My 21 Marlin 7 is just right for my XC shenanigans. I upgraded to PNW LOAM XL grips and Range bar cut down to 760mm. Better reach and vibration isolation. Chesters a must. The big difference was the 29" Bontrager Line 30 Comp rims with a 108 Rapid Drive hub in back. Super fast engagement you can feel. Now tubeless Maxxis Recons in 2.25" . Just ordered a 32 tooth chain ring to boost straight line speed. Sold all stock parts online. All mods really plant this bike as a solid budget XC rocket.
Experience also factors in, but I'll agree that the cockpit change makes the bike feel different. I too put a set of Range bars on mine but kept them at the full 800mm to help with the slow speeds. Now I don't feel like I'm too far forward and more upright. Chester pedals are also a must and a 34t (the max) will help keep that speed up on the flats. BTW, how are the new rims? I feel like the narrower Connection rims are a bit of a liability - especially since I've burped my tubeless setup a couple of times on them. Are the Bontrager Kovees worth the upgrade cost or would you recommend a new rider just look at the Marlin 8? Personally I think the Shimano Deore 1x10 groupset is fine for climbing.
I have had a marlin 6 for 6 months. It is a good entry level bike no doubt. But the main components are literally the lowest end possible. I’ve upgraded the tyres, full group set and forks. Happy now :)
dude i just bought my marlin 6 and guess what saddle i put on today. i did not even look at you vid. i bought the same saddle. i use it on my touring bike and liked it so much i put one on my marlin today. i also put in a new bottom braket and a new cank set with a 32 chain ring. ikept runn'in out of gear. now i have plenty of gear and droped some weight too. i have a nix sram crank set w/ one piece bottom braket. a nice upgrade.
Appreciate your feedback about your Marlin 6. Currently work at a Trek Store and Marlin 6 is very popular bike to sell. Like to hear real world experience with this bike.
Hello...I me the marlin 6 yesterday and it looks good. I am coming back from ma tricked out Cannondale F700 which I tricked out to full XT, Mavic rims,etc..I will be riding rail trails and then more technical trails,and riding anywhere from 50-100 miles and 3-5 day trips...Will the Marlin measure up and what should i change on the bike???
I bought one for my son July of 2023. Had it serviced recently. Had the rear brake pads, chain, and bottom bracket replaced. He doesn’t jump but he does ride . ALL THE TIME.
the hydrolic breaks take a bit for people to get used to and when you do use the breaks alot they tend to cook (heat up the dot liquid mineral oil) the rear derailer chain tension does neex to be upgraded if you buy the 3x8 geared marlin 6 the 1x10 already has the upgrade, oh next tip get the next level up shimano dior xt if its the 3x8 gearing trust me the bike needs it if he starts going on the hills. and keep spare break pads on the medium side so even amount of break power to life span, unless he rides trails all day those will do for everyday fun.
My Marlin 6 has served me well. I’m not a hardcore trail rider though. If I were a hardcore trail rider I would definitely need a bike with full suspension. Especially with that hard horse saddle back type seat.
Just an observation/suggestion: Take the reflectors off, at least for the bike riding. It's a freedom thing, and they look as silly as "Training wheels" and "bar end tassels". :) You do a good vid. I just bought the 2022 7. Nice bike, (my last bike is a 1995 Nuke Proof Ti. frame 17" 22lb MT. Bike.), but I think a bit chunky at 30lbs. I am coming back in a bit in my older age, in a different era (20 years later). But I gotta tell ya, that 22lb bike (3" rock shox Duke fork), is faster and real nimble in the corners (tighter the better). Doug in Michigan
Hi, Nice vidéo 👍 do you still confim that M/L seize of the marlin 6 fits 180cm tall? I find only ML in the store and im worried about the seize in long term use.... waiting your kind reply. Thank you 🙏
i am testing this bike out tomorrow, and your videos have been very helpful. i am hoping to get the black and green version, but my shop only has it in M. I am 5'7 so I am not sure if I will be on the verge of needing S, since I noticed I was too short for a schwinn MTB with 29" wheels. We will see tomorrow.
Any advice? I have the chance at a used Marlin 6 Gen 2 Medium. I'm a little over 5'8" / 173cm which according to the Trek site is the high end for medium, but low end for M/L. Would it be a mistake to buy on the smaller side of this? Thanks
Thanks for this, Chris…. I’ve been looking specifically at the Marlin’s & I really like the single-chain front on the 6. This was the color combo I was looking at as well, since Trek doesn’t have an all-black 6 for 2022. May I ask you, do they have a rear-fender mount as well? I was interested in that for the rainy days, since I do commute on my bikes to/from work.
