lead to noise from the cable and frame collision during the ride.
FAQ
- Who is Marin Team Marin 1 for?
People who pursue speed and violent riding; people who love mountain cross-country; professionals; people who demand performance; people who love high value bikes.
- What sizes are available for this bike?
It is available in four sizes, so riders can choose according to their actual needs.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| SM | 160cm-169cm |
| MD | 166cm-177cm |
| LG | 174cm-184cm |
| XL | 181cm-191cm |
- What other versions of the Marin Team Marin 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 Team Marin 1 | $1,499 | Aluminum | RockShox Judy Silver TK | 120mm front | Hydraulic Disc | 1 × 12 |
| Marin Team Marin 2 | $2,499 | Aluminum | Fox Float 34 | 120mm front | Hydraulic Disc | 1 × 12 |
Specs
Build
| Frame | Series 4 6061 Aluminum, 29″ Wheels, Superlight Aluminum Frame, Post-Mount Rear Brake, Internal Shifter and Dropper Post Routing, 148x12mm Boost Thru- Axle Color: Silver Metallic / Black |
| Fork | RockShox Judy Silver TK, 120mm Travel, Alloy Tapered Steerer, Solo Air Spring, 110x15mm Boost Spacing, Maxle Stealth, 51mm Offset |
| Bottom Bracket | External Sealed Cartridge Bearings |
| Headset | FSA No 42ACB, 1 1/8″ x 1 1/2″ |
| Stem | Marin 3D Forged Alloy, 35mm |
| Handlebar | Marin Mini-Riser, 6061 Double Butted Aluminum, 780mm Width, 4º Up, 9º Back |
| Saddle | Marin Speed Concept |
| Seatpost | Marin Alloy, 30.9mm |
| Pedals | Nylon Platform |
| Grips | Marin Single Clamp Locking |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore 12-Speed |
| Front Derailleur | – |
| Crank | Forged Alloy 1×12, Hollow Spindle, Steel Narrow Wide 32T Chainring |
| Shifters | Shimano Deore 12-Speed |
| Cassette | Shimano Deore 12-Speed |
| Chain | KMC X12 |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | Shimano BL-MT201 Hydraulic |
Wheels
| Rims | Marin Aluminum Double Wall, 29mm Inner, Sleeve Joint, Disc Specific, Tubeless Compatible |
| Front Hub | Forged Aluminum, 110x15mm, Disc, 32H |
| Rear Hub | Forged Aluminum, 148x12mm, Centerlock Disc, 32H |
| Tires | Vee Tire Co. Rail Rocco XC, 29×2.3″, Dual Control Compound, Folding Bead, Tubeless Ready |
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 |
| Canyon Stoic 2 | Click View | 27.5”/29” Aluminum | 1 × 10 | Aluminum | Deore, Shimano |
| Santa Cruz CHAMELEON D MX / Aluminum | Click View | 29” Aluminum | 1× 12 | Aluminum | SX Eagle, NX Eagle, SRAM |
| Trek Roscoe 8 | Click View | 27.5”/29” Aluminum | 1 × 12 | Aluminum | GX Eagle, NX Eagle, SRAM |
Marin Team Marin 1 vs Cannondale Trail Women’s SE 4
As hardtail trail bikes go, the two bikes are still very similar.
They both use lighter aluminum frames and straight geometry, and both the Cannondale Trail Women’s SE 4’s Suntour XCR fork and the Marin Team Marin 1’s RockShox Judy Silver TK fork have 120mm of travel.
In terms of tires, they both apply large 29” diameter rims for an advantage in terms of speed; the tubeless design gives both bikes’ tires the ability to repair themselves.
The Cannondale Trail Women’s SE 4 is a bike with women’s physiology and psychological characteristics in design, so it features a gradient of purple and white paint and a dropper post for easy seatpost height adjustment.
The Marin Team Marin 1 is a bike made for racing. Its geometry is relatively more aggressive and violent.
Not only does the Marin Team Marin 1’s Shimano 12-speed flywheel offer more speed options on climbs, but it also exerts better performance on uphill climbs than the Cannondale Trail Women’s SE 4’s Shimano 10-speed flywheel.
Marin Team Marin 1 vs Canyon Stoic 2
The Canyon Stoic 2 comes in a very wide range of sizes, from XXS to XL, so people of all heights can have that bike for them.
Also, the Stoic 2’s 140mm Suntour XCR 34 fork travel is a definite advantage among hardtail trail bikes in its price range, which provides great cushioning and shock absorption during speed descents, compared to the Team Marin 1’s 120mm RockShox Judy Silver TK fork travel.
The Marin Team Marin 1 is a bike with great climbing performance. 29×2.3-inch wheelset with Dual Control Compound, Folding Bead, Tubeless Ready technology gives it low rolling resistance, fast speed and long rolling distance when climbing.
In addition, the SunRace 12-speed, 11-51 flywheel gives a wider range of speeds and more gears to choose from when climbing.
Learn More: Is Canyon Stoic 2 Worth Buying? [Canyon Stoic 2 Review]
Marin Team Marin 1 vs Santa Cruz CHAMELEON D MX / Aluminum
If I had to choose between these two bikes, I’d go with the Marin Team Marin 1 because I like the look better.
The Silver Metallic paint and black logo look clean and tidy, the linear geometry makes for a smooth visual effect, and the internal cabling design avoids a messy look.
No matter which way I look at it, it is comfortable to me. Of course, its RockShox Judy Silver TK fork also performs well and can effectively shock absorb in complex terrain.
The Santa Cruz CHAMELEON D MX / Aluminum also has its own character.
The SX Eagle, NX Eagle components enjoy high quality and good performance, with SRAM X1 1000 Eagle 148 DUB, 32t cranks and SRAM PG1230, 12spd, 11-50t flywheels providing consistent and efficient kinetic energy. For those who demand convenience, consider this bike.
Marin Team Marin 1 vs Trek Roscoe 8
The Trek Roscoe 8 is a hardtail trail bike of undeniable quality.
2.6 inches of tire clearance allows for compatibility with different sized outer tires, allowing the rider to change them ahead of time before riding on different conditions of the road to handle them with ease.
In addition, the perfectly long wheelbase allows the Trek Roscoe 8 to have a downward center of gravity, which gives it a more stable chassis to absorb bumps when facing uneven surfaces.
It must be mentioned that the 140mm front travel from the high-quality RockShox 35 Gold RL fork absorbs a large area of shock and bumps, effectively guaranteeing a safe ride.
However, great performance often means a trade-off in terms of price.
Compared to the price of the Trek Roscoe 8, the Marin Team Marin 1 has a wallet-friendly price tag.
The Forged Alloy 1×12, Hollow Spindle, Steel Narrow Wide 32T Chainring crankset with SunRace 12-speed, 11-51 discs have a good advantage in climbing.
The Shimano BL-MT201 hydraulic discs and brake levers have efficient braking, with the smallest distance to achieve the most silky and efficient braking effect.
Learn More: Is Trek Roscoe 8 A Good Bike?[Trek Roscoe 8 Review]
Summary
Above is our test of the Marin Team Marin 1. The Marin Team Marin 1 is a handsome-looking and hardtail trail bike that has good performance on both climbs and descents.
In our opinion, the Marin Team Marin 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.
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