I'm a month into M4 and Im loving it so far. I hit the trail almost everyday, and its nice to see progress. To put it in perspective, I previously had a 50lb Huffy MB, and had to pedal downhill. With the M4 it feels as if I'm actually accelerating uphill. Perhaps my Huffy worked me out really good! But the improvement in performance is clearly felt. Feels light. Love losing weight while having fun.
Thanks for the feedback. I am thinking about getting this bike. I primarily want it to ride trails, but I don't intend to do any jumps or tricks or get on rough terrain for expert riders. I'm not into that. I'm an older female, and I don't need to break any bones. I just love the idea of riding through the woods since I go hiking a lot.
@@queline213 I originally went to the shop to buy a Marlin 6, but the 4 was all they had in stock. I am not disappointed. Also, the newer 4 does have adjustable struts and cables are hidden. I am not into tricks either, just riding to stay healthy. I can ride at the same speed as the guys with the $1000+ bikes. Go get it before they are out of stock again.
Jamesthebikeguy exactly. The Marlins are good for family rides on Multi Use Paths (MUPs) that could be paved with asphalt or crushed gravel. You could even put a rack on it and ride on the shoulder to a local store or pick up take out. Taking it on single track though is going to require some significant upgrades whose overall cost might be better spent on a higher end Trek MTB like an XCaliber or a Roscoe. Marlins are essentially hybrids with slightly more sporty geometry.
I’m deciding between Trek 820, DS1 or Marvel 4 or Marvel 5 Different prices from $450 to $599 what would be your rank? Looking for 50/50 trail/road rides
Awesome vid homie! The Marlin series is a great line of bikes for starting out in mountain biking or, as your analogy went, great SUV’s for getting across a variety of terrain
@@Jamesthebikeguy outside of what I mentioned here, the components on that Marlin 4 are a mix between the M4 in your review (color and all) and some of the stuff on the M5. It's essentially an in-between model flor people who want something better than the standard M4, but can't see themselves buying the M5
No. Please no. Riding a trail with a Tourney derailleur? The chain slap will be deafening. That may be an appropriate drivetrain for a basic commuter, but not a bike that’s intended for any real off-road riding. For $500, one should expect better.
That's true with anything up to a Clutch. This bike isn't intended for intense trail work anyway, it's a hybrid mtb and that derailleur will work fine.
But that’s not how it’s marketed. Trek positions it as an entry-level MTB. If that’s its marketed purpose, it should be fit for the purpose. According to Trek: Marlin 4 is the perfect gateway to trail riding. It's ideal for new riders who want a mountain bike with knobby tires that can double as a rugged commuter. Tourney is neither intended nor appropriate for those uses.
Peter Baskind i rode this bitch out the box full throttle and let me tell you that tourney derailleur is the sole reason why i might need a hearing aid in some years
Thanks for the clarification on the internally routed cables! This was a nice upgrade from the early iteration of the 2020 model. I just bought the 2020 in Anthracite Silver/Red and it has the internally routed cables.
I got my marlin 4 off Facebook marketplace almost brand new for 250 bucks. It is my first real mountain bike and after some months with it I really beat the shit out of it. It’s held up pretty nice so far and I’ve had a lot of fun on it but here’s some key pointers for anyone wanting to get it. 1.) that rear derailleur is trash son (replacements are mad cheap but spend the extra 10 bucks and put on an acera) 2.) the fork is perfect for light trail riding but as soon as you get into drops and jumps it’s gona get blown out (mine is barely hanging on a thread) 3.) wider bars, grips, and tires made a hell of a difference 4.) the brakes are in fact the most reliable thing on the bike so far 5.) upgrading cassettes is really tricky cause I’ve been told the hubs won’t fit anything else (allegedly) 6.) the wheels can get wobbly if you’re doing hardcore shit but I’ve yet to turn one into a taco and I’ve thoroughly beat them to death
Also i would NEVER in the right mind pay msrp for this bike. Beeeeee fuckin careful cause i know the life of this bike is finite and i wish i did more research when i was buying it
I'm in the same position as you the dicks sporting goods gt stressor $480 or this at local trek shop $490. I saw a video the marlin while doing some jumps the chain popes off the derailleur and on the stressor the brakes are not good. I just noticed both have the same fork.
