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They've always had a bit of a thing for shit full sussers. Remember these?
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that silver one is just a prototype Orange 5
That top one looks like the middle bit was built in World of Goo.
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Worse bit is, they have, on occasion, made some that look alright.
[img] http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/download/file.php?id=145935 [/img]
We also must compare the competition...
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/bikes-only-a-mother-bike-could-love-show-me-your-ugly
Actually I quite like that monocoque jobbie up there 😳 - reminds me of my old Tazers.
made some that look alright
Are you suggesting that that picture represents one of them?
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I used to want one of the original Rock Springs or Rift Zones. They were teh shizzle for a year or two...
I used to really like the original Quake when they were first released! The later ones were minging as were any bike with the quad linkage.
There's that one good looking quad link bike, in that one acceptable colour...
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Ahh, the wool fridge 8)
I'm confused, are the ones in the first two posts good or bad? I think they look good.
I'm confused, are the ones in the first two posts good or bad? I think they look good.
+1
dirtbiker100 - Member
I'm confused, are the ones in the first two posts good or bad? I think they look good.
POSTED 10 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST
geoffj - Member
I'm confused, are the ones in the first two posts good or bad? I think they look good.+1
www.specsavers.com
Exhibit #5
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Without doubt the worst bike I've ever ridden. Pretty fugly FS arrangement too.
Maybe the hardtail is a bit of an acquired taste, but the full suss in the OP looks OK to me.
They've never made a good bike, nor an attractive bike as far as I'm concerned.
I used to want one of the original Rock Springs or Rift Zones. They were teh shizzle for a year or two...
ditto
As for the FS in the OP - what are they thinking with that seat tube - it must pitch your weight so far forward
I think I'd end up banging my knees on the bars!
If you lined that '99 Mount Vision the Mat_oab posted up against the competition in its time I think you'd find that it looked pretty good. It also worked, which not all of the competition did, and didn't weigh too much either.
Their early 90's bikes looked good too, especially by the standards of the time, and the Team Titanium was a true superbike.
I used to work in a shop that sold them - terrible things. Awful, awful build quality, terrible geometry, really flexy and cracked more than any other brand we sold. Their warranty back up is all that saved them.
I love my ones and shall keep them forever. In fact I wish to be known as MuddyMarin from now on.[img] 
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i still have fond memories of my 92 marin eldridge grade ht. was riding a dawes ascent ht up to that point,and the difference felt like night turned into day.
always wanted a team titanium bike.
i did ride an original mount vision xt bike back in 1998 and it was great imho.
I like this updated Mount Vision
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Marins used to be all over the trails and now I only see the occasional retro one and never any of the recent models. Doubt that'll change much given how hideous their latest selection is (Pine mountain excepted, wouldn't mind one of those!)
I had a late 90s Mt Vision, the boxy swing-arm V1 frame. It was a great XC bike.
That matt black one there ^ looks pretty smart .. suprisingly so. Same design with 29" wheels and decent XC-trail geo and I'd be tempted. It's probably just the lack of daft tube shaping I like.
Sorry thought you were talking to me.
Still have two, '04 Mount Vision QUAD link, & '09 Wolf Ridge (in orange of course).
Both still great designs that ride well.
Without doubt the worst bike I've ever ridden. Pretty fugly FS arrangement too.
Based on the Manitou design that was held up as class leading at the time?
I don't think you can call the early 90's bikes bad. They were extremely capable and very solid. Not the first word in dynamism but a very solid and well built range of bikes. No opinion after that until the mid to late 00's FS that my mate had. Thought the quad link one was a great bike but quite heavy.
I really want to like the new Pine Mountain (the rigid bike in the second post), but can't look past the seatstay hitting the seat tube that far below the top tube.
I've had a few Marin's - a 2003 Mount Vision and a more recent Quake, oh and a Rocky Ridge. All excellent bikes. Amongst the best I've ridden, and I've ridden a LOT. Admittedly, the two bikes in the OP's post do look quite unusual.
Based on the Manitou design that was held up as class leading at the time?
That it may have been, but it was still rubbish (IMO) at the time (demo day circa 1993, IRC). The thing rode like a pogo stick.
