I swap out my knobbies for gravel tires when I want to grind some pavement. Between budget and space limitations swapping tires is easier than a second bike right now.
Marlin 5 Gen 2 is 2x8 22/36T 12-32T casette this is a better fit for a conversion to gravel without really having to touch the drive train although you wont' use the lower gear ratios really on gravel/road.
Thank you for taking the time to do this! I have a trek Markin 7 and participated in BASC this past weekend (bicycle across South Carolina) When it came to paved roads on an uphill, gravel bikes flew by me effortlessly while I was peddling like I was fighting for my life. I’m definitely interested in these modifications. I’m torn between getting a separate gravel bike or doing these modifications. Ragbrai also interests me.
New tires are a quick way to test if this option works for you, worse case its still not right but if you pick carefully the tires can be used on the future Gravel bike purchase! Have fun!
Great video. I really appreciate the explanation of tire size similarity with regards to 29" vs 700c. You've given me food for thought with regards to my own Marlin 7. Personally, I like XC tires for gravel but the vibration gets to be a bit much for road riding. Also, Trek recently updated the specs info regarding the max chainring size and increased it to 34t. I gave it a try and it works great. Finally, I found that PNW Range gen 3 bars make the ride much more comfortable and their alloy seems to absorb more vibration than the stock bars. Paired with the stock 80mm stem, the 30mm rise is quite comfortable on longer rides as well.
My Marlin 7 has a Suntour NCX seat post and a Bafang BBS02 motor with a 40tooth Lekkie Bling Ring. We have some steep trails here in southern Wisconsin and it handles everything well for an inexpensive Ebike.
I'm doing this with my Marlin 5 and swapping my 29" stock tires for some specialized pathfinder sport tires. It will end up looking like that one since we've got the same color scheme.
Nice set up, I wanted the Marlin 5 because the frame is so good looking but I ended up getting the Dual Sport 2 which was hard to find but I ended up finding one at my local bike shop. It is a awesome bike + seat swap to a more comfy saddle. and I also swapped the stock Bontarger gr1 comp 700x40c with the gravel/ mini knob tire to a Bontrager H5 hard care lite 700x45 with the reflective sidewalks which I love and they are a bit wider and it’s road friendly and has directional thread pattern just like a car tire and they are awesome
I have a 2019 Marlin 7 with 29 in tires. like 70% on the road 30% trail , I'm trying to do something similar and trying to figure out which tires are okay with my rims
I recently purchased a Marlin 7 and I can attest, riding on the road I definitely run out of gear. Very interested to try some or all of these tips. Did you need a new chain with the ring?
Thanks for making this video. It's precisely what I've been looking for. I have a 2022 Trek Marlin 7. I ride more road/gravel than I do on MB trails. Would I need to get new tubes as well or can I use the stock tubes from the Marlin 7?
Chris, this is the best mtn to gravel conversion vid on RUclips, just picked up my Farley 9.6 & am go to convert my Stache 9 with carbon wheels to a gravel bike using all your tips, well done!
I swap out my knobbies for gravel tires when I want to grind some pavement. Between budget and space limitations swapping tires is easier than a second bike right now.
Marlin 5 Gen 2 is 2x8 22/36T 12-32T casette this is a better fit for a conversion to gravel without really having to touch the drive train although you wont' use the lower gear ratios really on gravel/road.
Sorry , I just found out your video after a year...but still this is a nice transformation from mtb to gravel and good explanations.😊
Thank you for taking the time to do this! I have a trek Markin 7 and participated in BASC this past weekend (bicycle across South Carolina) When it came to paved roads on an uphill, gravel bikes flew by me effortlessly while I was peddling like I was fighting for my life. I’m definitely interested in these modifications. I’m torn between getting a separate gravel bike or doing these modifications. Ragbrai also interests me.
Entirely depends on the quality and availability of terrain in your area
New tires are a quick way to test if this option works for you, worse case its still not right but if you pick carefully the tires can be used on the future Gravel bike purchase! Have fun!
Great video. I really appreciate the explanation of tire size similarity with regards to 29" vs 700c. You've given me food for thought with regards to my own Marlin 7. Personally, I like XC tires for gravel but the vibration gets to be a bit much for road riding. Also, Trek recently updated the specs info regarding the max chainring size and increased it to 34t. I gave it a try and it works great. Finally, I found that PNW Range gen 3 bars make the ride much more comfortable and their alloy seems to absorb more vibration than the stock bars. Paired with the stock 80mm stem, the 30mm rise is quite comfortable on longer rides as well.