From what I read the gt aggressor is faaar inferior and many people have had it in for repairs after only 1 or 2 rides. Some even multiple repairs almost every time they ride
@@SpazzyIrishKid1 I ended up just getting a hyper explorer full suspension bike. It was super cheap, I'll just upgrade the components as my skills improve
I suppose that comes to expectations but for the price point this bike is pretty well-equipped if You're expecting high and components you got to spend a little bit more
Commute 10 miles a day for work and occasionally like to hit the trails. Would this bike be ideal? I have an old giant hybrid but become unreliable and sick of spending money on it. Cheers.
@@Jamesthebikeguy I'm from India and there's like one dealer in my state that has Trek products. I've told him to bring all 4 models for me to check. It'll take a week. I'm really excited.
So do I. Damn thing is like a sharp piece of Flint. I was going to get a different seat but they swear to me after a few weeks I will more than likely get used to it. I bought a gel cover for it and it is a lot better. I never remember my ass hurting riding a lot when I was a kid!
Always liked last years marlin but until trek decides to get serious & build a hardtail with better specs i might b interested then,wth? Tourney mech & coil spring shock?,well @ least it got a replaceable deraileur hanger. 😩😩
I mean, you have the Xcaliber, Procaliber, Roscoe, and Stache (the latter two being plus bikes), and their fat bike, the Farley. This Marlin is just the entry level for basic trail /bike path riding. I guess the real question is if one of these hits your price point.
@@djsercy5879 as i said b4 overpriced & underspecced,when i mentioned last years model marlin to a friend he suggested that there was a particular giant hardtail which was much cheaper & specced with higher end shimano mech 😊😊
The Marlin 5 is a better starting point for someone who plans on getting into trail riding... it has hydraulic brakes and is a better place to start upgrading as you ride. If all you plan on doing is commuting or riding around town, skip the Marlin series altogether and go with the 820, it a better fit on the bike racks that are on city buses. The Marlin series is “almost” to long, trust me, mine hangs over the end just a bit. I don’t use it as a commuter (I’ve done a bunch of upgrades and it won’t even fit in the rack). Take a very serious look at what you plan to do with it before you buy either one of them.
I’m deciding between Trek 820, DS1 or Marvel 4 or Marvel 5 Different prices from $450 to $599 what would be your rank? Looking for 50/50 trail/road rides
I am looking for a good bike for road ride and some light to medium trails. Basically for fitness. Originally no was considering a Cyclo Cross bike. Do you think the Marlin 4 would suit that case use? Also, if I decided to go more aggressively offroad is this a frame that would encourage upgrade parts? Thanks!
Hi James. I commented this to a older video but i wasnt sure that you would see it so i copied it here to a more recent video) (sorry for bad english) : I have shimano mt200 brakes and broken sx shifter, i broke the plastic shifter clamp during a fall, it is integrated to the shifter and i cant get new one in finland. But I can get a NX or a GX shifter tought with the matchmaker clamp. But will the clamp fit both, to the shimano brakes and to the shifter (NX or GX) I really need help, because the product specifications dont tell it, so i asked someone who knows alot more about bikes :)
I bought 29er from less known brand for 300$, It has 10 speed casette, internal cables, hydraulic brakes with 180mm disc on front and 160mm on back, suspension fork with lockout , Ltwoo a7 derailleurs and shifters, which are much better than entry level shimano's. It also got lock on grips. I am more than happy with it because i use bike mostly for commuting.
I just purchased for my daughter this same exact bike. The dealer warned us not to engage the front brakes if we pop off the front tire while transferring in a small car. He said it will permanently lock. Also said to do a series of braking and going fast to help break the bike in. Have any thoughts on that? She hasn’t gone on the bike yet so she will have to review the manual to make sure she does this right?
I just bought this bike today. I'm 50 years old and haven't done any serious biking in 20 years. I went out on the beginner trail with my 10 year old. I got him a Haro flightline. We had lots of fun. Let's say I keep at this and want to upgrade some parts. What would you start with? Anyone can chime in. Thanks.
Its breaking the rules because of the little sticker on the backside of the fork says that you can't do hard riding but i cannot stop ridding my bike and having fun , even tho im breaking my fork and dust seals
It doesn't hold up to me because the old marlin 5,6,7 were priced the same as the current model. I just believe there stil is a big stock off the old frames
I know how that goes. I told my dad that I got a trek marlin four. He asked how much it was and I didn’t tell him and he says there’s no reason I should spend more than $30 on a bike. He’s in his 70s now though and doesn’t understand modern day values LOL
This model at year 2020 really resembles my Giant Yukon Disc from year 2009 which I’m still riding with all components still running very well & paintwork still like new condition with regular deep polishing & cleaning.