I can't see why every person who lives near mud doesn't have a single pivot Marin as their winter bike.
Marin - MemberSorry thought you were talking to me.
Ooops 😳 sorry 😆
I keep going back to look at that first one - strangely drawn to it (probably the lovely colour scheme) despite my initial WTF moment.
That it may have been, but it was still rubbish (IMO) at the time (demo day circa 1993, IRC). The thing rode like a pogo stick.
Doesn't matter anyway as the 1993 GT RTS-1 (that I'm currently restoring :wink:) made the Marin/Manitou design, and most others obsolete. 😀
can't see why every person who lives near mud doesn't have a single pivot Marin as their winter bike.
Cos when the trails are muddy, a full sus bike makes the most sense? 🙄
I'll stick with a HT for the winter months...
*rubs thighs*
Is that a Team Ti? I had a 95 Eldridge Grade which looked very similar, albeit Champage painted Tange Steel frame and Sugino copies of the White Industries cranks.
"Cos when the trails are muddy, a full sus bike makes the most sense? "
Most other off road vehicles have suspension front and rear, mud or not. Bumps is still bumps.
Yes, 'tis a Team *rubs more* Ti.
[img] http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/download/file.php?id=181453 [/img]
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Looks like a '95 to me.
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woodster - Member
I like this updated Mount VisionMarins used to be all over the trails and now I only see the occasional retro one and never any of the recent models. Doubt that'll change much given how hideous their latest selection is (Pine mountain excepted, wouldn't mind one of those!)
Ah it was so promising, the lovely modern looking matt/gloss black finish, updated carbon shock and fork, middleburns, carbon post and lightweight syntace stem. Then you ruined it fitting FireXC's...
marin riders, forever stuck in the 90's doing trailquests in their SPD sandals 😆
I have a soft spot for Marin's. My first proper MTB was a Marin Nail Trail with Manitou Magnum R forks and Ovation bits.
Must admit those new ones are fugly. 😯
Whats that thing hanging off the back of those first two? Is it a kick stand from a kids bike? Because seriously, who the hell actually has a mech that long?
Oh and warranty might have been the only thing that kept the, going but it was still a lot more than most brands had. My mate got a replacement for his B17 around 2002, well after production had stopped (granted it was an XC frame with no shock IIRC so whilst the shockworks unit didn't fit it was enough to chop in for a Trailstar)
marin riders, forever stuck in the 90's doing trailquests in their SPD sandals
I think that's one of the big issues in the UK....they're really not 'cool' and attract a certain kind of rider. I only ever see old giffers on them with map attachments etc.
I remember them being quite well spec'd in the early 2000's but even back then the head angle was too steeo and the BB too high.
Didn't they have a bad spell a few years ago & pulled their "new" full-suss design before it even hit the stores? Can't remember much about it, but i'm sure I seen the press shots prior to the release and it was an ungodly looking thing which apparently rode like a toaster - anyone? 😕
yeah, it was the Alchemist. Shown but never made full production although it seems that a few were actually sold. http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/marin-scrap-new-alchemist-platform-23013/
What makes me laugh with that first photo is the saddle height. It's like Marin have tried to do something zeitgeist with the geometry but still want old school XC riders to buy their bikes.
What's wrong with the saddle height?
That's the one onewheelgood - makes me feel slightly ill 😆
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What's wrong with the saddle height?
It's a bike whose geometry looks designed more for going down rather than up, but a saddle way up high contradicts that. I think it's because the front centre looks so short.
[edit] the other thing that makes it look odd is the angle of the linkage. Compare that with the shots on their [url= http://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/family/attack-trail ]website[/url]
stilltortoise - It's a bike whose geometry looks designed more for going down rather than up, but a saddle way up high contradicts that. I think it's because the front centre looks so short.
Its a bike that looks like two different (unqualified) people designed it without talking to each other
Started off in the early 90s with a Bobcat Trail and later a 2001 Nail Trail
They weren't that bad at the time and apart from GT/Cannondale and some niche competition they were the bike to have
The Nail Trail was a great bike full XT/Syncros/Ringle/SDG. Sold it to the son of someone at work who had it a month and got it nicked gah
Looks quite a bit better with the linkage in the right position - don't know what is going on the OP's picture.
