Marin has a storied past stretching back to the formative years of mountain biking. In 2012 an investment firm purchased the company and – if the 2014 mountain, road and cyclocross bikes are any indication – it appears the brand is better for it. With more resources at its disposal, the Marin team has breathed new life into many of its models.
The 2014 line includes more carbon bikes than ever before, with Di2 on show. And the increasingly popular 650b (27.5in) wheel size is also used throughout the mountain bike line. We gave BikeRadar readers a sneak peek at several Marin 2014 prototypes this spring, at Sea Otter. Here’s a look at the finished bikes.
650b Attack Trail with slack geometry
The Attack Trail is back in Marin’s line for 2014, with 650b (27.5in) wheels and a full carbon frame. The bike has 150mm of rear travel via a dual link design. Up front, a 160mm RockShox Pike handles suspension duties.
The Attack trail has a 66.5-degree head tube angle, making it one of the slackest 150mm trail bikes on the market. Other frame features include a down tube bashguard and bottom bracket/chainguide attachment plates for single- and double-ring cranksets.
The Attack Trail Pro will be offered with the new RockShox Pike RCT3 fork and a 2x10 SRAM X0 drivetrain, with e*thirteen supplying the TRS+ wheels, crankset, and chainguide
Riders will have the option of two full carbon models, as well as a version with a carbon front triangle and aluminum rear end. The price range for the 2014 Attack Trail is US$4,320 to US$8,100 (UK pricing TBA).
Mount Vision updated with new carbon frame
The Mount Vision receives similar updates to the Attack Trail for 2014. The 140mm travel trail bike gets 650b (27.5in) wheels and a full carbon frame with internal routing for the rear brake, front and rear derailleurs, and dropper seatpost. The Mount Vision comes equipped with a 140mm Fox 32 fork and has a 67.5-degree head tube angle. Unlike the longer travel Attack Trail, the Mount Vision uses a linkage-driven single pivot suspension.
The Mount Vision Pro has a full SRAM XX1 group, Reverb seatpost, and Formula Engineering carbon wheels. Claimed weight is 25lb (11.3kg)
The Mount Vision will be available in three full carbon models and two carbon/aluminum options. Marin will also offer a women’s version with a full carbon frame. The price range for the Mount Vision line is US$3,024 to US$7,776 (UK pricing TBA).
Team CXR Pro also gets 650b wheels
It’s not just Marin’s full-suspension trail bikes that get the 650b treatment. For 2014, the Team CXR Pro will be available with 29in or 27.5in wheels.
The Team CXR Pro features SRAM's XX1 drivetrain and Formula carbon wheels
The price range for the bikes is US$3,132 to US$5,500 (UK pricing TBA).
650b Rocky Ridge trail hardtails
The Rocky Ridge is a model that’s returned to the Marin range for 2014, and it holds little in common with its predecessor. The 130mm travel, hard-hitting hardtail now uses 650b (27.5in) wheels, slack angles, and tough components, and is available in two builds.
The aggressively kinked seat tube allows for either a lengthy reach for climbing duties or a short cockpit for confident descending, depending on the position of the saddle. Thru-axles are used both front and rear, and both builds come with a chain device-equipped 1x transmission.
Both Rocky Ridge models look ready for trail abuse
The top spec Rocky Ridge 7.4 will retail for £1,999 in the UK (US pricing TBA).
Indian Fire Trail in all three wheel sizes
The Indian Fire Trail is what Marin call its privateer XC race bike, and it’s available with 26in, 27.5in and 29in wheels for 2014. Each bike gets 100mm of travel from a Fox 32 Float fork and comes equipped with a Shimano SLX/XT triple drivetrain (650b and 29er variants use Shimano’s compact triple ratios).
The Marin Indian Fire Trail 29er retails for £1,899 in the UK (US prices TBA)
Cortina T3 CX PRO now disc-specific
The 2014 Cortina T3 CX Pro features a new disc-specific carbon frame with matching full-carbon fork. The CX PRO comes with a press-fit 30 bottom bracket, and an interchangeable 4-in-1 cable guide system allowing riders to run electronic or mechanical drivetrains.
The Cortina T3 CX PRO gets Shimano’s Ultegra Di2 drivetrain and BR-R785 hydraulic brakes, and tubeless-ready Easton XD wheels
Marin will also offer the more affordable Cortina CX, which uses the same T3 carbon frame and comes specced with a 10-speed SRAM Rival drivetrain. Interestingly, the Cortina CX uses an X0 Type 2 rear derailleur for added chain security on rough courses.
The price range for Marin’s Cortina CX line is US$2,700 to US$5,832 (UK pricing TBA).
Stelvio T3 Pro with Red 22 or Dura-Ace Di2
The Stelvio T3 Pro is the top bike in Marin’s Pro Fit series. The Stelvio is built using tube-to-tube carbon fiber construction and comes with a full-carbon fork. Frame features including a press-fit 30 bottom bracket and Marin’s 4-in-1 internal cable routing system, with easy access ports for electronic and mechanical drivetrains.
The Stelvio T3 Pro Dura-Ace Di2 has an internal battery and comes with Reynolds Assault carbon clinchers
The bikes in the Stelvio line will retail between US$2,160 and US$8,964 (UK pricing TBA).
Verona T3 Pro updated with electronic shifting
The Verona T3 Pro is Marin’s endurance road platform, providing a more relaxed riding position and greater stability than the Stelvio series. The Verona’s tapered seat tube and bowed seatstays minimize road vibration for greater comfort.
The Verona T3 Pro comes specced with an Ultegra Di2 22-speed drivetrain with the battery nested in the seatpost
The price range for the Verona line is US$2,160 to US$5,400 (UK pricing TBA).
For more information on Marin bikes see www.marinbikes.com.
