Great video! In 1988 I bought my first mountain bike, a Miele Aries 700s. Before suspension was a thing! I've had cheap cheap bikes since, but recently bought a Pine Mountain 1. Your reviews on the 2 really helped with making my choice. Cheers!
Excellent review! I have the older Pine Mountain with 27.5 x 3.0s and everything you said is true for that wheel/tyre combo. It floats along at a stately pace and the bars are high enough that a standing position is comfortable and similar to a moto giving you increased line of sight. I'd still enjoy a review of the bike in a forest, though. 🙂
Thank you. Love your videos. Great informative, lessons, tutorials, clarity, audio, visuals, honesty & humbleness. Its awesome that you can enjoy your hobbie - passion with your wife 👍👍 Im looking to add to my bike addiction : pine mountain 2 & Jones SWB. Happy trails.
Great review thanks. I've got for the 1, so have a feeling it will ride better with the recon fork, plus slightly lighter with the normal seat post. I'm only just starting to get into off roading and needed the flexibility to stick a rack on it and go bike packing! Upgrading the tyres and fork though should really make it
I love my pine mountain. I’ve been riding mine down gnarcroft quite a bit haha... carefully I should say. I really want to get a ridged fork for mine and build up a SanQuentin for my gnar Croft rig. I recently bought a rear rack!! So I’m on a hunt for a ridged fork now!!! Thanks for the video!!
Interesting that you mention having a rigid fork and 27.5 tires...until last year, Marin had a good ol' steel rig Pine Mountain with steel forks, 27.5*2.4-2.8 bikes and it was dirt cheap too (around 800-900 dollars). Still gutted that I did not have money to buy my second bike since I had already bought their Four Corners as my main bike. Love your content, hope you can find the steel version for a bikepacking rig
This is a steel frame. Chromolly is a blend of steel and other metals. The older pine mountain had pretty dated geometry and wouldn't ride great on the singletrack I have here. This new one is a lot more modern.
Another great review, be interested in your thoughts on the Bombtrack Beyond+ bikepacking rig. Also what's the hoodie you are wearing in the video? Looks like a lightweight material, is it to protect you from the sun and wind?
Hi, just wondered if you’d seen the spec and prices for the 2021 Specialized Fuse Expert. Do you think it justifies the cost? I know you were a fan of last years bike.
Hello Steve, about the front tire, 3',' but 27.5 or 29? Because the rigid fork can take 29x3. Too heavy perhaps? Geo would change too. But wouldn't it be much more comfortable on descents?
Hey, I'm 5'9.5" and am trying to decide between medium and large. I know you tested a medium here, but how tall are you and how do you think it'd fit me?
Hey, a little off topic. But what do you think of the Marzocchi bomber z1 for the banshee frame. Just ordered the banshee frame thanks to your videos. Just looking for the front fork now. Thanks!
Hey, love the channel. Just bought my first MTB, Marin Pine Mtn 1. Thanks for all the info!! Also, what's your wife's channel?? Trying to intro my wife :)
I have a question for you. I’m 6ft6inches and I’ve been riding an XL cannondale for about a year now. I’m thinking to upgrade my bike to the Marin pine mountain 2 but I’m concerned I’ve been riding a bike to small for me the past year ? And I think Marin only go up to Xl do you think it would be to small or just right. I have no problems riding an Xl at the moment feels fine I just heard for my height should be riding a XXL
I didn't mention it because it doesn't have bad flop. If you're a road rider or an xc racer you might feel the steering to be a little slower, but it feels great.
Yeah, the previous years model was 27.5x2.8-3.0. But it was a completely different frame geometry and construction. I've actually been hunting for last years model since 2020 went too far IMO. But I can't find one ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I still have that rig. You'll see more of it down the road. This one took priority for the trip since I only had it for a month or so to complete my review.
Please make Tier List of all Hardtails you Reviewed
Great video!
In 1988 I bought my first mountain bike, a Miele Aries 700s. Before suspension was a thing! I've had cheap cheap bikes since, but recently bought a Pine Mountain 1. Your reviews on the 2 really helped with making my choice. Cheers!
Excellent review! I have the older Pine Mountain with 27.5 x 3.0s and everything you said is true for that wheel/tyre combo. It floats along at a stately pace and the bars are high enough that a standing position is comfortable and similar to a moto giving you increased line of sight. I'd still enjoy a review of the bike in a forest, though. 🙂
I love that you have the same cheap framebag as me, or at least you did last year.
Great breakdown of what to look for on a adventure bike/ backpacking rig!!! Great stuff a Steve 👍👍👍👍💪
Thank you. Love your videos. Great informative, lessons, tutorials, clarity, audio, visuals, honesty & humbleness. Its awesome that you can enjoy your hobbie - passion with your wife 👍👍 Im looking to add to
my bike addiction : pine mountain 2 & Jones SWB. Happy trails.
Great review thanks. I've got for the 1, so have a feeling it will ride better with the recon fork, plus slightly lighter with the normal seat post. I'm only just starting to get into off roading and needed the flexibility to stick a rack on it and go bike packing! Upgrading the tyres and fork though should really make it
Just ordered Cushcores. Thanks for the coupon code. Can't wait to try them out on my Chromag Primer
I love my pine mountain. I’ve been riding mine down gnarcroft quite a bit haha... carefully I should say. I really want to get a ridged fork for mine and build up a SanQuentin for my gnar Croft rig. I recently bought a rear rack!! So I’m on a hunt for a ridged fork now!!! Thanks for the video!!
How did you go with a ridged fork?
@@queensalnd ridged for pleasure.