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Still doesn't look appealing. I think that with the pump strapped to the down tube it all looks a little busy in that main triangle.
The original Jon Whyte designed Marin FS bikes were head and shoulders above everyone else at the time of introduction, in late 1996 > light, simple design that was easy to maintain and rode very well.
They carried on making excellent FS bikes until around 2000 when everyone else had caught up and designs just seemed to stagnate from there, especially when everyone else started using carbon. The Alchemist was the real low point!
All the originals did was copy the pivot location of a Heckler/Superlight of the same era, but change the shock mounting points to vastly increase the leverage rate on the shock. Compromises shock life and function.
Just because there were plenty terrible bikes available back then doesn't mean that the Marins should be applauded. If they weren't designed in the UK, I doubt anyone would have taken any notice.
It's quite an achievement to make that blue & black thing look as ugly as it does 🙂
I had a Team Ti BITD, got nicked from Cannock Chase whilst I was waiting to race it in the next race..
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr bloody Midlanders. 😆
Replaced with Klein Attitude which turned out to be the best bike eva.
My newest mountainbike is a 2005 Mt Vision. Perfect frame alignment, well built, suspension works very efficiently. Only flaws are cable rub near the shock mount and occasional ghost shifting on bumpy ground. Excellent climber for a full suss bike.
I've just purchased a nice Mount Vision Pro frame, great condition considering the age. Same swingarm is as those pics posted by zippykona (RH pic) and woodster. I'd like to eventually build it up with disc brakes but the only place I can find an adaptor available is through BETD - [url= http://www.mountainbikecomponents.co.uk/marin-disc-mount ]marin-disc-mount[/url] It doesn't look the correct shape to me and to be honest its a bit pricey for what is a simple piece of cnc'd aluminium. Would anyone with one of these swingarm types (year 2000?) be good enough to bung their adaptor on a scanner for me so I can print a pattern off and fashion one of my own? Virtual pint in it for ya.
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Nice that. Very stealth and clean.
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I sold my lovely old Marin Eat Peak 04 model...... for a slightly newer '10 Attack Trail.
Both 26", both QUAD (well, AT is QUAD 2...)and still love the QUAD suspension and how it actually [b]looks.[/b]Its a Marin so dont need to defend the cheap but really rather good dropper. 😉
Bit of a pig to remove the shock for servicing etc though. Always a compromise somewhere. 🙂
[img][url= https://farm1.staticflickr.com/766/22253160449_8623b87fca_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm1.staticflickr.com/766/22253160449_8623b87fca_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/zUrgja ]2015-10-24_06-27-06[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/134975426@N08/ ]poopy doop[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Really want to like the fs in the opening post. But, it just doesnt do it for me. As for seeing Marins about, cant remember the last time I saw one.
(Secretly, I kind of like that)
skettyI've just purchased a nice Mount Vision Pro frame, great condition considering the age. Same swingarm is as those pics posted by zippykona (RH pic) and woodster. I'd like to eventually build it up with disc brakes but the only place I can find an adaptor available is through BETD - marin-disc-mount It doesn't look the correct shape to me and to be honest its a bit pricey for what is a simple piece of cnc'd aluminium. Would anyone with one of these swingarm types (year 2000?) be good enough to bung their adaptor on a scanner for me so I can print a pattern off and fashion one of my own? Virtual pint in it for ya.
Wish I had one to help you with the project mate.
Even with my '10 Marin the spares are getting hard to come by. Talked to the new importers and the rear dropouts for mine will be an import direct from America job if I ever need them. Thats still *IF* I can get them.
Fortunately bearings arent an issue, get them on fleabay fine. The only other "limit" is that its a 26er. That said, people have fitted 27.5 to this bike and no probs with clearance. Not worried about it being 26" though. Was bought with zero intention of changing wheel sizing. As long as I can get secondhand wheels and (new) tyres for 26", Im a happy lad.
That alchemist looks like they really tried quite hard to make it as ugly as possible. Weird!
