Thanks for this review. Huge fan of the Marlin 5 due to not having to worry about every crack in the road! I highly recommend #5 because it’s smooth as silk and of low maintenance. However, I highly recommend changing the standard seat immediately!!! I’m 6-feet tall and riding size “L”. It’s “Radioactive Red” and people think it’s much more expensive than it is - lots of compliments. It’s heavy but, hey, it’s a starter bike!
Update: For 2024 I’m looking closely at the Marlin 8 ($1,200). Looks like a slightly lighter bike, great components, and yes, easy on the eyes. I wanna buy a “roadie” but the pricing is way off the charts. Plus, after a couple of decades of on road speed riding I’m now hooked on bike path and around town and small town cycling. Also looking at the Trek Supercaliber SL and the Canyon Lux World Cup mountain bikes - about 22-lbs and one of the fastest there is. I write back again by Spring 🌤️
We made twist on skewers at a old Bike shop I used to work at when they were in Michigan, (Nuke Proof). They hold even in a drop out OK, and are lighter, but they do not have as much clamping power as a cam skewer.
I am not sold on air forks. They are lighter, and easier to adjust the air spring rate. But if you can get different coil spring rates, you can get it set up for your weight/riding type, and actually get better action out of them. Plus, a coil spring won't go flat like my air forks have, making them more reliable. Both have the same adjust-ability really, and once your spring stiffness is set for you, (air or coil), you usually don't change it.
HI Guys, Thanks for the review. I have a quick question My son is riding Nukeproof scout 24" and need an upgrade. Got the Nukeproof on super deal (under 700) so it will be hard to find something as good. I'm looking on the Trek Marlin / Roscoe. My son is 10 year old and not any super hardcore trail rider but assuming he will slow start doing some reds with me. I can see that the Marlin 9 3rd gen and Roscoe 6 are now on the same price. My son is about 155cm tall so this would be his new bike for some time. Can you guys advice between these 2 or does it make sense to save more and get Roscoe 7? Thanks (any other bikes in the sub 1000 range for your ones? )
Good informational video Josh… ya know, I just can’t get on board with Trek bikes. And not for any good reason really. I don’t doubt their quality, etc., but I think for that very reason as a brand they kind of annoy me: they have the $300 bike and the $10k+ bike and eeeeeverythjng in between. Seems like they just crank out everything under the sun. Just my personal and not-important-opinion 😎
I feel you, definitely a bit less soul then a smaller, disciple-specific brand. But it’s hard to deny that they pump out some pretty impressive bikes from time to time!
I would say the 3 degree slacker head angle on the Gen 3 is not as good for Mt. Biking,---unless you don't turn the bike. The Gen 2 is not an unstable bike, so why chop out the front end and hurt the cornering? "More Modern" does not mean better. Not anymore.
Whats your opinion for someone only looking to do rail trails/dirt road type of riding? Just looking for some leisure and fitness riding, nothing serious. Narrowed down to the Marlin 5 Gen 2 ($600) or the Marlin 5 Gen 3 ($740). Is the Gen 3 frame and better derailleurs worth the extra cost? The 1x9 vs the 2x8 is also a concern for myself, never ridden a 1x and wondering how it does on hills compared to the 2x8 for someone who hasnt been on a bike in like 12 years and a bit of of shape.
@@F_J_2014 I ended up getting the Gen 3 Marlin 5 back in July. In the purple flip color too. I love it, has some upgrades already. Gonna continue to ride the shit out of it. Probably buying another bike for next season too.
I have the Gen 2 Marlin 7 and I feel like it was a completely overpriced bike, but I took what I could get during covid. There are multiple things that made the bike outdated, which were mostly addressed with gen 3, but the price also went up considerably. I feel direct to consumer bikes like Polygon or YT have a far better product at a much more competitive price.
So I missed it is the Gen 2 better for all around biking over the Gen 3? We live at the foot of the mountains but dirt and country roads abound, in the proses of getting MT bikes for our boys a Trek will end up being a childhood to adult bike for one of them it won’t be a dedicated Mt bike
Thanks for this review. Huge fan of the Marlin 5 due to not having to worry about every crack in the road! I highly recommend #5 because it’s smooth as silk and of low maintenance. However, I highly recommend changing the standard seat immediately!!! I’m 6-feet tall and riding size “L”. It’s “Radioactive Red” and people think it’s much more expensive than it is - lots of compliments. It’s heavy but, hey, it’s a starter bike!
Right on, thanks for sharing your feedback on the bike! And I agree on that “radioactive red” color, definitely looks fast 👌👌
Update: For 2024 I’m looking closely at the Marlin 8 ($1,200). Looks like a slightly lighter bike, great components, and yes, easy on the eyes. I wanna buy a “roadie” but the pricing is way off the charts. Plus, after a couple of decades of on road speed riding I’m now hooked on bike path and around town and small town cycling. Also looking at the Trek Supercaliber SL and the Canyon Lux World Cup mountain bikes - about 22-lbs and one of the fastest there is. I write back again by Spring 🌤️
Great information you covered everything I had been wanting to know about the differences in the models.
Glad it was helpful!
We made twist on skewers at a old Bike shop I used to work at when they were in Michigan, (Nuke Proof). They hold even in a drop out OK, and are lighter, but they do not have as much clamping power as a cam skewer.
