The Ultimate Explorer | Marin Nicasio+ Review
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- Опубликовано: 24 июл 2024
- We have been riding the Marin Nicasio+ for 18 months and this is my take on this awesome bike. If I could summarise the bike in one simple word it would be 'fun'.
A comfortable ride which is reliable making long days in the saddle so enjoyable.
The bike is such a joy to ride and I have absolutely loved riding it. So much so that I have now moved my road bike into the loft and use this bike pretty much all the time.
Any questions please let me know in the comments, thanks for watching and happy riding.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:31 Why we chose the Marin Nicasio+
1:43 Specific Features
7:28 Conclusion
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Bike: www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/2...
👉Mudguards: SKS Bluemels - amzn.to/3khDAgq
👉Handlebar Bag: Thule Shield- amzn.to/3fVstIk
👉Tyres: WTB Horizon 47 - https//amzn.to/3EnxTox
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What feature is most important to you when buying this type of bike?
If you enjoyed this video check out the latest Marin review looking at the Finest City Commuter the Kentfield 👉ruclips.net/video/FH6Ae08AuSw/видео.html
In no particular order I'd like a bike that's fun to ride, can carry at least two bottles and a rack of some sort to get groceries. Also I like simplicity so a 1 by, external cable routing and mechanical brakes are all good in my book. I also like comfort and I like how steel frame handles. Although seeing that this bike has a straight fork it's probably not as compliant as the ones I've tried so far.
I wish I could try this bike before buying it but it seems unlikely since I've never seen one in a bike shop.
@@ifrit35 good points there can't disagree with you on them. I hate how on modern bikes external routing is less common. I love it and makes maintenance so much easier. I also like how I can maintain mechanical brakes, but I love hydraulic performance. I've never given bent or straight forks much thought, but I probably should!
Where abouts do you live?
I know some places it seems like Marin just can't keep up with demand. Frustrating for us at times but probably shows how good they are!
@@mammothjourneys I live in France. Marin isn't common over here. That being said, there are plenty of aluminium alternatives that I could try at my local bike shops.
@@ifrit35 awesome, glad you got your hands on one. Having ridden in France a few times I know you'll enjoy it, have fun mate ,👍
Thanks for the thorough review, very honest. Helpful to make up my mind on next bike!
Nice one, glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully it helps the decision making and whatever you end up going for is good fun, happy riding mate 👍
Love the Nicasio. Great stuff. 👍🏻
Thanks Samuel - it really is a great bike. Off on mine this weekend as well!
Great review and based on research and your excellent review I’m sold on the Marin Nicasio!🎉
Thank you Jay very kind. Enjoy the ride and please share any pictures of you with the bike. Have fun mate 👍
I have the same bike for more than 2 years changed my tires to WTB which has more knobs and I still prefer the slick tires. I agree with your review it is sincere and true. I climbed mountains and true the gears and the chainring is not for climbing.
Hi Go Pedal, glad you enjoyed the review. Good to hear others agree about the gearing, and it's not my weak legs!! I've just changed my turesy to knobbly ones for a ride coming up as well.
Great review, had mine only 2 months. It really is fun to ride and looks awesome. A couple of rides on gravel / mud in the rain and it did fine.
I've struggled with the brakes, replaced the rotors and pads which did improve it a bit but still not great
Thanks L Nevin.
Interesting that even with changes the brakes didn't massively improve. I've never even contemplated changing things up so well done on giving it a go. Do you now try a full upgrade to hydraulic????
Good to hear you are enjoying yours though. It really is a fun bit of kit!
Excellent review👍 thanks for your time spent on making this great video. Looks a very interesting bike that spaces in a lot of riders needs, but your last point about comparing this one with the 4 corners means a lot and describes perfectly its limits.
Have a good one 🍻🚴👋🏻👋🏻
Hi Ale, glad you found it help and thanks for your kind words. If you have any specific questions let me know. Happy riding!
@@mammothjourneys well I had a few questions. After I saw this video this bike is really attractive. Anyway, do you think the original tyres are fine for Nz gravel paths like all those ones you saw in Wellington region? ( gravel, firebreak, sea paths, farm,etc)
And are they quite fast on asphalt?
How did you find the 1x9 trasmission? It seems similar to the 1x10 of the gestalt without an extra climbing gear.