Jamesthebikeguy thanks bro. Hope you can do a video on Trek Marlin 7 or Specialized Rockhopper 2021. I’m serious buying either one very soon right after the covid 19 quarantine & once the retailer have open for business. Is there any thoughts or recommendations from you regarding which model of the above mention bike should I buy? Hope to hear from you. Thanks you.
I didn’t even realize they were certain yearly models. I thought a marlin track four was what it was. I just bought mine yesterday. From a bike shop. Does that mean it is for sure a 2021?
@@turkifaisal5856 well it's complicated, it depends on your weight, fitness level, the terrain and the wind, judging by the gearing and a beginner fitness level, I'd say 35km/hour max on decent tarmac. If you are looking to go fast you need to keep training, lose weight, and probably get a road bike or a sport hybrid with thin tires and light wheels
Many of the big brands have entry level bikes with tourney derailleurs and a basic 7 speed cogset but instead of fitting a freewheel they fit something like a sunrace 7 speed cassette and freehub which is much stronger and suitable for off-road use. Some manufacturers who fit freewheels at least have the sense to fit a solid axle but here you have a weak snappable quick release skewer and 7 speed freewheel which is rubbish quite frankly. I'd also point out that 6 speed freewheels are more reliable shifting than 7 speed freewheels. Both often wobble but the tighter spacing of the cogs on a 7 speed freewheel makes tolerances tighter. You could probably get a cheap $100 walmart bike that shifts more reliably than this Trek, they both have Tourney rear derailleurs but the 6 speed cogset on the walmart bike might shift more reliably. I feel Trek have gone too cheap here and should not be fitting a freewheel to such a bike which ultimately means it is mountain bike style rather than an actual usable mountain bike. Also I really resent the way the make up pretend names for their aluminium rather than tell customers what it actually is. It will likely be 6061 or could be 7005 but instead they give it a purely made up marketing name which I think shows complete dis-respect for their customers. it's something many US and European brands do, many of which are effectively importers buying from the cheapest factories in the far east they can find but using marketing to make them sound better than they are. This is a rubbish bike in my opinion best avoided. If you do buy it and want to use it off-road I would recommend a new rear wheel with a freehub and a 7 speed cassette. Hardtails get such a tough life anyway on the rear wheel when they are used off-road. Also lets not forget a freewheel limits the speed of the high gearing as the smallest cog tends to be 14 or possibly 13 where as a cassette can start at 11 so this bike will be slower than freehub equipped bikes. Upgrading the rear wheel will also make it much faster.
I don't disagree with the premise that this bike is barely adequate for any real trail beyond a rail trail. On the other hand, naming a cheap aluminum isn't disrespectful. The consumer buying this doesn't know 6061 from a beer can. As long as it says aluminum, that is the pertinent data. Likewise the difference in performance and function of 6 and 7 speed will be lost on any potential buyer. And any buyer that needs a wheel upgrade, that will also need the corresponding shifter, derailleur, cable, and possibly hanger upgrade would be better off just starting over. The only reason all those things would make it faster is because of a lighter wallet. I also completely disagree that a department store bike would be just as good. At least this bike can have parts and service sourced from a bike shop, and that will keep it at the campgrounds, rail trail, and community bike path longer ... and out of the landfill longer.
James, a while back you asked about the performance of my Tannus Armour. I have finally had the chance to put some miles on the armour and found I can easily run at 15 psi on the tires. I have yet to actually test the armour (no thorns yet) but so far I am very pleased. I will send an update as soon as I hit some thorns....
As someone who is a casual biker and primarily goes on roads but also likes mountain biking once in a while, I find this bike to be perfect.
sweet, enjoy riding it.
same my neighbor has this bike and it seems like the perfect thing
Just bought it, it’s lightyears ahead of my granite peak road master LOL that i paid $20 for a about two years ago!
