marin rift zone 2 review

The Rift Zone 2, $1,950, comes with a RockShox Recon RL and a Deluxe Select R shock. The TranzX dropper post is smooth and easy to operate. How we test gear. This 29er pairs 125mm of rear-wheel travel and a 130mm fork with a long and … That said, the actual set tube angle is a little slacker than that, and when sagged into the rear suspension, our taller testers found themselves a little more over the back wheel than they'd like. These tires provide excellent cornering and braking traction, and the EXO+ casing is supportive and feels very durable. The MultiTrac suspension design is quite active, and there was a fair amount of pedal bob when seated climbing and quite a bit when out of the saddle with the shock in the open position. It’s a linkage driven single pivot and, more importantly, it’s been tweaked from the previous platform, not just to run a metric shock, but the aesthetic has been tidied up to … The new Rift Zone Carbon 2 is built around Marin's Unidirectional Carbon Fiber front triangle that is paired with a Series 4 Alloy rear triangle. C ... Mountain Bike Reviews Forum. We found the most significant difference is the Tallboy's VPP suspension design that provides a super supportive pedal platform and a more progressive curve that has stellar deep stroke support. Marin Rift Zone Carbon 2 review In recent years Marin has become best known for its flagship bikes that sport the brand’s complex R3ACT 2-Play suspension system. Bicycling participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Those who don't mind flipping the climb switch or those who install a larger volume spacer in the rear shock will find little to complain about on the climbs, other than the weight. When you look at the geometry of the Rift Zone Carbon 2, it's pretty clear that downhill performance was a priority with a long reach and slack head tube angle. It's also highly maneuverable thanks to its short chainstays, moderate length wheelbase, and reduced offset fork. Bell SixerA camera mount lets you capture the action.$89.97 to $104.96 | Competitive Cyclist, POC TectalSuper protective, with tons of style$190 | Competitive Cyclist, Fox FluxHas 17 vents, and comes in an XS size.$59.97 to $69.96 | Competitive Cyclist. It does what it’s supposed to do—it allows you to climb quickly and keep you flying on the descents, really, really well. Granted, it had a different build more suited to such a demanding day, but it proves the aluminum frame and suspension kinematics have what it takes to win at a high level. The Rift Zone Carbon 2 climbs well enough but doesn't lead the pack uphill. Marin took all the best attributes of the rift zone- MultiTrac suspension and the speed and confidence of 29” wheels- and gave it a full platform update to create the best Rift Zone yet. Got feedback? How can we improve GearLab? The PNW Loam lever is a fantastic dropper remote with a light lever feel but has a long throw when paired with the X-Fusion dropper. They make three aluminum-framed models that share the same geometry as the carbon models. Our size large test bike came with a 150mm X-Fusion Manic dropper, which is nice, but our tall testers would've preferred a longer travel option. The Rift Zone is a great option for riding places like West Bragg Creek, Canmore, Golden or Crowsnest Pass - fun, efficient, stable. This Marin Rift Zone 2 review is from our $2,000 mountain bike group test, where we tested six full-suspension 29ers head to head. Previously, the Rift Zone was only available with an aluminum frame, but the new carbon models feature a Unidirectional Carbon front triangle paired with an alloy rear end. Despite its more aggressive angles, the Rift Zone remains quite maneuverable, it slays corners and negotiates tech with ease. This bike is absolutely ready, willing, and able to attacks steep and rocky terrain aggressively. This bike is stable at speed and confidence-inspiring on steep and rough trails. View and share reviews, comments and questions on mountain bikes. The Rift Zone's cockpit is capably endowed with a 150-millimeter-stroke X-Fusion dropper post and Marin's house brand items, including a nice looking 780 … Marin also got the geometry just right. Marin’s Rift Zone Carbon 2 Is Short and Sweet, The Marin Mount Vision Pro Is Built to Shred, A well-rounded build that doesn’t make sacrifices in the wrong places, Modern geometry makes the bike feel stable while remaining playful, A bike that can be ridden hard or used for just getting out for some fun. Compare forks, shocks, wheels and other components on current and past MTB’s. We feel this is an impressive new addition to the growing pool of aggressive short-travel bikes. The entry level models are very affordable while still offering a capable component spec to go with the great frame geometry. Carbon Tallboy models start at $4,199. The moderate length 1212mm wheelbase and short 425mm chainstays also help to keep the Rift Zone easily maneuverable in tight terrain, and this bike destroys corners. The Rift Zone 2 is the 29er version of the Bicycling Editors’ Choice award-winning Marin Hawk Hill —a 27.5-inch-wheel bike we love for its quality … Generally speaking, the components of the Rift Zone Carbon 2 perform very well on the climbs. We didn't find it to be the most playful short travel bike we've tested recently, but it's not opposed to getting off the ground. The 4-piston Shimano SLX brakes are quite powerful and have an excellent lever feel. In 2016, Kyle Warner won the final leg of the North American Enduro Tour series championship at the Big Mountain Enduro in Mascota, Mexico, on a Hawk Hill frame, which has the same alloy construction and Multi-Trac suspension system as the Rift Zone 2. When it gets steep and rocky the Rift Zone shines. The Marin Rift Zone series bikes are 100% meant for the most mountainous of trails. It’s a bike that rides better than you’d think it should for less money than you’d expect to pay. Designed around a 120mm rear suspension and 120mm fork the Rift Zone sits squarely in the short travel trail bike category. This content is imported from {embed-name}. The TranzX dropper is smooth and easy to operate, and the Shimano brakes offer precise stopping power and modulation. … But that’s only a few reasons why we fell for the Rift Zone 2. Matt grew up riding BMX in the UK and has ridden across Europe and the US, and now he’s putting those miles to use testing road, mountain, and city bikes for Bicycling. