Much anticipated since Interbike in October, the Marin Quad XC Series looked to be a contender for a light all mountain bike to rip up Vancouver Island trails. When they rolled off the freight truck yesterday afternoon, it was too much temptation to not take it for a ride right away. But alas 24 hrs later it was time to put it through a first test.
A bit dirty during the first ride.
For this ride I was to take a new Rift Zone ($2899) from Dodge City Cycles for a local Cumberland Trail - Bucket of Blood. This 11km ride provides 5km of climbing and 6km of descending, with a total elevation gain of 680m. A good mix of terrain from compacted and loose logging road with rocky and technical single track. Quite a good test trail. The conditions were wet and somewhat slippery at this time of year with remenants of snow at the top of our climb.
2007 Marin Quad-XC Bikes
The Marin Quad-XC Series provides a range of bikes from the East Peak ($2199) to the Mount Vision Pro ($5499). The component spec ranges from LX through XTR with all frames spec'd with Fox Float Air rear shocks. Marzocchi forks grace the East Peak to Fox 32 Float RLC on the top end.
Tires upgraded for the local conditions
All frames have the same Hydroformed main frame, a 4-bar link platform producing 5 inches of travel vs 4 on the 2006 models. The new design reduces the leverage on the shock.
Marin's patented Quad Link frame design uses an everchanging axlepath moving around a Instantaneous Pivot Center (IPC). This ever changing pivot location produces a wheel path independent of the pedaling, braking or bump forces. The end result is a bike that has great traction and big hit control.
Initial Impressions
The bike was modified slightly from the stock kit including the stem / bar combo, crankset and seat. Tires for this ride were 2.4 inch vs the standard 2.1 inch WTB XC tires. Frame size is a medium measuring approx 17.5 inches, 70/72 head/seat angles, a 42.2" wheelbase and 12.8" bottom bracket height. From what I have been told, the Marin bikes are measured based upon standard sag, and as such even with my larger 6'2" size, I was comfortable on the medium frame. Figure to purchase a frame size smaller than you typically would ride.
Factory specs on the bike included Deore LX/XT shifting with the new double action rapidfire shifters, Avid Juicy 5 brakes, Mavic 317 Disc wheels on WTB hubs.
The Bike is well built. with beautiful swooping lines, a stiff and smooth linkage and careful details to gusseting, frame finish and colour selection. This bike was in Gloss Ocean, a deep blue colour which changes with the light. The bike is also available in a womens version in Gloss Pink
For Island trails, most riders would probably look to change the stock stem and bar, which tends to be long and flat and more suited to the xc race crowd. The stock tires will be great summer rubber, but nicely there is room for a larger tire front and rear. A 2.4 squeezed in but depending on the actual tire design up to a 2.5 might fit.
Climbing
As this is a test, we had to get out on the trails, and with Daylight Savings kicking in earlier it was easy to get out after work for a loop. The trail starts with a consistent climb, and right away I found a winner. While my rear air pressure was slightly low, a quick adjustment and I was locked in for the climb. The sweet spot for rear traction is quite large, both in and out of the saddle, keeping the wheel firmly planted. Seated climbing produced minimal to no pedal action in either the middle or small ring, and the Fox Float R with Pro Pedal was doing it's work just fine.
Hydroformed Goodness - Stiff linkage but smooth and supple
The climb continued for a few km's with a technical rocky section for which I quickly tossed the low 30lb bike over my shoulder for a short climb.
Technical Trails
Once to the top of Bucket, there is a few minutes of technical fairly level xc trails with many roots, short slippery rock sections and log obstacles. The bike felt very comfortable in this terrain, soaking up the roots and rough sections effortlessly, and upon later inspection I still had a bit more travel to go. The bottom bracket height and chainring position remained high enough to clear most marked logs, further helping my forward momentum. Shifting was effortless with the new XT derailleur and double thumb action shifters, and without fail the bike worked on down the trail.
Descending & Speed
This progressive trail begins its long and downward travels with rooted drops, rolling rock sections, steep pitches and more. The 70 degree head angle and Fox Float fork worked well to keep the bike stable underneath while nimble and flickable on the small lips and jumps in the trail. Save for my desire to inflict as little damage on the bike (the owner hadn't even ridden it yet) I found the further down the trail I was, the more I was comfortable and working the bike. Another few rides dialing in the suspension would provide some great results.
The last section of trail, Broadway, is a steep bermed trail with some great flow, and by this point, I felt very comfortable on even the steepest and loosest of sections. The Juicy 5 brakes were working hard to slow my burly body, but without fade, they kept up to the task.
Riding home, a last fast gravel logging road section provided for some top speeds and a very smooth and stable feel. Loose gravel was no match for this bike and I returned to the house with a big smile and mud covered face!
Conclusions
One of the biggest challenges these days comes from the vast selection of bikes in many categories. On Vancouver Island we have a great selection of trails, and finding a fully capable machine can be a challenge.
In this case, I felt the bike with some personalization provides for a very smooth and nimble ride, with great climbing and inspiring decending. For intermediate to advanced riders, this bike along with a DH / Freeride bike would provide for a trusty stable, capable of all options imaginable.
We hope to follow this test up with a review of the Quad-XC's bigger DH brother, the Quake XLT.
If you'd like to find out more about the Marin 2007 bikes, Stop on by Dodge City Cycles in Cumberland and ask Dan about this seasons Demo program.
The 411
2007 Marin Quad-XC Rift Zone
MODEL - Rift Zone
COLOR - Gloss Ocean, Gloss Pink
SIZES - XS, S, M, L
FRAME - 6061 Aluminum, Fully Hydroformed Mainframe and Swingarm, Quad-Link XC 2.0 Suspension System, Disc Specific
REAR SUSPENSION - Fox Float R with Rebound Adjustment
FORK - Fox 32 Float R, 120mm with Rebound Adjustment, and Air Spring Preload
HEADSET - FSA Alloy TH-857, 1 1/8”, Threadless
REAR HUB - WTB LaserDisc Lite, 32 Hole Disc
FRONT HUB - WTB LaserDisc Lite, 32 Hole Disc
SPOKES - DT WTB 15 Gauge Black Stainless
RIMS - Mavic XM-317, 32 Hole Disc
TIRES - WTB MotoRaptor Comp, 26” x 2.14” (49/52)
SHIFTERS - 9 Speed Shimano LX, with 2 Way Release
FRONT DERAILLEUR - Shimano Deore
REAR DERAILLEUR - Shimano XT Shimano LX
CASSETTE - 9 Speed Shimano, 11-32
CHAIN - Shimano HG53
CRANKSET - TruVativ Firex 3.2, 44/32/22 with 2 Alloy Chainrings and Giga X Pipe Exterior BB System
BOTTOM BRACKET - TruVativ with Giga X Pipe Exterior System Integrated with Crankset
SEATPOST - Comp Alloy Micro Adjust, 30.9mm x 350mm
SADDLE - WTB Laser V Comp with Love Channel, Comfort Zone and Cromoly Rails
HANDLEBAR - Double Butted 6061 Alloy, OS-31.8mm, 25.4mm Rise
STEM FSA - OS170 Threadless with Alloy Face Plate and 31.8mm Bar Clamp
GRIPS WTB - Moto Grip
BRAKES - Avid Juicy 5 Hydraulic Disc
BRAKE LEVERS - Avid Hydraulic
PEDALS - Shimano M520 Clipless
Testing Conditions
Weather was cool with rain earlier in the day, wet trails, some late season snow, and nice wet slippery roots.
Vertical Profile of Test Ride