I wanna buy a CUTE chain guard, someone please help me 😍😍😍😜😋
I'm a month into M4 and Im loving it so far. I hit the trail almost everyday, and its nice to see progress. To put it in perspective, I previously had a 50lb Huffy MB, and had to pedal downhill. With the M4 it feels as if I'm actually accelerating uphill. Perhaps my Huffy worked me out really good! But the improvement in performance is clearly felt. Feels light. Love losing weight while having fun.
Thanks for the feedback. I am thinking about getting this bike. I primarily want it to ride trails, but I don't intend to do any jumps or tricks or get on rough terrain for expert riders. I'm not into that. I'm an older female, and I don't need to break any bones. I just love the idea of riding through the woods since I go hiking a lot.
@@queline213 I originally went to the shop to buy a Marlin 6, but the 4 was all they had in stock. I am not disappointed. Also, the newer 4 does have adjustable struts and cables are hidden.
I am not into tricks either, just riding to stay healthy. I can ride at the same speed as the guys with the $1000+ bikes.
Go get it before they are out of stock again.
That's why they call it a Huffy! Lol. Aloha
I like the SUV analogy. It pretty much sums it up. Add a rack on the back and you can haul your groceries.
Yep, the CR-V can go on a dirt road but your really going to daily drive it not off-road it.
Jamesthebikeguy exactly. The Marlins are good for family rides on Multi Use Paths (MUPs) that could be paved with asphalt or crushed gravel. You could even put a rack on it and ride on the shoulder to a local store or pick up take out. Taking it on single track though is going to require some significant upgrades whose overall cost might be better spent on a higher end Trek MTB like an XCaliber or a Roscoe. Marlins are essentially hybrids with slightly more sporty geometry.
I’m deciding between Trek 820, DS1 or Marvel 4 or Marvel 5 Different prices from $450 to $599 what would be your rank? Looking for 50/50 trail/road rides
Is it good for jumps because my friend has the five and I’m not sure which one to get
Is marlin 4 good for regular roads or only for mountains?
Roads are fine, but what about Trek DS
Is it good for jumps/off-road trails because I always land flat and it hurt without shocks so are they good
Awesome vid homie! The Marlin series is a great line of bikes for starting out in mountain biking or, as your analogy went, great SUV’s for getting across a variety of terrain
Thanks for watching!
I've the Trek Marlin Garyfisher collection, I absolutely love it.
Nice!
There's a new Marlin 4 with a 100mm travel fork, internal cable routing, and a dedicated space for a rear-mounted kickstand available for $489.99
That's going to be a nice bike I bet
@@Jamesthebikeguy outside of what I mentioned here, the components on that Marlin 4 are a mix between the M4 in your review (color and all) and some of the stuff on the M5. It's essentially an in-between model flor people who want something better than the standard M4, but can't see themselves buying the M5
Thank you for the video information is always good.
My easiest gear was 28. Had to swap the rear wheel out and a cassette fitted with a 32.
Be prepared to tweak this basic machine.
No. Please no. Riding a trail with a Tourney derailleur? The chain slap will be deafening.
That may be an appropriate drivetrain for a basic commuter, but not a bike that’s intended for any real off-road riding. For $500, one should expect better.
That's true with anything up to a Clutch. This bike isn't intended for intense trail work anyway, it's a hybrid mtb and that derailleur will work fine.
But that’s not how it’s marketed. Trek positions it as an entry-level MTB. If that’s its marketed purpose, it should be fit for the purpose.
According to Trek:
Marlin 4 is the perfect gateway to trail riding. It's ideal for new riders who want a mountain bike with knobby tires that can double as a rugged commuter.
Tourney is neither intended nor appropriate for those uses.
That copy and paste of your literally markets it the exact way I describe it. This is an entry MTB that can also be a commuter.
Peter Baskind i rode this bitch out the box full throttle and let me tell you that tourney derailleur is the sole reason why i might need a hearing aid in some years
What size should U pic if U R 168cm tall?
Small
The 2020 Marlin 4 has internal routed cables, the one you're reviewing is an older model, it's not a 2020
It is. 2-3mo into the Marlin 4 for 2020 Trek changed the frame. You will notice the color and the spec are identical aside from that.
@@Jamesthebikeguy I didn't know that, that's weird they did that. Thanks for the explanation. I stand corrected. :)
Thanks for the clarification on the internally routed cables! This was a nice upgrade from the early iteration of the 2020 model. I just bought the 2020 in Anthracite Silver/Red and it has the internally routed cables.
