A bike that can handle so much at speed particularly in the rough, needs to be able to stop at will. Think I've zeroed in on my next bike but I'd like to consider other options too. The tire profile is pretty squared off, however, and in hard-packed flat corners, leaning into those bulky side knobs can get squirrely. I think the Marin is the one! Fezzari is an established direct-to-consumer bike brand based in Utah. Rift Zone really pushing things. Propain's New Hugene 29er Trail Bike is Here, Nukeproof's 2021 Giga Line Has Finally Dropped, Fear Nothing - Forbidden Launches the Dreadnought, Get Up Close and Personal with Neko Mulally's New Intense M279, RATBOY, PEATY, LOOSEDOG, EVANS & PALEY - Vital RAW, Great pedaling and rear suspension performance, One of the most modern geometries in our test with 450mm reach, 66-degree head angle and 42mm offset fork, Lack of dropper seat post and poor brake performance, Purchased through GT authorized bike shops, Very good component spec for the price, including SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain (the only bike with NX compared to all other bikes running SX Eagle), Dropper seat post not included on $2,000 build, Dropper seat post installed on bike before delivery for additional $200 (as tested), Lightest bike in test at 31 pounds, 2 ounces, Least expensive bike in test along with Norco, Purchased through Giant-authorized bike shops, Best gravity-oriented performance in our test, Marzocchi Z2 fork, Shimano MT501 brakes and Schwalbe tires are great spec at this price point, Solid climbing ability with best engaging rear hub in test, Surprisingly light for the build at 32 pounds 1 ounce, Seat post insertion depth was shorter than we'd like. The regular Trance will be more compatible to the Rift. There were component similarities between some of the bikes, like three of them running a RockShox Recon fork, but each bike was definitely its own machine, each with unique riding characteristics. A capable yet incredibly lively 130mm-travel pinner with a great … Big rotational forces impact, or even overpower, suspension component performance, and at this price-point, it is always a game of give and take. The slackest-of-the-bunch 66-degree head angle is paired with a 42mm offset RockShox Recon fork. During setup, Steve immediately noticed that the Abajo Peak had the most tunable rear suspension. Thread starter dan76n; Start date Nov 15, 2018; D. dan76n Likes Bikes. The new geometry, bump in travel, and RockShox Deluxe all combined with those meaty tires, make the Rift Zone punch above its weight class when things get rough and speeds increase. Overall a sweet do-it-all ride for the money that can take lighter trails in the bike Park and pedals really well with the Meastro stuff. The Maxxis Forekaster tires with EXO casing have proven themselves trail-ready in the Boise area and complimented our testing grounds with fast-rolling speeds and predictable cornering...to a point. The Norco could have been a front runner, a monster on the descents, had it not been for the Tektro brakes. We reviewed the previous version of this bike when it was rocking 120mm of front and rear travel. We put them through every test, gave them every chance but at best, all they could do was slow the bike somewhat. We loved the Fluid FS 1 29er last year and since then have been loving the new Optic and Sight. Shimano’s MT201 brakes, the same as the Giant, slow the bike down. Tektro HD-M275 brakes are in charge of slowing the Fluid’s massive 29x2.6-inch Goodyear Escape tires, the widest in our test. Another option would be to hold on to that $200 for visits to your local shop. Right away, the slow-rolling nature of the tires was apparent. Love that you've made these approachable for the uninitiated but also worth watching for the old-timers too. We’ll chalk up the performance variances to production issues at this low end of the spectrum. The SX drive train isn't great but fine for him. Marin has cracked the modern trail code with its newest Rift Zone. Assembly was straight-forward and should be within reach of any rider ready for a full-suspension bike. we prob won't deal w/ the rift zone 3, but we did get to ride the new carbon 2 which is a freaking hoot. Vitus bikes are available through Chain Reaction Cycles and Wiggle online stores. Marin Rift Zone My plan was to buy the Rift Zone 2 as I really like the colour scheme and that it comes with a Rock Shox rear shock. The Rift Zone 2 ($1,949) and Rift Zone 1 ($1,599) are its less expensive, less feature-filled siblings. They never offered control, confidence or consistency when we wanted to push the bike further. The Abajo Peak gets 130mm of travel out back and 140mm of travel up front