Previewed: Marin's 2010 Mountain Bikes

Previous Story | Home
Words: Ryan LaBar

The long awaited Alchemist sees the light of day.

After an almost a year-long delay, Marin bikes launched its new 4-inch bike, the Alchemist. "We wanted to be sure we got things right the first time," said Marin's marketing manager Mark Vanek. "We needed the bike to pass European testing standards, which are tougher than the U.S. standards." The Alchemist is Marin's stab at a pure cross-country bike, which uses the company’s trademark Quad Link suspension. The top-end of three stock Alchemist builds comes with XTR components, a RockShox SID fork and an Easton cockpit for a respectable complete weight of 24 pounds and change.

Marin also unveiled a significantly updated version of its Wolf Ridge—so significant that the Wolf Ridge moniker is gone altogether, replace by the new model name: Attack Trail. The bike’s suspension layout has been altered to optimize it for better pedaling in the granny gear. Not just an update for the cardiovascularly challenged—the change is intended to accommodate SRAM’s Hammerschmidt internally geared crankset. As such, the new Attack Trail comes with ISCG 05 tabs, and as a bonus the bike sees a bump in rear-wheel travel from 140 to 150 millimeters.

In other sundry changes, the 5-inch Mount Vision's swingarm has been updated to shave off 200 grams. Also, the bike receives complete geometry revision. The Front Center length is increased with a longer toptube and slacker head angle, but the cockpit is only slightly longer due to a shorter stem and steeper seattube angle. Plus, its chainstays have been shortened and its bottom bracket lowered. Marin claims these tweaks create a more stable ride at high speeds that can corner well and climb better.

Closer look at the Quad Link suspension on the Alchemist.

The Mount Vision got some geometry changes as well as a lighter swing arm.

The 150-millimeter Attack Trail can be run with or without Hammershcmidt.

Reader Comments

Posted Tue Jul 7, 2009, 7:53 PM — By Logan

The Mount Vision and Attack Trail are hideous.

Posted Wed Jul 8, 2009, 8:29 AM — By Reformed Roadie

well, I guess that's important if you're standing around looking at bikes... I'd be more interested in how it rides. The Mount Vision gets acclaim every year for being a great bike. Must have been by blind tests.

Posted Wed Jul 8, 2009, 8:51 AM — By Jon

Ryan, thanks for letting me see the bike I have been trying to purchase all year!!

Posted Wed Jul 8, 2009, 11:30 AM — By Caleb

Yes, Jon has been trying to get one all year... I think he may fly to California to hijack on from Labar. I don't know what reformed roadie is talking about. This is one of, if not the smoothest suspension designs on the market. It may not be the best pedaling design, but it isn't the worst either. Read some of the reviews from online from the UK mags and websites and try to find a tester that didn't like the Mount Vision.

Posted Thu Jul 9, 2009, 12:19 PM — By Dan

that alchemist is also hideous. wow. i really, really want marin to do well... but damn if they don't come out with increasingly-offensive frame designs... yech.

Posted Thu Jul 9, 2009, 5:28 PM — By tom

Who are you people? Roadies? Marin's FS family does look different, and I guess if you're concerned about the coffee shop gallery's approval, that's a downside. The Quad-Link ride is one of the best out there, but you know, don't consider it 'cause it looks "hideous".

Posted Thu Jul 9, 2009, 8:04 PM — By Lars

Hello all, Alchemist may be ugly but then so is Jimmys Mum and she rides like a satin squirrell Thing i would be worried about over anything is the high price/poor specification equation? Deore cranks, Tora Sl, more deore, heavy wheels, crap tires and over 1600 earth pounds. They must think we are crazy. Much rather get the basic anthem, cheaper and better spec, also somewhat more attractive than that Victorian bedpost.

Posted Fri Jul10, 2009, 7:26 PM — By Cody

lol I can't believe how many people buy a bike based on looks. Read the reviews, the marins ride great and their suspension works as advertised. That's worth a lot more than looks to me

Posted Mon Jul13, 2009, 12:05 AM — By Homey

To whom it may concern: the bikes look great! And because they don't look like everything else on the market I give them extra props. Congrats Marin on not making a carbon copy of everything else and actually using your design department.

Posted Mon Jul13, 2009, 12:17 AM — By aidan

I would imagine most people, myself included, look for more than proven performance when making a significant purchase. Admittedly the aesthetic value of a bike is a distant second to it's performance but in a major investment situation any rational person would favor a proportionate balance of all of the bike's characteristics

Posted Thu Jul16, 2009, 3:42 AM — By Rigidboy

I have been an XC rider since 86' and my primary ride is a 2008 5" travel Mt Vision. This bike design has won "bike of the year" 2007' & 2008'. Reading the reviews, they focus on one thing... suspension design. Not weight, components or sex appeal... Why? Because the suspension design actually works! This unit pedals without bob, digs in on the climbs and descends without effort. Look out Specialized, Trek and Giant!!!