I bought a marlin four yesterday. I have no idea if it is a 2020 or considered a 2021 because well it’s 2021 now. 🤔
@@Dustinthewind03 has your bike got internal cable routing..plzz reply brother
I got my marlin 4 off Facebook marketplace almost brand new for 250 bucks. It is my first real mountain bike and after some months with it I really beat the shit out of it. It’s held up pretty nice so far and I’ve had a lot of fun on it but here’s some key pointers for anyone wanting to get it.
1.) that rear derailleur is trash son (replacements are mad cheap but spend the extra 10 bucks and put on an acera)
2.) the fork is perfect for light trail riding but as soon as you get into drops and jumps it’s gona get blown out (mine is barely hanging on a thread)
3.) wider bars, grips, and tires made a hell of a difference
4.) the brakes are in fact the most reliable thing on the bike so far
5.) upgrading cassettes is really tricky cause I’ve been told the hubs won’t fit anything else (allegedly)
6.) the wheels can get wobbly if you’re doing hardcore shit but I’ve yet to turn one into a taco and I’ve thoroughly beat them to death
Also i would NEVER in the right mind pay msrp for this bike. Beeeeee fuckin careful cause i know the life of this bike is finite and i wish i did more research when i was buying it
Aww That sucks because I just bought mine from a bike shop for 529 and I’m putting accessories on it all over
Before tax!
@@Dustinthewind03 same i got ..
But i am not beating it to death with extreme shit.. i just wanna go to uni with it and casually go on road
Hi, So i have shortlisted Trek Marlin 4 and Giant ATX 3. Any suggestions ?
Ride them both and buy the bike from the bike shop you like most.
Looking at the same bikes! Whaf did you go with?
As a heavy guy (105kg) I always wanted a MT for communiting as they last more. Marlin 4 is just perfect for me 🤙
Umm thats called perfect..no internal cables..no stupid hydraulic brakes..can fix your self..awesome
lol, sure. Granted hydo brakes and internal cables you can fix yourself too.
If this is the marlin 4 how come the wires arnt inside the frame
This or the GT Agressor pro? First bike and looking for something to ride around with my kids but won't break if I push it once I build my skills
The one you and your bike shop have the best relationship with
I'm in the same position as you the dicks sporting goods gt stressor $480 or this at local trek shop $490. I saw a video the marlin while doing some jumps the chain popes off the derailleur and on the stressor the brakes are not good. I just noticed both have the same fork.
From what I read the gt aggressor is faaar inferior and many people have had it in for repairs after only 1 or 2 rides. Some even multiple repairs almost every time they ride
@@SpazzyIrishKid1 I ended up just getting a hyper explorer full suspension bike. It was super cheap, I'll just upgrade the components as my skills improve
Nice but what the frame size ? 17.5 or 18.5 or 19.5
21
if the frame size is 21. whats the difference between the Medium, Large, XL, & XXL?
I bought this, but I forgot to check to c if it had hydraulic brakes, and I wanted to swap it for a marlin5 but I didn’t bother
You can always upgrade.
Gorgeous bike, Trek make some of the best bicycles in the world.
Couldn't agree more
I have the TM4 here in the middle east. Love it. And it and almost rode it everyday.
Sick!
Hi, Jamesthebikeguy. Wheels of trek Marlin 4 are used loose balls or sealed bearing balls?
I don't know for sure but I would guess 99% chance it is loose ball. Would be very unusual for that type of bike to get sealed bearings
Don’t buy it the parts are so cheap and trash
I suppose that comes to expectations but for the price point this bike is pretty well-equipped if You're expecting high and components you got to spend a little bit more
Which would be a better choice, a Trek 820 Or the Marlin 4?
Can anyone tell any trek bike below 30000?
What is the price of trek marlin 4 in India, chandigarh
31500 here in Bangalore, but availability is poor
What Size should I get I’m getting a new mtb I’m 11 years old and don’t know what size I should get any suggestions? Thanks
Can’t wait to pick my marlin 4 up!
Enjoy it when you do!
Ended up with the marlin 5 🤦🏽♂️🤣👌🏽
Commute 10 miles a day for work and occasionally like to hit the trails. Would this bike be ideal?
I have an old giant hybrid but become unreliable and sick of spending money on it.
Cheers.
Is there a 2018 or 2017 trek marlin? Becuase i got one and i dont know what year is it....
