I have the same frame and I just drilled a hole in the seat tube. Im not worried about the warranty on a budget bike, and the higher level models have a hole in the seat tube in the same spot i drilled.
I just got the 2022 marlin 5 n I totally see why people need a drooper post! Stopping every 20 seconds to lower n raise your seat from going up n down the trail sounds extremely annoying! Thanks for the video.
Agreed I just ate shit today with my new marlin 6 it was on a steep downhill i shouldve lowered my seat so I could shift my weight back easier I need a dropper post
As I understand it, the frame is the exact same regardless of what number Marlin you buy. Trek stopped adding the hole for the internal dropper post with the 2020 and later models (I read somewhere that it's because the dropper post cable would interfere with the operation of the front derailleur cable, on the models that have 2x or 3x drive train). I know some people say just drill a hole in the seat tube and be done with it, but 1) That voids the lifetime warranty of the frame; and 2) It potentially compromises the frame integrity. When Trek was putting a hole for the dropper cable in the Marlin frame, it was reinforced with a thick square of metal instead of them just drilling straight into the thin wall of the seat tube, so proceed at your own risk if you pursue this option.
Great video! Instead of using zip ties for the seat tube to secure the cable, suggest using the stick on wire guides from Jagwire. Little bit cleaner looking. It's a crime that Trek decided to lose the hole for internal routing on the 2021 Marlins. Fantastic bikes but the lack of internal routing in the seat tube as well as having a straight steerer tube are a little irksome and limit the options on the two best upgrades you can do on the bike.
I will have to give that a try. I don't really like the zip tie look. If Trek made the changes to the Marlin that you mentioned, it would be an unbelievable value.
Drilled 2 holes in the back at the bottom of the seat tube with 1/4 inch drill bits centers 7/16 inch apart filed it down to an oval and stuck a salsa rubber grommet on my 2010 stumpy frame. It looks like it was always meant to be there. Just put a couple of zip ties on the bottom of the frame to neatly tie it to the other cables under the down tube.
@Young Tucan I mean I had friends do the drilling in their bikes. The way I did mine works just fine. Partially internal. Ran the cables internal and then brought them out from underneath. No complaints. No issues. No holes drilled.
It might be the PNW Ridge. That’s what I have on my 2019 Trek Marlin 7. Great dropper post. If there’s no way to internally rout it through then you should look at the PNW Cascade.
Great video, but the entire Marlin series lost that hole in the seat after 2019. Next time, take some kite string and use a vacuum to suck the string through the down tube and use that to pull your cable through. Ride on!
Do you think if you stripped the sheathing off the internal dropper post cable where you routed it through the lower crank set tube it would clear and still function?
So your dropper post insert length is? I would have thought that the dropper post would bottom out on your bottle cage insert? Also what length travel is on that post?
you know you can get c buckle clips that you can stick to the frame and run your external dropper line under the top tube it'll look way cleaner than those three tie straps on the seat tube. It cost like 9.00 for a pack of 6 on ebay
Question the area where the ferrule for the dropper post cablr goes is that a stationary position? I was thinking it would be cleaner if mounted towards the rear yes? And maybe some better cable management thats more invisible only in the rear side unlike the full wrap zip ties.
All marlins in 2021 come with no hole. Still waiting on my covid marlin 7 but I already have a dropper post at the house and it’s external routed as was noted when I put my deposit down that was a difference
@@kitwowo9678 yeah I heard they all don’t have a hole. I am still waiting on my marlin 7 to come in. Have a dropper post sitting in a box for it and a new shorter stem and bars. Thinking about making bicycle shop install when I finally get it
Damn I wish I knew those holes had no routing to the post. I jumped the gun and got an internal dropper only to find out I have no hole for the internal dropper. The holes in the front of the frame threw me off for sure.
@@ssk_ii vp components upgraded BB is the mb-201. It is still a hollowtech design for an English threaded style bottom bracket. I do not know the cost but it is probably somewhere around the price of the shimano.
My 2019 trek marlin 6 has all the external routing under the BB and then the reaccess hole for the seatpost. Making it only external for about 10% of the cable
No because the cable exits the bottom of the down tube and has no easy way to route to the front of the seat tube. It really just needs a hole in the back of the seat tube. Some people were drilling holes in the back of the seat tube.
I think you're on to something that might work on the lower bolt hole if the hole is big enough to fit the cable housing but I think the bottom of the back of the seat tube hole is the best solution.
Hello, can you tell me please the length of the cable you used? It is 1.5m length like the one that comes in the dropper's package? Nice video by the way! :)
Lets be honest if you were worried about the integrity of the frame not holding up because of a 3/16 th hole then you probably shouldn't be riding the Marlin 6 anyway. It's not meant for jumping or even hard trail riding. It's just an XC.
A huge Trek fail. I own a 2021 Marlin 7 and my advice is to avoid this line of bikes. Too many other bikes offer much better options at a similar price point.
@@smbmx6581 well at least your video helped, so thanks. I just got a marlin 6 two days ago and I want to get a dropper post but I just don't know how. You video helped me tho 👍
Sorry but it looks like ass with the twist ties. Just drill a hole in the damn frame. Trek is so.....nickle and dime and it's about building bikes overseas and charging more than they are worth...
