What questions do you have that I didn't answer in this video? Let me know below and I will get back to you. If you enjoyed everything about the Four Corners you'll love our review on the Nicasio+ as the Ultimate Explorer 👉th-cam.com/video/_rvNBoUMcZo/w-d-xo.html
I have a Marin Four Corners I've been using for commuting for the past 9 months and absolutely love the bike, just over a 1000 miles. I've installed a Tubus logo evo rear rack and a Tubus Tara lowrider front rack. I'm also using Ortlieb classic rear and front panniers. This is my first do everything bike as I've usually riden Specialized road and mountain bikes for years. I wanted a bike that I could commute with and eventually go on some long distance tours as well. So I wanted a bike that could fit wider tires, had multiple braze ons for racks, water bottle cages or cargo cages, fenders and had a somewhat upright riding position so I can ride all day comfortably. There are many bikes that have come out recently that fit this category. Traditional touring bikes used to only be able to fit skinny road tires but having the options the Marin Four Corners has makes it the most versatile bike I've ever owned. I'd compare it to a Salsa Fargo, Surly Disc Trucker and a Kona Sutra because those are the bikes I was considering. It's cheaper than all of those bikes and I think just as capable. I'd highly recommend the Marin Four Corners to anyone looking to get a commuting, road or dirt road touring bike and a bike that'll pretty much do anything you want to.
Really happy I came across this review. I had my last bike stolen and have had my eye on this Marin Four Corners and the All City Space Horse. You hit on all of the points that have had me torn on which option to choose but this review sold me. I've heard many reviewers complain about the weight but other than lifting it onto my truck racks, I don't see this being a major issue, especially since you said you didn't notice the extra bike weight affecting you much while climbing hills. Much appreciated brotha!
Adventures with Designated1Dave Hey Dave, no problem mate. Like I said we've been really happy with it and I hope you are to. Another option could be their Gestalt range, which are a bit more of a gravel/adventure bike and less a tourer. Lighter, but with the options to still attach racks and mudguards it, while keeping an upright geometry. Let us know how you get on and what you think. Happy riding!
@@adventureswithdesignated1d640 Awesome news! Sorry to hear your originally bike got stolen, that's rubbish. Enjoy the rides my friend and keep us posted with any adventures.
I own this bike and agree with his assessment of the weight. It is only heavy when loading onto the car. It doesn't ride heavy at all. Very comfortable ride. Really like the wide gear ratio too. Climbs great and doesn't prematurely spin out on the down side.
Hi Dennis, thanks for your comments, and glad you could back up my claim about the weight, looks a little bias now. I agree about the gear ratio as well it's ace, bit of a shock when I have to go back to my Tri bike! Glad you've had a great experience on your Four Corners as well.
Excellent review as always from this channel! Love the bike, seems a great all rounder. What you recommend in a similar vein but on a lower budget (300-500). Cheers
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. It's really an ace bike, so much fun to ride. Two options for that budget would either head to your local bike shop or buy new with certain brands. Bike shops sometimes sell second hand bikes which will have been serviced by them so you can rely on the quality. Potentially a Boardman or Ridgeback is a good shout from new, but for that price range new you run the risk of the quality lacking and you needing to invest further down the line. It would depend on what you intended to do with the bike. If just short distances commuting and some leisure rides, then the new option may work, but for something requiring more demand perhaps the local bike shop option. Many years ago I bought a Ridgeback new for £240 that's still going strong! Someone else commented on a video they bought a second hand Marin four corners for £300. So there are options out there. Let me know how you get on and what you decide on.
I'm confused between marin four corners and dsx, I'll be doing touring on hills (himalayas) with 65% paved road and 35% gravel. DSX is cheaper so I'm leaning towards it.
Interestingly the DSX has an easier gear ratio for the hills than the four corners. Only change I would make on the DSX is add some bull bar or butterfly bars so you can change hand positions. I think the DSX would be a great option, only thing to be aware is hydraulic disc brakes are more faff to maintain on the go versus mechanical, and the frame may not be as comfortable but will be lighter so helpful for the hklls. Very jealous of the trip, send us photos with updates! What is the price of the two?
DSX is 62,000 INR (586 GBP) and four corners is 82,000 INR (775 GBP). I'm also worried about the maintenance of the hydraulic brakes. Mechanical brakes and better drivetrain was the reason I had four corners in my list, but its heavy weight seems scary in hills. On the plus side, four corners will require less modification and maintenance in the long run. Still confused but your information helped a lot. Thanks for the help. And I will share the photos next year when I'm on the road.
Bottle cage run the specialized one you can position it in any direction direction and it pulls from the side not up and out into the frame nice bike great review. And the narrower bars are more realistic to body ergonomics. As we don’t walk down the street with our arms 25*’s off our sides hood for drop bar. The stack is tall on this bike reducing being hunched over. Great rig!! Thanks for no marketable opinion.
Hi Eric thanks I'm glad you enjoyed it. When I get my next bottle cages I will 100% get the ones you described, much more practical, especially when using a frame bag. Happy riding mate 👍
Thanks for the video really want to love this bike. Going for a test ride today. How is it on climbs? Does it have a good enough low gear. I will be using it for bike touring in Europe carrying camping gear. Thanks Also any mechanical issues ? Lack of thru axles?
I think this bike would perform great for touring carrying kit, and would cope fine with the gearing. You may want to swap the stock tyres with a smoother option but that depends on what you are riding on. Thru axle didn't bother me for the riding I was doing, so depends how gnarly you get on it. I had zero mechanical issues with it during my time. I loved the four corners, it set the bench mark for all future bikes!! Where you thinking of going in Europe, you are making me jealous already
I had this for a month. Agree with everything you said. It's a remarkably complete bike for the price. Dont get why other people go for touring bikes 50% more expensive. Sold it for money issues, but going to get another soon. I intend to put Ritchey 46cm handlebars, a sp hub dynamo, crosstop brake levers, a Deore rear derailleur and either a 12-36t or 11-40t cassette. 👍👍
Yeah the price of the bike is very reasonable for what you are getting. Similarly to you, I do not understand what more you would get for almost double the price. Glad you enjoyed it!
You might get hydraulic brakes, through axles and less weight on the more expensive bikes. If you keep your bike in the basement or in your apartment, you have to carry it up- and downstairs all the time. This with racks, fenders and a generator hub for bad weather, rough roads and luggage and a road bike for fair conditions might be a possible approach with a low n in the n+1 ;-)
@Mammoth Journeys: Some people don't understand why you need more than one bike, even people who own more than one car :-D And if they understand that, with every additional bike it gets more difficult to convince your wife/girlfriend/... that all your other bikes just can't do everything ;-)
I have this bike 2021 version (no big differences, to erlier versions). I am 171cm tall and I bought L size, against to poroducer and sellers recommendations because I like and prefer large more stable bikes and this bike is perfect for me and gives me really a lot o fun. I can recommend it with whole my heart :)
@@mammothjourneys I hope you are as glad as I am. Have FUN!!! :) Earlier I had cross bikes only, but this Marine is avesome, maybe not for everyone, but four me it's bull's-eye :)
Nice, it is a very dependable commuter and pretty adaptable too. Friend of mine found a couple of good deals on some second hand options as well. Hope your search ends well my friend 👍🚴
Great review. I am confused between Marin four corners, Polygon Bend R2 & Triban gravel 120. I am on limited budget & want to move from riding MTB to gravel/touring. My rides are combinations of good/bad road with gravel & some trails. All of them same groupsets(shimano sora) but cheapest one is Triban, then Polygon then Marin, same is with weight triban is lightest then polygon & then marin. Coming from MTB not used to too much down stance so upright posture is ok, all of them are lighter than my 15kg+ MTB. Less maintenance & dependable for daily rides. I will appreciate if you can give some suggestions based on your experience.
