Paul Petch

2008 Marin Rift Zone

Well I’ve just laid down a deposit on a dually…. and I’ve made a great choice too (I think!). Within the next 4 weeks I’ll be picking up a Marin Rift Zone :D After weeks of research and much “pros & cons” going around in my head the Rift Zone makes sense.

The burlier Wolf Ridge was a close contender for my dosh but what sealed the deal is that I still like to climb and spend a full day out on the dirt so the lower weight and more trail friendly 5″ vs 6″ travel makes sense. Yes I would love to have a maxel up front to stiffen up the tracking and in 2009 the whole range (running Fox) will have just that- but I’ve ridden a QR since I started riding bikes so I’m sure I’ll cope :D

Plans to swap and upgrade parts has already started… most of which will come off the Lynskey. The Hayes Strokers might be swapped for the XT’s and I’ll be shifting happy with Sram (X9/XO) and not the Shimano XT/ LX. As for the wheel set- the Kings/ XT cassette and 717′s will migrate from the Cove and the XTR’s will live on the Cove until I can sell them and replace for some Hope II’s on 819′s. Oh… and the XT cranks will replace the generic ones. I’ll also be promptly ordering the obligatory Thomson stem and seat post. The King headset will also find its way onto the front end, and in silver it will look freaking mint! Talking of silver…. maybe I’ll get the Thomson stuff in silver this time!! Hooorah!

So why have I chosen a Marin ? Well I had a few requirements when it came to a trail bike for the type of rocky and technical riding here in the Port Hills and most trails on the South Island.

They were:

- Bottom bracket that is high enough to clear rocks and obstacles (i.e. not a low XC setup).
- Minimum of 120mm travel to stop the characteristic front end dive when I point the bike downwards.
- Minimum crank “squash” when I tackle obstacles (the bike folds and the cranks lower).
- Not to much bob when powering out of the saddle.
- Fully active when braking.
- Minimum front end diving and rear end rising under braking.

Sounds like alot of needs doesn’t it? Well after several car park “out of the saddle sprint tests” I was simply stunned at how the rear just “sat” with no pogo stick action so that was a massive positive. As for the other “wants” some online and magazine reviews covered and provided some detailed insights to my other requirements. It has 120mm at both ends… and the suspension action apparently works in a forward motion rather than the more wide spread up and down action of other duallys. This no only allows fantastic traction and front end stability but also eleviates the dreaded “clown bike” lowering of cranks under compression… so that’s that box ticked.

Fully active.. check.. highish bottom bracket… check…. brake dive…. check. Infact the reviews I’ve read (lots!!) have been nothing more than outstanding. The price was also amazing at $2800 which was reduced from $3500…. :)

Check some of these FANTASTIC PDF reviews.

Mountain Biking New Zealand Review

What Mountain Bike Review

Mountain Biking UK Review

Dirt Rag Magazine Review

And some website banter

Bike Radar

Commox Valley

MBUK

Anyway… enough of the therory…. I’ll be sure to give my first impressions in the next few weeks. I can’t wait! Am I excited…..quite frankly FUCK YES :D

Related posts:

1. 2008 Marin Wolf Ridge- a change of plan
2. Marin Wolf Ridge is here!
3. Marin Wolf Ridge for sale…
4. Marin Wolf Ridge ride 2
5. Marin Wolf Ridge ride 1

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 23rd, 2008 at 6:45 pm and is filed under Bike Stuff and tagged with marin. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.