Quad link 1 (Marin) versus quad link 2 (Whyte)

I used to have a Marin Rift Zone quad link 1 bike which I remember quite fondly…..

Question is would I like the quad link 2 bikes such as the Whyte T120 or the 2011 Rift Zone?

I’m getting drawn to one for the lifetime warrantied bearings, and because I liked the general ride of the old quad link 1 Rift Zone. But then I’m getting off put off by some variable reviews about how it gives a lot of pedal feedback, how the new Riftzone frame is flexy and overweight or how the Whyte is a bit of a plodder.

Don’t think a test ride of any description will be possible.

Don’t know if this will help, but it might.
I recently changed from a 2004 attack trail to a 2008 wolf ridge. The main differences in spec are:
Improved rear shock adjustability (float rl to rp23)
12mm rear maxle
Lower bottom bracket
Shorter rear swing arm

The ride is a lot more stable and gives a more inclusive ride. By that I mean the old bike felt very high and perched on it. The shock allows me to play around with some more settings and the rear maxle gives a much stiffer. While I prefer the older quad link for cleaning purposes, the new design is a much better ride. I don’t know if the new rift zone has the same design, but if it is then you will notice the difference over the older version. Can’t comment on reliability of more recent frames, but so far I’ve not had any problems with either marin frames.

Thanks for the comments ds, does it pedal as well? The attack trail seems to have turned from a long travel trail bike to more of a mini dh bike in the Wolf Ridge format?

I always felt my Riftzone was fairly bob-free but recent reviews on all the quad link 2’s talk about shock set up being crucial or it bobs. Or some other marketing bs for that. “Dynamic ride character” or some other such rubbish!?

I quite liked the relatively high bb on my Riftzone, but imagine that will have been lower than the attack trail, so not as much of an issue perhaps?

If I was in the market for a FS I’d go for the Whyte, that said I’ve got 2011 Rift Zone in the garage (my son’s) and I’ve never ridden it in anger. I might give it a go tomorrow 🙂

I’ve got both – 2004 Mount Vision + 2009 Wolf Ridge.

Both very different bikes with very different handling characteristics.
The Quad2 design is an improvement i reckon, however it does make the bike sit a little more into its travel so the BB is that little bit lower if that is a concern for you. I find the centre of gravity on the WR much lower than the MV and much more stable, but as above, the addition of 140mm travel, 20mm bolt-thru forks and a 12mm rear maxle can have that affect!
The WR is a suprisingly versatile bike, with the RP23 shock you can flick the lever and stiffen up the rear end for climbing/smoother trails etc and open it again when the going gets a bit more full on. In fact, i only use the lever when going uphill as i find the suss system that good on general trails that i really don’t feel the need to use it. Does take a little while to find the sweet spot on the shcok set up though.
The WR is a bit heavy at 33lb/15Kilo but it really does ride ‘lighter’ than that. Can’t say i’ve noticed any flex in the frame or much pedal feedback either. The only time i really notice the weight is when i lift the bloody thing over a gate!
I’ve had the MV since Jan 2004 and i’ve been lots of places on it, still love the bike but it’s now mainly my ‘big day out’ bike for long distance stuff/CRC Marathons etc, the WR has rapidly become my ‘go to’ bike for fun stuff in the Peak/Lakes/Spain etc.

Hope that helps a little.

I would echo muddydwarfs comments regarding weight. In terms of shock setup I don’t flick the propedal lever very often but nice to know I can.

In terms of pedal bob I feel there is less on the wolf ridge than the old attack trail, but I really only had feedback in the granny ring. Standing to never helped but the wolf ridge feels a little more solid. Forgot to mention the dropouts are replaceable on both sides, I’m undecided whether that is a good thing or a marketing ploy.

I quite like the look of marins and whytes, and I don’t have a beard. Replacement bearings under warranty is very good having seen some other mainstream bikes go through bearings much quicker and at owner’s cost. Definitely worth considering if you have the option.

I’m looking at the lighter end of the spectrum, so the Whyte T120 and Rift zone rather than the 140mm versions, but its good to know they pedal ok or perhaps better than the original design.

Has anyone weighed a Wolf Ridge frame? Could it be built sub 30lb?

The WR frame is over built for strength and the swing arm is pretty chunky. With a lighter fork (mine is a Pike) and stuff I think it could. The Whyte will be lighter though. To be honest neither the WR or the MV like being pedalled hard out of the saddle, both bob if the shock isn’t locked, but then I prefer to sit and spin fast than mash up a climb.

I try not to pedal out of the saddle at all when I’m on a full suss, apart from to stretch my legs – but I do like to push the gears a bit rather than spin easily.

I got on fine my 2006 Rift Zone, so was wondering if the newer versions pedal at all differently (i.e. worse)? Sounds as though they’re vaguely comparable and they’re more a different style of bike to what they were?

In that case i think you’ll get on with the Whyte then. They both pedal really well with the shock in the fully open mode in my experience. I think the difference between the two is more to do with the shape of the bike, the MV you are more perched on top and the WR you sit more into the bike. The MV has a longer top tube and a lower front end so gives a very different feel. They are bikes designed for different riding really though.

The reason i went for the WR over a 120mm version was that i feared the 20mm travel difference wouldn’t be that much different from my MV and i wanted something that would give me the bigger ‘all-mountain’ style of ride.
Since then i’ve ridden a Marin Quad2 120mm and i find the ride much closer to my WR than to my old MV as the frame is so different etc.

If you live in the North West you can have a spin on my WR if you like?

I’ve got an 09 Wolf Ridge and really like it. Had a few full-sus bikes before but never really got on with any of them until i tried this one which i’ve had for a couple of years now. Theres noticeable bob/feedback in the granny ring, but it pedals pretty well in the middle ring. I’d definitely get the RP23 one though. The frame is carrying a 1lb or so over similar (but more expensive) frames, but mines built quite light and i’ve yet to find a climb i can’t do and its coped fine with some 50 mile/7000ft epics in the Peak District.

Missus has an ’08 Rock Springs and I have an ’09 Wolf Ridge. I’ve spent a lot of time on the Rock Springs too and if I’m completely honest I prefer the non-compression adjustable Float on the Springs, the damping feels more consistent through the stroke and the feedback feels perfect.

The WR/RS/Attack Trail frame is beefy, it’s not light and it’s not pretty in it’s larger size but it’s a lovely ride. Getting the shock pressure right is important (much more so with the RP3) but that’s true for most FS bikes.

I just went out to weigh my wolf ridge. Built up at the moment it was around 32lbs and that’s after I have recently replaced with some lighter forks and front wheel. I was actually surprised as I thought it would be more than that. I have a short travel steel hardtail running some old SIDS (the ridiculously light, flexy ones) and even that only came in at 28lbs.

I think it could be built up under 30lbs- I’m carrying a marz rc3 ti fork at around 2kgs and a rear pro2 on a 729 rim. Options on those 2 alone could save you another 0.5kg I would have thought. Then I have a fairly chunky seatpost and heavy saddle after finally breaking my bel air. Also have a middle of the range handlebar / stem combination and mixed XT/SLX drivetrain. Running a triple instead of a double would also shave some weight.

If I had the money then I could get it under 30lbs, but it rides really well for its weight (up and down) and I don’t break many bits which I would undoubtedly do if I converted to carbon or lighter XC parts. I’m usually fairly fit (current condition excepted) so not too concerned with spending lots to save a little.

Found this old link which helps:

and someone reviewing it had weighed the frame at 3.7kgs.

I think we may have strayed a little off the original topic, but I think it goes to show that it was a brilliant year for the Wolf Ridge! 😀