Hi Pranav, thanks for reaching out to us. Firstly each of the bikes you have chosen will work for the riding you have in mind, so that's a good start. What we need to figure out is what is important to you, and some more questions on the riding. 1/ Can your budget afford each bike? If the Marin is at the max and doesn't allow any accessories or servicing in the future then it may not be the choice. But equally going for the Triban may lead you to spend more on service and maintenance as it's a cheaper bike. On the Triban will those tyres suit your needs? A set of replacement tyres could be the difference between this bike and the other two. 2/ will you do hills? The four corners has a much better gear ratio for hills. If you intend to load up the other two options, and add hills in it may be tougher to pedal. 3/ comfort Vs weight. The Marin will be heavier due to steel frame. My old Marin gestalt frame was aluminium, same as Triban and Polygon and I found it less comfortable than the four corners and nicasio+, both steel. Where do you do your riding Pranav? Let us know the answers above and we can go from there. Bottom line however is each bike would work, it's just a question of how specific we can make it to your needs 👍😃
Hi Bobby, Thank you - glad you found it helpful. I changed to the Swalbe Marathon Plus 700x32: amzn.to/3XOUHV9, the stock WTB Resolute 42: amzn.to/3XMRpBC are what I used in Spain on gravel. What kind of riding did you have in mind?
@@bobbyindrabuwono1918 Yep great for tarmac. The ones we used through France and Spain were amazing and still going strong. I would use them again for a tarmac trip. What you got planned?
Yup. My one man tent. The rest of the water bottle mounts I put 3 water bottles and 3 Blackburn cargo rack for my food, stove and stuff(just love to have two bags on the forks, they make me look tough :) ), and a seat post bag for my sleeping bag and air pad. Well, it's just an overnighter but I think I'd probably overkill it quite a bit...
A 3x9 drivetrain is rare in this age of di2, AXS and 1x. I'm surprised Marin don't offer another version with 1x11 or 2x10, the Gestalt would be an option. To get the lower gearing a mullet setup could be used. A lot of overlap with Marin model range. Great bikes though, good value and simple design.
You've nailed it on the head there. There is a lot of overlap on the Marin bikes, but good value like you said. It's rare the 3*9 but it did allow for some smooth changes and easy pedalling on those hills!
@Mammoth Journeys. Hello. Thank you for this very complete video which confirms my choice to take a 4C. I can not try the bike (out of stock). I am 170cm with 79.5cm inseam and 58cm torso. I hesitate a lot between sizes small and medium. Could you give me your inseam because we have a pretty good perspective on the video. It would be useful to me in my choice. Thank you in advance.
Sorry for the delay here Tom, completely missed this comment. My inseam is 31inch if that helps. I would have thought the medium would be suited well for your size here, hope I'm not too late in helping!
Thank you for the review. I was considering either Marin Four Corners or Surly Bridge Club, but is certainly tilting towards the Four Corners after watching your review. I was wondering if you can comment more on the Shimano Sora Groupset 3x9 speed. Do you find them adequate enough for going up hills? Many thanks. Regards, Roy.
Thanks for the feedback, glad it was helpful. Yeah the 3x9 was no drama up hills. We have used it on long slogs in Spain and steep sharp climbs in Wales with no drama at all. When I compare the Four Corners to the Gestalt or Nicasio+ it is much better suited for climbing than the other two due to the gearing. You'll have no drama at all. Happy riding!
@@mammothjourneys Thanks for the reply. I was worried about the Sora groupset to be honest, but if its good enough for you then it will be good enough for me. All the best. Please add more reviews. Cheers.
@@za_the_beast1167 Coming from mostly road bikes I had the same reservations. The price point compared to 105 or ultegra was lower. But I had no issues with ease of changes, or durability. I hope you find the same. Enjoy mate
Genius! I had just figured this option for a similar issue I'm having with my current bike and a frame bag but hasn't clicked it could be used for the Four Corners as well - nice idea thank you.
I would argue gravel is the new touring, not only on roads, but also has a bit offroad capability, and is the bike that would fit most people needs. Not quite fast, but a workhorse, comfortable and can be made to carry things.
Taufik Abidin it's definitely a spectrum from full tourer to road bike, and gravel/adventure sit somewhere in the middle, depending on their set up. As technology advances and becomes more available, that middle ground becomes a lot more advanced. I would say this is closer to the tourer side of the spectrum, and their Gestalt range in the true gravel/adventure style.
Hi there! I'm trying to decide between this and the Nicasio +. I see you've ridden both. If you could pick one, which would you go with? Thanks so much!
Hi Chelsea, to help offer my thoughts I just need to ask questions. What type of riding would you be doing? What surface type will you be mostly riding on? Will you be carrying kit ever? Is it hilly where you live? Let us know this and anything else you think would be helpful. Cheers
@@mammothjourneys Thank you so much for responding! I will not claim to be a really strong rider, but wanting to get back into it. I'm coming from a race geometry road bike that I (I don't mean to be dramatic, but it's true) hate! It's not at all comfortable and I don't want to ride it because of that. I also run out of gears when pulling the kids or loaded for touring (probably because it's not designed to do what I'm doing with it). I'm looking for something that's my one and only bike, can be loaded with bike seats or trailer cycles and hopefully touring gear, and is bomb proof and comfortable for longer rides. I'm drawn to the simplicity of the 1x drivetrain, but wonder how much I'll be missing the lower gears. I could switch the front ring to something lower, but would I miss the higher gears? I've been between these two bikes for about a year and am still conflicted! Is there a large difference between the two in terms of comfort, gear range, do-it-all-ness? Sorry for the long winded-ness and I appreciate any input you have as I haven't found a bike shop that carries both to test ride myself!
@@chelseakakar9916 Hi Chelsea, thanks for the info here. From what you've told me I would go with the Four Corners. You will find the geometry so comfortable, and the gear ratio will allow you to pull trailor, kids, and loaded for touring with ease. If you are doing this on tarmac then swap the stock WTB resolute tyres which are knobbly with something smoother and equally as wide. The WTB horizon would work well which is also on the Nicasio+ as stock, but I'm using the Schwalbe Supreme which are also ace and slightly narrower. The Nicasio+ would be comfortable, and if you were riding 95% on tarmac with no load I would say go for this. But as you need the gears go for the Four Corners. The four corners is honestly that one bike that does it all. It was my first Marin I had and has left a ridiculously high bar. Does that help answer things? You didn't mention if you were in a particularly hilly area or which type of terrain you would be on. But it sounds like the gearing is important so having the range on the Four Corners will help. Let me know how you get on, and please send some cool pics over on my Instagram to me so I can see you having an awesome adventure 💪🚴
Hi Daniel, the Rove DL is ace. I was looking at this before going down the Marin route. I could Google this but you'd probably know, do they have steel options for their frames in this range?
Hey there! Great review! I was wondering whether there is much difference between the older versions and the 2023 model? I've seen a 2021 model for sale and its so much cheaper
Cheers mate glad you enjoyed it. I believe some of the gearing components are different than this model, but it wouldn't put me off in the slightest. Especially if you can get a good deal. This bike was ace back then and would be ace now - in my opinion. What was the price of the 2021 model? What would the current 2023 model cost you?
@@mammothjourneys The one I'm planning to pick up is £300 and the one I currently have on pre-order is £1125! The colour is different but I can live with that for that cheaper price ha
@@thomaswightwick whoa that is a huge difference. Is the 2021 new? Ex display or used? I'd be really tempted with the £300 option. Use the other money set aside for any upgrades you want to do , that you would probably do for the 2023 if that was your preference. And use the cash towards a cool weekend trip.