My Marlin 7 has a Suntour NCX seat post and a Bafang BBS02 motor with a 40tooth Lekkie Bling Ring. We have some steep trails here in southern Wisconsin and it handles everything well for an inexpensive Ebike.
Awesome! How's the bafang installation process?
With that motor it should be able to handle tough hills as long as the battery last😊
Great video! For a second hand position, bar ends can't be beat. IMO, one of the best $20-$25 mods you can perform on a mountain bike.
Added some on mine just inside the grips rather than the ends. Massive improvement
I'm doing this with my Marlin 5 and swapping my 29" stock tires for some specialized pathfinder sport tires. It will end up looking like that one since we've got the same color scheme.
1 week,and i get my Marlin 7. Interesting where me and bike goes in future. More gravel,more trails and maybe mountains. World is open to me. Nice.
Nice set up, I wanted the Marlin 5 because the frame is so good looking but I ended up getting the Dual Sport 2 which was hard to find but I ended up finding one at my local bike shop. It is a awesome bike + seat swap to a more comfy saddle. and I also swapped the stock Bontarger gr1 comp 700x40c with the gravel/ mini knob tire to a Bontrager H5 hard care lite 700x45 with the reflective sidewalks which I love and they are a bit wider and it’s road friendly and has directional thread pattern just like a car tire and they are awesome
I like the H5, super durable tire too, honestly can't believe you found a Dual sport! Lots of weight savings in the fork!
Brilliant!!. I have Marlin 7 will have to give this a go lol!.
Worth it if you want a much faster bike!
"Here's a budget MTB to gravel bike conversion"
*Suspension seatpost, carbon handlebar, clip less pedals
🤣
Tires too! Lol
Do you have any final images of the bike? I’m super interested in the final product but I don’t see it.
I have a 2019 Marlin 7 with 29 in tires. like 70% on the road 30% trail , I'm trying to do something similar and trying to figure out which tires are okay with my rims
I put these on my 2023 Marlin 7. Schwalbe Thunder Burt Evolution Super Race Tubeless 29´´ x 2.10 MTB Tyre
Excellent info
Holy moly. This is a lot of info… good video.
Thank you for the video! I have a 2019 Marlin 6 standard, and I just want to change the tires to 700x35 Chaoyang Victory... will it work?
No problem, will fit fine
I recently purchased a Marlin 7 and I can attest, riding on the road I definitely run out of gear. Very interested to try some or all of these tips. Did you need a new chain with the ring?
Honestly sobering you do need a new chain and sometimes you get away with just putting in a link
I fitted an FSA 34t chainring without need for a new chain
Thanks for making this video. It's precisely what I've been looking for. I have a 2022 Trek Marlin 7. I ride more road/gravel than I do on MB trails. Would I need to get new tubes as well or can I use the stock tubes from the Marlin 7?
You'll need tubes, thanks for watching
Can you link all the items you mention?
Chris, this is the best mtn to gravel conversion vid on RUclips, just picked up my Farley 9.6 & am go to convert my Stache 9 with carbon wheels to a gravel bike using all your tips, well done!
I can’t tell if buddy is American or from the uk buddy’s accent comes and goes 😂😂
How would a Dual Sport 3 fare as a gravel bike equivalent out of the box?
It would be great!
Can I use an 11-34t cassette in place of the 11-46 on my M7?
I have a 30mm internal rim width. Can I run a 700x45 tire?
The frame can fit 700x50 tyres?
where the building part of the bike????????
How is your riding experiencing after change?
Rolls super nice and is very very comfortable!
Does this work for marlin 7 2020 version?
Yes it will, gearing might even be better. But no tubeless
Fast forwarded to the end I still don't see the gravel bike
I expected a build video.
Ah sorry about that, I'll try and do an update
@@goodluckchrisclark al good 😊
"we try to keep this budget, so we added a carbon fibre handle bar"
...bruh
Lol true but definitely adds a lots of comfort
why not replace the suspension fork with a rigid one, gravel bikes have no suspensions anyway .. i thought you are turning the mtb to a gravel bike?
For comfort, definitely could get rid of it but many gravel riders are adding forks to their bikes now
@@goodluckchrisclark well, pros also use roadbikes on the recent world gravel champs .. which means fork suspensions are only necessary on trails ..
Wouldn't the lockout feature on the forks do the same? it's a lot cheaper than new forks and you preserve flexibility.
@@sophiethewestie suspensions are alot heavier though 😢
More bike less you 😅