Marin Mountain Bikes Mill Valley

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
All original components except for the rear derailleurs and tires. The WTB saddle is very comfortable and forgiving.

Summary:
The first review I posted was two years ago and here's the follow-up. The bike has held up well with all the punishments it has taken. I ride to work almost everyday (50 miles roundtrip) weather-permitting and I did the Seattle to Portland (200 miles-two day) ride with it.

The original tires were crappy; suffered a few flats with them; replaced them original tires with Continentals and placed better spoke/rim-protector lining and my rides have been flat-free.

The front brake tends to squeal and needed toe-in adjustments periodically.

Otherwise, rides have been most comfortable, a bit stiff but you'll get used to it. Shifting's been smooth and consistent.

Strengths:
Best bike for the money, light and quick. Amazingly stiff ride for an aluminum bike.

Weaknesses:
Front brakes tend to squeal and needs adjustment periodically. Checked by dealer a few times, still, problem persisted. No other problems.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1400 with Shimano 105 STI and brake calipers

Price Paid:  $850.00 at Avon Valley Cyclery,

Summary:
Don't buy this bike and not from these people. After just over 1 year the bottom bracket has been replaced (not under guarantee), the quality of components seems to be very low for the price of the bike.

Strengths:
Light

Weaknesses:
poor quality componenets

Similar Products Used:
Trek Road Bikes

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at R.E.I.

Favorite Ride:
Marin Mill Valley ALP

Bike Setup:
Standard year 2002 or 2003 (I forget which) Marin Mill Valley ALP bike. (Not a hybrid - don't know why) upgraded to Shimano 105 rear derailers (best the shop could get.

Summary:
It's a pretty good bike. For 1 month after I get it overhauled yearly at R.E.I. it rides so smooth that I think I'm in a hovercraft. I always feel like I'm going raelly fast on the bike and it shifts really smooth. (I upgraded to the 105 shimano rear derailers). That is of course until I tried riding with some riding clubs that dusted me. I think that was my limitations, not the bikes. I ride about 16mph average with roling hills. If the geomety was closer to a rode bike, it would be faster, but it is more comfortable. Never going to win a race with this style bike, but 40 - 75 mile weekend rides are fun and better on your back on the ALP bikes. (Don't know why Marin doesn't concider them Hybrids). But overall fun bike. Faster with the $60 Michilan racing slick tires, but a t 150 - 200 miles per week, they only last about a month or so. The cheaper tires work well also.

Strengths:
Surprised at the lightness with a non carbon frame

Weaknesses:
Slower than kleins and Cannondales (but 200 - 3000 dollrs lass also. Click pedals beg for falling over at stop signs due to forgetting you are in the clips. (Flat or clickless would be better)

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale, Treck, Klein, Diamand back (MTB)

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Recycled Cycles, Sea

Summary:
Light, quick and fast; firm but comfortable to ride. Upgraded rear derailleur with Shimano 105 but Tiagras are okay. Uphill climb is a breeze. Other road racers will be astonished with you tailing them with ease.

Strengths:
Well-built, solid feel. Smooth firm ride. Best bike for the money.

Weaknesses:
So far, none.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1400 with Ultegra 600 STI.

Price Paid:  $749.00 at On Ya Bike, London B

Favorite Ride:
country

Summary:
A beautiful bike that scares the hell out of me. And cost far too much. If it sells at $400 in the US, why the bloody hell does it cost £750 in the UK? - (i.e. $1,000)

Strengths:
Aesthetically superior. Light. Fast as hell. No one wants to rise somethinf totally garish and covered with trashy adverts. I still haven't got it into top gear. There is noticeable shift when you peddle hard such that hills disappear and gears work brilliantly.

Weaknesses:
It scares me. Tires give racer style spine impact - suggest suspension seat post.

Similar Products Used:
lots of bikes tried in an afternoon - this was the best.