I have this bike that's why I searched this up lol
Out of Merlin 4, 5, 6 and 7. Which is most bang for the buck?
5 & 7
@@Jamesthebikeguy quick response, thank you so much.
@@Jamesthebikeguy I'm from India and there's like one dealer in my state that has Trek products. I've told him to bring all 4 models for me to check. It'll take a week. I'm really excited.
Rishabh Sharma get the 5 of you don’t have a ton of money get the 7 if you have a bit more money
@@RishabhSharma-lq1id if you still looking for a bike, since you're in India, why don't you check the btwin rockrider line up
I just got one I hate the seat
Good thing you can change the seat
So do I. Damn thing is like a sharp piece of Flint. I was going to get a different seat but they swear to me after a few weeks I will more than likely get used to it. I bought a gel cover for it and it is a lot better. I never remember my ass hurting riding a lot when I was a kid!
Always liked last years marlin but until trek decides to get serious & build a hardtail with better specs i might b interested then,wth? Tourney mech & coil spring shock?,well @ least it got a replaceable deraileur hanger. 😩😩
neil froggy crompton find another bike then
I mean, you have the Xcaliber, Procaliber, Roscoe, and Stache (the latter two being plus bikes), and their fat bike, the Farley. This Marlin is just the entry level for basic trail /bike path riding. I guess the real question is if one of these hits your price point.
@@swedishdagger8410 over priced & under spec'd 😨😨😩😩😩
@@neilfroggycrompton2466 save up and get any other bike in the Marlin line then
@@djsercy5879 as i said b4 overpriced & underspecced,when i mentioned last years model marlin to a friend he suggested that there was a particular giant hardtail which was much cheaper & specced with higher end shimano mech 😊😊
Is this bike good for the road
Thanks for the review. What size would you recommend for someone whos 5'6.5?
There is a size guide on the trek website
I'd say Medium, or if you feel you aren't going to grow Mutch more you could get away with a small
medium
29” I’m 5’5 and ride a 27 so I’d go with a 29”
I'm 5'4" and just bought a M. I had my seat post cut down a little. It feels comfortable.
The Marlin 5 is a better starting point for someone who plans on getting into trail riding... it has hydraulic brakes and is a better place to start upgrading as you ride.
If all you plan on doing is commuting or riding around town, skip the Marlin series altogether and go with the 820, it a better fit on the bike racks that are on city buses. The Marlin series is “almost” to long, trust me, mine hangs over the end just a bit. I don’t use it as a commuter (I’ve done a bunch of upgrades and it won’t even fit in the rack). Take a very serious look at what you plan to do with it before you buy either one of them.
I can't disagree with you more regarding the 820. This is leaps and bounds better for a city bike, or a hybrid bike.
I’m deciding between Trek 820, DS1 or Marvel 4 or Marvel 5 Different prices from $450 to $599 what would be your rank? Looking for 50/50 trail/road rides
get a marlin 5 perfect inn between
What is this price?
I am looking for a good bike for road ride and some light to medium trails. Basically for fitness. Originally no was considering a Cyclo Cross bike. Do you think the Marlin 4 would suit that case use? Also, if I decided to go more aggressively offroad is this a frame that would encourage upgrade parts? Thanks!
This will be fine to begin mountain biking and you can always upgrade in the future.
Hi James. I commented this to a older video but i wasnt sure that you would see it so i copied it here to a more recent video)
(sorry for bad english)
:
I have shimano mt200 brakes and broken sx shifter, i broke the plastic shifter clamp during a fall, it is integrated to the shifter and i cant get new one in finland. But I can get a NX or a GX shifter tought with the matchmaker clamp. But will the clamp fit both, to the shimano brakes and to the shifter (NX or GX) I really need help, because the product specifications dont tell it, so i asked someone who knows alot more about bikes :)
Stop by your local bike shop they should be able to help
I bought 29er from less known brand for 300$, It has 10 speed casette, internal cables, hydraulic brakes with 180mm disc on front and 160mm on back, suspension fork with lockout , Ltwoo a7 derailleurs and shifters, which are much better than entry level shimano's. It also got lock on grips. I am more than happy with it because i use bike mostly for commuting.
Glad it's working for you
This bike is honesty not worth buying. You might as well buy a very comfortable cruiser
I guess it depends where you are riding.
what size was that? i do not know what bike size i should get. im looking for a 27.5 size wheel but i do not know if i should get XS or Small
How tall are you?
