@@marin_bikes I know! I've ridden around the Marin Headlands with long loose dirt climbs with some rocks. A 2x would be better. You won't notice the gaps.
@@pingpongballz5998 We're pretty committed overall to 1x on most gravel bikes, and the guy behind the keyboard here has over 10k miles running 1x on gravel. But we are all different with our preferences.
That’s a lot of bike for the money. It’s exciting that such options are out there. I must say that I have not used Advent via a brifter. But I am a fan of the groupset. FOR THE MONEY, it’s excellent. Does it feel like Ultegra? No; but it really doesn’t need to. It will be the drivetrain on the bike I am building for my wife: 1x9 on a flat bar bike will work great in town. Affordable bikes = more people riding. That’s a good thing.
Of course, Marin has a long history of providing excellent bikes at budget. They often fly under the radar compared to other Big Brands, but they generally make really good bikes.
Excellent review! Simple, to the point and above all completely transparent. Glad to see a "budget" bike review done in the same manner as a $4k bike review. Many people will be happy with this bike, and I'll keep watching!
I purchased this bike last month in KL Malaysia after seeing your unboxing. Drove down from Chiang Mai Thailand to pick it up! Took 30 hours to get down there and 30 hours back. It was worth it... absolutely love this bike!
Just something to keep in mind for someone looking to buy this bike. Especially if you intend to ride gravel. I've had this bike for about a year. I have been totally loving it. Until recently, anyway, when I ran into this issue. There's one major flaw that's making it unrideable. The derailleur hanger is built into the frame. So if it's damaged, there's no way to replace it. On my bike, the lip at the bottom of the derailleur hanger that stops the derailleur from rotating forward has chipped. So now the derailleur rotates forward, causing the chain to loosen and making it impossible to shift to a lower gear. Essentially making the bike unrideable. Derailleur hangers are easily damaged because it's a small part protruding down so close to the ground, and a lot of stress is put on them from the chain. That's why bikes typically have a separate/removable derailleur hanger, which is easy to replace if it gets damaged but not this bike.
Since its steel. Technically you can weld it, drill it and re thread it again right? Also most aluminums comes with removable hanger but steels not so much.
I love my nicasio + and you will too. People either love or hate the color. I think it’s good looking but if I worked for Marin, I would’ve insisted it color-match the WTB tan walls. I guess it’s heavy but I’m a strong fella I can handle it, pretty sure you can too. NYC 650B-BOY 💥🥊
I got a Marin Olema 2 and I love it. Feels and looks greats. Got 2x8 drivetrain, carbon fork, mech disc brakes, internal cable routing, tapered head tube, tubeless ready, aluminum frame, and all at under $900
Great Review Russ! I've had my Nicasio+ about a month and am enjoying it so far. I really dig the color, a friend called it butterscotch and that feels right. This is my first drop bar bike so I don't have a lot of comparison points for bike feel though. I am happy to hear your midnight special comparison because that the bike/pricepoint I was going to try to save and stretch the budget for until the Nicasio came out.
Looks very similar to my Marin four corners. I've done everything on the thing. From gravel riding to brevets. It's a great platform to upgrade. I got it as a frame and slapped a tiagra 4700 and cheap wiggle wheels on it and went on a tour. I had a crash with a car and Marin sent me another fork and it was good to go. Currently it has 3t wheels and grx derailleurs. It's less than 12kg in weight for a size small. All in all do not dismiss it as a cheapo frame. With some googling and smart spending it's an awesome bike.
Perhaps I'm an exception but I actually prefer larger jumps when shifting. I run 2x drivetrains and tend to favor the large ring for this purpose. When in a smaller ring for hilly sections, I often find myself dissatisfied with small jumps in gearing unless the hill is steep.
To many of who don't have 1000s of dollars for a budget a bike like this is good for a start to build up as we go and expensive does not always mean quality what you call adequate is great compared to what I had like the Tektro brakes they are damn good for the budget rider
See it is fall in Missoula....lookee at the all the tire-shredding pine cones to dodge. I am scribbling the name of this bike down. Great concise review.
That gearing range is smart and realistic for the likely purchasers of the bike. Nothing wrong with 9 speeds if the range is there, and I'm a big fan of the Advent. Seems you could take it on a bikepacking trip and with that gear range be crawling up hills with no prob.
The groupset is pretty capable. I've climbed 10, 11 degrees hills with one pannier bag strapped to the rear rack. What I'll do is add a FD and swap to a double size crankset, maybe 42/6-30T.
This is the first video I watched from your channel and now the Nicasio + is now my first gravel bike. This was such a fun way to learn more before I bought in. Also I didn't fret about the weight because this bike is so light.. compared to my ebike that now gets left at home.
Enjoyed this bike review , not everyone can afford the likes of a salsa cutthroat, if inexpensive bikes like this can attract people into cycling that's great, 👍keep up the good work.