@@thomaswightwick £300 for a near new bike which will bring lots of enjoyment is hard to beat. If you can check it out and take it for a test ride it could be ace. Let us know how you get on and what you decide. 👍
Hi Sreekumar, 1/ what is the main use of the bike? e.g gravel, commuting, touring etc 2/ what else may you want to use it for in the future? e.g pannier touring, sportives, gravel rides etc I won't ask about budget as they are all fairly similar in price, but we can come back to this depending on your answers. Thanks
@@sreekumarv.s3460 Go for Four Corners. It does all those well and will be the best all rounder! Let me know what you go for and if you have any other questions. Happy riding mate 👍
This is a great review. I'm looking for a bike for commuting a short distance to work, but despite the huge number of bikes available at all price points, have struggled to find one that meets my (quite fussy) needs, to replace a Saracen Panorama touring bike that I bought new in 2004. It looks like the Four Corners may be the one: steel frame, ability to fit a rack and mudguards, good quality mechanicals and drop handlebars, which will allow different riding positions. The narrowness of the bars is a bonus to me, as I usually squeeze past the cars waiting at the lights and wide bars might make this more difficult. Looking at the geometry, it appears that toe overlap won't be an issue... I hope. On the Saracen, I shortened the front mudguard to address this. Anyway, if and when I get a new bike, I'll post a review.
Hi Howard, thanks for your kind words. Having fussy needs is good, means when you find what you like it must really be something decent! Keep us up to date with whatever you get, and why you went with the choice you did. We have loved the Four Corners, it is comfortable, versatile and reliable - perfect for touring and commuting. Happy riding my friend.
How does she do on hills? I thought you said something not quite positive about her taking on hills as good. Cos where I live, I got hills aplenty and some real steep ones at that. I'm looking for a commute bike as well as for touring.
Very nice review! I'm looking into this bike since it has more stack than my Sequoia. I wasn't aware of the bars, I prefer a bit wider, but I figure since I'm 6'1 (187cm) I should probably go for a Large model (???). Anyhow, thanks for the video! Please upload more, your tours look amazing!
That sizing sounds about right, it may seem small once you get it out the box but once you are on it the ratio will all make sense. Thanks for the comments about the video, and also our trips. We currently are using the Marin Gestalt so will be uploading a video at the end of the season, and then compare it to the Four Corners. 2020 has some new routes which we are really excited about, keep an eye on our Instagram and Facebook page for updates. Happy riding mate!
SKS raceblade pro. Easy to put on and putting some zip ties under the frame attachment stops them slipping. Worked OK and good price. Fairly adaptable should you need to use on another bike. Hope that helps! Happy riding
@@mammothjourneys Thank you for your reply. I have the same bike with 700c 42mm tires and I can't find the SKS raceblade pro compatible with the width of my WTC Rsolute 42mm tires. Do you have the same 700C 42mm configuration? if so what size did you choose for your mudguards? thanks in advance
@@saadbenassila5592 you're right, I had replaced the tyres with narrower tyres which then worked with the mudguards. I have just bought a pair of SKS Bluemels 28 53mm for a different Marin which are working well, but more of a faff to put on. Not sure they would fit a 700 tyre either. Sorry I can't be more help. Good luck with your search!
Hi Ale, If I'm completely honest I can't tell any difference! Perhaps others can but I can't. On my Nicasio+ I have the WTB Horizon 47 width tyres on, and because they are so wide and bulbous the circumference of them are pretty close to 700 anyways. I know gravel bikes are offering the 650b options so that you can have these wider large tyres so they fit within the frames. I know the science makes the 700 option better for rolling speeds. So I guess it would depend on your use of the bike. Have you ever ridden 650 before? What would you use the bike for mostly?
@@mammothjourneys Well I’ve ridden some 27,5 or 650b in the past. But it was mtb. I got your point, you’ve been pretty clear. That’s why manufacturers offer the 650b, just for the clearence and for the smaller sizes in some case. They are pretty similar. Now that you hav told me about your nicasio’s tyres, how is riding a 47 mm tyre on a gravel bike? Ps. I use my gestalt x10 for compact gravel trails, commuting, small trips etc. I’ve got 2 back panniers top peak 2x25 litres. Tyres are 700x40c For road and fast gravel and day trails I’ve got a scott speedster 20, 2021. So I can ride with my gf as well👍 it’s really a fast bike. But with 700x35 c tyres. If you want to know how it is this 1 like. I’m glad to tell you Regards 🚴 🤙🤙
@@nukemforkhigh the 47 tyres are great, but they are more suited to road as they are smooth. Anything other than dry compact gravel they are rubbish, hence why I changed to more knobbly WTB resolutes. Sounds like a great set up you have with your bikes, plus sharing it with your girlfriend is amazing - well done! Where do you do your riding? Where do you live?
@@mammothjourneys I live in Wellington, and I’m on Strava as Alessandro Contessi, I drive in town. Roads. Gravel paths and commuting. When I can I go over the hill in Martinborough and over there there are magnificent trails. I will show some pics 👍. If you guys come back in Nz. Don’t hesitate to contact me for some rides and hospitality, I’m pretty keen 👍 And maybe one day we were thinking to go in uk for a work experience mr and my partner, so I’ll be glad to meet you guys 👍
richard green It really is, and as you can see easy to modify to make the trip more comfortable. It's pretty bombproof so bike packing is well within its capability. Hope you have some fun with whatever you end up getting.
It would depend on what kind of riding you had in mind. I'd say overall for a bike than can do everything the Four Corners would be a great choice, but there are certain scenarios where the Nicasio+ would be more suited, and the Nicosio is a great ride. What kind of riding do you do?
Which is best among Marin 4 corners and Marin Lombard 1. I have disc issues so need a comfort bike with upright position. Daily commute and weekend touring is the purpose. I like medium speed. Could you suggest the best option out of these two for me. Also I would be happy to know about the climbing capacity of Marin four corners.
The stack height on a Lombard is shorter than the four corners. This is the height from the bottom bracket up to the horizontal line of the handlebars. If this is shorter you will generally have your hands lower than if it is higher. So the four corners would give you a more upright riding position which you may find more comfortable. Another option would the DSX, or any flat handlebar bike. I presume you may not use the drops in the handlebar if you have disc issues and want to be more comfortable. Does that make sense? Both the four corners and DSX would be fine for climbing, lots of range in the gears!
Hi , bought mine a few months back, still has WTB tires as it gets used on&off road, it replaces an old mtb which was heavier. Good review btw,, but what brand mudguard did you fit ?I tried sks velo cross but with no joy. Cheers
Hey, thanks for the kind words. Glad to hear you are having fun with the bike. I think the mudguards are these from Halfords - SKS Commuter Narrow Bike Mudguard Set - 35mm Black. I know when I put the 42mm WTB tyres back on I can't use the mudguards, but for the narrow tyre they seem to do the job, just very fiddly to set up.
Great question Austin. It really depends on the type of riding you are doing. The frames are very similar, with only slight alterations in the geometry. The groupset is different and so are the stock tyres. What type of riding will you get it for? What do you hope to use it for? That will make it easier to tailer my answer, cheers mate 👍🚴
@@mammothjourneys that's hard to answer. I am looking to get into riding. It would mostly street and normal trails (not too technical) nothing competitive. Only thing I won't touch is touring and and other really long (multi day) sort of rides
@@austinling7318 If there isn't a need for a wide gear range, or particularly rough trails, I would then decide to go for the Nicasio+. The wide tyres on the Nicasio+ make riding super comfortable, and helps absorb any surface that isn't smooth. Having no derailleur on the front is also one less thing to worry about, which is helpful when you are getting into riding. Is it particularly hilly where you live? The Nicasio+ is really a fun bike, I've really enjoyed my time with it. Here is my review on it which may help your decision: th-cam.com/video/_rvNBoUMcZo/w-d-xo.html
@@mammothjourneys okay that's the one the one then. Thanks for taking the time to reply! It's not too hilly around me so aggressive track is hard to find.
hello I am interested in buying a four corners but I am undecided on the size considering that I am 1.78 cm tall, 86 cm inseam and apex index of 188 cm, i'm exactly in the middle of two sizes, which size you would you recommend?
