Marin

About Marin Bikes

Marin was founded in 1986 in Marin County, California, hence the name. Marin County is also the birthplace of modern mountain biking, and Marin Bikes has been there since the early years. Although they're a heritage brand, they haven't been sitting around idly for the last 40 years; their bike lineup is capable and modern.

Marin focuses heavily on real-world usability and smiles-for-dollars. Their bikes are designed from the ground up to be affordable to weekend warriors and after-work riders, while still being trail-capable, durable, and forgiving. Their geometry is confidence-inspiring rather than extreme, in line with their slogan "Made for Fun". Components are chosen for durability and reliability in the real world, including beginner mistakes, curb drops, and imperfect maintenance.

Marin MTB Models

Marin’s models are named after local trails and features in the Marin County area.

Their entry-level and lower-cost models are designed to give the most bang for your buck; they aren't afterthoughts "downgraded" from a better model.

Hardtails

Bobcat Trail

The Bobcat Trail is an aluminum-frame hardtail mountain bike designed for entry-level trail riding. It uses modern trail geometry, a suspension fork in the 100–120 mm range depending on size and model year, and Boost hub spacing front and rear. Smaller frames use 27.5″ wheels and M-XL frames use 29″ wheels. All models are equipped with hydraulic disc brakes.

The Bobcat Trail 3, 4, and 5 share the same frame and geometry, but with some differences in components. The 4 and 5 have upgraded versions of important components like the drivetrain, brakes, and fork compared to the Bobcat Trail 3.

Team Marin

The Team Marin is an aluminum hardtail built for fast XC riding. It has a trail-oriented geometry, with a lighter overall build compared to the Bobcat Trail. It features a 120 mm suspension fork, 29″ wheels across all sizes, and Boost spacing. The lightweight frame helps you keep the pedal to the metal all the way.

The Team Marin 1 and Team Marin 2 use the same frame and suspension layout; the Team Marin 2 equipped with higher-grade drivetrain and braking components.

Bolinas Ridge

The Bolinas Ridge is a budget-friendly mountain bike that's still going to enable you to get out and hit the trails. The 1 ST and 2 ST specs have a lower stepover height than most mountain bikes. It's equipped with either shorter-travel suspension fork or rigid fork depending on build, and either 27.5″ or 29″ wheels depending on spec and frame size. The Bolinas Ridge comes with disc brakes across all specs.

Compared to other Marin hardtails, the Bolinas Ridge is designed for lighter trail use, bike paths, and mixed riding rather than technical terrain. It prioritizes ease of use and affordability over maximum capability.

Full-Suspension Bikes

Rift Zone

The Rift Zone is a full-suspension trail bike built around Marin’s multi-link rear suspension platform. It features approximately 130mm of rear travel, a 140mm suspension fork, and modern-sized 29″ wheels. It's available in both a carbon or aluminum frame, depending on spec. Boost spacing and dropper posts are standard.

All Rift Zone specs or build kits share the same suspension design and geometry. The differences between the Rift Zone 1, 2, and XR specs are in the frame material and major components, including drivetrain, brakes, suspension, and wheelsets. Ride characteristics remain consistent across all the Rift Zone models.

Alpine Trail

The Alpine Trail is a longer-travel full-suspension mountain bike designed for steep and rough terrain. It uses a multi-link rear suspension system with approximately 150–160 mm of rear travel, paired with a 160 mm fork depending on build. Wheel size is 29″, and frames are available in aluminum or carbon depending on model.

Alpine Trail variants share the same suspension layout and geometry. Higher-spec models use upgraded suspension components, drivetrains, and brakes, while frame design and travel remain unchanged across trims.

Quake

The Quake is Marin’s gravity-focused bike intended for bike park and downhill riding. It features a long-travel suspension platform, downhill-specific geometry, and large-diameter disc brakes. The wheel size is typically 29″, with components selected for durability under sustained descending.

The Quake is designed specifically for lift-accessed riding and downhill terrain.

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