I notice that it looks like one could add a second smaller front sprocket to the crank set, and simply move the chain by hand, avoiding the addition of a front de-railer.
My wife has the flat bar version of the Advent drivetrain on her Trek Treadwell and I’m also impressed for the price, it’s a nice experience. Also, the TW is sweet cruiser mtb with 650b wheels. Worth checking out if you haven’t looked.
Still a helpful review. I recently learned about these bikes and really was considering one. Your review I think tips the scale and one will be on order later today.
Been binging your channel since I discovered it last week. Thanks for great content, and for bringing me to “my people”. Could you recommend a wheelset that you would use to upgrade this bike as you suggested? Perhaps that could be a good series, particularly for those of us confined to the long-term upgrading game. Walking through the process of choosing upgrades in your recommended order, wheels, bars, posts, etc. Thanks again!
I have found the Hunt 4 season gravel disc wheelset to be an almost too-good-to-be-true value at $350. I have a few months of riding on them, and they're fantastic and, so far, staying true through the rigors of cyclocross.
Great review-I just bought a new Cannondale Treadwell 2 with 650b X 47 and the same drivetrain as your Marin but with flat bars and an aluminum frame and fork, cost 750 and weighs 25 pounds. Took my SuperX cyclocross carbon fiber bike out of my semi and put the Treadwell in- rode Effingham IL on Sunday and Bordentown NJ on Tuesday. Very glade I listened to you about the 650b tires there so much fun. The Treadwell 1 comes with finders and front wood basket for 950 and also has 650b x 47 tires.
Hi, are you still using your treadwell 2? Would it be a good gravelbike alternative? How about using it for weekend tours and light offroad biking since it's also 650b x 47? Thx
I had a road bike with microshift components. and it was ok. the only thing is that you have to tune more often.and now I have an all around bike from planet x I paid 850 € (i don't know if it is sold in US). Its came with SRAM 1x11 apex 1, a aluminium frame and carbon/ aluminium forck. very happy with the quality price.
Once again another awesome review Russ! I'm not even in the market for a new bike, my do-it-all Kona Sutra LTD is perfect for me, but it's always nice to see what manufacturers are doing. If you're ever in Colorado I'd love to ride with you! #thesupplelife
Thanks for the thorough review. I decided to take the plunge and I bought a Nicasio plus.. it's been a great gateway into the supple life. Keep up the awesome work on your channel
I've got a nicasio 2. Love the bike. Needs a fork with anything or lowrider mounts. Is Tiagra 4700 105 5800 rebadged? Great budget friendly group at any rate. Wheels should be tubeless ready.
Been enjoying my Nicasio + and second all your points. What light weight rims would you suggest that are reasonably priced? Will def upgrade in the future. Great content! ✌️
Largest tire fitment? If you answered already, I apologize. I am ready to pull the trigger on this and in no small part this video helped immensely! Thank You
Nice Review. Thanks Russ, this review looks on that bike from very different points and shows the most important aspects, I guess. The Cassette for example... It is a really great range with 46 and if the chainring is replaced with a smaller it will climp the steepest climbs. The Microshift Shifters are ugly (my oppinion) but they work! I have built up an bike more than one year ago with the R10 Shifters which are compatible to shimano rear derailleus and they had to take so much rain, salt and mud in the german autumn, winter and spring and it is very very precise after almost two seasons and did not took maintenance while the chain had to be replaced after a lot of km. One thing i realized during that review on minute 5:20 is that it must be a great vehicle for bike-hunting instead of bike-fishing. :-)
A nice alternative to the Midnight Special which isn't light by any means and costs 2K. I had the LBS weigh a 58cm and it came in at 26 pounds. I passed.
Great video!! You covered exactly what I needed to know. I am looking at a 54CM frame as I am 5`7" tall but unsure if the seat post will have enough clearance to fit a seat bag underneath. What size of frame were you testing for your height?
I still use 9 speed on my Specialized Diverge and on my Merida Speedster. Always very reliable, strong and you can use old MTB components. There is only one thing that I do not like at Microshift: the external shifting cable (e.g. like the Shimano 6600 series). OK,, it is perfect for the function (less friction), but it looks terrible if there is only a cable on one side.
One of my first mtb was and still is a Muirwoods black and signal green from 1988...still my favourite. I think the muirwoods with 700c is a bit better even if it's cheaper. I wish it was 650b wheels on it thou. I like the variation with 3 ring crankshaft and flatbars especally when you go forest riding. But love those tires on the Nicasio. Nice..
