Marin Mountain Bikes San Rafael

Price Paid:  $499.00 at REI

Favorite Ride:
marin San Rafael

Bike Setup:
xl

Summary:
This is one of the best trail bikes ever. This is a multifunctional bike. I love it because the crank size is not to small. It enables you to use this equipment on a paved trail and ride with minimal excretion. Most mountain or multipurpose bikes have small cranks and the shocks are no lockable which causes you to have to work twice as hard on a paved surface. Also this bicycle is resilient Ive had many collisions due to inexperienced riders on the trail and this Bike didn't get damaged.. Its a great bike that hasn't cost me a lot to maintain just the annual tune up... even this is not necessary every season. This is a well built product. I ride 30 to 45 miles 5 days a week.. you should see the flat stomach ! lol

Strengths:
larger crank diameter, lockable shocks , long stems and seat post. adjustable . trust angle .

Weaknesses:
Seat takes some getting use to.

Similar Products Used:
cannondale .Navara trek

Price Paid:  $380.00 at Condor Cycles, Londo

Bike Setup:
Road and commuting

Summary:
I chose this bike for riding around London. I needed something that was quite nippy but could handle trails in the parks and occasional potholes. So the front suspension with lockout was a big plus.
At first the bike was good but then things started to go wrong. First the back wheel buckled and collapsed after just a few months. Then the rubber protecting the right suspension fork came loose. Then the suspension rusted solid and locked up forever.
Next to break was the suspension seat post. It snapped out of the blue and the jagged end cut my leg.
Worst of all, however, was the frame. I was riding home one day and felt the whole bike twisting. ON checking I found the frame had split on the diagonal just above the crankshaft. The bike had broken in two! It was less than two years old.
I took it back to the shop and they did the right thing, refunding the whole cost of the bike. I used the cash to get a new one - a Specialized this time. No more Marins for me!

Strengths:
None

Weaknesses:
Poor components, weak frame, expensive maintenance

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Cirrus & Hardrock

Price Paid:  $375.00 at Bicycle Therapy

Favorite Ride:
South Philly to Valley Forge, PA

Bike Setup:
Stock w/ Terry Men's Liberator saddle and Shimano Sora three ring 52 tooth large ring crank

Summary:
This is one of the better hybrid compromises. The position is relatively upright (a little too much, actually, even w/ the adjustable stem height) and the suspension is supple. The frame is not too heavy, the shifting is good and its easy to go fast over long distances and lousy roads, gravel, etc.
This bike is no substitute for a real straight stem road bike like the Bianchi Strada (the bike I really wanted) or a mountain bike but its a fine inexpensive commuter - better than more expensive bikes like the Cannondale adventure series. Upgrade to a larger crank (also requires swapping out front derailler) is a neccesity.

Strengths:
Comfort w/ speed. Nice rapid fire shifters. Good adjustable front suspension fork.

Weaknesses:
Small crank, mediocre seat (I swapped out both). Kenda tires are okay but I would prefer an invert tread like the Avocet Cross II - I'll get those when the Kendas wear out. Aluminum alloy frame is okay w/ suspension but for a bike like this Reynolds steel seems like a lighter, more comfortable and more resiliant choice. Hopefully I'll never mess this one up.

Similar Products Used:
Old Fiji racer, Gary Fisher Wahoo aluminum frame mountain w/ no suspension.

Price Paid:  $375.00 at Bicycle Therapy

Favorite Ride:
South Philly to Valley Forge, PA

Bike Setup:
Stock w/ Terry Men's Liberator saddle and Shimano Sora three ring 52 tooth large ring crank

Summary:
This is one of the better hybrid compromises. The position is relatively upright (a little too much, actually, even w/ the adjustable stem height) and the suspension is supple. The frame is not too heavy, the shifting is good and its easy to go fast over long distances and lousy roads, gravel, etc.
This bike is no substitute for a real straight stem road bike like the Bianchi Strada (the bike I really wanted) or a mountain bike but its a fine inexpensive commuter - better than more expensive bikes like the Cannondale adventure series. Upgrade to a larger crank (also requires swapping out front derailler) is a neccesity.

Strengths:
Comfort w/ speed. Nice rapid fire shifters. Good adjustable front suspension fork.

Weaknesses:
Small crank, mediocre seat (I swapped out both). Kenda tires are okay but I would prefer an invert tread like the Avocet Cross II - I'll get those when the Kendas wear out. Aluminum alloy frame is okay w/ suspension but for a bike like this Reynolds steel seems like a lighter, more comfortable and more resiliant choice. Hopefully I'll never mess this one up.

Similar Products Used:
Old Fiji racer, Gary Fisher Wahoo aluminum frame mountain w/ no suspension.

Price Paid:  $375.00 at Bicycle Therapy

Favorite Ride:
South Philly to Valley Forge, PA

Bike Setup:
Stock w/ Terry Men's Liberator saddle and Shimano Sora three ring 52 tooth large ring crank

Summary:
This is one of the better hybrid compromises. The position is relatively upright (a little too much, actually, even w/ the adjustable stem height) and the suspension is supple. The frame is not too heavy, the shifting is good and its easy to go fast over long distances and lousy roads, gravel, etc.
This bike is no substitute for a real straight stem road bike like the Bianchi Strada (the bike I really wanted) or a mountain bike but its a fine inexpensive commuter - better than more expensive bikes like the Cannondale adventure series. Upgrade to a larger crank (also requires swapping out front derailler) is a neccesity.

Strengths:
Comfort w/ speed. Nice rapid fire shifters. Good adjustable front suspension fork.

Weaknesses:
Small crank, mediocre seat (I swapped out both). Kenda tires are okay but I would prefer an invert tread like the Avocet Cross II - I'll get those when the Kendas wear out. Aluminum alloy frame is okay w/ suspension but for a bike like this Reynolds steel seems like a lighter, more comfortable and more resiliant choice. Hopefully I'll never mess this one up.

Similar Products Used:
Old Fiji racer, Gary Fisher Wahoo aluminum frame mountain w/ no suspension.