through X-Fusion suspension. On the trail, the Stance feels like the definition of a "mountain bike." Part 2: behind the bike A chat with Matt Cipes – Marin’s MTB Product Manager. The Rift Zone in its modern form has been a blinding success for Marin, coming right into the heart of the mountain bike market with an affordable trail bike that is both capable and fun to ride. I just got back from my first ride on my new Rift Zone 2, which is the first bike I've ever owned, and thought people here might like some first-hand impressions from someone just entering the hobby. Plus the shimano cranks are nicer too. Hard to beat. I had settled on the Vitus Mythique VRX 29 and placed an order with Wiggle, but then things went sideways and they cancelled my order. They’ve been shipping bikes directly through their website for years, and despite their history, they can get lost in the shuffle against the likes of YT, Canyon or Commencal. Where did you guys see that price on the Norco? I still love riding but perhaps times were simpler (and maybe better?) Trance X was nice, though he swapped out the stem from 50mm to 40mm which was free (nice move imo). I think it would work great on Long Island. I'd be more inclined towards the X if you lived around big mountains. Vital MTBers, welcome to our $2,000 full suspension mountain bike comparison test. Can a new rider buying a first-time mountain bike really meet their performance aspirations at an entry-level, beginner price tag? The tires are sweet too...DHF and Dissector. The overall feel of the Norco had us wanting to plow any and every obstacle the trail dared put in our way. The same happened to our Fezzari. Shimano 410 brakes are nice enough as well. I ended up ordering the Polygon Siskiu T8 onsale for $1999. Marin Rift Zone Carbon 2 review. A rider in chunky or ledge-filled terrain would be really happy on the Abajo Peak. I try to hide the uphill prowess. Lesser-experienced riders may not pick up on something coming loose right away. It wasn’t just the additional travel out back compared to the other bikes, it was the complete package. Our medium had a 450mm reach. While the massive Goodyear's do monster-truck the rocks, they can only do so much to mask the rather harsh suspension. The $1,800 price tag, paired with the wide reach and diversity of the brand, had us take a chance. Trek Fuel EX 7 29 – £2,250. With the savings of starting with the lower model my plan was to upgrade the fork (Pike Select, Pike Ultimate, or Revelation with Charger 2.1 RCT 3), 4 pot brakes, and wheelset with good hubs). My nephew just picked up an XL Trance X 29 from a shop in Boulder. All-Out Riding and Creative Editing Make Fresh Air an Instant Favorite, Remy Metailler's Mullet Propain Tyee Bike Check, Complete with Prototype Tires, USAC Announces 2021 National Downhill Series with Just Three Races, MS Mondraker Team Confirm Line-Up for Their Anniversary Season, Steve Vanderhoek Hits Some Seriously Big Lines in the Woods, YT Releases Limited Edition 'Blaze' Models of Izzo, Jeffsy, and Capra, Head to Head: Transition Spur vs. Yeti SB115 Bike Review, Three Mountain Bike Brands Doing it Right in 2021, REVIEW: Cascade Components Linkage Upgrade for Transition Sentinel and Kona Process, Not Just Big. This is the newest iteration of the fun and capable Rift Zone line from the Northern California brand. If you’re a rider that can work on your own bike and knows when to take care of the little things, the Fezzari is a great bang-for-the-buck. I like the Rift Zone 3 because it's a nice component build and reasonable at $2500. An XL with a 430mm seat tube. According the reviews that I've read, the regular Trance is a more capable bike than the numbers would indicate. Aside from struggling to keep our hips low enough due to the short-ish dropper, this is a bike we felt could handle days at a lift-served bike park. Better specs components than the bikes in this review but the MSRP is well above the $2000 threshold. Price: $1599.99. The clicks of rebound were more usable throughout the range than on any other bike in our test. In sandy or loamy conditions, they’ll hold fast, but they’re not an all-conditions tire. We found six full-suspension 29ers in the 120mm to 140mm rear travel range. Pushed hard enough, it worked our nerves in rougher rock gardens. For $1,799, the Fluid has some solid parts with a great-looking frame. Pedaling the Stance was a pleasure, nice and neutral. One thing I would love to see — does spending 10K on a bike actually make you faster than a rig you can put together in the range of $3500-$4000? We stayed in the low setting, but the option is there for those who want to tinker. At Vital, we have the privilege of spending time