Hi Russ, I watched your video on the Marin Nicasio and enjoyed it much. I'm looking for a durable, versatile and simple (KISS) touring bike and I'm looking at a similar variation of the Marin 4 corners elite. They get nearly 500% range and this might even be overkill as I have realized that when I'm out riding, I almost never pedal above 25 mph. My eyes are starting to water and there are now many cracks and chuck holes in the pavement, So I stop pedaling and start being very careful as I ride above 25. So if you take the 42t gearing off the front and put on something like a 36-38t, you get more low range and loose the high range that is nearly never used. Kind of like cars that are engineered for 100+ mph, but we rarely drive anywhere close to it. So the thing I wish you had done with your video is puts some bags and touring weight on the bike and see how it handles. I think that would significantly slow down the fast action characteristics of the geometry - me thinks? What say yee? If commuting, you want the agility, but loaded down on the trail or road, what happens? Thanks mark (tried to send this on your webmail, but it was broken)
Thanks for the review, I found it super helpful and detailed. I was wondering if you have seen the Giant toughroad gx slr 2020. A lightweight alloy bike that comes with racks, tubless tires, front mudguard, clearance up to 700 x 50, shimano sora, and hydraulic disc at 1500 CAD. Which is a pretty good price for the components.
Should check out the fuji jari. For a all chromoly is comes even a couple hundred less with shimano claris shifters and front derailer with altus in the rear. Nice 2by 30/46 with a shimano hyperglide 34 in the rear. Internal cables also wrapped at dropbar. Full rack, fender, top tube, downtube bosses. Disc brakes could be better but stop when squeezed. I have upgraded but still enjoy riding this bombproof fuji. Could possibly be "the best" budget buy gravel/tourer for the dollar price".
Nice seeing the review russ. I've been watching it a couple of times. Perhaps you already knew that marin had NICASIO 2 released which i guess is alittle bit more premium version of nicasio . Will you make the review of that nicasio 2 ? Since nicasio and nicasio 2 already available in my country. Look forward for your next bike review video.
First: thanks bigtime for this review! Was looking at the Journeyman but after seeing this bike I am back on the fence again. Got only two gripes about the Nicasio plus, the 47 mm tiresize... I would like to go a bit wider & the shift cable that is sticking out from the front right brake... it seems like it would interfere with a (big) handlebar bag? Edit: I don't see any Marin dealers overhere in the Netherlands.
This seems like such a fun bike that one doesn't need to worry about as much as others due to affordability. How does it compare to the Breezer you reviewed?
Great review. Love the channel. OK. Russ here is my question. If you had a $1200 - $1500 budget what would you choose as a gravel/tour bike? Full bike not frame set. 650B and or 700c. list Please?
I picked up a 2019 Giant ToughRoad SLR GX for $1100. Aluminum frame, carbon fork and carbon D-fuse seatpost. 21-22lbs I believe, 2x FSA crank (48/32), Tiagra cassette 11-34, Tiagra rear derailleur, hydro brakes, comes with 700x40c tires and has room for some 2.3in tires
Very happy with my recent purchase of Marin Nicasio 1 with 700c rims, paired with 38mm Specialized Pathfinder Pro tires...very fast & supple on tarmac! Now I'm equally excited to get my Nicasio Plus, eta by end of this month. Russ, should I replace the WTB Horizon tires since the bike is intended mostly for adventure rides in the woods?
Hey there, I bought this bike because of this review. And I really enjoyit, on the road and in the woods! I was just wondering, do you have any recomendations for a front and rear rack? I want to be able to carry a child seat on the rear as well as some bags, and a basket or bag in the front. Thank you in advance! Love your channel, keep up the great work 🤙
Would be interesting to see how the Nicasio RC and the Four Corners compares to this model. Not a gravel bike per say, but Marin Pine Mountain ridgid model is plus tire bike designed for bikepacking and I think would be interesting to review.
Can It fit 2.1 tires? Thinking about an all around er vintner and this would be perfect but I want something I can put some big studded tires in the winter.
Ended up getting a Surly Straggler over the Nicasio SS. I don't think you can go wrong with either, but if it's 9 speed at the back, why don't they make it 2x???
Hi ! I can't figure if it's normal or not but my Nicasio Plus is equiped with 650c tires although the rims are labeled 650b. Does it explain that the mount or unmount is very tough ? I think I would replace it with Terra 650b because I have a puncture every 5 kilometers. Thanx for your explanations.
Hi there! thanks for the very informative review. What size would you suggest as I am 1.88cm tall? I am torn between 58 and 60. I want to buy it online so I cannot have a test ride! thank you very much
I can’t find any info on whether or not the wheelset is tubeless ready/compatible or not. It’s not mentioned specifically by you in this review or the unboxing. Or on marin site. Is it just to be assumed a wheelset on 2020 adventure bikes are tubeless, or was this to keep it in budget under $900? I know many rims can be converted to run a tubeless tire, just really weighing this against a Salsa Journeyman and GT Grade Elite (Alloy). Both spec tubeless wheelsets. Great review Russ! Keep up the great content!