Is the steel actually heavy for climbing or does it not really matter? Im not talking about extreme stuff but just hard ones like 9-10% of gradient. For example with the road bike its enough for me a 36-28 or 34-25 till 13-14%. Thank you 😊
@@nukemforkhigh thanks for your questions here. I know the NZ paths you mention here well and would suggest getting something more knobbly, I use the Resolute 42 - amzn.to/3j2rLdk. They seem to be doing well and are what come as stock on the Four Corners. The flip side however is the Horizon's that come on the bike are quick on asphalt and make it decent on roads. The 1x9 on the steep Wellington hills would be tough. I would want something a little more forgiving to make it easier. It is a beautiful bike but I reckon for the gravel routes in Wellington something with a bigger cog and also more appropriate stock tyres may be a better option. Have you ridden on similar gearing as the Nicasio+ on another bike in Wellington?
@@mammothjourneys thanks. Those tyres look really grippy and forgiving in off road descents. Other options could be wtb by way or shwalbe g.one all around ( I know these 2)
I never tried in Welly a steel frame on uphills but at the moment with an alu gravel bike with the 30-25 I got plenty. Thank you
@@nukemforkhigh yeah I didn't even mention the steel frame with the hills but it would certainly add to it. Both those tyres do offer more grip than the horizon but not as much as the resolute, so good in-between options. There is another WTB option which is more knobbly than the byway but less than the resolute, which if I were to pick again I'd pick them, now to remember of the name!!
Nice review of a nice bike .
Thanks John, glad you enjoyed it 👍
So I'm a complete newbie that just traded in an old mountain bike for this one, and I loved the way it felt.
I had a bit of buyer's remorse because I spent a bit higher than I wanted (~$1100) and after reading online I have some slight concerns on the quality of the brakes and only 9 gears.
I plan to ride mostly in the city, though I do live in Seattle which is quite hilly, but some off-pavement versatility is also wanted. I read the poseidon Redwood or the breeze radar expert (though not steel, which I wanted) were two great value gravel bikes that i couldn't test out. Are there other bikes in the price range of the Nicasio+ that I should have (and still could) consider? Thanks in advance!
Hi there, I wouldn't worry about the quality of the brakes. For mechanical brakes they work absolutely fine and if you can't already maintain them they are simple enough to learn. If any of the other bikes you have been looking at have hydraulic brakes and all other components are the same then go for it because the performance is higher - but the maintenance is a little more complicated.
For the gearing the only scenarios where I wouldn't get the Nicasio+ would be if I intended to do long climbs across multiple days, similar to what you get in central Europe and I am sure you can find in Seattle, and if I was doing heavy touring. For "normal" length climbs this bike is fine, even for some light bike packing as well which you can see on my video "King Alfred's Way".
For mostly city riding having a steel frame will be ace, as well for the off-pavement stuff. Where I live there are some hilly sections and it is no issue at all.
The other bikes you have listed or any within the price point would all perform well. You can't get a $1000 bike nowadays from a reputable company that performs badly. What you are doing is deciding which features are important to you for your riding. For example the steel frame seems to be a clincher for you. So swapping to a bike that isn't steel wouldn't make much sense, and picking another steel frame bike you would have to see if its componentry (brakes, gearing, tyres etc) fit for your cycling needs. Go for a couple of rides on the bike, if you aren't convinced look for a swap, but think about what specific things you want from the change.
I hope that helps mate and please let me know if you have any questions.
Super jealous of the riding you are doing in Seattle - want to get out there and check it out. Have a good one and happy riding!
I'm thinking of getting one of these for a bit of riding when im visiting scotland (where im originally from)... I usually take an enduro racing bike on the plane, but this time, I've decided I will try to fit more gravel and ncr riding & dont want to take any of my other bikes. my usual gravel bike is a carbon honzo mtb with grx & whisky mtb forks (build on channel) & I want a bike that isn't so expensive so I can relax about leaving it outside shops, jamming it in bike bags and maybe leaving it behind for 8 months til im back again.
PS I will probably "ghetto tubeless" mine.
Hi Mark, I took my Nicasio+ up to Scotland a couple of years ago and all worked well. However with the gear ratio on the bike it was a bit of grind at times slogging up some of the hills, I was about 'Rest and Be Thankful' area. I also only stuck to tarmac which for the Horizon's was fine. A better option may be the Marin Four Corners for what you want. Same price point, better gear ratio for those climbs and the stock WTB Resolutes will do better on gravel. Just a thought to consider. Happy riding though mate sounds like a cool adventure! Where in Scotland will you be heading back to?