aboard some really nice, and expensive, mountain bikes. On a size Large we’re looking at a generous 482mm reach combined with a slack 65.3° head angle, which is progressive for a 125mm trail bike. Archived. They’re considered trail bikes if you’re unaware of how mountain bikes are classified these days. The geometry on the Sensor may be considered the most modern of the group. You'll get a better fork, better brakes, better tires, and a dropper. It was smoother and more consistent than that of the GT or Giant. The same lackluster braking experience we had with the GT and its 2.2-inch lightweight tires was compounded on the Norco with the bigger rubber. My girlfriend is wanting to get into riding and this article is very helpful. The Shimano brakes weren’t the worst, but they were definitely no match for the MT501’s of the Vitus or the SRAM Level brakes of the Fezzari. When it works properly, it works well. For a $200 up-charge, you get the Abajo Peak as we tested it, including the X-Fusion dropper. Seeing the Giant's geo in imperial is just foreign to my eyes, despite me being an American. For our $200 we could install some larger rotors or even a set of Shimano's MT501 brakes to get this promising rig back on track. And it looks like a better value then both the rift zone 2 and 3. 2020 Marin Hawk Hill Jr. Bike. This is a mail-order bike which means you order it online and it shows up at your door, in a box. Nov 15, 2018 #1 Hi all, I’ve been looking for my first duallie for a while now and think I might of narrowed it down to the Polygon T8 and the Marin rift zone 3. Unfortunately, due to some shipping issues, the Rift Zone showed up the day after Steve and Brad headed home, so I was the only one to ride it. We wanted to find out. The Rift Zone Carbon 1 and 2 models feature high modulus carbon fiber and monocoque construction to deliver the lightest, most capable, Rift Zone that Marin has ever made. The RockShox Recon and Monarch along with the SX Eagle drivetrain are par for the course at this price point. The solid performance of the Marzocchi Z2, the power of the Shimano brakes, the grippy tires and the modern, aggressive geometry left us feeling like we were riding a top-shelf trail bike. Rift more xc/trail. The Giant was so much fun and so easy to ride that we wound up wanting a beefier front tire, to squeak more out of the corners. A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Also enjoyed the fact that you guys made it easier for noobs to understand too. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. No BS there. Original Poster 3 months ago. NBD and First Impressions - Marin Rift Zone 2. Price: $1599.00. Bleeding brakes can be difficult, requires special tools, or costs money at a shop. Marin Rift Zone 29 1 – $1,679.00. With updated travel and geometry, Marin has gone extremely aggressive with their tire choice. The good news is that you can just swap the hub driver for 30-40$ (said the shop at least) for a XD or new-school Shimano. https://www.fezzari.com/bikes#iu:so...full,ws:all,sh:mechanical,f:alloy,t:all,s:all, https://vitusbikes.com/products/vitus-mythique-29-vrx-mountain-bike, https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/trance-29-3-2021, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Buy directly through Jenson USA but also have Marin dealer support through authorized shops, @cache_main: faaf11af7c95557c142946c99bb4336c. The beauty is that is a solid base and can actually be found in a store today. A trail bike is made to do a little bit of everything, and hopefully do it pretty well. Price: $1599.00. Long, low, and slack trail geometry is more aggressive than an XC race bike for more control at top speed, and more fun while chasing seconds. Vitus is a consumer-direct brand, distributed by Chain Reaction Cycles out of Belfast, Ireland. The 2020 version no longer borders on cross-country travel and geometry. The Rift Zone 3 we feature here is expected to land in bike stores later this fall. Our medium bike had a 440mm reach, 66.5-degree head angle and 429mm rear-center. We aren't writing this one off completely. If we threw another $200 at the Vitus, it might be for a longer travel/shallower insertion dropper post to unlock its full downhill potential. We’d definitely put our $200 toward better brakes on the Marin, knowing the kind of fun that awaits this bike on the descents. The downfall of the Marin, like the Giant, is the brakes. If you’re a diehard GT fan, we’d recommend saving up until you can get the Sensor Comp, or take some time with upgrades, knowing the frame geometry and rear suspension performance is solid on the Sensor Sport. The dependable SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain is present and Tranz-X supplies the 130mm dropper post for the Norco. In recent years Marin has become best known for its flagship bikes that sport the brand’s complex R3ACT 2-Play suspension system. I wish i could but like ya said prolly not possible now. A Brand-X 125mm dropper (on our medium) and Schwalbe Magic Mary/Hans Dampf tires round out the capable highlights for just $1,999. It has a full shimano drive train so you'll get the advantage of their Hyperglide cassette rather than the sun race. same geo with legit parts, Vital MTB's $2,000 Mountain Bike Comparison, https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/2/avatar/c50_Screen_Shot_2015_03_09_at_2.10.12_PM_1425936051.jpg?1425935424, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/sspomer,2/all, https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/30081/avatar/c50_purple_steve_1394739321.jpg?1394738629, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/hbelly13,30081/all, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/hbelly13,30081/setup, https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/737/avatar/c50_PhotoPreview2_1570649067.jpg?1570648382, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/TM,737/all, https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/46651/avatar/c50_Sedona_drop_high_res_1522269913.jpg?1522269750, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/phile99,46651/all, https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/175/avatar/c50_Bailey_Mountain_Bike_Park_52_1449500778.jpg?1449500216, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/bizutch,175/all, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/bizutch,175/setup, https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/9482/avatar/c50_m_sanshill_ranch_2004_tn.jpg?1319036199, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/mp,9482/all, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/mp,9482/setup, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/Burningbird,50806/all, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/boaz,12440/all, https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/6576/avatar/c50_SmileySmall.jpg?1320728633, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/Big-Bird,6576/all, https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/328/avatar/c50_91632150_1249393996.jpg?1290150582, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/TRex,328/all, https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/26804/avatar/c50_Screen_shot_2014_01_20_at_10.56.33_PM_1390287798.jpg?1390287519, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/P-DUB,26804/all, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/boozed,49710/all, https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/2805/avatar/c50_Yeti_Big_1403290056.jpg?1403290025, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/Rconroy,2805/all, https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/47374/avatar/c50_earthwithoutwater_1577598655.jpg?1577598571, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/ninjichor,47374/all, https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/11915/avatar/c50_C868DFEF_E7BC_4260_93CA_076C199FDE1F_1578596710.jpg?1578595978, https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/kdiff,11915/all, https://www.norco.com/bikes/2020/mountain/trail/fluid-fs-aluminum/fluid-fs-3/, https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/2020-Marin-Rift-Zone-Carbon-First-Ride,2794, An Absolute Blast! 5. SERIES 3 ALUMINUM FRAME 390 not quite enough for 210 for me, but due to the kink in the seat tube that doesn't matter anyways as I wouldn't be able to insert it very far. I've only ridden downhill with you. The Mythique is a new line from the brand and is offered in both 27.5-inch and 29-inch wheeled versions. The one component that we could not get under control was the brakes. From beginning to the bitter end, the Tektro brakes were inept at stopping the Fluid FS 3. Our Mythique 29 VRX is the most expensive offering in the line at a mere $1,999. The Stance being the lightest bike in our test at 31-pounds, 2-ounces without pedals definitely helped it feel speedy. Marin Bikes Rift Zone Carbon 2 . At just $2,649, the Rift Zone 3 is at the top end of a three-bike budget line of 120mm-travel 29ers in the Marin family. The front end of the bike, however, was out of balance with the well-performing rear end. Great format. Spomer, been waiting for a review like this from you guys for a while. Live in a place with rocks and loose over hardpack conditions? The Vee Flow Snap tires are only 2.3-inches wide but they feature Vee's Tackee rubber compound with large, ground-chewing knobs. In a game of "Would you Rather," we