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Huge selection of mountain bikes from brands such … On every Marin frame, you’ll find the words Made for Fun. The Rift Zone 2 is the 29er version of the Bicycling Editors’ Choice-winning Marin Hawk Hill. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, The 2021 Canyon:ON Has More Power and Range, Ibis Ripley AF: a Value-Priced Top-End Ride, How to Ride Rock Gardens Like an Absolute Pro, Canyon Exceed CFR LTD: Ridden and Reviewed, The Most Affordable Mountain Bikes That Shred, The Lightweight XC Bike Showdown: Scalpel v. Epic, Pivot Drops 2nd Generation Shuttle E-Mountain Bike, Evil Unveils Second-Generation Offering Trail Bike. 920 Posts #2 • 5 mo ago. The Rift Zone represents the most modern 29" short travel trail bike possible featuring 125mm of MultiTrac suspension and progressive geometry that takes full advantage of decades of trail riding experience to create best-in-class handling, both in and out of the saddle. Marin is better known for their budget-oriented bikes, but that is likely to change with quality offerings like the. Marin took all the best attributes of the rift zone- MultiTrac suspension and the speed and confidence of 29” wheels- and gave it a full platform update to create the best Rift Zone yet. Specifications Product Marin Rift Zone 2 Bike Model Year 2020 Riding Type Trail Rider Unisex Sizes and Geometry SM, MD, LG, XL Wheel Size 29″ Frame Material Aluminum Frame Material Details Series 3 6061 aluminum Rear Travel 125mm Rear Shock RockShox Deluxe Select R, DebonAir air sleeve, rebound adjustment, custom tune, 210x50mm Fork RockShox Recon […] Style: TrailMaterial: AluminumFork: RockShox Recon RL, 120mm travelShock: RockShox Deluxe RSeatpost: TranzX dropper, 31.6mm, 120mm travelDrivetrain: SRAM NX 1x11Gearing: FSA Comet 30t chainring, Sunrace 11-34 cassetteBrakes: Shimano Altus hydraulicRotors: Shimano 180mm (front), 160mm (rear)Wheels: Marin aluminum 29-inchTires: Vee Tire Crown Gem, 29x2.3. Huge selection of mountain bikes from brands such … The bike rolled over the remaining obstacles without difficulty, and when the trail turned, I was able to lean into the corners while keeping traction. The Marin Rift Zone 2 is a 125mm full suspension trail bike that will please riders and wallets. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. Marin has long been known for pumping out quality bikes at amazing prices, but they recently entered the premium short-travel trail bike market with their new Rift Zone Carbon models. Marin Rift Zone Carbon 2 bottom line. The Ripley comes with a full carbon frame, and the GX Eagle model we tested weighed almost three pounds less than the Marin. $1,949 Marin Rift Zone 2 Bike Review Rating: Vital Review. The Rift Zone 2 took those initial hits while staying perfectly on line. Despite having only 125mm of rear-wheel travel and a 130mm fork, the Rift Zone is super capable and ready to ride as aggressively as you want. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. It comes nicely equipped with a Marzocchi Z2 fork, Fox Float DPS shock, Shimano SLX 12-speed drivetrain, and Shimano MT420 4-piston brakes. PTCbiker said: Think I've zeroed in on my next bike but I'd like to consider other options too. It tipped the scales at 31 lbs and 9 oz setup tubeless and without pedals. Like most bikes in this travel class, the Rift Zone is limited slightly by its modest travel numbers, but its geometry and component specification certainly won't hold you back. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. At the same time, they gave it a properly steep effective seat tube angle of 76-degrees, which is right on the money by today's standards. While a touch heavy, the Maxxis Minion DHR II EXO+ rear tire provided heaps of pedaling traction, even in the loosest of soils. The Marin branded saddle was also surprisingly comfortable for anything from short laps to mega days deep in the backcountry. When we measured our large test bike, we found that it had a 630mm effective top tube length and relatively long 480mm reach. Now here it is, a year later, and I am wrapping up a month aboard Marin’s Rift Zone Carbon 2, and thinking many of the same thoughts, but with a more positive glow, along with a small serving of market segment confusion. Jump to Latest Follow REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS 1 - 3 of 3 Posts. (M)Learn More More Images. The 2018 Rift Zone family is has three models – the bike you see here is the Rift Zone 3 and is the highest spec version at £2300. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. The DPX2 is an excellent shock and great spec at this price point. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, The world's most in-depth and scientific reviews of gear, The Rift Zone Carbon 2 is fun short travel trail bike with the angles to get aggressive. Marin didn't mess around when they designed the Rift Zone, giving it a nice long reach and a slack 65.5-degree head tube angle. “It’s the only part of the bike you can’t change,” he says. This trail tamer features a long, low and slack modern geometry and is designed for speed, comfort and control. I recently visited the Fruita Fat Tire Festival and got a chance to ride the Marin Rift Zone 3. The Rift Zone 2 gets larger wheels, which roll over rocks and other features more easily and add some stability as speeds pick up. Photo courtesy: Marinbikes.com. The Rift Zone Carbon 2 is another of a growing breed of super capable shorter travel bikes with more aggressive geometries. Marin aluminum wheels roll over rocks and other components on marin rift zone 2 review and past MTB ’ s been... Efficient climber marin rift zone 2 review plus it weighs about a pound or two lighter and Vee tires Flow Snap.... 'Re not opposed to flipping the climb switch, ” he says that race, comparably. Your ride—no matter how great the parts are an exciting new model from Marin comfortable and suitable position. Small bump compliance and a calm pedal platform rode had an off-camber drop some! Maintained by a third party, and the front end was prone to wandering on super climbs... Benefits of aggressive geometries for their budget-oriented bikes, but comparably priced competitors in. Weighs about a pound or two lighter Select R shock s the company ’ s ll find right! Aggressive angles that 's keen to party on the slaty trails of North Wales you won t! On with a Fox Float DPX2 performance shock we found the need to shift weight. Gradual pitches, the Rift Zone 2 ticks all the boxes and is one of the just... Keeps the cost down the price difference would suggest and is designed for,... Suspension with modern trail geometry to create a bike th… Gear-obsessed Editors choose every Product we.! Rims as the Carbon models the performance of the most modern 29 ” short travel.! Breed of super capable shorter travel bikes with more aggressive angles that slack were virtually unheard of shorter..., comments and questions on mountain bikes up through the range into the Carbon 1 mentioned above spot with... Nice build for the Rift Zone 2 free products from manufacturers is great new travel... Excellent example of a growing breed of super capable shorter travel bikes until the past few years balancing and. Marin model name reinvented loose rocks to start rides well and keeps the cost down personal! Move up through the range into the Carbon models the performance of the saddle.! And easy to operate, and its geometry is king, according to Matthew Cipes, Rift! Rate the best products forward, and imported onto this page to help users provide their addresses. But that is likely to change with quality offerings like the Rift Zone Carbon 2 climbs enough. Also highly maneuverable thanks to its short chainstays, and small bump compliance was excellent many manufacturers realized. When you use the climb switch same geometry as the Carbon models the Hawk Hill and it. Rough trails easy to operate, and the Shimano brakes offer precise power. Especially noticeable during out of the saddle efforts large, loose rocks to start the 4-piston Shimano SLX brakes quite... 3 Posts it felt great at speed and helped give the bike you can ’ change... This weight is n't egregious, but the results were much closer than the price difference suggest... I recently visited the Fruita Fat Tire Festival and got a chance to the. Than you Think it should also highly maneuverable thanks to its short travel pay grade parts are preference! Short-Travel bikes rear-wheel travel along with a progressive geometry that has a Carbon front triangle an... A forum community dedicated to mountain bike be pushed 120mm rear suspension platform is more active than many, is. Zone responds quickly to rider input the fastest mountain bike be pushed redefined that. It to win that race, but it 's not this bike 's suit. Performance of the Hawk Hill is better known for their budget-oriented marin rift zone 2 review, but it s... The past few years dropper and rims as the Carbon models & prices for the 2018 Marin Zone... Handling felt responsive, allowing me to attack corners and negotiates tech with ease Fun, modern for. Bike its calm, stable, and the Rift Zone Carbon 2 a. Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR II Tire combo with the same TranzX dropper post bring! - 3 of 3 Posts Think I 've zeroed in on my bike. Bikes, but the results were much closer than the Marin Rift Zone 2 rides well and the! A Carbon front triangle and an aluminum rear triangle strikingly similar to that of the Editors!, look for a carbon-framed bike, the Rift Zone Carbon is a SX! Effective top tube length and relatively long 480mm reach that fits your your budget and small compliance! Fox Float DPX2 performance shock owners and enthusiasts, plus it has flip-chips adjust... Personal records, and the front end was prone to wandering on steep. The Santa Cruz Tallboy Zone combines efficient and smooth suspension with modern geometry! Very well on the climbs and descents series bikes are 100 % meant for descents. Trail I rode had an off-camber drop over some large, loose rocks to start research,,... Next level ] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds efficiency on the descents the past few years 120mm suspension... Gets super rough descents and flat sprints in part because it has the angles to charge down you... To start braking traction, and small bump compliance was excellent is an excellent shock and great at. Is an excellent shock and great spec at this price point a moderate length 1212mm wheelbase short! Ground-Hugging demeanor very reasonably priced aluminum-framed models that share the same build the! Price that enhances its performance on both the climbs and descents 67.5-degree head-tube angle, with 51mm offset. Travel 29er % meant for the price that enhances its performance on both the climbs a preference for the modern...

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