You are the same height as me. I got the medium and it was perfect. My initial thought when it came out the box was that it looked small but it rode fine. I would suggest if you have a bike you ride now, check the reach length and compare it to the Marin website geometry for each size. In my opinion that's the most important because it's tough (other than shortening the handlebar stem) to correct overreaching due to a frame that's too big. Does that make sense?
thank you for your review mate...been lookin at buying a touring bike in India and bikes like Fuji Touring, Trek 520 are way too expensive...not even talking about Kona Sutra and Surly LHT...this bike and its cousin Nicasio have been on my radar for quite some time...can I mount A rear rack on this bike? Cheers
Hey Amit, yes you can mount a rear rack on this. You would also be able to mount a front rack as well if you wanted. You are right, the price of the Four Corners is very reasonable compared to other bikes of similar quality. Hope you get the bike you want soon and can get out exploring. Must be some great routes available in India.
@@mammothjourneys Thank you so much for your prompt reply...:). Yes, I am planning to head down to South India (I live in North India) and cycle around the Indian coast. I will start with a Giant Hardtail (ATX 660) and will only cover upto 100 km a week or so and move slowly...I will upgrade around March next year. Yes, India has a lot of advantages for cycling, one being that we never have to worry about getting cycle repairs. as the smaller the town, the more the number of cycle repair shops,..:) and of course, the cycle apart touring is damn cheap here even if I wish to take hotels...at 13 kgs it is a featherweight for us as are used to cycling around on 20 Kg cycles and of course, non-geared ycles. And well, our country's roads are synonymous with gravel...hahahaha. so every cycle for us must do gravel by default. Thank you once again, you have a sub here. :)
Hey, good review! I'm considering buying this bike, so I'd like to ask you how tall are you? I'm 181 cm tall, and I wonder which size would suit me best, M or L. Cheers, mate!
Thanks mate, appreciate the feedback. I am 176cm tall and I have the medium. I would have thought the large be more appropriate for your size, just check the reach/top tube length won't be too big - although I wouldn't have thought it would be. Happy riding, you'll love it!
Hi Christian - I am afraid I have no idea. I would presume that the group set is merely the updated version for that year. I wouldn't have thought any change to the frame - however it would be best to ask Marin Bikes directly, I don't seem to be able to tag them in this comment.
Sorry Aravind I can't remember. I thought they were the SKS race blade pro but no, they are the ones I got before that. So can't help sorry - I've not got them anymore to check.
This review has converted me and I am now going to look at purchasing the bike! We are planning to do our first tour this year cycling from Milton Keynes to Amsterdam. I am 5ft 11.5" - Marin's website said I should go for a large - do you think this would be best or go for a medium? Thanks - love the channel! Chris
Good to hear mate, it's a great bit of kit. I'm 5 foot 9 and have a medium so a large makes sense. The trip sounds epic, add us on social media so we can follow your trip. What bags/luggage will you use?
@@mammothjourneys I am 5ft10" and marin dealers in my country only have M size, do you think it would be smaller? any suggestion how to fit after that?
Mammoth Journeys indonesia, the store run out size L i guess. I am 180cm if i reckoned from the video your height around 180cm. I definitely know what i am looking for. Thanks
@@bayunishantiko9861 nice one mate. Have a fun ride. See if you can try it out before you get it. I'm 177 cm and I wouldn't want the bike any smaller for me. Perhaps the large would be best, wait for a new shipment.
Enrico Lionello I genuinely didn't find it an issue when riding. Only when loading onto the car for transport, clearly need to hit the gym more! The gearing is such a wide range that up some tasty hills it makes it easy. And when I have gone down some steeper gravel sections, having that confidence in something stronger (steel) is awesome. We are taking delivery of their Gestalt soon, so will be good to compare the two.
Hey ceedee tee, I am 176cm ( 5 foot 9), but makes sense to go down a level if you want better handling, however if top tube doesn't sit too high anyway. But if it's comfortable and works for you then it's all good.
I f you are touring (not bike packing) weight is not a big issue. anything under 20 kg is acceptable as you want toughness, comfort and the ability to explore
Taufik Abidin yeah true, with touring most important thing for me is comfort. With its steel frame you can rely on its durability as well, which is good.
Is it true gravel bikes use mechanical disc brakes because they can be used for touring and it’s easier to do maintenance on the road on mechanical vs hydraulic?
What questions do you have that I didn't answer in this video? Let me know below and I will get back to you.
If you enjoyed everything about the Four Corners you'll love our review on the Nicasio+ as the Ultimate Explorer 👉th-cam.com/video/_rvNBoUMcZo/w-d-xo.html
I have a Marin Four Corners I've been using for commuting for the past 9 months and absolutely love the bike, just over a 1000 miles. I've installed a Tubus logo evo rear rack and a Tubus Tara lowrider front rack. I'm also using Ortlieb classic rear and front panniers. This is my first do everything bike as I've usually riden Specialized road and mountain bikes for years. I wanted a bike that I could commute with and eventually go on some long distance tours as well. So I wanted a bike that could fit wider tires, had multiple braze ons for racks, water bottle cages or cargo cages, fenders and had a somewhat upright riding position so I can ride all day comfortably. There are many bikes that have come out recently that fit this category. Traditional touring bikes used to only be able to fit skinny road tires but having the options the Marin Four Corners has makes it the most versatile bike I've ever owned. I'd compare it to a Salsa Fargo, Surly Disc Trucker and a Kona Sutra because those are the bikes I was considering. It's cheaper than all of those bikes and I think just as capable. I'd highly recommend the Marin Four Corners to anyone looking to get a commuting, road or dirt road touring bike and a bike that'll pretty much do anything you want to.
Really happy I came across this review. I had my last bike stolen and have had my eye on this Marin Four Corners and the All City Space Horse. You hit on all of the points that have had me torn on which option to choose but this review sold me. I've heard many reviewers complain about the weight but other than lifting it onto my truck racks, I don't see this being a major issue, especially since you said you didn't notice the extra bike weight affecting you much while climbing hills. Much appreciated brotha!
Adventures with Designated1Dave Hey Dave, no problem mate. Like I said we've been really happy with it and I hope you are to.
Another option could be their Gestalt range, which are a bit more of a gravel/adventure bike and less a tourer. Lighter, but with the options to still attach racks and mudguards it, while keeping an upright geometry.
Let us know how you get on and what you think. Happy riding!
@@mammothjourneys I ended up buying the Four Corners back in early November and have been thrilled with it. Keep up the good posts and thanks again!
@@adventureswithdesignated1d640 Awesome news! Sorry to hear your originally bike got stolen, that's rubbish. Enjoy the rides my friend and keep us posted with any adventures.
I own this bike and agree with his assessment of the weight. It is only heavy when loading onto the car. It doesn't ride heavy at all. Very comfortable ride. Really like the wide gear ratio too. Climbs great and doesn't prematurely spin out on the down side.
Hi Dennis, thanks for your comments, and glad you could back up my claim about the weight, looks a little bias now. I agree about the gear ratio as well it's ace, bit of a shock when I have to go back to my Tri bike! Glad you've had a great experience on your Four Corners as well.