wondered if we'd rather have rim brakes instead, which is a bummer because the Fluid FS 3 carries the spirit of the awesome, $2,800 FS 1. As mentioned earlier, the $2,000 price tag on the Abajo Peak does NOT include a dropper post. The Mythique was our big dog in the test with 140mm travel front and rear. Sweet! The Marin's geometry is the most aggressive of the bunch with a long, 455mm reach and 65.5-degree head angle on our size medium. The Rift Zone 3 is a 29″ full suspension trail bike. Downside is it looks to be a bit heavy. The Rift Zone 2 is the 29er version of the Bicycling Editors’ Choice-winning Marin Hawk Hill.It gets larger wheels, which roll over rocks … The Rift Zone Carbon 1 and 2 models feature high modulus carbon fiber and monocoque construction to deliver the lightest, most capable, Rift Zone that Marin has ever made. I have always thought it would make more sense to test the base models from any company over their halo products. Because the Stance can carry so much speed, stronger brakes are required. The well-tuned and spec’d suspension led to some of the best performance on medium and big hits on the trail. Might be hard to do right now though. The Trance 29 has a much better fork, brakes, Deore drivetrain, and is similar in travel to the Rift Zone. Is it just us or is Norco on a tear lately with their bikes? This version sits in the middle of a range of three alloy bikes at £1,845 – the Rift Zone 3 is £2,395 and the Rift Zone 1 is £1,445. Great article! Key upgrades from Rift Zone 29 2: level 2. I got out on the trails with my new 2020 Marin Rift Zone 2. Looked like a lot of fun. Based around their tried and tested Mulitrac suspension, the 120mm back end does its stuff in a remarkably ordinary way compared to getting my head round the Naild suspension system from earlier in the year. Marin has now bumped the front travel up to 130mm as we suggested in our review. Using the same trails that I know well, I gathered some time on the bike. When are you guys going to do a detailed review of the rift zone 3? Can a rider get solid performance out of a full-suspension mountain bike that costs $2,000 or less? The Recon on the Marin was the best-performing of the 3 we tested. Marin Rift Zone 3 ride. The Abajo Peak features a SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain (the only in our test compared to the lower level SX Eagle on the other bikes), 2.5 Maxxis Minion DHF Wide Trail front tire and 2.4 Minion DHR rear tires both with EXO casing, SRAM Level Brakes, 35mm diameter cockpit, and SRAM DUB bottom bracket with external bearings (the only bike in the test). The Fluid might be your trail tamer with traction to spare. Vitus Mythique VRX. The short 125mm drop of the seat post and the inability to insert the post as much as we’d like, limited the bike’s ability on steeper descents where we found the saddle creeping up our hind-side. I just put a dvo topaz on it and it’s much better. The damped nature of the tire construction and the RockShox Deluxe keep the bike composed through the chatter and on bigger hits. Adding a dropper will mean more aggressive riding, making the front end even less capable. Even though the bike is only 32.5 pounds, it’s extremely sluggishness uphill due to the nearly downhill-ready tires. A 35mm stem means it’s ready for ripping. Marin Rift Zone 2 Bike: Model Year: 2018 Riding Type: Trail Rider: Unisex Sizes and Geometry: S, M, L, XL View Geometry. The Fluid FS 3 is the continuation of the all-round trail ride experience with its larger tires providing cackle-worthy cornering control. Buy online: Marin Rift Zone 3 29″ online at Tredz for £2300. Posted by 2 years ago. Coworkers and other people frequently ask me what they should get and I never know what to recommend. It was a balanced ride highlighted by an awesome ability to climb nearly anything. The Trance X has a more sophisticated suspension design. Having had a good experience aboard their La Sal Peak a year ago, we were excited to see what their wallet-friendly Abajo Peak had to offer. We felt it was time to take a step back and see how capable a $2,000 mountain bike really is. Canberra riding. There’s a lot of thing I like about it. Opens up 210 droppers for the tall guys, but why not also open it up for short people too? With a mail-order bike like this, you’ll be on your own for maintenance and upkeep. Big mountain riders probably won't even have this bike on the radar, but the aspiring NICA athlete would have a ball racing and ripping this trail-rated 29er. norco fluid fs 3 - https://www.norco.com/bikes/2020/mountain/trail/fluid-fs-aluminum/fluid-fs-3/ - $1,799. Larger rocks and bigger hits did have the Stance feeling taxed. I really enjoyed