TESTED: Marin Team 1 hardtail - flat out fun under $2000.

Photographer: Gerard Lagana | Tester: Mike Blewitt

Marin Bikes have a home with Bikes Online in Australia, and they have helped countless riders around the nation find a great bike for the trails via their direct to consumer model. Marin bikes are bought online and shipped to your door, and as such their website is setup to help equip you on choosing the right size, the right model – and building it up. They even have free 14 day returns!

The Marin Team 1 is called an aggressive XC bike, but what does that mean? Well it's fairly light for efficient bike riding, but with components and handling to suit aggressive riding as well.

Features

The Marin Team 1 shares the same frame as the Team 2. It has internal routing, including for a dropper post, wide tyre clearance, a great finish, and 148x12mm Boost rear axle spacing, and a 110mm Boost spacing front suspension fork. It's great to see the RockShox Judy TK has an air spring with rebound adjustment and lock out – to aid in getting it set up to suit a wide range of riders. The group set is a wide range Shimano Deore 12-speed group for precise shifting.

Geometry and Handling

The layout on this bike walks a nice line between traditional cross-country handling and a more confident trail bike. The 68 degree head angle is very close to what a modern cross-country bike would be using, and paired with the wider handlebars, short stem and 450mm reach in large, the bike is agile but also steady at speed. The 74 degree seat angle keeps you central over the bike when climbing, to stop the front wheel wandering around, assisting when navigating steeper climbs and technical ascents.

The bars are quite wide at 780mm, and many riders may opt to trim them a little so suit their needs, which is easier than making them wider. Wide bars do offer more control in rougher trails, so kudos to Marin for speccing these, along with a short stem, to help riders tackle more aggressive trails with less fear of going over the bars.

Ergonomics

Everything falls nicely into place on this bike, as the geometry is well designed. If I had to be picky, the Shimano MT200 levers are not a favourite, but common at this price range. They're quite long, so need to be set a long way inboard on the handlebar to use them for one finger braking – which the brakes are strong enough for. These small adjustments will make a big difference for any rider’s comfort and fit. Of note, at 178cm my seat height was near the maximum for the 350mm post on the large frame size. You can double check the frame sizing on the Bikes Online website.

Components

Given the Marin Team 1 is at the top of the price range, it should be no surprise that the parts are a good mix. The Shimano Deore 12-speed group set is a great choice, with durable parts that shift well under load, while having a wide gear range. The RockShox fork is a big brand, and while it's an entry level fork, it can be adjusted for rider weight, with rebound adjustment to aid control. RockShox forks are also easier to have serviced, with parts being readily available.

Special mention should go to Marin for the wheels and tyres. With 29mm internal rims that are tubeless ready, and 2.35” tyres, riders on this bike can work to get proper traction and comfort off road. The wider rim allows for more stability when cornering with a wider tyre, and a greater contact patch for more traction.

The only downside is the chain ring and cranks. They work fine – however the chain ring isn't truly replaceable. So when the chain ring gets worn, or damaged, you may be up for a new set of 24mm cranks. There are nearly unlimited options with this fitment, but we'd prefer to see an easily replaceable chain ring, as opposed to a whole crank set being replaced.

Fun Factor on the trail

With great ergonomics and handling, plus a low overall weight within the line-up of test bikes, the Marin Team 1 was a dream to get on and pedal. It responded really well to input through corners, with no crazy fork dive or deflections, even on a 32mm legged fork. The bike accelerates easily, and is easy to maneuver on the trails. The Marin was pretty quiet to ride – although some sort of chain stay protector would be a good addition to look after the paint.

With very reliable shifting and braking, there was little to think about when riding the Marin. The shifting was consistent through the range, with no missed shifts. When the KMC chain wears out, upgrade to a Shimano 12-speed chain, as these are designed to work with their 12-speed cassettes for even better shifting under load.

With one of the better wheel and tyre combinations available at this price, it is worth getting the tyre pressures set right, and even converting the wheel set to tubeless to get more comfort and traction. This makes a big difference to how capable a bike is, and is really worthwhile. When descending, the stable tyre setup and larger footprint aids in confidence in the traction available – and for me it plays a roll for how well the Marin rides.

The low head tube helps the bike push through corners, and pairs well with the longer reach and wider bars, The front of the bike is really planted through snaking singletrack climbs, and it really excels on fast and buff trails. But when I was hitting rockier trails I was wishing there was a dropper post on the bike, as it does mean you are pretty low at the front. A dropper post is a relatively easy addition, and would bump up the fun factor for anyone looking at the Team 1.

Our take

Bikes Online state that the Marin Team 1 is 'XC light with trail riding capability' and I would agree. It's going to suit the rider who likes going fast on the trails both up and down. While I'd love to see a dropper post included, it's actually better that Marin have included a wheel set with good hubs and wider tubeless compatible rims, plus a brand name RockShox fork and Shimano Deore 12-speed group set – as these items are pricier to upgrade later if that is your aim. It's a great bike and excellent value, with capable handling for a wide range of trails, and frame and component features that will serve a rider over a number of years. If you want a bike to ride hard and fast on singletrack now, and make a few savvy upgrades over time – the Marin Team 1 is a great bike to check out. If you're after something burlier, take a look at the Marin San Quentin 2, also $1999, which is a hardcore hardtail that is ready to party. Just bear in mind that you will need to build it yourself, or pay a bike shop to do it for you once it is delivered.

Brand: Marin
Model: Team 1
RRP: $1999
Weight: 13.42kg
From: bikesonline.com.au

Available Sizes: S, M, L (tested), XL
Frame Material: 6061 Aluminium
Fork: RockShox Judy Silver TK, 100mm

Shifter: Shimano Deore 12sp
Derailleur: Shimano Deore 12sp
Crank: Marin Forged alloy 2 piece, 32t, 175mm
Bottom bracket: BSA external sealed
Chain: KMC X12
Cassette: Shimano Deore 12sp 10-51t

Hubs: Shimano rear, alloy front, 32h, Boost   
Spokes: 14g stainless, black
Rims: Marin alloy, 29mm internal, tubeless compatible
Tyres: Vee Tire Rocco, 29×2.3”

Brakes: Shimano MT201, 180/180mm rotors
Stem: Marin 3D forged
Handlebars: Marin mini riser, 780mm wide
Seatpost: Marin alloy, 30.9mm
Saddle: Marin Speed Concept