Marin Wolf Ridge 8 Review
- Price: $3749
- Frame: Carbon
- Tires: WTB Vigilante 29×2.3″
- Gear: 1×12
What we like about it: The 160mm rear and front travel provide excellent shock absorption, allowing you to get an exciting ride with a certain level of comfort guaranteed.
What we didn’t like about it: The larger 1.44 Stack/Reach Ratio makes some trail riders underwhelmed.
Rating: (4.8/5)
To push the limits, more and more riders want to beat nature, and by participating in long, treacherous enduro races, riders can gain the satisfaction of overcoming nature.
As a result, I found this Marin Wolf Ridge 8. Through a complete test, I think this Marin Wolf Ridge 8 is an awesome full-suspension enduro bike.
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
This Marin Wolf Ridge 8 boasts its excellent damping and long-distance riding ability, and to better verify these abilities, I purchased tickets via Skyscanner, made hotel reservations, and participated in the Paris-Roubaix bike race in France.
The route is known for its rough terrain, cobblestones and pavé, and the ride on this route was very difficult and may have hindered me more.
But this challenge also brought me greater expectations for the bike.
Off-road Riding
I rode on this winding part of the road, giving it my full attention.
The 66.5°head tube angle gave the bike a great ability to change direction.
While holding the handlebars of the Marin Mini-Riser, I relied on my extensive riding experience to change direction skillfully.
Thanks to the SRAM GX Eagle 12 speed, I could constantly adjust the speed to my full content.
It is worth mentioning that Shimano XT M8000 had very sensitive braking performance, helping me grasp the speed as I wanted.
Then it was time for the “hell” part of Paris-Roubaix, the cobblestone road from Troisvilles to Inchy, which has the highest elevation among all cobblestone roads.
However, the ride was not very difficult, as the 160mm front and rear travel effectively damped the ride, and I didn’t feel very bumpy.
The Challenge Continues
I continued to ride, skillfully handling the bike, and after a few cobbled sections, I came to the most difficult cobbled road in Paris-Roubaix, Le Carrefour de l’Arbre, a very large cobble with many turns and a very wet surface.
It is located in the open space between Gruson and Camphin-en-Pévèle.
The front wheel was a WTB Vigilante 29×2.3″, providing great support in the wet, while the SG2 puncture protection makes it uneasy to be punctured in the cobblestone road.
At the same time, the rear wheel, WTB Breakout, 29×2.3″, supported strong power and braking traction, and performed well in both acceleration and deceleration.
Is that all?
The Marin Wolf Ridge 8 is equipped with the WTB Volt Race, a saddle designed for speed and comfort with Contoured shape cradles supporting the pelvis to exert optimal support, and, with a small windows cut into the bottom, it relieved the pressure on my sensitive areas .
Not only that, but ABR CORNERS’ durable material patches protect the corners and sides of the saddle from breakage, making it even more durable.
In addition, this bike also uses KS LEV SIO Dropper Post. When I stood up from the seat to accelerate, this dropper design quickly lowered the height of the seat to avoid collision or friction between the legs and the seat, giving me a more comfortable experience.
Specification
The Marin Wolf Ridge 8 is an excellent full-suspension enduro bike with 160mm front and rear travel for effective shock absorption.
The Full Unidirectional Carbon Fiber Frame reduces the bike’s weight for increased riding speed.
In addition, the Shimano XT M8000 Hydraulic Disc offers excellent braking that is very sensitive and effective in keeping the rider safe.
At the same time, the SRAM GX Eagle 12-Speed offers silky-smooth shifting so the rider can find the right speed for riding on different sections of the road.
It is worth mentioning that this bike has two types of tires on the front and rear, the WTB Vigilante 29×2.3″ and the WTB Breakout, 29×2.3″.
The Vigilante is able to adapt to any terrain, wet or dry, and provides excellent support.
Breakout’s tread, with its oversized knobs, provides firm traction, perfect for off-road or endurance racing.
Video
Other versions
After many tests, we know this bike much better that it is indeed a well-performed hardtail trail bike.
However, many riders have their own requirements for the performance or components, so we found the same type of bike for further comparison.