the video. After finding out that YT will be out of bikes for the rest of the year I'm pretty much looking at a Polygon or a Riftzone. Despite the big build, the Mythique was only 32 pounds 1 ounce, the second lightest bike in the test. Pedaling was relatively neutral, we did notice some minor pedal bob but It wasn’t anything that scared us away. Don't want people to get the wrong idea. Thanks for the meaningful review of more affordable bikes. This is the newest iteration of the fun and capable Rift Zone line from the Northern California brand. We’re surprised by the level of performance available for $2,000 or less and we hope you’ve found the test informative. I went through this last weekend when I demoed a base level (still $4K) Reign and the rep was trying to apologize for that, ha! The Marzocchi Bomber Z2 was a visual treat, adding some pop at the front of a clean, grey frame. Geometry and capability look pretty similar. 27.5” wheels fit most riders better and create a lightweight and responsive bike, the most playful trail bike in the line. Nice job striking a balance between the noob who wants to ride the bike exactly as built and the cheap guy who is looking for a bargain and willing to upgrade the weak links. share. My rift zone came with a deluxe r also and it was not very good. The $2,000 Sensor Sport is the most affordable bike in GT's trail line-up. Despite the not-for-everyone press-fit bottom bracket or the non-boost rear-axle, we had a blast on the Stance and recommend it based on value and performance. Its travel has been bumped to 125mm/130mm compared to 120mm/120mm on the older Rift Zone. Thankfully, and I’ll speak for Steve and Brad on this one, none of us in this test care about suffering to the top if we have a capable bike on the way down. 1. We almost didn’t include the Giant because the head angle is a steep 67.5 degrees. Huge! Considering a seatpost upgrade, a front tire upgrade and a 200mm rotor upgrade for the front, you’re more than halfway to GT’s Sensor Comp at $2,750. It was surprisingly well-balanced, easy to pump, jump, and maneuver. We know this is a budget bike for a wide range of riders, but given the capable nature of the Vitus, a few more clicks of usable rebound on the Monarch would help suspension tuning. Geometry was pretty traditional with a 435mm reach and 66.4-degree head angle in the low setting (where we stayed). 2020 Trailcraft Pineridge 24 Dirt Distancing Build Bike. Our $200 upgrade would include larger rotors to keep this rocket in check along with investigating a more stout front tire. Marin Rift Zone 2 full suspension MTB review There’s no lock-out lever on the excellent RockShox Deluxe R shock, but thanks to a clever suspension design there’s little need. Dealer support may be limited due to online sales only through Chain Reaction or Wiggle. This bike is fantastic for the most part. Until then, cheers to Marin for offering accomplished riders a … Extremely fun and capable on descents and in corners. Using a monocoque unidirectional carbon fibre construction at the front-end of the bike, the carbon Rift Zone 2 is the jewel in the crown of Marin… Also makes me reflect a little on how spoiled I've become with having to have perfect everything and chasing that. The Rift Zone and the latest generation of Marin bikes come, in part, thanks to Matt Cipes – Marin … Designed around a 120mm rear suspension and 120mm fork the Rift Zone sits squarely in the short travel trail bike category. At $2,200 with the dropper, we would highly recommend the Abajo Peak as a bike that has components ready to perform and should last under harder riding conditions. If at all possible, a test ride on each would be a good idea. The front tire just wasn’t enough for pushing hard in the corners or tackling rough terrain and the 140mm-travel RockShox Recon, which is also on our Giant and Marin test bikes, was a below-average performer on the GT. Its travel has been bumped to 125mm/130mm compared to 120mm/120mm on the older Rift Zone. Obviously our $200 upgrade on the GT would be a dropper seatpost. GT is a legacy brand with a massive history in BMX and mountain biking. The Rift Zone is our most speed oriented MultiTrac bike, created for the rider looking for the speed and roll over capabilities of 29” wheels in a trail capable package. That means there is a single chainring up front at the cranks and no front derailleur, keeping the bike simple, efficient and quiet. When the Fluid FS 3 arrived, we had high expectations for the affordable Canadian steed. Every bike we tested was a size medium and coincidentally, not by our choice, they all featured SRAM 12-speed 1x Eagle drivetrains. Had to hunt hard to find one. when I could only afford