I ended up with a 650b bike from another maker. It was $100 more, but with a Claris group set and Tubeless wheels, from a shop I love. I really wanted this one, I’m recommending it to a buddy who’s searching. I’m pretty sure we can get it to hold tubeless. I just wanted something from Marin stating it would.
Really interested in one of these for my new direction of bike packing for charity next summer but, coming a long MTB life, I want flat bar. Are the gear shifters an easy swap for flat bar type? But, my biggest concern is size difference between flat bar an drop bar bikes. I mean, if I was to buy this with the intention of going flat bar would I need to ride a different size frame. On my MTB's I run pretty short stems but, I am completeley new to road an bike packing. Would the wieght of fork bags change my stem length requirements? Chhers In advance for any opinions
Fairly new to gravel, road etc bikes and coming from cheap bikes bought from Meijer. One thing I noticed ans either I've to get used to it or find a way :- all bikes from Mejier had a gear visual which I dont see in these bikes why and how can I put the gear visual or that's not possible? Thank you
Hi Russ (or anyone here), did you happen to ever ride the Nicasio with 700c wheels on it? Just bought the 700c version b/c that's what I could find in my 58cm size/region, but I covet the 1x drivetrain and am 650b curious. How is the ride feel? I know Russ is generally skeptical of dual-compatible frames.
So, I noticed on the Nicasio+ product page, Marin describes the bike as the 2019 Most Supple Bike of the Year (with two wreaths). Since they value your endorsement so much, perhaps they will send you more bikes to review?
Thanks Russ, glad to hear that you liked the Nicasio+. We'll check back here from time-to-time to help answer any questions that viewers may have.
Hey Marin Bikes! I'm from California. Could you guys make a carbon gravel bike with a 2x, 46/30 on the front?
@@pingpongballz5998 Hey Christopher - We are offering a carbon gravel bike for 2020, the new Headlands models, but they are wide-range 1x only.
@@marin_bikes I know! I've ridden around the Marin Headlands with long loose dirt climbs with some rocks. A 2x would be better. You won't notice the gaps.
@@pingpongballz5998 We're pretty committed overall to 1x on most gravel bikes, and the guy behind the keyboard here has over 10k miles running 1x on gravel. But we are all different with our preferences.
Questions? Where did Russ get his shirt from?
(pssst) You're getting better and better at this. This review is crisp and easy to watch and the bike should serve many well
That’s a lot of bike for the money. It’s exciting that such options are out there.
I must say that I have not used Advent via a brifter. But I am a fan of the groupset. FOR THE MONEY, it’s excellent. Does it feel like Ultegra? No; but it really doesn’t need to. It will be the drivetrain on the bike I am building for my wife: 1x9 on a flat bar bike will work great in town.
Affordable bikes = more people riding. That’s a good thing.
Indeed. I bought a Fuji Jari 2.3 for $899. It is my 1st adventure bike and I'm really stoked with it.
@@omera967 I was looking at those, but I saw the internally routed cables and got scared away.
Of course, Marin has a long history of providing excellent bikes at budget. They often fly under the radar compared to other Big Brands, but they generally make really good bikes.
Excellent review! Simple, to the point and above all completely transparent. Glad to see a "budget" bike review done in the same manner as a $4k bike review.
Many people will be happy with this bike, and I'll keep watching!
I purchased this bike last month in KL Malaysia after seeing your unboxing. Drove down from Chiang Mai Thailand to pick it up! Took 30 hours to get down there and 30 hours back. It was worth it... absolutely love this bike!
wow man. now go do that mae hong son loop!
From which shop Paul? I was thinking of getting a new bike
One of the benefits of using Microshift Advent is the clutched derailleur. Usually it is Claris or Sora at this price range.
Love GRX 🤭🤭
Just something to keep in mind for someone looking to buy this bike. Especially if you intend to ride gravel. I've had this bike for about a year. I have been totally loving it. Until recently, anyway, when I ran into this issue. There's one major flaw that's making it unrideable. The derailleur hanger is built into the frame. So if it's damaged, there's no way to replace it.
On my bike, the lip at the bottom of the derailleur hanger that stops the derailleur from rotating forward has chipped. So now the derailleur rotates forward, causing the chain to loosen and making it impossible to shift to a lower gear. Essentially making the bike unrideable.
Derailleur hangers are easily damaged because it's a small part protruding down so close to the ground, and a lot of stress is put on them from the chain. That's why bikes typically have a separate/removable derailleur hanger, which is easy to replace if it gets damaged but not this bike.
Since its steel. Technically you can weld it, drill it and re thread it again right? Also most aluminums comes with removable hanger but steels not so much.
You can use dremel and add some aluminum aftermarket hanger. I've done that with couple of old mtb's.