Marin Wolf Ridge 9
The two bikes have very similar components and identical geometry.
The first difference is that the Wolf Ridge 9 is equipped with a RockShox Lyrik RCT3 fork, while the Wolf Ridge 8 uses a RockShox Lyrik RC.
Although the RCT3 has three position locks while the RC has only two, there is not much difference in performance between the two forks.
Secondly, the Wolf Ridge 9 has a 35mm Deity Copperhead Stem, but the Wolf Ridge 8 has a more aggressive 45mm Marin 3D Forged Alloy stem, providing more weight distribution to the front wheel on trail rides, and with the shorter stems installed, the ride will be a little more comfortable.
In short, if you want a little more comfort riding, the Marin Wolf Ridge 9 is better for you.
Suppose you are not on a budget and prefer a more aggressive ride, then the Marin Wolf Ridge 8 will meet your needs.
What do we like about it?
- 160mm rear and front travel can provide good shock absorption for unforgettable riding experience.
- Shimano XT M8000 Hydraulic Disc provides powerful braking capability to effectively protect the rider’s safety.
- Cool looks can motivate riders off-road.
- Compared to similar bikes, the Marin Wolf Ridge 8 has powerful uphill and downhill capabilities.
What don’t we like about it?
- The larger 1.44 Stack/Reach Ratio is not aggressive enough for trail riding.
FAQ
- Is it suitable for beginners?
Both beginners and experienced riders can handle it well.
- How well does the bike dampens the shock?
With 160mm rear travel and 160mm front travel, it offers excellent shock absorption.
- Can this bike be adjusted for seat height?
It has a dropper seatpost to adjust the seat height.
- How to choose the right size?
The size chart for the Marin Wolf Ridge 8 is as follows:
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 |
| 5’2″ – 5’7″ | XS |
| 5’5″ – 5’11” | SM |
| 5’9″ – 6’3″ | MD |
| 6’1″ – 6’4″ | XL |
Specs
Build
| Frame | Full Unidirectional Carbon Fiber Frame, Naild R3ACT – 2 Play Suspension Technology, 160mm Travel, 148mm Boost Rear Spacing, Naild 12-3-9 Locking Quick Release Thru-AxleBB Standard: BB86/BB92, Press Fit |
| Fork | RockShox Lyrik RC 29″, 160mm Travel, Compression and Rebound Adjustment, Solo Air Spring, 110x15mm Boost Spacing, Maxle Ultimate, 51mm Offset |
| Rear Shock | RockShox Monarch R Debonair, High Volume Eyelet, 200x57mm, Rebound Adjustment, Custom Tune, 25.4mm x M8 Upper Hardware, Custom Lower Hardware |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM GXP BB92 |
| Headset | FSA No 42/ACB, Sealed Cartridge Bearings, 1 1/8″ x 1 1/2″ |
| Stem | Marin 3D Forged Alloy, 45mm |
| Handlebar | Marin Mini-Riser, 6061 Double Butted Aluminum, 25mm Rise, 780mm Width, 4º Up, 9º Back |
| Saddle | WTB Volt Race |
| Seatpost | KS LEV SIO Dropper Post, Custom Offset Head, Southpaw Lever, Size S 120mm Travel, All Other Sizes: 150mm Travel, 30.9mm |
| Pedals | Not Included. |
| Grips | Marin Locking |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle 12-Speed |
| Crank | SRAM Descendant 6K Aluminum, Direct Mount 12-Speed 32T, Boost Spacing |
| Shifters | SRAM GX Eagle 1×12-Speed |
| Cassette | SRAM XG-1275 12-Speed, 10-50T |
| Chain | SRAM GX Eagle |
| Brakes | Shimano XT M8000 Hydraulic Disc, 203mm Rotor |
| Brake Levers | Shimano XT M8000 Hydraulic |
Wheels
| Rims | Stan’s NoTubes Flow MK3, 29mm Inner, Welded Joint, BST Technology, Tubeless Compatible |
| Spokes | 14g Black Stainless Steel |
| Front Hub | Formula, 110x15mm, 6-Bolt Disc, 32H |
| Rear Hub | Formula, 148x12mm, Quad Sealed Bearings, 6-Bolt Disc, 32H |
| Tires | F: WTB Vigilante 29×2.3″ R: WTB Breakout, 29×2.3″, TCS Light/Fast, Tubeless Compatible |
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Click View | Tires | Driveline | Frame material | Components |
| Canyon Spectral 27.5 CF 7 | Click View | MAXXIS Minion DHR II 2.4” | 1×12 | Carbon | Shimano SLX |
| Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp Alloy | Click View | Butcher, GRID TRAIL casing, GRIPTON® T9 compound, 2Bliss Ready, 29×2.3″ | 1×12 | Aluminum | SRAM NX Eagle |
| YT Industries Capra CORE 3 29 | Click View | maxxis assegai i hinten | 1×12Electronic | Carbon | SRAM GX Eagle AXS |
| Trek Remedy 8 | Click View | Bontrager XR5 Team Issue | 1×12 | Aluminum | Shimano XT |
Marin Wolf Ridge 8 vs Canyon Spectral 27.5 CF 7
The two bikes have very similar components: Carbon frames, aluminum wheels, hydraulic disc brakes, 1×12 Drivetrain and dropper seatpost.