I just purchased for my daughter this same exact bike. The dealer warned us not to engage the front brakes if we pop off the front tire while transferring in a small car. He said it will permanently lock. Also said to do a series of braking and going fast to help break the bike in. Have any thoughts on that? She hasn’t gone on the bike yet so she will have to review the manual to make sure she does this right?
If its a Marlin 4 then it has mechanical brakes, no worries when the wheel is off. If they are hydraulic than you need to be careful with it.
I just bought this bike today. I'm 50 years old and haven't done any serious biking in 20 years. I went out on the beginner trail with my 10 year old. I got him a Haro flightline. We had lots of fun.
Let's say I keep at this and want to upgrade some parts. What would you start with? Anyone can chime in.
Thanks.
I'd say upgrade your tires for sure. maybe get a new saddle and new handlebars and grips
I’m an adult learning to ride a bike and just bought this one
Awesome, good luck and have fun!
I’m deciding on Giant ATX 2021 or Trek Marlin 4, any suggestions?
Marlin
could a kid or early teen use this bike
Yes they can
Awesome Video! Do they not have kickstands?
They do not. Easily added
Would this bike be good for wheelies
Yes
What size tire is that one In video?
Im breaking the rules of that bike because i ride it everyday and i do small dirt jumps so yeah
Why is that breaking the rules?
Its breaking the rules because of the little sticker on the backside of the fork says that you can't do hard riding but i cannot stop ridding my bike and having fun , even tho im breaking my fork and dust seals
Great video, I've narrowed it down to the marlin4 or Cannondale trail 8... Thoughts?
Brian Koenen Marin 4
Brian Koenen actual no do the Cannondale
Until 2018 all marlin bikes had this frame. So saying they kept the kost dawn by using this frame doesn't hold up to me.
How does it not hold up for you?
It doesn't hold up to me because the old marlin 5,6,7 were priced the same as the current model. I just believe there stil is a big stock off the old frames
I showed my Mum the Marlin 4 she says it’s too expensive, the pain of having a Mum who doesn’t know the price of MTB’s
Money is finite and likely your mom is providing you with everything you need. Good thing is you can ride a $50 bike and have just as much fun.
I’ve been saving up for one for a while and my grandparents are helping me out.
but I know what you mean by family not getting the price of good bikes
I know how that goes. I told my dad that I got a trek marlin four. He asked how much it was and I didn’t tell him and he says there’s no reason I should spend more than $30 on a bike. He’s in his 70s now though and doesn’t understand modern day values LOL
This model at year 2020 really resembles my Giant Yukon Disc from year 2009 which I’m still riding with all components still running very well & paintwork still like new condition with regular deep polishing & cleaning.
Very cool!
Jamesthebikeguy thanks bro. Hope you can do a video on Trek Marlin 7 or Specialized Rockhopper 2021. I’m serious buying either one very soon right after the covid 19 quarantine & once the retailer have open for business. Is there any thoughts or recommendations from you regarding which model of the above mention bike should I buy? Hope to hear from you. Thanks you.
I didn’t even realize they were certain yearly models. I thought a marlin track four was what it was. I just bought mine yesterday. From a bike shop. Does that mean it is for sure a 2021?
What does it cost? In USD? 8-21-2020
500
Mine was 529 at a bike shop. I must’ve bought mine marked up a little.
Is it air in the fork or is it oil?
coil
When will this be available?????
Right now. Your LBS should have one or can get it.
I have thatbike too
Siiiick!
Is the rim double walled?
Yeah
Are the brakes on this bike good?
They work well for mechanical disc brakes.
@@Jamesthebikeguy Is it brake handle very rigid
What is better marlin 4 or 5
Marlin 5. Better brakes and group and not much more cost.
@@douchebaggins7 ty man
The suspension name
SR Suntour XCE 28
is it me or did this dude fart at 4:15
While that would be funny you caught a editing issue, I try to hide those under B-roll.
Jamesthebikeguy nah bro it was a fart cause I can smell it from all the way over here
I heard that but I don’t think that was a fart either. That’s funny though. Haha
I’m a beginner, can anyone tell what is the speed limit of this bike if i ride it on the road?