Just bought one and a lot of fun to ride and really comfortable 🚴❤️ really enjoy the channel 👍
Russ I still love my 2018 Marin Gestalt x10. I find it a great all-round bike I use for road and bike packing. Love to see you do a review of that!😊
Thanks for the review! I've had my eye out for this bike but I've been a little uncertain about it. Your review just clinched it for me!
I love my nicasio + and you will too. People either love or hate the color. I think it’s good looking but if I worked for Marin, I would’ve insisted it color-match the WTB tan walls. I guess it’s heavy but I’m a strong fella I can handle it, pretty sure you can too. NYC 650B-BOY 💥🥊
Thanks for review btw 👍🏻
I got a Marin Olema 2 and I love it. Feels and looks greats. Got 2x8 drivetrain, carbon fork, mech disc brakes, internal cable routing, tapered head tube, tubeless ready, aluminum frame, and all at under $900
Great Review Russ! I've had my Nicasio+ about a month and am enjoying it so far. I really dig the color, a friend called it butterscotch and that feels right.
This is my first drop bar bike so I don't have a lot of comparison points for bike feel though. I am happy to hear your midnight special comparison because that the bike/pricepoint I was going to try to save and stretch the budget for until the Nicasio came out.
Looks very similar to my Marin four corners. I've done everything on the thing. From gravel riding to brevets. It's a great platform to upgrade. I got it as a frame and slapped a tiagra 4700 and cheap wiggle wheels on it and went on a tour. I had a crash with a car and Marin sent me another fork and it was good to go. Currently it has 3t wheels and grx derailleurs. It's less than 12kg in weight for a size small. All in all do not dismiss it as a cheapo frame. With some googling and smart spending it's an awesome bike.
Perhaps I'm an exception but I actually prefer larger jumps when shifting. I run 2x drivetrains and tend to favor the large ring for this purpose. When in a smaller ring for hilly sections, I often find myself dissatisfied with small jumps in gearing unless the hill is steep.
Close ratio vs wide ratio. I agree!
You should try an internal gear hub big jumps in ratios especially three speeds
To many of who don't have 1000s of dollars for a budget a bike like this is good for a start to build up as we go and expensive does not always mean quality what you call adequate is great compared to what I had like the Tektro brakes they are damn good for the budget rider
See it is fall in Missoula....lookee at the all the tire-shredding pine cones to dodge. I am scribbling the name of this bike down. Great concise review.
That gearing range is smart and realistic for the likely purchasers of the bike. Nothing wrong with 9 speeds if the range is there, and I'm a big fan of the Advent. Seems you could take it on a bikepacking trip and with that gear range be crawling up hills with no prob.
That’s how I feel. I started riding on a fixed gear, If it’s got gears on it then it’s easier than a fixed gear climbing and I’m happy
The groupset is pretty capable. I've climbed 10, 11 degrees hills with one pannier bag strapped to the rear rack. What I'll do is add a FD and swap to a double size crankset, maybe 42/6-30T.
I love the Marin product line lately! Looks like I may need to add this one to the stable. Thanks for reviewing!
This is the first video I watched from your channel and now the Nicasio + is now my first gravel bike. This was such a fun way to learn more before I bought in. Also I didn't fret about the weight because this bike is so light.. compared to my ebike that now gets left at home.
Enjoyed this bike review , not everyone can afford the likes of a salsa cutthroat, if inexpensive bikes like this can attract people into cycling that's great, 👍keep up the good work.
I have microshift 2x8 on my road bike and love the 2 paddle shifting and not using the brake leaver
Cool you review the affordable bikes too, with two gravel bikes no need but can certainly recommend it.
Thank you for the bike review. Was checking this one out online the other day. Great timing 👍.
I notice that it looks like one could add a second smaller front sprocket to the crank set, and simply move the chain by hand, avoiding the addition of a front de-railer.
My wife has the flat bar version of the Advent drivetrain on her Trek Treadwell and I’m also impressed for the price, it’s a nice experience. Also, the TW is sweet cruiser mtb with 650b wheels. Worth checking out if you haven’t looked.
Still a helpful review. I recently learned about these bikes and really was considering one. Your review I think tips the scale and one will be on order later today.
Been binging your channel since I discovered it last week. Thanks for great content, and for bringing me to “my people”.
Could you recommend a wheelset that you would use to upgrade this bike as you suggested? Perhaps that could be a good series, particularly for those of us confined to the long-term upgrading game. Walking through the process of choosing upgrades in your recommended order, wheels, bars, posts, etc.
Thanks again!
I have found the Hunt 4 season gravel disc wheelset to be an almost too-good-to-be-true value at $350. I have a few months of riding on them, and they're fantastic and, so far, staying true through the rigors of cyclocross.