I am not sold on air forks. They are lighter, and easier to adjust the air spring rate. But if you can get different coil spring rates, you can get it set up for your weight/riding type, and actually get better action out of them. Plus, a coil spring won't go flat like my air forks have, making them more reliable. Both have the same adjust-ability really, and once your spring stiffness is set for you, (air or coil), you usually don't change it.
Bummer you’ve had that experience with air springs! I personally find them to be quite a bit better option for 90% of riders
Note the new Marlin 7 gen 3 has a rock shock air fork
Enjoying my trek M6 Gen 3 dessert trail here in KSA ✌️😎
Wish I can afford one 😬 what a beauty. trek 6 is solid 🤩
Ya, $900 is still a lot of money! But maybe there’s a few things you could take out of your budget to save up? Might be worth it!
Hopfuly one Day you will
We can blame our governments for stealing our free enterprise from us. Dictatorships never liked a citizenry to be able to create their own wealth.
This video helped out soo much, thank you!!!!
Good!! Thanks for sharing, that means a lot!
Marlin 6❤
HI Guys, Thanks for the review. I have a quick question My son is riding Nukeproof scout 24" and need an upgrade. Got the Nukeproof on super deal (under 700) so it will be hard to find something as good. I'm looking on the Trek Marlin / Roscoe. My son is 10 year old and not any super hardcore trail rider but assuming he will slow start doing some reds with me. I can see that the Marlin 9 3rd gen and Roscoe 6 are now on the same price. My son is about 155cm tall so this would be his new bike for some time. Can you guys advice between these 2 or does it make sense to save more and get Roscoe 7? Thanks (any other bikes in the sub 1000 range for your ones? )
Good informational video Josh… ya know, I just can’t get on board with Trek bikes. And not for any good reason really. I don’t doubt their quality, etc., but I think for that very reason as a brand they kind of annoy me: they have the $300 bike and the $10k+ bike and eeeeeverythjng in between. Seems like they just crank out everything under the sun. Just my personal and not-important-opinion 😎
I feel you, definitely a bit less soul then a smaller, disciple-specific brand. But it’s hard to deny that they pump out some pretty impressive bikes from time to time!
@@99spokes oh yeah there’s no doubt about, some of their higher end bikes are super rad for sure!
I got the M7 for the brake upgrade and rockshox. 100 bucks was worth it imho. And i liked the teal color more.
Nice! How have you been liking the bike?
me too, its not only suspension upgrade
I would say the 3 degree slacker head angle on the Gen 3 is not as good for Mt. Biking,---unless you don't turn the bike. The Gen 2 is not an unstable bike, so why chop out the front end and hurt the cornering? "More Modern" does not mean better. Not anymore.
It depends a lot on the type of terrain your riding, but that’s true, flatter terrain can be more enjoyable on a steeper, smaller bike
Whats your opinion for someone only looking to do rail trails/dirt road type of riding? Just looking for some leisure and fitness riding, nothing serious. Narrowed down to the Marlin 5 Gen 2 ($600) or the Marlin 5 Gen 3 ($740). Is the Gen 3 frame and better derailleurs worth the extra cost? The 1x9 vs the 2x8 is also a concern for myself, never ridden a 1x and wondering how it does on hills compared to the 2x8 for someone who hasnt been on a bike in like 12 years and a bit of of shape.
marlin 5
Marlin 5 Gen 3 is worth the extra $$ and the purple colour is gorgeous. Got one for my son a few weeks ago, he loves it
@@F_J_2014 I ended up getting the Gen 3 Marlin 5 back in July. In the purple flip color too. I love it, has some upgrades already. Gonna continue to ride the shit out of it. Probably buying another bike for next season too.
Thx for the review, now marlin 5 gen 3 comes out, does marlin 6 gen 3 still worth the most?
It seems like a good buy! I haven’t ridden a the new shimano CUES drivetrain that comes on it but it sounds like it should be pretty solid!
@@99spokes new review on them?
Cant decide between theese: Marlin 6 Gen 3 - 717€ and, Marlin 6 Gen 3 - 717€
What would you recommend?
Haha aren’t those the same?
ahah 😅 sorry, I meant marlin 7 gen 2 or marlin 6 gen 3 ahah, actually I decided to wait nice price for gen 3 marlin 7@@99spokes
I have the Gen 2 Marlin 7 and I feel like it was a completely overpriced bike, but I took what I could get during covid. There are multiple things that made the bike outdated, which were mostly addressed with gen 3, but the price also went up considerably. I feel direct to consumer bikes like Polygon or YT have a far better product at a much more competitive price.
Definitely! The trade off is not having an LBS for support, but if you don’t need that than D2C is hard to beat!
I can get the Trek Marlin 6 for 650 USD, is that a good deal?
Make sure it's a gen-3 frame, and if yes go for it! ILike we said in the video, I'd steer away from the gen 2 frames.
So I missed it is the Gen 2 better for all around biking over the Gen 3? We live at the foot of the mountains but dirt and country roads abound, in the proses of getting MT bikes for our boys a Trek will end up being a childhood to adult bike for one of them it won’t be a dedicated Mt bike
Good question! I’d say the gen 3 is the better option in general and will be equally good for riding around town as it will be on single track trails