I’m debating whether to upgrade from my current On-One Scandal frame. I really like the feel of the Trek Roscoe, but would like very slightly longer reach so thinking about mimicking the numbers but extending the reach by 5mm. Looked at Marino and a Reynolds 520 custom build is cheaper than the Roscoe alloy frame. I’ve seen mixed reviews on their service but owners all seem happy with the result. Has anyone purchased a custom alloy frame from Mielec? They are another option for me but they offer very little info online. Any feedback from users of either greatly appreciated
Know two people who had marinos. Both sold them fairly quickly afterwards. May be nothing behind it but after the initial confirmation basis had abated they both moved on quickly to other mainstream frames. Maybe they got their numbers wrong or it wasn’t quite as special as hoped.
Rode one of them several times and it was leaden. Was hard work and lacked any zip you get from a light steel frame (if they still exist).
From reading here and elsewhere I know comms and timescales have been an issue in the past but Marino may have sorted that out by now. I also recall joebristol on here not quite getting what he wanted in terms of a few details that had been requested.
Personally I would look for another frame with similar geometry to the roscoe but only my opinion!
I agree with SuperStu.
I own a Marino, I've had it maybe three years now. It's a 140mm travel 29er hardtail and I absolutely love it. No it's not the most beautifully welded or lightest frame you'll get but I feel I nailed the geometry so it fits me perfectly and at around £400 it was cheaper than any similar off the shelf frame available at the time. If I wanted a cc race bike then I don't think I'd get a Marino but for a hardcore hardtail it's perfect.
Love my Marino - it was a bit slow to get built / arrive and communication was pretty bad. But for the money I couldn’t get the geometry I wanted anywhere else without spending more than double.
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/c46NyJpf/EEA6B41B-6301-4BC3-8153-3477EE0E005A.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/c46NyJpf/EEA6B41B-6301-4BC3-8153-3477EE0E005A.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
Custom Marino 725 hardtail owner here.
Built to suit Tweed Valley riding but also used for longer open hill type rides.
First frame that arrived had a minor problem so they built me another frame and told me to keep the old one.
Still riding the first frame as I CBA to swap everything over for such a minor thing that I resolved my self any way.
Can't remember the cost but think it was around 350 quid all in.
Not bad for two custom built frames.😂
Not the lightest of bikes but it is built for smashing down Golfie type trails which it's great at.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52672887635_880458a182_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52672887635_880458a182_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2ofwjp6 ]Two Eals.[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49950653468_7607c10732_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49950653468_7607c10732_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2j6Ya2f ]Drawings for new custom Marino frame[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
I really like the feel of the Trek Roscoe, but would like very slightly longer reach so thinking about mimicking the numbers but extending the reach by 5mm
Is 5mm reach really going to be noticeable?
Surprisingly yes, 5mm makes a difference. With the standard 50mm stem it felt just too short, but a 60mm felt too long. I could adjust the saddle on its rails but due to arthritis in my spine and pelvis I’m really sensitive to the position of the saddle in relation to the pedals so want to keep it slightly forward of central giving a steep effective seat tube angle.
“ With the standard 50mm stem it felt just too short, but a 60mm felt too long”
You can get 55mm stems!