Excellent review as always from this channel! Love the bike, seems a great all rounder. What you recommend in a similar vein but on a lower budget (300-500). Cheers
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. It's really an ace bike, so much fun to ride. Two options for that budget would either head to your local bike shop or buy new with certain brands. Bike shops sometimes sell second hand bikes which will have been serviced by them so you can rely on the quality. Potentially a Boardman or Ridgeback is a good shout from new, but for that price range new you run the risk of the quality lacking and you needing to invest further down the line. It would depend on what you intended to do with the bike. If just short distances commuting and some leisure rides, then the new option may work, but for something requiring more demand perhaps the local bike shop option.
Many years ago I bought a Ridgeback new for £240 that's still going strong! Someone else commented on a video they bought a second hand Marin four corners for £300. So there are options out there. Let me know how you get on and what you decide on.
you mean conflict of interest rather than bias. thank you for your review
Always good to be transparent, you got the gist though. Thanks for watching 👍
I'm confused between marin four corners and dsx, I'll be doing touring on hills (himalayas) with 65% paved road and 35% gravel. DSX is cheaper so I'm leaning towards it.
Interestingly the DSX has an easier gear ratio for the hills than the four corners. Only change I would make on the DSX is add some bull bar or butterfly bars so you can change hand positions. I think the DSX would be a great option, only thing to be aware is hydraulic disc brakes are more faff to maintain on the go versus mechanical, and the frame may not be as comfortable but will be lighter so helpful for the hklls. Very jealous of the trip, send us photos with updates!
What is the price of the two?
DSX is 62,000 INR (586 GBP) and four corners is 82,000 INR (775 GBP). I'm also worried about the maintenance of the hydraulic brakes. Mechanical brakes and better drivetrain was the reason I had four corners in my list, but its heavy weight seems scary in hills. On the plus side, four corners will require less modification and maintenance in the long run. Still confused but your information helped a lot.
Thanks for the help. And I will share the photos next year when I'm on the road.
Glad it was helpful. It were my money I'd go for the four corners. Easy maintenance and it's solid. Happy riding mate and enjoy the ride 😄
Bottle cage run the specialized one you can position it in any direction direction and it pulls from the side not up and out into the frame nice bike great review. And the narrower bars are more realistic to body ergonomics. As we don’t walk down the street with our arms 25*’s off our sides hood for drop bar. The stack is tall on this bike reducing being hunched over. Great rig!! Thanks for no marketable opinion.
Hi Eric thanks I'm glad you enjoyed it. When I get my next bottle cages I will 100% get the ones you described, much more practical, especially when using a frame bag. Happy riding mate 👍
Thanks for the video really want to love this bike. Going for a test ride today.
How is it on climbs? Does it have a good enough low gear. I will be using it for bike touring in Europe carrying camping gear. Thanks
Also any mechanical issues ? Lack of thru axles?
I think this bike would perform great for touring carrying kit, and would cope fine with the gearing. You may want to swap the stock tyres with a smoother option but that depends on what you are riding on. Thru axle didn't bother me for the riding I was doing, so depends how gnarly you get on it. I had zero mechanical issues with it during my time. I loved the four corners, it set the bench mark for all future bikes!!
Where you thinking of going in Europe, you are making me jealous already
Great review, love it!
Thank you mate, glad you enjoyed it 👍
I had this for a month. Agree with everything you said. It's a remarkably complete bike for the price. Dont get why other people go for touring bikes 50% more expensive.
Sold it for money issues, but going to get another soon. I intend to put Ritchey 46cm handlebars, a sp hub dynamo, crosstop brake levers, a Deore rear derailleur and either a 12-36t or 11-40t cassette.
👍👍
Yeah the price of the bike is very reasonable for what you are getting. Similarly to you, I do not understand what more you would get for almost double the price. Glad you enjoyed it!
You might get hydraulic brakes, through axles and less weight on the more expensive bikes. If you keep your bike in the basement or in your apartment, you have to carry it up- and downstairs all the time.
This with racks, fenders and a generator hub for bad weather, rough roads and luggage and a road bike for fair conditions might be a possible approach with a low n in the n+1 ;-)
@@jochenkraus7016 Ha ha with n+1 you can always justify a new bike!
@Mammoth Journeys: Some people don't understand why you need more than one bike, even people who own more than one car :-D
And if they understand that, with every additional bike it gets more difficult to convince your wife/girlfriend/... that all your other bikes just can't do everything ;-)
@@jochenkraus7016 Once you find a good argument as to why we need all these bikes, please share this valuable information!
I have this bike 2021 version (no big differences, to erlier versions). I am 171cm tall and I bought L size, against to poroducer and sellers recommendations because I like and prefer large more stable bikes and this bike is perfect for me and gives me really a lot o fun. I can recommend it with whole my heart :)
Glad you are enjoying it, I still think this is my favourite bike, so versatile.
Happy riding Kalmar
@@mammothjourneys I hope you are as glad as I am. Have FUN!!! :) Earlier I had cross bikes only, but this Marine is avesome, maybe not for everyone, but four me it's bull's-eye :)
My last trip & first time >100 km. I love this bike !!! :)
LInks ar forbiden I know YT doesn,t like links but maybe this time...
As you can see I am from Poland...:)
Wanted this bike for a while now, either this or going budget polygon road for commuting
Nice, it is a very dependable commuter and pretty adaptable too. Friend of mine found a couple of good deals on some second hand options as well. Hope your search ends well my friend 👍🚴
Great review. I am confused between Marin four corners, Polygon Bend R2 & Triban gravel 120. I am on limited budget & want to move from riding MTB to gravel/touring. My rides are combinations of good/bad road with gravel & some trails. All of them same groupsets(shimano sora) but cheapest one is Triban, then Polygon then Marin, same is with weight triban is lightest then polygon & then marin. Coming from MTB not used to too much down stance so upright posture is ok, all of them are lighter than my 15kg+ MTB. Less maintenance & dependable for daily rides. I will appreciate if you can give some suggestions based on your experience.
Hi Pranav, thanks for reaching out to us. Firstly each of the bikes you have chosen will work for the riding you have in mind, so that's a good start. What we need to figure out is what is important to you, and some more questions on the riding.
1/ Can your budget afford each bike?
If the Marin is at the max and doesn't allow any accessories or servicing in the future then it may not be the choice. But equally going for the Triban may lead you to spend more on service and maintenance as it's a cheaper bike. On the Triban will those tyres suit your needs? A set of replacement tyres could be the difference between this bike and the other two.
2/ will you do hills? The four corners has a much better gear ratio for hills. If you intend to load up the other two options, and add hills in it may be tougher to pedal.
3/ comfort Vs weight.
The Marin will be heavier due to steel frame. My old Marin gestalt frame was aluminium, same as Triban and Polygon and I found it less comfortable than the four corners and nicasio+, both steel.
Where do you do your riding Pranav?
Let us know the answers above and we can go from there.
Bottom line however is each bike would work, it's just a question of how specific we can make it to your needs 👍😃
nice, thx 4 the review, what tires did u use?
Hi Bobby, Thank you - glad you found it helpful. I changed to the Swalbe Marathon Plus 700x32: amzn.to/3XOUHV9, the stock WTB Resolute 42: amzn.to/3XMRpBC are what I used in Spain on gravel. What kind of riding did you have in mind?
@@mammothjourneys ahh thx, i used vittoria terreno dry atm. Schwalbe marathon great for tarmac rite?
@@bobbyindrabuwono1918 Yep great for tarmac. The ones we used through France and Spain were amazing and still going strong. I would use them again for a tarmac trip. What you got planned?
