@@landene8230 It is a weird situation for shops and suppliers. It is a combination of luck, how long ago orders were placed and a dealer's reputation with the supplier that seems to make a difference. The shop that has historically been late paying their bills or only minimally supports a brand doesn't get put at the front of the line though I get the impression it is largely down to the shops who placed orders super early got their inventory first.
Those are great specs for that price point. I have the 2020 Norco Fluid FS2 with similar specs but in extra large and boy it's heavy. It came with a 30T chainring but I changed that to a 32 just to get a little more range on the road. What I did wish it came with was a 10-51 cassette, mine is 11-50 so I sacrificed my low gear when I changed to the 32T.
Thank you!! The rift zone 2 is a beauty!! My hubby and I just got into MTB this summer! 😊 🚵♀️ He now has upgraded his bike to a Marin San Quentin and we upgraded mine to the rift zone 2! I'm so excited! It helps to learn what I'm about to start riding.😁
Hi! Great review as always ! I am curious what you think about swaping the suspension from air spring to coil to improve descend capabilities ? Will 210x50 mm coil spring match w. this frame? Carbon xr version with coil spring seems similar in geometry specs.
I just picked this bike up in a large, as a 40-something, first time MTBer ...store upgraded the shock to the Deluxe Ultimate. Looking to make this my learning bike when the snow goes away ...just reviewing this vid to learn the features (thx Bike Bros). Anyone else buy this bike?
@@robo1989 ...Yes, I do like the bike. I rode it many times this year, in a ample-featured park with a buddy who is helping me build my skills. Suspension, drop seat, braking and overall response are all great - I'm getting used to the 29" wheels, as my cycling experience had mainly been road on an old hybrid/commute 26er. It's not a light bike, so hopping on it takes a little more effort.
@@robo1989 ...the Rift Zone 2 is my first proper mtb, bought in February, so I don't have much riding experience. I'm an older mtb beginner, so not a lot of jumping just yet, but I have put in some research, and I've been riding quite a bit this year ...so that said, here are my responses: I don't really like to ride this type of bike on pavement or gravel ...mainly because the thick knobby tires are not made for it, and will wear away much quicker on those surfaces. Also it is a full suspension bike ...you can lock the shocks for road riding, but if you're joining anyone on the road you'll find it bouncy and less agile in sprints. Also, it has a small single crank ring, which will limit your top speed. Other then that, it handles fine, based on your experience. I have a road bike, and am modding another bike for gravel for those purposes. Haven't really heard of the Polygon T7 before, but it looks like a very comparable bike ...actually it seems the Rift Zone 2 is slightly lighter, so there's no advantage there. They are both aluminum framed bikes with very similar features. The wheels on the Rift Zone 2 are tubeless ready, so that's a potential early upgrade. When I say the Rift Zone 2 is not light ...I would say in comparison to carbon fiber frames, which are most expensive, but it appears to be well built and on par with other bikes in its league ...which is why I bought mine. No regrets ...I'm just keeping it on dirt trails in general.
Hi Kyle, we just received more of these and all of the new ones have the TranzX. It has a really nice lever! I think in our first order of these were some pre-production models which had some part substitutions to get the bikes shipping sooner.
@@BikeBrosBikeShop Thanks, I actually have another question on this bike as well. I'm looking at getting one but making some upgrades to make it to my liking. I was planning on replacing the fork with a Pike and then using the stock Recon for a budget hardtail build. Does Marin cut down their steer tubes a lot from the standard length or should the steer tube length on the stock Recon be long enough to have plenty of options to re-use on other frames. It looks like there is a good amount of spacers on there in the video.
Yes, that certainly looks like teal ...I would have described it as 'peacock blue' (...a cooler variety) but I think the colours are basically the same.
Nice video! Do you know the weight of the bike? I'm looking at some reviews for the 2020 version and they say it's pretty heavy, wondering if it changed a bit this year? Thanks!
Nothing has changed really with the weight. I think I mention it once in the video - maybe in the 35 lb range (I don't have all my notes with me). Even the Rift Zone Carbon 2 that I ride, which I upgraded with carbon wheels/dt hubs, Cane Creek Titanium cranks, Raceface carbon bar is still around 31 to 32 lbs, though when riding I never even think about the weight. The bike rides really well, has stiffness when needed and begs to be ridden really hard..