Speed limit is as fast as you can pedal
Are you saying that i could reach 80 kilometers per hour ? Thank you
And i’m 175 cm , is it suitable for me?
@@turkifaisal5856 well it's complicated, it depends on your weight, fitness level, the terrain and the wind, judging by the gearing and a beginner fitness level, I'd say 35km/hour max on decent tarmac. If you are looking to go fast you need to keep training, lose weight, and probably get a road bike or a sport hybrid with thin tires and light wheels
@@turkifaisal5856 it is in size M i think
Tourney lol😂🤣🤣
Check this bike out only 400$ this can beat the shit out of trek marlin 4 Not a famous brand it's an cambodian brand.
@@allenphilip2328 nobody is going to pick a Cambodian bike over a trek tbh, unless it's wayyyy cheaper, and even then it will be false economy
@@mahmam3128 check the spec
@@allenphilip2328 they don't matter if they've been put together by underpaid or slave labour
@@mahmam3128 😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Good review, but you lost me with the shaking to lift 30lbs. Can you ride with no upper body?
Can you get me into your zumba class?
Many of the big brands have entry level bikes with tourney derailleurs and a basic 7 speed cogset but instead of fitting a freewheel they fit something like a sunrace 7 speed cassette and freehub which is much stronger and suitable for off-road use. Some manufacturers who fit freewheels at least have the sense to fit a solid axle but here you have a weak snappable quick release skewer and 7 speed freewheel which is rubbish quite frankly. I'd also point out that 6 speed freewheels are more reliable shifting than 7 speed freewheels. Both often wobble but the tighter spacing of the cogs on a 7 speed freewheel makes tolerances tighter. You could probably get a cheap $100 walmart bike that shifts more reliably than this Trek, they both have Tourney rear derailleurs but the 6 speed cogset on the walmart bike might shift more reliably.
I feel Trek have gone too cheap here and should not be fitting a freewheel to such a bike which ultimately means it is mountain bike style rather than an actual usable mountain bike.
Also I really resent the way the make up pretend names for their aluminium rather than tell customers what it actually is. It will likely be 6061 or could be 7005 but instead they give it a purely made up marketing name which I think shows complete dis-respect for their customers. it's something many US and European brands do, many of which are effectively importers buying from the cheapest factories in the far east they can find but using marketing to make them sound better than they are.
This is a rubbish bike in my opinion best avoided. If you do buy it and want to use it off-road I would recommend a new rear wheel with a freehub and a 7 speed cassette. Hardtails get such a tough life anyway on the rear wheel when they are used off-road.
Also lets not forget a freewheel limits the speed of the high gearing as the smallest cog tends to be 14 or possibly 13 where as a cassette can start at 11 so this bike will be slower than freehub equipped bikes. Upgrading the rear wheel will also make it much faster.
I don't disagree with the premise that this bike is barely adequate for any real trail beyond a rail trail. On the other hand, naming a cheap aluminum isn't disrespectful. The consumer buying this doesn't know 6061 from a beer can. As long as it says aluminum, that is the pertinent data. Likewise the difference in performance and function of 6 and 7 speed will be lost on any potential buyer. And any buyer that needs a wheel upgrade, that will also need the corresponding shifter, derailleur, cable, and possibly hanger upgrade would be better off just starting over. The only reason all those things would make it faster is because of a lighter wallet. I also completely disagree that a department store bike would be just as good. At least this bike can have parts and service sourced from a bike shop, and that will keep it at the campgrounds, rail trail, and community bike path longer ... and out of the landfill longer.
Shut the fuck uuup
I'm looking for something to ride in the neighborhood and the occasional trail with my kids. Would you recommend?
This or maybe the Sirrus X. Video coming soon of the new 2020
I thought marlin 4 had been discontinued
Suppose not! Glad it's disc these days
you probably were looking in between years. They only make so many a year
James, a while back you asked about the performance of my Tannus Armour. I have finally had the chance to put some miles on the armour and found I can easily run at 15 psi on the tires. I have yet to actually test the armour (no thorns yet) but so far I am very pleased. I will send an update as soon as I hit some thorns....
Thanks for the update. Glad they are working well for you.
I’m 175 , is this bike suitable for my height ?
Get a medium
This bike has unbelievable tires and suspension. I sat on the bike at 198Lbs. Holds beautifully. 💪
Make a vid on the marlin 5
I will here shortly
Jamesthebikeguy okay cool