Have the same bike for a year now. The longest distance I did is 200km in a day. It's definitely on the heavier side but hell yes it's comfortable!
Trevor LastScoutInTheWoods 200km!? Awesome work, no messing around. Is yours still going strong?
Yup! I'm planning to do a self-support gravel road overnight adventure with this iron horse in the near future.
Trevor LastScoutInTheWoods Excellent! Do you carry anything on the handlebars?
Yup. My one man tent. The rest of the water bottle mounts I put 3 water bottles and 3 Blackburn cargo rack for my food, stove and stuff(just love to have two bags on the forks, they make me look tough :) ), and a seat post bag for my sleeping bag and air pad. Well, it's just an overnighter but I think I'd probably overkill it quite a bit...
Ha ha not at all, it's good to be comfortable. Anything you don't use you can always take out for next time.
A 3x9 drivetrain is rare in this age of di2, AXS and 1x. I'm surprised Marin don't offer another version with 1x11 or 2x10, the Gestalt would be an option. To get the lower gearing a mullet setup could be used. A lot of overlap with Marin model range. Great bikes though, good value and simple design.
You've nailed it on the head there. There is a lot of overlap on the Marin bikes, but good value like you said. It's rare the 3*9 but it did allow for some smooth changes and easy pedalling on those hills!
@Mammoth Journeys. Hello. Thank you for this very complete video which confirms my choice to take a 4C. I can not try the bike (out of stock). I am 170cm with 79.5cm inseam and 58cm torso. I hesitate a lot between sizes small and medium. Could you give me your inseam because we have a pretty good perspective on the video. It would be useful to me in my choice.
Thank you in advance.
Sorry for the delay here Tom, completely missed this comment. My inseam is 31inch if that helps. I would have thought the medium would be suited well for your size here, hope I'm not too late in helping!
Thank you for the review. I was considering either Marin Four Corners or Surly Bridge Club, but is certainly tilting towards the Four Corners after watching your review. I was wondering if you can comment more on the Shimano Sora Groupset 3x9 speed. Do you find them adequate enough for going up hills? Many thanks. Regards, Roy.
Thanks for the feedback, glad it was helpful. Yeah the 3x9 was no drama up hills. We have used it on long slogs in Spain and steep sharp climbs in Wales with no drama at all. When I compare the Four Corners to the Gestalt or Nicasio+ it is much better suited for climbing than the other two due to the gearing. You'll have no drama at all. Happy riding!
@@mammothjourneys Thanks for the reply. I was worried about the Sora groupset to be honest, but if its good enough for you then it will be good enough for me. All the best. Please add more reviews. Cheers.
@@za_the_beast1167 Coming from mostly road bikes I had the same reservations. The price point compared to 105 or ultegra was lower. But I had no issues with ease of changes, or durability. I hope you find the same. Enjoy mate
Side load cage for the forward down tube bottle cage mount will solve the issue.
Genius! I had just figured this option for a similar issue I'm having with my current bike and a frame bag but hasn't clicked it could be used for the Four Corners as well - nice idea thank you.
I would argue gravel is the new touring, not only on roads, but also has a bit offroad capability, and is the bike that would fit most people needs. Not quite fast, but a workhorse, comfortable and can be made to carry things.
Taufik Abidin it's definitely a spectrum from full tourer to road bike, and gravel/adventure sit somewhere in the middle, depending on their set up.
As technology advances and becomes more available, that middle ground becomes a lot more advanced.
I would say this is closer to the tourer side of the spectrum, and their Gestalt range in the true gravel/adventure style.
Hi there! I'm trying to decide between this and the Nicasio +. I see you've ridden both. If you could pick one, which would you go with? Thanks so much!
Hi Chelsea, to help offer my thoughts I just need to ask questions. What type of riding would you be doing? What surface type will you be mostly riding on? Will you be carrying kit ever? Is it hilly where you live? Let us know this and anything else you think would be helpful. Cheers
@@mammothjourneys Thank you so much for responding! I will not claim to be a really strong rider, but wanting to get back into it. I'm coming from a race geometry road bike that I (I don't mean to be dramatic, but it's true) hate! It's not at all comfortable and I don't want to ride it because of that. I also run out of gears when pulling the kids or loaded for touring (probably because it's not designed to do what I'm doing with it). I'm looking for something that's my one and only bike, can be loaded with bike seats or trailer cycles and hopefully touring gear, and is bomb proof and comfortable for longer rides. I'm drawn to the simplicity of the 1x drivetrain, but wonder how much I'll be missing the lower gears. I could switch the front ring to something lower, but would I miss the higher gears? I've been between these two bikes for about a year and am still conflicted! Is there a large difference between the two in terms of comfort, gear range, do-it-all-ness? Sorry for the long winded-ness and I appreciate any input you have as I haven't found a bike shop that carries both to test ride myself!
@@chelseakakar9916 Hi Chelsea, thanks for the info here. From what you've told me I would go with the Four Corners.
You will find the geometry so comfortable, and the gear ratio will allow you to pull trailor, kids, and loaded for touring with ease. If you are doing this on tarmac then swap the stock WTB resolute tyres which are knobbly with something smoother and equally as wide. The WTB horizon would work well which is also on the Nicasio+ as stock, but I'm using the Schwalbe Supreme which are also ace and slightly narrower.
The Nicasio+ would be comfortable, and if you were riding 95% on tarmac with no load I would say go for this. But as you need the gears go for the Four Corners.
The four corners is honestly that one bike that does it all. It was my first Marin I had and has left a ridiculously high bar.
Does that help answer things?
You didn't mention if you were in a particularly hilly area or which type of terrain you would be on. But it sounds like the gearing is important so having the range on the Four Corners will help. Let me know how you get on, and please send some cool pics over on my Instagram to me so I can see you having an awesome adventure 💪🚴
@@mammothjourneys Thanks so much! Gonna pull that trigger! 🙏
Kona Rove DL and it’s very similar and I like it.
Hi Daniel, the Rove DL is ace. I was looking at this before going down the Marin route. I could Google this but you'd probably know, do they have steel options for their frames in this range?
Hey there! Great review! I was wondering whether there is much difference between the older versions and the 2023 model? I've seen a 2021 model for sale and its so much cheaper
Cheers mate glad you enjoyed it. I believe some of the gearing components are different than this model, but it wouldn't put me off in the slightest. Especially if you can get a good deal. This bike was ace back then and would be ace now - in my opinion. What was the price of the 2021 model? What would the current 2023 model cost you?
@@mammothjourneys The one I'm planning to pick up is £300 and the one I currently have on pre-order is £1125! The colour is different but I can live with that for that cheaper price ha
@@thomaswightwick whoa that is a huge difference. Is the 2021 new? Ex display or used? I'd be really tempted with the £300 option. Use the other money set aside for any upgrades you want to do , that you would probably do for the 2023 if that was your preference. And use the cash towards a cool weekend trip.
@@mammothjourneys It's second hand of Marketplace, he has only ridden it 1000 miles in its life. Yes I shall! Full mudguards, rear rack! Kit it out!
@@thomaswightwick £300 for a near new bike which will bring lots of enjoyment is hard to beat. If you can check it out and take it for a test ride it could be ace. Let us know how you get on and what you decide. 👍
Hi MJ, which will be the best choice among 3 - Marin Gestalt/Nicasio/Four Corners?
Hi Sreekumar,
1/ what is the main use of the bike? e.g gravel, commuting, touring etc
2/ what else may you want to use it for in the future? e.g pannier touring, sportives, gravel rides etc
I won't ask about budget as they are all fairly similar in price, but we can come back to this depending on your answers.
Thanks
@@mammothjourneys Hi MJ, My main purpose is like to commuting, touring and gravel rides as well, moreover looking for a all rounder ✌️
@@sreekumarv.s3460 Go for Four Corners. It does all those well and will be the best all rounder!