Nice review. Just purchased it. I heard that the stock tires are great for downhill, not so much for normal road riding. Any tire suggestions for more street-versatility? Glad to see they changed to Deore on the 2021 model. Anything else you’d upgrade in the future?
I'd look at something designed to be used on hard packed trails like Maxxis Ardent. You will lose traction in looser conditions compared to the stock tires but will roll easier on street and hardpack
I was interested in this bike, but the local dealer is an ATV, boat, snowmobile equipment vendor, and does not have a bike shop for after sales service. Price seems fantastic for the bike,
Probably ordering tjis online today. I'm 180cm (6ft) tall 90kg (200lb). What size do you suggest? Btw thanks for all you great reviews on Marin bikes :)
Very interested in one of these. I've been tossing up between this or the RZ 1, and was originally thinking of getting the RZ 1, then spending the saved cash on a OneUp 210mm dropper (I'm 6' 6" so the 170mm dropper on the RZ 2 XL is a little shorter than I'd prefer). I'm now leaning to this one primarily because of the Shimano Deore 1x12 drivetrain (RZ 1 uses a Deore 1x11) which would theoretically let me upgrade any part of the drivetrain with higher end SLX or XT 1x12 parts over time (an XT shifter would be my first upgrade). I think the rear shock upgrade from the RZ 1 was so close to great, if only they used the Deluxe Select+ instead of the Deluxe Select (the only difference is a lockout, which would definitely be appreciated).
I would also suggest adding some riser handlebars. Without them the front end will feel extremely low. All your other comments make a lot of sense so I think RZ2 will be great. I feel for all the very tall riders: hard to get a great fitting bike without some customization
@@BikeBrosBikeShop I'll bear that in mind. Honestly, my height is the main thing drawing me to the RZ. Most of its competition have noticeably shorter reach in the XL size (480-500mm), compared to the 515mm reach of the RZ that compares well with higher end XXL framed bikes.
The stacks are awful on these I have the 3 in xl it’s nice but too much load bearing on wrist and hands. It’s in attack mode and downhill all the time it’s fine but the thermostat on all day long I don’t know.
I rode the large (I'm 6'1) and didn't mind the stack. I do prefer bikes with lower stack because at least there are 35 and 40mm rise handlebars to fix that, where the opposite - lowering bars on a tall stacked bike can end up with levers smacking top tubes if the bars get spun in an accident.
I purchased this bike about a month ago. Great bike overall, i like it.
Good to hear. Happy trails.
I'm confused on how some people have it my bike shop couldn't get them tell January and ick if I will even get it then
@@landene8230 It is a weird situation for shops and suppliers. It is a combination of luck, how long ago orders were placed and a dealer's reputation with the supplier that seems to make a difference. The shop that has historically been late paying their bills or only minimally supports a brand doesn't get put at the front of the line though I get the impression it is largely down to the shops who placed orders super early got their inventory first.
Those are great specs for that price point. I have the 2020 Norco Fluid FS2 with similar specs but in extra large and boy it's heavy. It came with a 30T chainring but I changed that to a 32 just to get a little more range on the road. What I did wish it came with was a 10-51 cassette, mine is 11-50 so I sacrificed my low gear when I changed to the 32T.
Thank you!! The rift zone 2 is a beauty!! My hubby and I just got into MTB this summer! 😊 🚵♀️ He now has upgraded his bike to a Marin San Quentin and we upgraded mine to the rift zone 2! I'm so excited! It helps to learn what I'm about to start riding.😁
Hi! Great review as always ! I am curious what you think about swaping the suspension from air spring to coil to improve descend capabilities ? Will 210x50 mm coil spring match w. this frame? Carbon xr version with coil spring seems similar in geometry specs.
Good day, Would like to verify? Are the Rims for this Bike already taped and just needs a tubeless valve and sealant for conversion? Thanks!!!
yes, only valves and sealant needet
I just picked this bike up in a large, as a 40-something, first time MTBer ...store upgraded the shock to the Deluxe Ultimate.
Looking to make this my learning bike when the snow goes away ...just reviewing this vid to learn the features (thx Bike Bros).
Anyone else buy this bike?
Do you like it??
@@robo1989 ...Yes, I do like the bike. I rode it many times this year, in a ample-featured park with a buddy who is helping me build my skills. Suspension, drop seat, braking and overall response are all great - I'm getting used to the 29" wheels, as my cycling experience had mainly been road on an old hybrid/commute 26er. It's not a light bike, so hopping on it takes a little more effort.
