PSA: HALF price Mar...
 

[Closed] PSA: HALF price Marin CX bike; full carbon/105/hydros for £1250

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Nearly bought this when it was reduced to ~1700/1800 earlier in the year, until I found my discounted SuperX. The rrp was a little optimistic compared to bikes of similar spec, but at £1250 it's a blinder. IMHO and all that.

http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=18688&Item=%27Marin+Cortina+T3+CX+2015+Cyclocross+Bike%27

The firm is legit, it's the mail order arm of Broadribbs shop in Bicester and Banbury.


 
Posted : 21/10/2015 9:46 pm
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Bump for morning crowd


 
Posted : 22/10/2015 9:07 am
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56cm size only luckily for my bank account


 
Posted : 22/10/2015 10:00 am
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56cm size only luckily for my bank account

I was thinking exactly the same.


 
Posted : 22/10/2015 10:09 am
 msut
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I'm very tempted. It would be my first cx bike and was just wondering how they tend to size up. I'm 6ft-ish (maybe 6ft1) and the marin sizing chart says I would be suited to either the 56 or the 58cm. My MTBs are size large/19in and road bike is 57cm. Would the 56cm be the best size for me - is it normally better to size-down for a cx bike anyway?

I've recently got the cx itch that needs to be scratched, and this looks like a lot of bang for the bucks...


 
Posted : 22/10/2015 11:13 am
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I got the Cube Cross Race Disc Pro from CRC for just over a grand recently with BC discount. Not carbon frame but full 11 speed Ultegra with Shimano hydraulics. Wheels are a bit poor though


 
Posted : 22/10/2015 11:37 am
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msut - Member
I'm very tempted. It would be my first cx bike and was just wondering how they tend to size up. I'm 6ft-ish (maybe 6ft1) and the marin sizing chart says I would be suited to either the 56 or the 58cm. My MTBs are size large/19in and road bike is 57cm. Would the 56cm be the best size for me - is it normally better to size-down for a cx bike anyway?

It depends on frame geometry. For example something like a Ridley usually has a high bottom bracket so you'd go down a size just to get your leg over it, but then the top tube can be too short so you use a long stem to compensate and the bikes steering gets a bit slow. Personally I wouldn't buy a CX bike without sitting on it first.


 
Posted : 22/10/2015 12:12 pm
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msut

FWIW I'm 6'1 used to ride a 57cm, which was actually a 57.5 is you read the geometry table. Both my current road bikes are 58cm. Like you I can ride a 56, but it involves long stems and pushed back saddles.


 
Posted : 22/10/2015 12:27 pm
 msut
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Cheers for the advice guys, I think a closer look at the geometry table is in order...


 
Posted : 22/10/2015 2:31 pm
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I would be suited to either the 56 or the 58cm. My MTBs are size large/19in and road bike is 57cm

go down from road bike not up for a CX bike so the 56. You lose standover with the higher BB, and you want it slightly shorter (or at least no longer) than your road bike.


 
Posted : 22/10/2015 3:00 pm
 msut
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Thanks crashtestmonkey.

My road bike is towards the sportive end of the spectrum rather than the racier end so the geometry doesn't actually look too different to the Marin. ETT is exactly the same but the head angle is 0.5 deg steeper on the Marin and the Marin's chainstays are 20mm longer.

I've never really looked at geometry figures in too great a detail and it would obviously be best to sit on one, but it sounds like the 56cm Marin would be fine? Was hoping for an excuse to save my money!


 
Posted : 22/10/2015 3:44 pm
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obviously can't say for sure, I can say that my road bike and my CX have exactly the same ETT length and stem length. Only difference fit/dimensions-wise is I have less saddle-to-bar drop on the CX bike, mainly so that riding in the hooks is my comfortable default position rather than on the hoods on my road bike (better braking control, more secure with no risk of hands bouncing off hoods).

7 Day cooling off period for mail order so worst case scenario you have the hassle of returning it (or, worst case scenario you like it and are £1250 out of pocket 😉 )


 
Posted : 22/10/2015 4:52 pm