Let me know what you go for and if you have any other questions. Happy riding mate 👍
This is a great review. I'm looking for a bike for commuting a short distance to work, but despite the huge number of bikes available at all price points, have struggled to find one that meets my (quite fussy) needs, to replace a Saracen Panorama touring bike that I bought new in 2004.
It looks like the Four Corners may be the one: steel frame, ability to fit a rack and mudguards, good quality mechanicals and drop handlebars, which will allow different riding positions. The narrowness of the bars is a bonus to me, as I usually squeeze past the cars waiting at the lights and wide bars might make this more difficult.
Looking at the geometry, it appears that toe overlap won't be an issue... I hope. On the Saracen, I shortened the front mudguard to address this. Anyway, if and when I get a new bike, I'll post a review.
Hi Howard, thanks for your kind words. Having fussy needs is good, means when you find what you like it must really be something decent!
Keep us up to date with whatever you get, and why you went with the choice you did.
We have loved the Four Corners, it is comfortable, versatile and reliable - perfect for touring and commuting. Happy riding my friend.
How does she do on hills? I thought you said something not quite positive about her taking on hills as good. Cos where I live, I got hills aplenty and some real steep ones at that. I'm looking for a commute bike as well as for touring.
Hills were fine no issues at all. Huge gearing allows for a nice easy (ish) climb up.
This bike would do well at both commuting and touring.
@@mammothjourneys Thanks 👍
Very nice review! I'm looking into this bike since it has more stack than my Sequoia. I wasn't aware of the bars, I prefer a bit wider, but I figure since I'm 6'1 (187cm) I should probably go for a Large model (???). Anyhow, thanks for the video! Please upload more, your tours look amazing!
That sizing sounds about right, it may seem small once you get it out the box but once you are on it the ratio will all make sense. Thanks for the comments about the video, and also our trips. We currently are using the Marin Gestalt so will be uploading a video at the end of the season, and then compare it to the Four Corners. 2020 has some new routes which we are really excited about, keep an eye on our Instagram and Facebook page for updates. Happy riding mate!
hello
what is the reference and the brand of your mudguards for your four corner marine bike?
I can't find a compatible mudguard.
thank you
SKS raceblade pro. Easy to put on and putting some zip ties under the frame attachment stops them slipping.
Worked OK and good price. Fairly adaptable should you need to use on another bike.
Hope that helps!
Happy riding
@@mammothjourneys Thank you for your reply.
I have the same bike with 700c 42mm tires and I can't find the SKS raceblade pro compatible with the width of my WTC Rsolute 42mm tires.
Do you have the same 700C 42mm configuration? if so what size did you choose for your mudguards? thanks in advance
@@saadbenassila5592 you're right, I had replaced the tyres with narrower tyres which then worked with the mudguards.
I have just bought a pair of SKS Bluemels 28 53mm for a different Marin which are working well, but more of a faff to put on. Not sure they would fit a 700 tyre either. Sorry I can't be more help. Good luck with your search!
Hi Richard,
Small little question. Do you prefer 700c tyres or 650b ones?
Having you the medium size, did you try both?
Thx 😊
Hi Ale,
If I'm completely honest I can't tell any difference! Perhaps others can but I can't. On my Nicasio+ I have the WTB Horizon 47 width tyres on, and because they are so wide and bulbous the circumference of them are pretty close to 700 anyways. I know gravel bikes are offering the 650b options so that you can have these wider large tyres so they fit within the frames.
I know the science makes the 700 option better for rolling speeds. So I guess it would depend on your use of the bike.
Have you ever ridden 650 before?
What would you use the bike for mostly?
@@mammothjourneys
Well I’ve ridden some 27,5 or 650b in the past. But it was mtb.
I got your point, you’ve been pretty clear. That’s why manufacturers offer the 650b, just for the clearence and for the smaller sizes in some case. They are pretty similar.
Now that you hav told me about your nicasio’s tyres, how is riding a 47 mm tyre on a gravel bike?
Ps. I use my gestalt x10 for compact gravel trails, commuting, small trips etc. I’ve got 2 back panniers top peak 2x25 litres. Tyres are 700x40c
For road and fast gravel and day trails I’ve got a scott speedster 20, 2021. So I can ride with my gf as well👍 it’s really a fast bike. But with 700x35 c tyres.
If you want to know how it is this 1 like. I’m glad to tell you
Regards 🚴 🤙🤙
@@nukemforkhigh the 47 tyres are great, but they are more suited to road as they are smooth. Anything other than dry compact gravel they are rubbish, hence why I changed to more knobbly WTB resolutes.
Sounds like a great set up you have with your bikes, plus sharing it with your girlfriend is amazing - well done!
Where do you do your riding? Where do you live?
@@mammothjourneys
I live in Wellington, and I’m on Strava as Alessandro Contessi, I drive in town. Roads. Gravel paths and commuting. When I can I go over the hill in Martinborough and over there there are magnificent trails. I will show some pics 👍. If you guys come back in Nz. Don’t hesitate to contact me for some rides and hospitality, I’m pretty keen 👍
And maybe one day we were thinking to go in uk for a work experience mr and my partner, so I’ll be glad to meet you guys 👍
@@nukemforkhigh I've seen you, I'll follow you there.
Hawkes Bay also has some cool routes as well. I'll take you up on the offer for a ride in NZ 👍
I really like this bike. This would be oerfect for the mixed terrain commute i do and also for throwing bike packing at it to
richard green It really is, and as you can see easy to modify to make the trip more comfortable. It's pretty bombproof so bike packing is well within its capability. Hope you have some fun with whatever you end up getting.
How does this compare to the Nicasio?
It would depend on what kind of riding you had in mind. I'd say overall for a bike than can do everything the Four Corners would be a great choice, but there are certain scenarios where the Nicasio+ would be more suited, and the Nicosio is a great ride. What kind of riding do you do?
Which is best among Marin 4 corners and Marin Lombard 1. I have disc issues so need a comfort bike with upright position. Daily commute and weekend touring is the purpose. I like medium speed. Could you suggest the best option out of these two for me. Also I would be happy to know about the climbing capacity of Marin four corners.
The stack height on a Lombard is shorter than the four corners. This is the height from the bottom bracket up to the horizontal line of the handlebars. If this is shorter you will generally have your hands lower than if it is higher. So the four corners would give you a more upright riding position which you may find more comfortable. Another option would the DSX, or any flat handlebar bike. I presume you may not use the drops in the handlebar if you have disc issues and want to be more comfortable. Does that make sense? Both the four corners and DSX would be fine for climbing, lots of range in the gears!
Hi , bought mine a few months back, still has WTB tires as it gets used on&off road, it replaces an old mtb which was heavier. Good review btw,, but what brand mudguard did you fit ?I tried sks velo cross but with no joy. Cheers
Hey, thanks for the kind words. Glad to hear you are having fun with the bike.
I think the mudguards are these from Halfords - SKS Commuter Narrow Bike Mudguard Set - 35mm Black. I know when I put the 42mm WTB tyres back on I can't use the mudguards, but for the narrow tyre they seem to do the job, just very fiddly to set up.
Many thanks , not sure I want give up larger tires just yet so maybe I’ll look for a MTB type of guard to fit
Hey any thoughts on this vs the nicasio plus?
Great question Austin. It really depends on the type of riding you are doing.
The frames are very similar, with only slight alterations in the geometry. The groupset is different and so are the stock tyres.