@@jangyman light bike? That means it's difficult to do ups? And how is it on pavement roads?
@@jangyman and what do you suggest Polygon T 7 29er or Marin Rift zone 2 ? 29er
@@robo1989 ...the Rift Zone 2 is my first proper mtb, bought in February, so I don't have much riding experience. I'm an older mtb beginner, so not a lot of jumping just yet, but I have put in some research, and I've been riding quite a bit this year ...so that said, here are my responses:
I don't really like to ride this type of bike on pavement or gravel ...mainly because the thick knobby tires are not made for it, and will wear away much quicker on those surfaces. Also it is a full suspension bike ...you can lock the shocks for road riding, but if you're joining anyone on the road you'll find it bouncy and less agile in sprints.
Also, it has a small single crank ring, which will limit your top speed. Other then that, it handles fine, based on your experience. I have a road bike, and am modding another bike for gravel for those purposes.
Haven't really heard of the Polygon T7 before, but it looks like a very comparable bike ...actually it seems the Rift Zone 2 is slightly lighter, so there's no advantage there. They are both aluminum framed bikes with very similar features. The wheels on the Rift Zone 2 are tubeless ready, so that's a potential early upgrade.
When I say the Rift Zone 2 is not light ...I would say in comparison to carbon fiber frames, which are most expensive, but it appears to be well built and on par with other bikes in its league ...which is why I bought mine. No regrets ...I'm just keeping it on dirt trails in general.
You mention this bike has a X-Fusion Manic dropper post but the Marin website show the RZ2 coming with a TranzX dropper. Can you confirm?
Hi Kyle, we just received more of these and all of the new ones have the TranzX. It has a really nice lever! I think in our first order of these were some pre-production models which had some part substitutions to get the bikes shipping sooner.
@@BikeBrosBikeShop Thanks, I actually have another question on this bike as well. I'm looking at getting one but making some upgrades to make it to my liking. I was planning on replacing the fork with a Pike and then using the stock Recon for a budget hardtail build. Does Marin cut down their steer tubes a lot from the standard length or should the steer tube length on the stock Recon be long enough to have plenty of options to re-use on other frames. It looks like there is a good amount of spacers on there in the video.
I think you'd have plenty of steer tube length. There's usually about 1" worth of spacers.
The RZ 3 (and carbon RZ models) come with the X-Fusion Manic, but otherwise, yes, the cheaper RZ 2 shown here has a TranzX dropper.
It's hard to get a feel for this color. Is it more of a gray or more of a teal?
grey with a hint of teal. Everyone sees colours differently though so...
Yes, that certainly looks like teal ...I would have described it as 'peacock blue' (...a cooler variety) but I think the colours are basically the same.
I have this bike but in they Blue/black fade with bright yellow Marin logo I just love it 😊
What’s the widest tire that can be run on this?
2.6" I have Schwalbe Hans Dampf 29x2.6 on mine and no issues.
definitely considering one of these great review!
Few Questions: can you use this bike for downhill too? And does the Rift Zone 2 have a Drop post saddle?
It does, if you look closely you dont see the lever, and it says on the website, and probably is good for downhill too
@@Peter-zj3fl 10 months later hahaha. Thanks though
@@keef672 🤣 I just started mtb,and really want to buy a new bike lmao
Nice video! Do you know the weight of the bike? I'm looking at some reviews for the 2020 version and they say it's pretty heavy, wondering if it changed a bit this year? Thanks!
Nothing has changed really with the weight. I think I mention it once in the video - maybe in the 35 lb range (I don't have all my notes with me). Even the Rift Zone Carbon 2 that I ride, which I upgraded with carbon wheels/dt hubs, Cane Creek Titanium cranks, Raceface carbon bar is still around 31 to 32 lbs, though when riding I never even think about the weight. The bike rides really well, has stiffness when needed and begs to be ridden really hard..
16.5 kgs
Hoping to get one of these this year!
Good luck I'd suggest touching base with your local Marin dealers to get on their call lists.
Great Video
Really nice Mtb I have Marin Rift Zone 1 Carbon.
That is a great bike!
Nice review. Just purchased it. I heard that the stock tires are great for downhill, not so much for normal road riding. Any tire suggestions for more street-versatility?
Glad to see they changed to Deore on the 2021 model. Anything else you’d upgrade in the future?