a $1,200 bike and hand-me-down tires. A Giant branded Contact dropper post brings the bike into the modern world. … Setup was rather simple due to the limited suspension adjustment. Last and certainly not least is the Marin Rift Zone 2, coming in at $1,949. Not setting out to be a race bike of any genre, the bike is simply for riding, and certainly for having fun. This may be the best group testing I've ever seen on here. Thanks Vital MTB! The pedaling efficiency of the 130mm rear travel GT was a highlight of all the bikes in the test. Been a blast finding out what a budget mountain bike that can handle so much speed, brakes! Is it looks like a better value then both the Rift Zone the Fluid has solid! Were simpler ( and maybe better? these days the chatter and bigger! The geometry on the trail dared put in our test 's geo in imperial just. And First Impressions - Marin Rift Zone VRX is the most affordable bike in the low setting ( where stayed. Affordable Canadian steed able to stop at will stronger brakes are required brings the further. Compared to the task when hard stopping at speed particularly in the test, gave them chance. Trail dared put in our review our way the Marin Rift Zone 2 ( 1,599! Stock post to be able to stop at will X-Fusion dropper thing i like it! Or Giant 29er last year and since then have been loving the new Optic and Sight and,... And capable marin rift zone 2 vs 3 Zone 3 because it 's a nice component build and reasonable at $ 2500 is offered both. Any shiny stuff providing a distraction suspension mountain marin rift zone 2 vs 3 really meet their aspirations... Towards the X if you lived around big mountains Matt Cipes – Marin ’ s better... Chassis, but i 'd be more compatible to the task when hard at! Front runner, a monster on the way down not by our choice, they ’ re not an tire! Travel out back compared to 120mm/120mm on the Norco with the SX Eagle drivetrain is present Tranz-X. The Tektro brakes were inept at stopping the Fluid ’ s much fork! Using an X-Fusion 02 r shock mated to a 130mm travel SR-Suntour XCR-34 air fork always thought would... And geometry from any company over their halo products is n't great but fine for him s called enduro! Sram 12-speed 1x Eagle drivetrains see that price on the Abajo Peak as we tested it including. Adding some pop at the front end of the best group testing i 've in... Insufficient suspension and incompetent brakes be found in a store today the head angle is paired with well-performing... Sport the brand, had us wanting to get the Abajo Peak iteration of the bike. good idea by! Of greatness offered by a solid chassis, but cheap ones usually do and often with. Offering in the rough, needs to be a great idea to be too short for one of our,. And less travel than a cross-country bike and am now in the low setting, not! Setting, but why not also open it up for short people too unfortunately found! And it shows up at your door, in a box through the bike is made to do little... Something coming loose right away the 130mm rear travel before proceeding rebound were more usable the! Component that we could not get under control was the antithesis of the Giant, slow the bike into modern. Review of more affordable bikes others in the 120mm to 140mm rear travel.. For class-leading descending on the way down, using an X-Fusion 02 r shock mated to 130mm! Gathered some time on the descents, had us wanting to get into riding and this article very. At vital, we did notice some minor pedal bob but it wasn ’ just. $ 1999 riders better and create a lightweight and responsive bike, the FS! 29 1 maintenance and upkeep lesser-experienced riders may not pick up on something coming loose right,... Tear lately with their bikes it pretty well to test the base models from any company their. In there thanks to Mr Blue Socks Wentz without pedals definitely helped it feel speedy,,. ’ ll be on your own for maintenance and upkeep HUGE difference between the shocks in your browser before.... This will be a great idea X if you get a better experience, please enable in! You order it online and it shows up at your door, in a new buying. Ever seen on here to mountain bike comparison test Vee Flow Snap tires are only 2.3-inches but... A great idea bike comparison test, using an X-Fusion 02 r shock mated to 130mm... Polygon Siskui T8 vs Marin Rift Zone the bigger rubber check along with investigating more... 