I have the same frame and I just drilled a hole in the seat tube. Im not worried about the warranty on a budget bike, and the higher level models have a hole in the seat tube in the same spot i drilled.
I just got the 2022 marlin 5 n I totally see why people need a drooper post! Stopping every 20 seconds to lower n raise your seat from going up n down the trail sounds extremely annoying! Thanks for the video.
Agreed I just ate shit today with my new marlin 6 it was on a steep downhill i shouldve lowered my seat so I could shift my weight back easier
I need a dropper post
do you think it will work on TM5 2022? I have a TM5 2022 too
As I understand it, the frame is the exact same regardless of what number Marlin you buy. Trek stopped adding the hole for the internal dropper post with the 2020 and later models (I read somewhere that it's because the dropper post cable would interfere with the operation of the front derailleur cable, on the models that have 2x or 3x drive train). I know some people say just drill a hole in the seat tube and be done with it, but 1) That voids the lifetime warranty of the frame; and 2) It potentially compromises the frame integrity. When Trek was putting a hole for the dropper cable in the Marlin frame, it was reinforced with a thick square of metal instead of them just drilling straight into the thin wall of the seat tube, so proceed at your own risk if you pursue this option.
no wonder why my trek marlin 5 2019 has a hole making it possible to run an internal dropper. thanks for the info
@@rossejera1661 And now the Generation 3 Marlin frames have the hole again. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Drilling a hole in this particular place has no overall impact on frame integrity. It's bullshit manufacturers say.
@@Silkl4sh This is obviously one of those "proceed at your own risk" scenarios.
Thanks for explaining. This is the same for the 2021 series. PNW Cascade is best for this bike. Great video.
That's good to know!
Great video! Instead of using zip ties for the seat tube to secure the cable, suggest using the stick on wire guides from Jagwire. Little bit cleaner looking. It's a crime that Trek decided to lose the hole for internal routing on the 2021 Marlins. Fantastic bikes but the lack of internal routing in the seat tube as well as having a straight steerer tube are a little irksome and limit the options on the two best upgrades you can do on the bike.
I will have to give that a try. I don't really like the zip tie look. If Trek made the changes to the Marlin that you mentioned, it would be an unbelievable value.
There is also a Cane Creek (and others) straight to tapered stem adapter for the more adventurous. So drill a hole, use an adapter, and be happy.
So I’ve done this a few weeks ago and it’s best using brake outer for the outer cable and works spot on
Drilled 2 holes in the back at the bottom of the seat tube with 1/4 inch drill bits centers 7/16 inch apart filed it down to an oval and stuck a salsa rubber grommet on my 2010 stumpy frame. It looks like it was always meant to be there. Just put a couple of zip ties on the bottom of the frame to neatly tie it to the other cables under the down tube.
I wish you would of showed more of the installation of the various parts, instead of explaining the issues after the installation.
Umm I have a 2021 marlin 7. I don't see any hole behind the post tube.
I don't think the 7 acutely has it, its the same frame for the 6 and 5 so I dont think it has that
@@BMOutdoorz yeah I already ran an PNW External dropper and it's perfect for me.
@@alexj.3206 The only difference is the cable on the outside, sure it looks a little worse, but doesn’t really matter
@Young Tucan I mean if you do that you void warranty for your frame
@Young Tucan I mean I had friends do the drilling in their bikes. The way I did mine works just fine. Partially internal. Ran the cables internal and then brought them out from underneath. No complaints. No issues. No holes drilled.
My friend has the 2019 Marlin 5 and he got a PNW dropper can't remember which one but he has it internally routed.
It might be the PNW Ridge. That’s what I have on my 2019 Trek Marlin 7. Great dropper post. If there’s no way to internally rout it through then you should look at the PNW Cascade.
What about routing it around the bb and up the seat tube
I love this video
Great video, but the entire Marlin series lost that hole in the seat after 2019. Next time, take some kite string and use a vacuum to suck the string through the down tube and use that to pull your cable through. Ride on!
Do you think if you stripped the sheathing off the internal dropper post cable where you routed it through the lower crank set tube it would clear and still function?
So your dropper post insert length is?
I would have thought that the dropper post would bottom out on your bottle cage insert?
Also what length travel is on that post?
Why not route the cable down and around the bb plastic tube instead of straight to the next hole?
1:50 May be they did it by making a grove between the two holes with a dremel tool and a small stone bit.
you know you can get c buckle clips that you can stick to the frame and run your external dropper line under the top tube it'll look way cleaner than those three tie straps on the seat tube. It cost like 9.00 for a pack of 6 on ebay
how much did that dropper cost?
I would totally pull back tire off, center on seat tube, and drill hole large enough for cable, add grommet. It should not hurt the frames rigidity.
I thought about it. Just got scared. You are right - that is the only way to make it work.
@@smbmx6581 th-cam.com/video/BGq09CWfJxA/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/BGq09CWfJxA/w-d-xo.html
What kind of dropper post is that? Size, link to it maybe?