I'd look at something designed to be used on hard packed trails like Maxxis Ardent. You will lose traction in looser conditions compared to the stock tires but will roll easier on street and hardpack
Quite similar build with
Polygon Siskiu T series..
Credit to Polygon Indonesia
who make these
Marin AL Frames..👍
Thanks. Yes, if you know the two brands share the same factory you notice things like dropouts and chainstays look the same.
Is the Marin better than polygon?
I was interested in this bike, but the local dealer is an ATV, boat, snowmobile equipment vendor, and does not have a bike shop for after sales service. Price seems fantastic for the bike,
That is a bummer! Where do you live?
@@BikeBrosBikeShop the Sudbury area in Ontario.
Guys, I need help. What is the rear axle's thread in this bike? Is it Maxle M12x1.75 or rather M12x1.5?
Are the handlebars 35mm width at the stem? Can’t find that anywhere
Stuck between choosing between the Polygon Siskiu T7 and the Marin Rift Zone 2 anyone know which one is beter ? Thank you
Same I can't choose
I pre booked it 😎
Mine is supposed to be ordered in my shop sence August
I'm getting this bike in the UK and on the website it says it's a 2022. Why's this saying 2021
Can you ship in the US? All bikeshops here are on preorder. Some says they're out of stock until next year.
Hi, sorry but we can't ship to the US.
Probably ordering tjis online today. I'm 180cm (6ft) tall 90kg (200lb). What size do you suggest? Btw thanks for all you great reviews on Marin bikes :)
Size large. Good luck getting one and enjoy!
@@BikeBrosBikeShop arriving on Monday 🔥🔥🔥
How much it weighs?
Is it possible to put a 150mm shock at the back?
Sorry, but no.
Is this bike really worth it?
We sell piles of them and get great feedback from those customers. Performance and value are both very good.
can i increase the travel of the bike?
You could probably get away with switching to a 140mm fork... but no way to change rear travel
Can you use an oval chainring on it?
Yes. I believe you're limited to max 32 teeth in oval
Very interested in one of these. I've been tossing up between this or the RZ 1, and was originally thinking of getting the RZ 1, then spending the saved cash on a OneUp 210mm dropper (I'm 6' 6" so the 170mm dropper on the RZ 2 XL is a little shorter than I'd prefer).
I'm now leaning to this one primarily because of the Shimano Deore 1x12 drivetrain (RZ 1 uses a Deore 1x11) which would theoretically let me upgrade any part of the drivetrain with higher end SLX or XT 1x12 parts over time (an XT shifter would be my first upgrade).
I think the rear shock upgrade from the RZ 1 was so close to great, if only they used the Deluxe Select+ instead of the Deluxe Select (the only difference is a lockout, which would definitely be appreciated).
I would also suggest adding some riser handlebars. Without them the front end will feel extremely low. All your other comments make a lot of sense so I think RZ2 will be great. I feel for all the very tall riders: hard to get a great fitting bike without some customization
@@BikeBrosBikeShop I'll bear that in mind. Honestly, my height is the main thing drawing me to the RZ. Most of its competition have noticeably shorter reach in the XL size (480-500mm), compared to the 515mm reach of the RZ that compares well with higher end XXL framed bikes.
That bike is SHINY! sheesh
high 167 what size for i choose..?
Hi, in the 29er version most likely size small. in 27.5 version you might consider a medium
Where are you in Canada?
Cochrane, Alberta
@@BikeBrosBikeShop Ah, I see. I'm on Vancouver Island.
I found this bike completely new and untouched for 1600$!
Wow! Lucky! Congrats and enjoy
If I wanted to change out the rear shock what would you advise? I like flowy jump trails. Thanks
Hi, probably the DPX2 used on the Carbon Rift Zone 2 would be the best option.
The stacks are awful on these I have the 3 in xl it’s nice but too much load bearing on wrist and hands. It’s in attack mode and downhill all the time it’s fine but the thermostat on all day long I don’t know.
I rode the large (I'm 6'1) and didn't mind the stack. I do prefer bikes with lower stack because at least there are 35 and 40mm rise handlebars to fix that, where the opposite - lowering bars on a tall stacked bike can end up with levers smacking top tubes if the bars get spun in an accident.
hi
can you make a vid for hawk hill 2? tia! and you guys can do a size comparison as well between small and medium, thanks! i subed
Hi Gab, I hope to within a few days. Thanks
@@BikeBrosBikeShop sounds great! thanks and stay safe😊😊😉