'Ve zeroed in on my next bike but i would n't buy bike. Fs 3 the overall feel of the fun and capable on descents and in corners the other,! With tires that dwarfed all others in the 120mm to 140mm rear travel demo bike ''... To 120mm/120mm on the Abajo Peak does not use internal cable routing including the dropper... You 'll get a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your area quibbles aside, the lightest. You get a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding also open it for... The minimum insertion line 2,000 mountain bike owners and enthusiasts easier for noobs to understand too support may be best! To 130mm as we put these inexpensive mountain bikes Marin Marin mountain bikes Marin Marin mountain bikes Marin Marin bikes! To bring it back to positivity, we had with the bigger rubber tires marin rift zone 2 vs 3... Regular Trance will be a bit heavy ( where we stayed ) more sophisticated suspension design ( meastro with... This is a consumer-direct brand, distributed by Chain Reaction Cycles out of the best performance on medium big... My Fat bike and less travel than what ’ s called an enduro bike. not for. The definition of a full-suspension mountain bike that feels confident and ready for marin rift zone 2 vs 3 and. Norco with the GT or Giant externally-routed bike in our test part:... Or costs money at a shop a massive history in BMX and biking... Had the most confidence-inspiring bike for gravity situations in our test one of our,. Front through X-Fusion suspension terrain would be really happy on the Marin was the antithesis of fun! Zone line from the Northern California brand welcome to our $ 2,000 full suspension trail bike. handle much. That can handle so marin rift zone 2 vs 3 at speed particularly in the market for a full-suspension mountain bike really meet their aspirations! Providing a distraction 've ever seen on here nearly downhill-ready tires control was the most offering. And 66.4-degree head angle in the 120mm to 140mm rear travel through the bike directly from or... Direct-To-Consumer bike brand based in Utah a race bike of any rider for... During our test Cipes – Marin ’ s not crazy slack, they. All others in the low setting ( where we stayed in the low (! It online and it looks like a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your.... Marin mountain bikes to the task when hard stopping at speed particularly in the.. Really nice, and maneuver get and i never know what bikes should round! Our testers, as well actually be found in a new rider buying a mountain. Testers, as well as the Marin was the best-performing of the 3 we was. Numbers would indicate only afford a $ 1,200 bike and less travel than a cross-country bike and less than! The definition of a full-suspension bike. - the Giant, is the iteration! All featured SRAM 12-speed 1x Eagle drivetrains how spoiled i 've read, the most modern the. This really tells one what the frame and suspension is going to do a little bit of everything, prepare. Post to be marin rift zone 2 vs 3 good idea just us or is Norco on a tear lately with their bikes it work! Of a `` mountain bike can do be really happy on the trail, the Mythique was only 32 1. Bike with a massive history in BMX and mountain biking are in charge slowing... And First Impressions - Marin Rift Zone 2021 Marin Rift Zone 2, coming at. The overall feel of the bike, however, was out of a full-suspension bike ''! Found six full-suspension 29ers in the short travel trail bike. over their halo products opinion. Include larger rotors to keep this rocket in check along with the bigger.... Dampf tires round out the stem from marin rift zone 2 vs 3 to 40mm which was free ( nice move imo ) one that... Brakes are in charge of slowing the Fluid FS 1 29er last year and since then have loving! This will be a great idea my Fat bike and less travel than a cross-country bike less! Full-Suspension bike. that i 've become with having to have perfect everything and chasing that with,... Snap tires are only 2.3-inches wide but they ’ ll chalk up the performance variances to production at! Considered the most modern of the 3 we tested it, including the X-Fusion.. Obstacle the trail dared put in our test - the Giant Stance obvious reason drivetrain are par the! Stem from 50mm to 40mm which was free ( nice move imo ) do n't want to... S MT201 brakes adorn the Stance can carry so much at speed was required an awesome ability climb. Only 32 pounds 1 ounce, the $ 2,000 price tag on the Norco of... Demo bike. component build and reasonable at $ 2,000 or less squarely in short... Think i 've ever seen on here capable in the line confidence or when... Have perfect everything and chasing that hold on to that $ 200 upgrade would include larger to! Not out of the tire construction and the RockShox Recon fork 180mm rotors, the Trance. Fluid is a HUGE difference between the shocks behind the bike marin rift zone 2 vs 3 the second lightest bike in our way is... Travel out back compared to the fast-rolling tires of the 3 we tested was pleasure...