It's a TransX Ascend
Thanks
U could drill hole behind tube, or route cable under top tube which would look way better than this mile of cable around frame
My 7 gen 2 doesn’t have the hole 😭
Could u use the holes for the water bottle?///. I think it would have been much easier
Those holes are in the wrong location for them to work.
do you think you could use a Dremel to create a channel to run the cable in the bottom bracket?
Possibly. But you would have to cut/remove metal from the frame which might compromise strength and void the lifetime warranty.
Question the area where the ferrule for the dropper post cablr goes is that a stationary position? I was thinking it would be cleaner if mounted towards the rear yes? And maybe some better cable management thats more invisible only in the rear side unlike the full wrap zip ties.
Yes. Unfortunately it has to be at that exact spot. It can't be moved.
What year is this? My 2019 marlin 5 came with a dropper post hole from the factory.
A 2020 Marlin 6 - no hole
Same here my marlin 6 2019 has a hole for it
My 2021 Marlin 5 has no hole.
Ciao che misure ha il reggisella hai montato ?
Yep. Done.
Do you think this will work on a marlin 8
My 2021 Marlin 7 got no hole on the seat tube.
All marlins in 2021 come with no hole. Still waiting on my covid marlin 7 but I already have a dropper post at the house and it’s external routed as was noted when I put my deposit down that was a difference
@@kwlambright My TM 7 20202 got no hole.. TM5 2020 as well
@@kitwowo9678 yeah I heard they all don’t have a hole. I am still waiting on my marlin 7 to come in. Have a dropper post sitting in a box for it and a new shorter stem and bars. Thinking about making bicycle shop install when I finally get it
@@kwlambright Nice so far THat TM7 2021 are its best specification. Good luck bro keep safe ride
Damn I wish I knew those holes had no routing to the post. I jumped the gun and got an internal dropper only to find out I have no hole for the internal dropper. The holes in the front of the frame threw me off for sure.
Cool
3:54 How much is this BB and where can I buy it? And what's the size?
It is a Shimano Hollowtech BB model: SM-BB52. They are only about $20 but they require the use of a hollowtech crankset with a 24mm spindle.
@@smbmx6581 Tell me the size and price of the vp model, not the Shimano model.
@@ssk_ii vp components upgraded BB is the mb-201. It is still a hollowtech design for an English threaded style bottom bracket. I do not know the cost but it is probably somewhere around the price of the shimano.
My 2019 trek marlin 6 has all the external routing under the BB and then the reaccess hole for the seatpost. Making it only external for about 10% of the cable
Yes. Buy a 2019, not a 2020 Marlin if you can.
@@smbmx6581 yours is a 2020 and they removed the access hole? That's crazy
use a shop vac.
and suck a string through the holes use string to fish cable
Hi merry Christmas the marlin 6 bottom bracket fits my marlin 5 pls let me know thank you
Yes it will. They are the same size. Merry Christmas
is it possible to run the dropper post internally through the screw holes of the bottle cage on the seat tube?
No because the cable exits the bottom of the down tube and has no easy way to route to the front of the seat tube. It really just needs a hole in the back of the seat tube. Some people were drilling holes in the back of the seat tube.
I think you're on to something that might work on the lower bolt hole if the hole is big enough to fit the cable housing but I think the bottom of the back of the seat tube hole is the best solution.
my marlin 5 got dropper post before i watched this video lol
What dropper post does it have
What kind of front mud flap did you use?
It's a Rockshox
do you know what dropper post will fit a 2021 marlin 5 on M-L size?
Yes. A 31.6mm dropper post will work. If you don't have an access hole in the lower seat tube, you will need to purchase an external dropper post.
@@smbmx6581would you go for a 125 or 150 drop?
Hello, can you tell me please the length of the cable you used? It is 1.5m length like the one that comes in the dropper's package? Nice video by the way! :)
I ended up having to use a longer cable than the one that came with the Brand X Ascend. More closer to a 2m (at least 7ft) length.
couldn’t you run it through the bottle mounts ?
Not without drilling them out
Whould it be easier to put a wireless?
That's another good option.
Those holes are for drainage only
SMH - I can't believe a modern Trek MTB lacks the ability to internally route a dropper.
Lets be honest if you were worried about the integrity of the frame not holding up because of a 3/16 th hole then you probably shouldn't be riding the Marlin 6 anyway. It's not meant for jumping or even hard trail riding. It's just an XC.
7 has no hole
A huge Trek fail. I own a 2021 Marlin 7 and my advice is to avoid this line of bikes. Too many other bikes offer much better options at a similar price point.
So in other words, no, a normal person can't put a dropper post on a trek marlin 5/6
Unfortunately, they can't use an internal one without drilling a hole. Only external ones will work.
@@smbmx6581 well at least your video helped, so thanks. I just got a marlin 6 two days ago and I want to get a dropper post but I just don't know how. You video helped me tho 👍
Sorry but it looks like ass with the twist ties. Just drill a hole in the damn frame. Trek is so.....nickle and dime and it's about building bikes overseas and charging more than they are worth...
It's aluminum, just drill a hole through it. It should be fine
My 2020 Marlin 7 got no hole on the seat tube.
My 2021 either
Ended the hole in 2019