I’ve just brought this model. Can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Great review-I just bought a new Cannondale Treadwell 2 with 650b X 47 and the same drivetrain as your Marin but with flat bars and an aluminum frame and fork, cost 750 and weighs 25 pounds. Took my SuperX cyclocross carbon fiber bike out of my semi and put the Treadwell in- rode Effingham IL on Sunday and Bordentown NJ on Tuesday. Very glade I listened to you about the 650b tires there so much fun. The Treadwell 1 comes with finders and front wood basket for 950 and also has 650b x 47 tires.
Hi, are you still using your treadwell 2? Would it be a good gravelbike alternative? How about using it for weekend tours and light offroad biking since it's also 650b x 47? Thx
Very cool bike! Wide range 9spd is an awesome option. Do a video on it, who’s making it, cassette ranges, etc.
I'm saving for one. As a mountain biker this looks like a great avenue into drop bar bikes.
I got one! Over 300km in under 2 weeks. Loving the bike.
I've done over 14000km on it now and counting... it's been a reliable and dependable workhorse and a great commuter. Great for bikepacking too.
I had a road bike with microshift components. and it was ok. the only thing is that you have to tune more often.and now I have an all around bike from planet x I paid 850 € (i don't know if it is sold in US). Its came with SRAM 1x11 apex 1, a aluminium frame and carbon/ aluminium forck. very happy with the quality price.
Once again another awesome review Russ! I'm not even in the market for a new bike, my do-it-all Kona Sutra LTD is perfect for me, but it's always nice to see what manufacturers are doing. If you're ever in Colorado I'd love to ride with you! #thesupplelife
Bought the bike , good n fair review, your channel 👍 content , keep it up .
Hey, congrats on getting your review video up on the Jenson bikes Nicasio sale page...
Thanks for the thorough review. I decided to take the plunge and I bought a Nicasio plus.. it's been a great gateway into the supple life. Keep up the awesome work on your channel
I've got a nicasio 2. Love the bike. Needs a fork with anything or lowrider mounts. Is Tiagra 4700 105 5800 rebadged? Great budget friendly group at any rate. Wheels should be tubeless ready.
Crazy nice for that price.
Been enjoying my Nicasio + and second all your points. What light weight rims would you suggest that are reasonably priced? Will def upgrade in the future. Great content! ✌️
Check out Hunt for a decent value, both carbon and alloy 650 Disc wheels.
Largest tire fitment? If you answered already, I apologize.
I am ready to pull the trigger on this and in no small part this video helped immensely!
Thank You
Nice Review. Thanks Russ, this review looks on that bike from very different points and shows the most important aspects, I guess. The Cassette for example... It is a really great range with 46 and if the chainring is replaced with a smaller it will climp the steepest climbs. The Microshift Shifters are ugly (my oppinion) but they work! I have built up an bike more than one year ago with the R10 Shifters which are compatible to shimano rear derailleus and they had to take so much rain, salt and mud in the german autumn, winter and spring and it is very very precise after almost two seasons and did not took maintenance while the chain had to be replaced after a lot of km.
One thing i realized during that review on minute 5:20 is that it must be a great vehicle for bike-hunting instead of bike-fishing.
:-)
i bought this bike before watching your review. i definitely agree on everything you said.
A nice alternative to the Midnight Special which isn't light by any means and costs 2K. I had the LBS weigh a 58cm and it came in at 26 pounds. I passed.
Great video!! You covered exactly what I needed to know. I am looking at a 54CM frame as I am 5`7" tall but unsure if the seat post will have enough clearance to fit a seat bag underneath. What size of frame were you testing for your height?
I still use 9 speed on my Specialized Diverge and on my Merida Speedster. Always very reliable, strong and you can use old MTB components.
There is only one thing that I do not like at Microshift: the external shifting cable (e.g. like the Shimano 6600 series). OK,, it is perfect for the function (less friction), but it looks terrible if there is only a cable on one side.
One of my first mtb was and still is a Muirwoods black and signal green from 1988...still my favourite. I think the muirwoods with 700c is a bit better even if it's cheaper. I wish it was 650b wheels on it thou. I like the variation with 3 ring crankshaft and flatbars especally when you go forest riding. But love those tires on the Nicasio. Nice..
I'm thinking about joining the Marin family, thank you for this :-)
Glad you emphasized the weight. Wonder why the crank has only one chainring considering that.
Hi Russ, I watched your video on the Marin Nicasio and enjoyed it much. I'm looking for a durable, versatile and simple (KISS) touring bike and I'm looking at a similar variation of the Marin 4 corners elite. They get nearly 500% range and this might even be overkill as I have realized that when I'm out riding, I almost never pedal above 25 mph. My eyes are starting to water and there are now many cracks and chuck holes in the pavement, So I stop pedaling and start being very careful as I ride above 25. So if you take the 42t gearing off the front and put on something like a 36-38t, you get more low range and loose the high range that is nearly never used. Kind of like cars that are engineered for 100+ mph, but we rarely drive anywhere close to it. So the thing I wish you had done with your video is puts some bags and touring weight on the bike and see how it handles. I think that would significantly slow down the fast action characteristics of the geometry - me thinks? What say yee? If commuting, you want the agility, but loaded down on the trail or road, what happens? Thanks mark (tried to send this on your webmail, but it was broken)
How reliable is the Marin four corners for touring?