What type of riding will you get it for? What do you hope to use it for? That will make it easier to tailer my answer, cheers mate 👍🚴
@@mammothjourneys that's hard to answer. I am looking to get into riding. It would mostly street and normal trails (not too technical) nothing competitive. Only thing I won't touch is touring and and other really long (multi day) sort of rides
@@austinling7318 If there isn't a need for a wide gear range, or particularly rough trails, I would then decide to go for the Nicasio+.
The wide tyres on the Nicasio+ make riding super comfortable, and helps absorb any surface that isn't smooth. Having no derailleur on the front is also one less thing to worry about, which is helpful when you are getting into riding.
Is it particularly hilly where you live?
The Nicasio+ is really a fun bike, I've really enjoyed my time with it. Here is my review on it which may help your decision: th-cam.com/video/_rvNBoUMcZo/w-d-xo.html
@@mammothjourneys okay that's the one the one then. Thanks for taking the time to reply! It's not too hilly around me so aggressive track is hard to find.
@@austinling7318 Awesome, hope you have fun and happy riding mate 👍
I really need to know if i can fit my "OUTPOST Elite Frame Bag Large size" to this Medium size bike. Do u maybe know ?
If you head to the website it has the dimensions of each frame size, you can then check. I don't have this bike still, I have their Nicasio+ ride 😃
@@mammothjourneys Nope, they do not say inner triangle size, only length of whole seat tube
@@Temporalplace ah they do. I can measure my Nicasio+ if you want and send over the dimensions? May offer a guide.
@@mammothjourneys Nicasio has another measurements. I need inner triangle size of M4C
hello I am interested in buying a four corners but I am undecided on the size considering that I am 1.78 cm tall, 86 cm inseam and apex index of 188 cm, i'm exactly in the middle of two sizes, which size you would you recommend?
You are the same height as me. I got the medium and it was perfect.
My initial thought when it came out the box was that it looked small but it rode fine.
I would suggest if you have a bike you ride now, check the reach length and compare it to the Marin website geometry for each size. In my opinion that's the most important because it's tough (other than shortening the handlebar stem) to correct overreaching due to a frame that's too big.
Does that make sense?
@@mammothjourneys thank you so much!!!
thank you for your review mate...been lookin at buying a touring bike in India and bikes like Fuji Touring, Trek 520 are way too expensive...not even talking about Kona Sutra and Surly LHT...this bike and its cousin Nicasio have been on my radar for quite some time...can I mount A rear rack on this bike? Cheers
Hey Amit, yes you can mount a rear rack on this. You would also be able to mount a front rack as well if you wanted.
You are right, the price of the Four Corners is very reasonable compared to other bikes of similar quality.
Hope you get the bike you want soon and can get out exploring. Must be some great routes available in India.
@@mammothjourneys Thank you so much for your prompt reply...:). Yes, I am planning to head down to South India (I live in North India) and cycle around the Indian coast. I will start with a Giant Hardtail (ATX 660) and will only cover upto 100 km a week or so and move slowly...I will upgrade around March next year.
Yes, India has a lot of advantages for cycling, one being that we never have to worry about getting cycle repairs. as the smaller the town, the more the number of cycle repair shops,..:) and of course, the cycle apart touring is damn cheap here even if I wish to take hotels...at 13 kgs it is a featherweight for us as are used to cycling around on 20 Kg cycles and of course, non-geared ycles. And well, our country's roads are synonymous with gravel...hahahaha. so every cycle for us must do gravel by default. Thank you once again, you have a sub here. :)
Great work, send us over some pictures or videos to make us nice and jealous! Happy riding my friend.
@@mammothjourneys I shall...expect postcards soon!! :)
Hey, good review! I'm considering buying this bike, so I'd like to ask you how tall are you? I'm 181 cm tall, and I wonder which size would suit me best, M or L. Cheers, mate!
Thanks mate, appreciate the feedback.
I am 176cm tall and I have the medium. I would have thought the large be more appropriate for your size, just check the reach/top tube length won't be too big - although I wouldn't have thought it would be. Happy riding, you'll love it!
@@mammothjourneys Cheers, mate! I'll do that.
@Mammoth Journeys What is the difference between 2017 and 2018 Utilitour Four Corners?
Hi Christian - I am afraid I have no idea. I would presume that the group set is merely the updated version for that year. I wouldn't have thought any change to the frame - however it would be best to ask Marin Bikes directly, I don't seem to be able to tag them in this comment.
let me know how you get on and what the difference is, I'd be interested to know.
Which is the mud guard brand
Sorry Aravind I can't remember. I thought they were the SKS race blade pro but no, they are the ones I got before that. So can't help sorry - I've not got them anymore to check.
@@mammothjourneys it's okay Buddy...☺️
Great review!
I am Indonesian and I am very short (and small) [165 cm - 55 kg], should I take the S (or M?) size?
Hi Hasan,
I'm 176cm and had the medium, so would have thought the small. Check the sizing chart on their website. Happy riding and enjoy the bike!
This review has converted me and I am now going to look at purchasing the bike! We are planning to do our first tour this year cycling from Milton Keynes to Amsterdam. I am 5ft 11.5" - Marin's website said I should go for a large - do you think this would be best or go for a medium?
Thanks - love the channel!
Chris
Good to hear mate, it's a great bit of kit.
I'm 5 foot 9 and have a medium so a large makes sense.
The trip sounds epic, add us on social media so we can follow your trip.
What bags/luggage will you use?
@@mammothjourneys I am 5ft10" and marin dealers in my country only have M size, do you think it would be smaller? any suggestion how to fit after that?
@@bayunishantiko9861 I am just shy of 5 foot 10 (5 foot 9 and 3/4) and the medium worked well for me. Where do you live?
Mammoth Journeys indonesia, the store run out size L i guess. I am 180cm if i reckoned from the video your height around 180cm. I definitely know what i am looking for. Thanks
@@bayunishantiko9861 nice one mate. Have a fun ride. See if you can try it out before you get it. I'm 177 cm and I wouldn't want the bike any smaller for me. Perhaps the large would be best, wait for a new shipment.
@mammoth folks. Did you say 13.7 kgs for size M ?
Enrico Lionello hi Enrico, yes roughly that amount. I've added a few things on mine since it was raw!
@@mammothjourneys thanks. Weight isnt bad imho. Once you swap seatpost, wheels and crankset you easily get rid of almost 1.5 kg
Enrico Lionello I genuinely didn't find it an issue when riding. Only when loading onto the car for transport, clearly need to hit the gym more! The gearing is such a wide range that up some tasty hills it makes it easy. And when I have gone down some steeper gravel sections, having that confidence in something stronger (steel) is awesome.
We are taking delivery of their Gestalt soon, so will be good to compare the two.
What's your height? I have the small as I like the handling better although Marin says I should be riding a medium (I'm 5'7).
Hey ceedee tee, I am 176cm ( 5 foot 9), but makes sense to go down a level if you want better handling, however if top tube doesn't sit too high anyway. But if it's comfortable and works for you then it's all good.
@@mammothjourneys thanks!
Hi ceedee tee, I am the same height as you and thinking about ordering Marin in small size. Does it handle it and does it fit ok for you?
@@cibulino8604me or Ceedee tee?
@@mammothjourneys sorry, to ceedee tee
I f you are touring (not bike packing) weight is not a big issue. anything under 20 kg is acceptable as you want toughness, comfort and the ability to explore
Taufik Abidin yeah true, with touring most important thing for me is comfort. With its steel frame you can rely on its durability as well, which is good.
My only issue about this bike are the brakes. Less than ideal IMO
Yeah compared to hydraulic they aren't as good. I noticed that more on the gestalt than the four corners though.
Is it true gravel bikes use mechanical disc brakes because they can be used for touring and it’s easier to do maintenance on the road on mechanical vs hydraulic?
NIce Job