@mammothjourneys just north of glasgow, hope to get as far north as I have time for between catching up with family and friends + working. I can get a Nicasio + for under 700 quid and can't see any 4 corners locally in my size (in NZ now). Only last years gestalt is cheaper. Will go try one 2moro :)
@@W1DO The Four Corners can be tough to find at times. Someone who I speak to in NZ struggled to get the sizing he wanted out there in other Marin models. I had a guy contact me from England who was buying a second hand Four Corners in great condition for £400 - which is amazing. Any options of second hand when you land in Scotland? Gestalt wouldn't be a bad option but the ride isn't as comfortable as either Nicasio or Four Corners due to the frame, but gearing would work well for what you need. I used to live in NZ and absolutely loved it - I hope you are enjoying the cycle options out there!
Thanks for a great review, man. I really enjoyed it. I am currently considering to buy this exact one. Do you think the 1x9 set up will survive some bike touring and occasional road climbing with some heavy loaded panniers? I survived a 7-day trip with my my Triban 100 with 1x7 gearset (one of the cheapest bikes there are actually) but had to hop off and walk and push it ocassionally :) (it was fun though). I toured from Slovakia, through Austria, Hungary and Slovenia. some hills were just too much for my 1x7 so I'm just wondering if 1x9 would be enough for me with 2 heavy panniers in the back. What do you think? But I think I just fell in love with this bike already :-D During the whole trip I cursed on the ONE missing gear actually, so I suppose, 1x9 would be enough. But I'd love to hear your opinion on this:)
Hi mate, thanks for your kind words here. That last trip sounds absolutely amazing, very jealous. You probably couldn't have found a hillier route in Europe! This bike is mega and I loved it. Have you got a similar trip planned and specifically buying the Nicasio+ for it? Or do you want to buy a bike and potentially go on a trip in the future? My gut would be that this bike wouldn't be best placed for a hilly tour with a heavy load. If I had this trip planned and as I already have this bike would give it a crack, but I think you could get better gear ratio options out there. Another option is the Four Corners, which has a slightly kinder gear ratio which may be more appropriate, plus a slightly more relaxed sitting position which for touring could be best. Still looks sexy as well!
What fenders have you found that fit the frame with the 650b’s?
Some from SKS, I've linked it in the description but it's these: www.amazon.co.uk/SKS-Bluemels-Mudguard-Black-Inch/dp/B00BDNJ6E4?crid=98M5UEWHR2P8&keywords=sks+bluemels+53mm&qid=1646955585&sprefix=sks+bluemels+,aps,58&sr=8-8&linkCode=sl1&tag=mmthjourn-21&linkId=f283487a879d913acab27f3402df56b4&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Little faff getting them round the disc brakes but with some plastic spaces all work well. Hope that helps , happy riding 👍
Good honest review! Did you sell your road bike yet? 🤣
Thanks Rob, glad you liked it! Ha ha still not sold the road bike yet. Convinced myself I'll use it next summer, although not sure what will be different next summer compared to the last two! 🤣🤣
Hey you! Thanks a lot for the review. Can you maybe tell me how these tires do on wetter to icy roads (I want to be able to use this bike for me ride to work in winter as well) Thanks a lot in advance!
What an awesome RUclips name! In the wet the tyres are fine, no issues at all. I can't comment on icy conditions unfortunately. I tend not to ride when it's icy and it hasn't happened by chance in my time with the bike. Sorry I can't be more help. If you have any other questions let me know. Happy riding mate 👍
@@mammothjourneys Ok thank you for your quick answer (and your compliment regarding my name 😉)
Bardzo ładny rower!
I had to Google translate, and yes I agree with you, it's a lovely bike. Dziękuję!
What bike have you got? And where do you ride?
Great review. Did you ever compare MARIN Nicasio + with Triban520 ( Shimano105 )? As Triban520 is a road bike that can be converted into Gravel Bike as well. I am thinking of both to buy at the moment.
Hi Neo, glad you liked the review - thank you.
What type of riding do you want to do? And where do you live - what are the road and trail conditions like?
The Triban 520 looks like a great option but if I understand your needs more could tailor the answer. Thanks
@@mammothjourneys I am from Malaysia. Probably 80% Cycling on the Road with a lot of Climbing and 20% Riding in the Farm and Touring a Countryside. I am more inclined towards Triban520 but MARIN Nicasio Plus looks very nice. The price is about the same here. MARIN is very popular as a Touring Bike here.
@@neogekko3212 Nice, where in Malaysia? I've been across before and loved it!
The width of tyres you can get on the Triban should get you through the 20% gravel, but as it's mid 30's anything super muddy or wet it may struggle. The brakes are better on the Triban regardless of riding.