Good for dry gravel track.
Microshift Advent although outside cable look outdated but quite a nice gear.
Do you have a detailed review?
Thanks for the review, I found it super helpful and detailed. I was wondering if you have seen the Giant toughroad gx slr 2020. A lightweight alloy bike that comes with racks, tubless tires, front mudguard, clearance up to 700 x 50, shimano sora, and hydraulic disc at 1500 CAD. Which is a pretty good price for the components.
Great review! I would love to see one on the Lombard.
Hi, Russ. Any chance you might get to review the Marin Four Corners touring bike? It looks like a good quality, affordable, steel-framed touring bike.
Am shopping for the gravel bike, but have not seen everything yet. Thank you!
Looks nice but I personally would prefer longer chainstays for pannier clearance.
Well. It’s not designed to be a touring bike.
That's what we have our Four Corners models for: www.marinbikes.com/bikes/family/20-four-corners
Looks really nice!
I'd love to see you review the Marin Four Corners
Should check out the fuji jari. For a all chromoly is comes even a couple hundred less with shimano claris shifters and front derailer with altus in the rear. Nice 2by 30/46 with a shimano hyperglide 34 in the rear. Internal cables also wrapped at dropbar. Full rack, fender, top tube, downtube bosses. Disc brakes could be better but stop when squeezed. I have upgraded but still enjoy riding this bombproof fuji. Could possibly be "the best" budget buy gravel/tourer for the dollar price".
Was suppose to get a Jari to review this year. Never materialized.
Very reasonable bicycle.
Good review
Thanks so much for ur nice review! Could it be a good real touring bike?
Sure. For light tours.
More affordable options 👍✌️😍😍
Nice seeing the review russ. I've been watching it a couple of times. Perhaps you already knew that marin had NICASIO 2 released which i guess is alittle bit more premium version of nicasio . Will you make the review of that nicasio 2 ?
Since nicasio and nicasio 2 already available in my country.
Look forward for your next bike review video.
First: thanks bigtime for this review! Was looking at the Journeyman but after seeing this bike I am back on the fence again. Got only two gripes about the Nicasio plus, the 47 mm tiresize... I would like to go a bit wider & the shift cable that is sticking out from the front right brake... it seems like it would interfere with a (big) handlebar bag?
Edit: I don't see any Marin dealers overhere in the Netherlands.
Which bike would you buy if you had to choose between this bike or the breezer radar expert bike?
Hi Russ, thanks for the review. Will you by chance be reviewing the 2020 Nicasio 2?
This seems like such a fun bike that one doesn't need to worry about as much as others due to affordability. How does it compare to the Breezer you reviewed?
Same weight. More responsive all around.
@@PathLessPedaledTV Thank you Russ!
Great review. Love the channel.
OK. Russ here is my question. If you had a $1200 - $1500 budget what would you choose as a gravel/tour bike? Full bike not frame set. 650B and or 700c. list Please?
I picked up a 2019 Giant ToughRoad SLR GX for $1100. Aluminum frame, carbon fork and carbon D-fuse seatpost. 21-22lbs I believe, 2x FSA crank (48/32), Tiagra cassette 11-34, Tiagra rear derailleur, hydro brakes, comes with 700x40c tires and has room for some 2.3in tires
They also have a new Giant Revolt gravel bike for $1000 but idk much about it.
Are you going to review any Merida Silex bikes like the 700 or 400? 😀 Always look forward to your lower end reviews 1200-1900
Thanks for the video. What type of flannel are you wearing? The name brand? Also what type of handlebar bag is used in the video?
Which do you recommend buying the Marin or Breezer Radar Expert?
Very happy with my recent purchase of Marin Nicasio 1 with 700c rims, paired with 38mm Specialized Pathfinder Pro tires...very fast & supple on tarmac! Now I'm equally excited to get my Nicasio Plus, eta by end of this month. Russ, should I replace the WTB Horizon tires since the bike is intended mostly for adventure rides in the woods?
Hey there, I bought this bike because of this review. And I really enjoyit, on the road and in the woods! I was just wondering, do you have any recomendations for a front and rear rack? I want to be able to carry a child seat on the rear as well as some bags, and a basket or bag in the front. Thank you in advance! Love your channel, keep up the great work 🤙
would look at some of the offerings that SOMA or Velo-Orange have.
