The Marin Lombard E is no longer a commuter bike for city slickers, instead a do-it-all electrically assisted rig built to tackle urban streets, dirt roads and the occasional cheeky path into the woods.
The Lombard has morphed from a commuter bike into an electric gravel bike, equipped with a 400Wh battery and Bosch’s SX motor, along with wide gravel tyre clearances and relaxed geometry, to boost its utility beyond the 9-to-5.
The Lombard E comes in two models, with one enjoying a more tarmac-focused build and the other with an eye on more challenging terrain.
Both represent great value for money, as has been the case with Marin’s recent bikes.
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Go anywhere, do anything?
Marin says the Lombard E is "a multi-surface drop bar dream machine that laughs at terrain changes", which gives us a taste of what the brand believes the two bikes can do.
Both bikes have room for wide 50c tubeless tyres to help smooth the way, and a geometry that’s relaxed rather than racy.
Combined, this should result in a ride that’s suitable for a huge range of applications, boosted by both frame and fork luggage-carrying mounts.
Both models are based around the same Series 4 Beyond Road alloy frame, which has a dropped top tube for improved standover height and skinny stays to add an element of compliance to the frame.
There's a pair of bottle bosses, while the Universal Derailleur Hanger provides plenty of drivetrain future-proofing.
At the front, a carbon fork is used on both models to help take the sting out of the trail.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reach (mm) | 385 | 405 | 415 | 425 |
| Stack (mm) | 565 | 583 | 607 | 640 |
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 |
| Seat tube angle (degrees) | 73.5 | 73.5 | 73.5 | 73.5 |
| Seat tube length (mm) | 460 | 485 | 505 | 530 |
| BB height (mm) | 282 | 282 | 282 | 282 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1042 | 1069 | 1088 | 1110 |
| Chainstay (mm) | 435 | 435 | 435 | 435 |
| Top tube (mm) | 552 | 578 | 595 | 615 |
| Standover (mm) | 687 | 702 | 715 | 742 |
Power up
The Bosch SX Sprint ebike motor is powered via a 400Wh battery in the down tube. A Fidlock locking mechanism secures the cover on the underside of the down tube, from which the battery can be dropped for charging in the house if required.
The top tube holds the basic Bosch System Controller, with five bars denoting battery levels and coloured LEDs showing which of the four ride modes is engaged.
A simple switch on the bar enables easy toggling between modes.
The Bosch Performance SX motor offers 60Nm of torque with 600W of maximum power and up to 400% assistance – it can give out up to four times the power that you apply via the cranks.
The included Sprint mode is targeted at e-gravel riders, offering a more dynamic feel to its power delivery. It gives up to 280% assistance and is built for steep climbs and fast sprints.
Choose your ride
Two models are available, the Lombard E1 and the Lombard E2.
The Lombard E1 is the base model, coming with slicker file-treaded tyres and designed for a more urban audience.
The Series 4 aluminium frame is fronted by the carbon fork, while Shimano provides both the GRX-level 12-speed 1x drivetrain and hydraulic brakes.
The Lombard E1 is priced at £3,399 / $4,299 / €3,899 / CAD$4,999
The Marin Lombard E2 is built for the more adventurous rider.
The Vee Tire Co Quickstyk tyres have a more pronounced tread for better off-road grip. In addition, there’s a Trans-X gravel dropper post in the seat tube to help get the saddle out of the way when tackling more technical paths.
Shimano provides its GRX wireless Di2 12-speed groupset.
The Lombard E2 is priced at £3,999 / $5,299 / €4,699 / CAD$5,999.