With lots of climbing having a lighter aluminium frame will be ace, and much appreciated. However aluminium frames aren't as comfortable, but if you get the widest tyres you can I'm sure that will help.
With a x2 drivetrain up the front it will make for a smoother gearing option on the Triban compared to the 1x on the Marin. I've got used to it now but something to bear in mind.
I use my Nicasio+ for mostly road, and the Horizon tyres make it super comfortable. I've ridden it on multiple days and no issues. My old Marin Gestalt was aluminium, and it made it a faster bike and easier for climbing, BUT, it was not as comfortable. And of all the Marin's I've had, the Gestalt was my least favourite.
If the aluminium frame doesn't bother you, go for the Triban, the better components and lighter frame will suit your majority road riding.
If you aren't sure, or you think you'll like to do some multiple day touring, try the Marin, or another steel tourer to see it's what you want.
Can you 'try before you buy'?
@@mammothjourneys Currently staying in KL but my hometown is in Perlis ( The northest part, close to Thailand ), perfect for Bike Touring across the Countryside with full of gravel road and Paddy Field. Based on your explanations, Triban520 would be a better choice as 80% will be on the road. By the way I already have my MTB ( Old Giant Talon ) for my Off Road / Trail. Currently using it for my Road Cycling. Thanks for your reply and info. Really appreciated it. Subscribed to your channel already.
@@neogekko3212 Great stuff, sounds like an awesome combo. Glad I could help and happy riding mate. Send some cool touring pics across to my Instagram account so you can make me jealous and want to get over to Malaysia! 👍🚵
eally 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
Hey mate, so the shifters already on this bike will not transfer across to flat bar, so you would need a complete change if you wanted to do that. Marin for a DSX range which may suit your needs better, and in fact I am due to trial one at the end of the year. For your question about stem length, the top tube length on gravel and road bikes are generally shorter than MTB, so the length of stem can be longer, plus for the type of riding it's less of a need to have a shorter stem. The weight of fork bags from what I understand wouldn't effect stem length, but basic principle of keeping weight distributed evenly across the bike will help here. What trip have you got planned next summer? Sounds exciting!
@@mammothjourneys I want to start with a Norfolk an Suffolk (UK) coastal ride in maybe Easter, so lots of time to get a bike an kit an train. Gotta sell my DH bike first tho to pay for all this! The DSX is out as I hate 29ers :'D
@@Naptime48 lol I like that reply. Check out the Cantii route as it's around there, may not be entirely what you want but perhaps some of it. Read 'one man and his bike' the other month and the way he describes that coastline it sounds amazing, will be a hell of a ride. Enjoy and send through some cool pics to make me jealous, and so I can see which bike you ended up going with!
@@mammothjourneys AH! chhers for reccomendation, just ordered the book! that'll be a huge help. Many Thanx!!
Nala's world was in the listing so ordered that too :D
I got one and changed tires to panaracer gravel tires before it left the shop
Ah nice. Not seen these before? How did the go? The SK TLC model? What kind of riding did you do with them? I'm become more interested in tyres recently, bit geeky!
I chose Nicasio 1 due to endurance geometry and it is more sporty compared to 4C which is touring oriented.
Nice choice - how you finding it? It seems like the Nicasio1 is similar to their Gestalt but with a steel frame - is that right? I bet it's comfortable.
What happened to four corners?
Had the chance to ride this for a bit so took it. Had the Gestalt between this and the Four Corners. The Four Corners is probably still my favourite for all rounder. Which bike you looking at??
@@mammothjourneysall rounder
I'm confused between waiting 2 months more for marin fourcorners or buying a nicasio and a pine mountain at the same time. Compare to marin fourcorner which one is more comfortable to ride?
Hi Hiêu, the four corners and Nicasio are both very comfortable and similar in that aspect. Why are you getting a Nicasio and pine mountain? Would you get just a four corners on its own?
What type of riding do you do?
It'll make me able to answer you easier. Thanks
Hi @@mammothjourneys, our local shop is not sure that they will restock Four Corners in this October, may be in March as they informed me. My ride distance is about 30km a day, mostly on road but it feels like off road (road conditions are not always good). In the weekend I want to do explorations or go to city near by about 100km far (Lots of them located in the mountain)
@@hieutrinh4964 that's a shame it may take that long. The Four Corners would be great for what you want to do, although with the Nicasio the slicker tyres may be a better option for the road, they are wide so will make it comfortable.
Are there many hills where you live?
I've heard from a few people the supply of bikes it tough right now, and the four corners is one of their most popular drop bar bikes.