I really like my Marin Nicasio plus
Hey Russ, was that a JackaLop @ 5:21?
Would be interesting to see how the Nicasio RC and the Four Corners compares to this model. Not a gravel bike per say, but Marin Pine Mountain ridgid model is plus tire bike designed for bikepacking and I think would be interesting to review.
Nicasio RC is the same geo. Four corners is more touring oriented.
@@PathLessPedaledTV should have been clearer riding wise as it has a belt drivetrain
@@PathLessPedaledTV Nicasio RC has been replaced by the Muirwoods RC for 2020: marinbikes.frb.io/bikes/20-muirwoods-rc
@@marin_bikes Thank you for Nicasio RC bike, it is very comfortable, inflexible and harmonious
Can It fit 2.1 tires? Thinking about an all around er vintner and this would be perfect but I want something I can put some big studded tires in the winter.
Nice shirt Russ 😃
Would anyone recomend to use this bike with racks and panniers for 1-2 months trip? (Mostly road- Denmark-Spain).
Can you please share your views on the Marin four corners. Especially regards to the lateral flex that some owners complaint of.
Nice! Can you do topstone 4? Similarly priced with similar components
I would but cannondale doesn’t respond.
Ended up getting a Surly Straggler over the Nicasio SS. I don't think you can go wrong with either, but if it's 9 speed at the back, why don't they make it 2x???
Hi ! I can't figure if it's normal or not but my Nicasio Plus is equiped with 650c tires although the rims are labeled 650b. Does it explain that the mount or unmount is very tough ? I think I would replace it with Terra 650b because I have a puncture every 5 kilometers. Thanx for your explanations.
Hi there! thanks for the very informative review. What size would you suggest as I am 1.88cm tall? I am torn between 58 and 60. I want to buy it online so I cannot have a test ride! thank you very much
where do I check for a good budget TOURING bike...?
I'm buying it !
Pls review a Merlin Gravel Bike. Its mostly in Australia and NZ though.
Hi Russ, how do you find the Marin Four Corners as a city commuter, weekend leisure rides, and roads with gravel and potholes.
I can’t find any info on whether or not the wheelset is tubeless ready/compatible or not. It’s not mentioned specifically by you in this review or the unboxing. Or on marin site. Is it just to be assumed a wheelset on 2020 adventure bikes are tubeless, or was this to keep it in budget under $900?
I know many rims can be converted to run a tubeless tire, just really weighing this against a Salsa Journeyman and GT Grade Elite (Alloy). Both spec tubeless wheelsets.
Great review Russ! Keep up the great content!
also looking to see if it can go tubeless
I ended up with a 650b bike from another maker. It was $100 more, but with a Claris group set and Tubeless wheels, from a shop I love. I really wanted this one, I’m recommending it to a buddy who’s searching. I’m pretty sure we can get it to hold tubeless. I just wanted something from Marin stating it would.
Do you think the chainstays can accomodate a 50T chainring without tooth rub for fast fun commuting?
Really interested in one of these for my new direction of bike packing for charity next summer but, coming a long MTB life, I want flat bar. Are the gear shifters an easy swap for flat bar type? But, my biggest concern is size difference between flat bar an drop bar bikes. I mean, if I was to buy this with the intention of going flat bar would I need to ride a different size frame. On my MTB's I run pretty short stems but, I am completeley new to road an bike packing. Would the wieght of fork bags change my stem length requirements?
Chhers In advance for any opinions
My other choice is a Fairdale Weekender Nomad MX, Some more £$£$ But, I'm a huge Taj T1 fanboi !
How do you guys feel about the 1x9 gearing for a bike like this? I'm wondering if having more gears would be better.
Fairly new to gravel, road etc bikes and coming from cheap bikes bought from Meijer. One thing I noticed ans either I've to get used to it or find a way :- all bikes from Mejier had a gear visual which I dont see in these bikes why and how can I put the gear visual or that's not possible?
Thank you
Hi Russ (or anyone here), did you happen to ever ride the Nicasio with 700c wheels on it? Just bought the 700c version b/c that's what I could find in my 58cm size/region, but I covet the 1x drivetrain and am 650b curious. How is the ride feel? I know Russ is generally skeptical of dual-compatible frames.
Depends on the tire you put on it.
Is it worth jumping $500 to the Posseidon custom 1x 11(SRAM Apex) set up or $650 more to get to the Salsa Journeyman Apex 1 if in budget?
I really like this bike, like it’s all I need really 😂
So, I noticed on the Nicasio+ product page, Marin describes the bike as the 2019 Most Supple Bike of the Year (with two wreaths). Since they value your endorsement so much, perhaps they will send you more bikes to review?
Hope to test out the Pine Mountain.
Are these wheels tubeless compatible with some tape sealant valve and new tires or do I have to buy new wheels entirely?