While there exist some differences.
Canyon Spectral 27.5 CF 7 wheel size is 27.5″, very flexible but not as passable as the Marin Wolf Ridge 8 29”.
The Canyon Spectral 27.5 CF 7 rear travel is 150mm. Its damping effect is not as good as the Marin Wolf Ridge 8’s 160mm.
In short, if you want a flexible bike, the Canyon Spectral 27.5 CF 7 is for you.
For those pursue bikes with good damping, the Marin Wolf Ridge 8 is the way to go.
Learn More: Is Canyon Spectral 29 CF 7 Worth Buying? [Canyon Spectral 29 CF 7 Review]
Marin Wolf Ridge 8 VS Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp Alloy
Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp Alloy’s frame is made of aluminum, more sturdy than the carbon frame of Marin Wolf Ridge 8, but also heavier, and thus may slow the speed down.
In addition, the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp Alloy has 150mm rear travel, less effective than the 160mm rear travel of the Marin Wolf Ridge 8.
Want a sturdy bike? The Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp Alloy would be a better choice.
If you want a faster bike, I’d recommend the Marin Wolf Ridge 8.
Marin Wolf Ridge 8 VS YT Industries Capra CORE 3 29
The YT Industries Capra CORE 3 29 has a 170mm front travel and 165mm rear travel, which is a little better than the 160mm front travel and rear travel of the Marin Wolf Ridge 8.
In addition, the YT Industries Capra CORE 3 29’s 1×12 Electronic drivetrain brings a more precise shifting, easy maintenance, and relatively simple alignment, plus you can add a sprint or climb button.
However, when riding a bike with gloves in winter, it is easier to shift manually, and electronic shifting is easy to touch by mistake.
For a more precise shifting, the YT Industries Capra CORE 3 29 will be your choice
If you ride with gloves a lot in the winter, the Marin Wolf Ridge 8 will better meet your needs.
Marin Wolf Ridge 8 vs Trek Remedy 8
The Marin Wolf Ridge 8 has a Stack/Reach Ratio of 1.44, which is larger than the Trek Remedy 8’s 1.37.
The larger Stack/Reach Ratio can bring better stretch and comfort.
On top of that, the Marin Wolf Ridge 8 has a 66.5°head tube angle, which makes it more capable of changing direction than the Trek Remedy 8.
Moreover, the 160mm rear travel of the Marin Wolf Ridge 8 dampens the shock better than the 150mm of the Trek Remedy 8.
The Trek Remedy 8 also has more flexible 27.5’’ wheels for better agility, while the Marin Wolf Ridge 8 has 29’’ wheels for better passability.
In short, if you want a wheel with better flexibility, the Trek Remedy 8 is perfect for you.
To achieve a more comfortable ride, I would recommend the Marin Wolf Ridge 8.
Learn More: Is Trek Remedy 9.8 A Good Bike? [Trek Remedy 9.8 Review]
Summary
The above is our full review of the Marin Wolf Ridge 8, a very good full-suspension enduro bike that riders will be able to perform better in races.
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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