I've done a review on the four corners as well you could check out on my channel.
@@mammothjourneys I live in delta. It's about 25km from my house to a nearest hill. Our country's diverse topography consist hills, mountains, deltas, coastline and continental shelf. I would love to visit them all.
Thank you Mammoth Journeys, I did a research from april and had watched your detailed reviews. What an inspiration to me!
@@hieutrinh4964 Thank you, glad it was helpful. It's tough because the Four Corners would be perfect and is nice and comfortable. If there wasn't too many hills in your area then I would say just go with the Nicasio, but with hills or the weight of touring bags, the easier gearing on the Four Corners would be preferable. You would only need one bike then as well, so you can save the money of the Pine Mountain and use the cash instead for a trip!
Keep asking your local shop if they are getting any Four Corners sooner. Good luck in your search and please tell me what you decided on - send me pictures to make me jealous, it sounds like you are in a perfect place for an adventure!
Hi, how about quality of bike? Thanks
Quality seems decent as it's still going strong. I've replaced bottom bracket, cassette and chain. Along with general servicing. You can see it in my IG feed on recent adventures 👍🚵♂️
@@mammothjourneys hey can I ask how you've found the bike one year on from this review? Did you change the chain ring? What did you change the cassette to? I've just bought the nicasio +, arriving next week. I was very split between the four corners and the nicasio +, decided on the latter. I've got a 9 day bike ride through Croatia in September that I've got it for (as well as for daily commuting half an hour each way through London). The cycling in Croatia will be mostly about 250-300m climb across the whole day, a couple days about 500-550m spread out in some climbs across the day. Bags packed on the bike will likely not be more than about 6-8kg. The nicasio + just seemed like the better choice, although it was a close decision. I appreciate the comments about hill climbing and the gearing maybe being a bit tough but I think it should be fine, the lowest gear between the two didn't look to be vastly different. Would the four corners have been the better bet? Not sure but their similarities and that I love the look of the nicasio + tan helped the decision, they were both available in my size for basically the same amount. Any thoughts are appreciated!
Reading reviews online again of both bikes I think I've made the right choice, can't wait to receive it!
In fact comparing the granny gears on both, on the nicasio + it is 24.15" and on the four corners it's 24.46" 🤔 which seems to suggest the nicasio + would be slightly better on climbs, unless I'm being a bit dumb / missing some more on how low gears are calculated
@@robulon I swapped the cassette for exactly the same - no change in size or model. For that amount of climbing and weight the Nicasio+ will be fine, especially for the length of the tour. If it was more weight and a longer tour I would side with the Four Corners. But for commuting the Nicasio+ will be ace. Especially steel frame and wide tyres to make for a comfy ride in London. You've made the right choice I reckon. And yes, the tan wall tyres look ace. I am obcessed with them now, can't think why all tyres aren't like this!
What about rust? :( It can be avoided?
Hi Xelsear, Thankfully I've not had any rust yet. Where the quick release axles attach on the back there is a little, but real small, like tiny specks. Have you heard of others having this problem? I guess it makes sense but I presume they do something with the frame to stop this occurring. Good question though!
The paint protects from rust but store it indoors and try to wipe it down if it gets wet and you should be okay. It takes years for rust to really become a problem.
@@Ferrichrome Thank you.
@@Ferrichrome yeah good point. I certainly need to be better at not storing it away damp, although no chance I can keep it indoors unfortunately. Thanks for the advice though, super helpful and hopefully I see an improvement.
This is 56 frame?
Yes it is 👍
Let me know if you have any other questions.
@@mammothjourneys what is your height?
@@zboi2105 I am 176cm tall. 👍
which are those mudguards? Any model or links? Thank you.
@@aatee5446 Hi, link in the description for it, but hopefully this one works for you: www.amazon.co.uk/SKS-Bluemels-Mudguard-Black-Inch/dp/B00BDNJ6E4?crid=98M5UEWHR2P8&keywords=sks+bluemels+53mm&qid=1646955585&sprefix=sks+bluemels+,aps,58&sr=8-8&linkCode=sl1&tag=mmthjour-21&linkId=0ac564441b6ee355a429ed61a883e722&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
I heard that breaks aren’t good.
Hi Steve, I've not had issues with the brakes. Only when I go on my Bobcat which has hydraulic, and then return to this, do I appreciate what else is out there. In the future I would upgrade to hydraulic brakes I think. One plus on mechanical disc brakes is easier maintenance.
get on e while you can it will last a lifetime no problems of consequences
Agreed, it's bombproof! 💪