Interesting that you mention having a rigid fork and 27.5 tires...until last year, Marin had a good ol' steel rig Pine Mountain with steel forks, 27.5*2.4-2.8 bikes and it was dirt cheap too (around 800-900 dollars). Still gutted that I did not have money to buy my second bike since I had already bought their Four Corners as my main bike. Love your content, hope you can find the steel version for a bikepacking rig
This is a steel frame. Chromolly is a blend of steel and other metals. The older pine mountain had pretty dated geometry and wouldn't ride great on the singletrack I have here. This new one is a lot more modern.
Great content as usual.
KRAMPUS!! - The ultimate bikepacking rig.
I wish they had a better siding dropout system
I go back and forth between the ga2's and the ESI extra chunky. Something that doesn't put pressure on the outside of my palm under my pinky.
I have the 1 but I still think it's amazing.
Awesome thorough review!
Couldn't you just remove that bolt completely to get the seat post in further?
Nope. The nutsert inside protrudes too much
Great review! Keep em coming.
Another great review, be interested in your thoughts on the Bombtrack Beyond+ bikepacking rig. Also what's the hoodie you are wearing in the video? Looks like a lightweight material, is it to protect you from the sun and wind?
Would love to see the fuse on a bike packing trip.
I think it would be a solid bikepacking bike. I'd run it with 27.5x3.0s though.
Agreed! 3.0 is a must.
Hi, just wondered if you’d seen the spec and prices for the 2021 Specialized Fuse Expert. Do you think it justifies the cost? I know you were a fan of last years bike.
Hello Steve, about the front tire, 3',' but 27.5 or 29? Because the rigid fork can take 29x3. Too heavy perhaps? Geo would change too. But wouldn't it be much more comfortable on descents?
Love your videos and honest reviews.
I see sun and sand, are you wearing hooded sunshirts all of the time or is it for desert cold?
See this video: th-cam.com/video/2hZAyZacrR8/w-d-xo.html
The 2023 model changed the geometry by a non trivial amount. I'm hoping they get the new one out to a reviewer or two.
Hey, I'm 5'9.5" and am trying to decide between medium and large. I know you tested a medium here, but how tall are you and how do you think it'd fit me?
Hi thx for a great review but whats your opinion of the cheaper Pine Mountain 1 29 " would the fork be worse. ps use for getting into Bikepacking
See my first look. Avoid the pm1, it doesn't have a boost rear end.
Hey, a little off topic. But what do you think of the Marzocchi bomber z1 for the banshee frame. Just ordered the banshee frame thanks to your videos. Just looking for the front fork now. Thanks!
It's a good fork for the price. A bit heavy, but that doesn't matter.
@@hardtailparty thank you! If you get a chance, would you go fox 34 elite at 140mm or the Bomber?
What ridged fork would you put on this pine mountain?
Hey, love the channel. Just bought my first MTB, Marin Pine Mtn 1. Thanks for all the info!!
Also, what's your wife's channel?? Trying to intro my wife :)
Congrats on the new bike! Her channel is Dusty betty
I go back and forth between the ga2 and the esi chunks. I put on a ergon comp saddle. Its about a 40% step up from my Giant saddle.
Can you check out the trek 1120? I'd be interested to see how it stacks up to this
I tried to get one but no luck. It's going to ride a lot more like a road bike or xc mtb.
I have a question for you. I’m 6ft6inches and I’ve been riding an XL cannondale for about a year now. I’m thinking to upgrade my bike to the Marin pine mountain 2 but I’m concerned I’ve been riding a bike to small for me the past year ? And I think Marin only go up to Xl do you think it would be to small or just right. I have no problems riding an Xl at the moment feels fine I just heard for my height should be riding a XXL
I'm curious if you ever figured this out. I'm at the same edge of fit, and it's a struggle.
i want this bike handlebars,, where can i get one?
Dude can you put any grips in your amazon store. I did order the ergon through you, but they are to hard for me. Need something more comfortable. Thx
I'll put some esi grips in there
👍
I think it looks swaggy 😎😆
Curious if you've had any time with a Niner SIR 9. Its their steel bikepacking rig. Loving the content!
I should be able to review one soon. Ive been chatting with them about getting one in for review.
If they made the ROS9 still that would have been interesting one to test as a bikepacking bike.
With the 66.5 degree head angle you don't mention if the handling has bad "wheel flop" ???
I didn't mention it because it doesn't have bad flop. If you're a road rider or an xc racer you might feel the steering to be a little slower, but it feels great.
YOU need my trek full stache 3" lol great trip
What is this "full" nonsense you speak of. ;)
Just kiddong. I'll bet that would be a good bike for this climb.
What tires were these on? I take something like the 27.5x3.0 Coronado tires make this better? Didn't the 2019 came with 27.5x3.0 stock?
Yeah, the previous years model was 27.5x2.8-3.0. But it was a completely different frame geometry and construction. I've actually been hunting for last years model since 2020 went too far IMO. But I can't find one ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
@@AJHillis Was 2019 less slack I take it?
@@mellissanash7517 Yep, exactly, closer to XC geometry.
Can the bike clear 29x2.8s?
Looks like the fork can.
Most rockshox forks can clear 29x3.0. I doubt the frame can clear anything much wider than a 2.6.
@@hardtailparty Thank you sir! Keep the reviews coming - looking forward to the ride review on the Solaris Max.
Would a shorter crank arm fix your dropper issue?
nukeproof scout 275 2020 please...
If Nukeproof will ever send me one, I'll review one. It's not looking good though.
Missing your rigid bikepacking rigs. Would really complete the aesthetic with that RSD fork you have.
I still have that rig. You'll see more of it down the road. This one took priority for the trip since I only had it for a month or so to complete my review.
I was excited to buy this bike. Now im not so sure. It sounds like its a mediocre $2,500 us bike. Stiff and heavy...
It's definitely not stiff, but it is heavy.
I cut an inch off my seat post because of the bosses.
Karate monkey??