I suspect the Alchemist (on paper) works really well. I always took it that the Whyte / Marin partnership was function before fashion
the quake frames ride really nicely despite the weight. The frame quality is great, too.
But, it's not particularly good looking, doesn't have iscg mounts and replacement dropouts (particularly the bolt through...) are like hens teeth.
I've just purchased a nice Mount Vision Pro frame, great condition considering the age. Same swingarm is as those pics posted by zippykona (RH pic) and woodster. I'd like to eventually build it up with disc brakes but the only place I can find an adaptor available is through BETD - marin-disc-mount It doesn't look the correct shape to me
Pretty sure that BETD marin adaptor was for the DH bike a few years previous, so likely wrong for you bike. First place to try would be [url= http://www.atb-sales.co.uk/ ]ATB sales[/url] who were the brand distributer at the time, they might have one or could help. Otherwise try ringing BETD, they can probably help even if not on the website.
Would anyone with one of these swingarm types (year 2000?) be good enough to bung their adaptor on a scanner for me so I can print a pattern off and fashion one of my own?
Another option would be to use a '99 swingarm, as that had IS mounts. Or I'm told that if you can find an adapter for a PRST-1 that would fit your swingarm.
I will have a go on Wednesday.Is your swing arm like my raw one or blue one?
Have you looked on retro bike I'm sure someone has done the drawings for a mount on there.
The guy who built that stealth bike made a spare for himself, so can probably help.
[url= http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=112170&start=50 ]RetroBike[/url]
I will have a go on Wednesday.Is your swing arm like my raw one or blue one?
Have you looked on retro bike I'm sure someone has done the drawings for a mount on there.
Hi zippykona, like the raw one. I did look on retro bike, there's mention of it but can't recall seeing any post with a diagram but I'll take another look later tonight. Be very grateful if you could drop yours on a scanner for me. I could then ask an engineering shop to cnc one for me if it doesn't cost too much else I'll make one up myself. Can you measure the alloy thickness for me too 🙂
No joy with diagrams on Retrobike, found some pics of the likely adaptor (same as the BETD one) and suppose I could up-scale those until the mounting holes match the distance between those on the swingarm I have but unless the pic was taken perfectly square on then having it cnc'd this way is a little imprecise.
If I get a kind soul to scan one I'll permanently post it here and elsewhere so that future users can find it and get them made up too.
Not sure why the original bike is so very very short, is it an XXS size?
It's not naturally good looking or easy on the eye, unlike my early 90s Bear Valley
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And these were the epitomy of style and design!
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I think that's one of the big issues in the UK....they're really not 'cool' and attract a certain kind of rider. I only ever see old giffers on them with map attachments etc.
I kinda see what you mean. Here's my old Marin looking very practical and rather uncool.
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However, once you remove the slimline lighting pack and map holder and i no longer see what you mean.
[i]*I should point out that although this appears to be just a regular Marin hardtail from the 2000's it's not, i had the head angle and BB altered as it wasn't rideable in the slightest when i got it from the shop.[/i]
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Sketty where shall I send the scan to?
Ps the betd is wrong for you.
I should point out that although this appears to be just a regular Marin hardtail from the 2000's it's not, i had the head angle and BB altered as it wasn't rideable in the slightest when i got it from the shop.
How the devil do you alter the head angle on an existing frame, I like the bike but is it really worth doing on an old frame?
Looks like he just put a long fork on it. Wouldve probably been easier to buy a jump bike rather than trying to make an xc bike into a jump bike.How the devil do you alter the head angle on an existing frame, I like the bike but is it really worth doing on an old frame?
Lads, it was a tongue in cheek comment in response to the comment below from another poster...
but even back then the head angle was too steep and the BB too high.
I read this kind of thing all the time on here and i think it's bollocks spouted by folk to either justify a new bike or as an excuse for something else.
Looks like he just put a long fork on it. Wouldve probably been easier to buy a jump bike rather than trying to make an xc bike into a jump bike.
The forks were an upgrade (U-turn revs) but i ran them at 120mm as that's what the OE forks were. In my wee world it's easier to ride the bike you have rather than buy a new one.