Posted Fri Jul17, 2009, 1:31 AM — By John

all the good reviews are from brit mags. the suspension design is by a brit. read between the lines fellas. the bike rec'd BOY awards from a cut rate US mag. that is usually avaliable for free at libraries. : )

Posted Fri Jul17, 2009, 1:35 AM — By John

Posted Sun Jul19, 2009, 4:07 PM — By Homey

Don't be a racist, John

Posted Sat Jul25, 2009, 5:58 AM — By notary public

Hello mate, I want to thank you for this nice blog. Would you mind telling me some secrets for a succesful blog ? Which could attract some visitors than it normally does. Please come visit my site notary seal when you got time.

Posted Sun Jul26, 2009, 1:13 PM — By bens

yup butt ugly, but you don't look at them when riding. Designed by a brit Formula 1 designer (nuff said) My rocksprings is awesome, blasts up hill like an XC wippit and DH on the tails of the stinkies. Plus unlike my mate's Kona stinky the frame aint snapped! I'll be stiking to Marin. ride it like you stole it.... ;-)

Posted Mon Jul27, 2009, 2:50 AM — By JP

I have a 2009 Attack trail and it is quite possibly the most versatile bike i have ever ridden. Granted the looks are love it or hate it, but the quality of the ride can't be disputed. I rode it for a week in the bike park at whistler and it handled everything my friends DH bike was doing, and now I've fitted a coil shock its even better on the big stuff

Posted Fri Jul31, 2009, 1:36 PM — By AngloFrenchRelationsAreTenseAtTheBestOfTimes

I have owned a John Whyte (the F1 designer alluded to by others) designed Whyte E5 for nearly 3 years and can hoestly say it makes most other bikes seem flat and unispiring. When all is said and done the following are the important things: Does it pedal without inducing shock compression, does it climb without spitting traction, does it soak up small stuff, does it descend and let you be in control and confident, is it stiff? All Whytes and Marin's do all of the above (apart from the E5 on the stiff thing, but hey it is a 4yr old design!). I also like my bikes to look sick but give me performance over looks anyday. And besides how can you not like the look of the Mount Vision or the Whyte E120?

Posted Fri Aug 7, 2009, 11:13 AM — By Alex

The Attack Trail frame looks different for sure but I rather like it. However, the paint job, black with gold flowery ornaments, needs to go.

Posted Thu Aug20, 2009, 7:53 AM — By thecodfather

Owned a Mount Vision Pro 2008 since they came out, didn't buy it for looks, bought it because I wanted a good bike and do you know what, I got one, tired of non riders bad mouthing what they don't know, yeah, it might not look good, who gives a "Flyford Flavel". A great bike, try one before you dismiss it. Well done Marin, keep 'em coming!

Posted Sat Aug22, 2009, 10:33 AM — By Alex

look at the 2010 Marin Attack Trail 4x. This bike looks great http://fwd.five.tv/gadgets/transport/cycle/marin-attack-trail-4x the biggest difference seems to be the paint job and the lack of that ugly diagonal short tube close to headset. Give us the regular Attack Trail with the 4x design.

Posted Wed Oct 7, 2009, 11:30 PM — By Erika

rode the 09 mv 5.8 @ interbike demo last year....superior platform compared to the other 3 bikes i rode. Bought the same bike in spring of 08. This bike soaks up small and large hits and handles extremely well!! Don't buy on looks you vain monkeys.

Posted Mon Oct26, 2009, 10:30 AM — By Wally

Guys, i am thinking buy one of then but some body konw how much weigth Mount Vision and Attack trail 6.7???????? i will apriciate your coments.

Posted Mon Nov 9, 2009, 9:01 PM — By g

marin palisades 29er is best

Posted Mon Mar 1, 2010, 4:49 PM — By kobi berger

hi, i got my new Marin Mount Vision 120 a week ago. last friday I did them a test of 60 km. great bike,great geometry .

Posted Wed Mar10, 2010, 10:57 AM — By Scottiedog

I have owned my Palasides for three years now...Never MTB before... total beginner rider... Adventure racing now for two years... I'm still a baby in this sport, but now that I can actually ride, we are holding our own against the top teams in Texas... Give me another year and great teammates, look out! My new bike will be a Marin! Been waiting on the new one! Bring it!

Add Comment

Name (Required):

Email (Required, will not be shown to public):

Comment (Required, max chars: 1024):

You have characters left.

SYNDICATION