I have a 19 marlin 7. To save my tires I bought a set of gravel tires and tubes to swap out when I'm grinding long paved miles. Between budget and space a second bike isn't an option right now for me.
Just bought a Marlin 6, factory orange. I haven't taken it offroad yet but so far it's nice. Coming from a 20 speed road bike though .... It's taking some getting used to, lol
I originally bought the 6 but it won't get here they said until November but I'm moving soon and would be gone before the bike got here so asked what other options i had available instead and they said they could get in a 7 within a week or so so ended up with that instead. Only cost me an extra $170 for the difference. I got the Matte Nautical Navy color.
Same here and with some new grips, pedals, and everything torqued to the right specs (my bike shop set mine up a bit sloppy), it's running like a charm. Loving my Marlin 7
It's really a nice bike, I have the same model, and I want to change the stock 30T chain ring to a 34T chain ring. Do you happen to know a chain ring from shimano that I could use? Or any other brand.
hey people I'm looking at getting a 2022 trek marlin 6. my style of riding is xc but small jumps too I'm currently riding a crapy Kmart bike right now. is the trek marlin 6 good quality for the money????
I have one and it has worked for me very well. Worth the price and it does well on any terrain I ride it on. But if your riding more sandy tracks the wheels might be due for a switch up.
Very good review. It's nice to see an informed perspective. I think the Marlin 6 is a great "jack of all trades" bike in its current configuration.
My 21 Marlin 7 is just right for my XC shenanigans. I upgraded to PNW LOAM XL grips and Range bar cut down to 760mm. Better reach and vibration isolation. Chesters a must. The big difference was the 29" Bontrager Line 30 Comp rims with a 108 Rapid Drive hub in back. Super fast engagement you can feel. Now tubeless Maxxis Recons in 2.25" . Just ordered a 32 tooth chain ring to boost straight line speed. Sold all stock parts online. All mods really plant this bike as a solid budget XC rocket.
Experience also factors in, but I'll agree that the cockpit change makes the bike feel different. I too put a set of Range bars on mine but kept them at the full 800mm to help with the slow speeds. Now I don't feel like I'm too far forward and more upright. Chester pedals are also a must and a 34t (the max) will help keep that speed up on the flats. BTW, how are the new rims? I feel like the narrower Connection rims are a bit of a liability - especially since I've burped my tubeless setup a couple of times on them. Are the Bontrager Kovees worth the upgrade cost or would you recommend a new rider just look at the Marlin 8? Personally I think the Shimano Deore 1x10 groupset is fine for climbing.
I upgraded my handlebars 40mm riser. Less weight on my hands for long rides definitely help with lower back pain. Fun bike 🔥
sick review! everything I needed to know!
I have had a marlin 6 for 6 months. It is a good entry level bike no doubt. But the main components are literally the lowest end possible. I’ve upgraded the tyres, full group set and forks. Happy now :)
Bottom of the acceptable lever lol nice upgrades
dude i just bought my marlin 6 and guess what saddle i put on today. i did not even look at you vid. i bought the same saddle. i use it on my touring bike and liked it so much i put one on my marlin today. i also put in a new bottom braket and a new cank set with a 32 chain ring. ikept runn'in out of gear. now i have plenty of gear and droped some weight too. i have a nix sram crank set w/ one piece bottom braket. a nice upgrade.
You like the bigger chain ring? Definitely feels like I run out of speed
Appreciate your feedback about your Marlin 6. Currently work at a Trek Store and Marlin 6 is very popular bike to sell. Like to hear real world experience with this bike.
Definitely helps knowing how far I can push it too
i bought an orange marlin 6 last week
@@RichardMontgomeryYT Good choice for an urban bike and light trails. Hope you enjoy your new bike !
Hello...I me the marlin 6 yesterday and it looks good. I am coming back from ma tricked out Cannondale F700 which I tricked out to full XT, Mavic rims,etc..I will be riding rail trails and then more technical trails,and riding anywhere from 50-100 miles and 3-5 day trips...Will the Marlin measure up and what should i change on the bike???
I bought one for my son July of 2023. Had it serviced recently. Had the rear brake pads, chain, and bottom bracket replaced. He doesn’t jump but he does ride . ALL THE TIME.
the hydrolic breaks take a bit for people to get used to and when you do use the breaks alot they tend to cook (heat up the dot liquid mineral oil) the rear derailer chain tension does neex to be upgraded if you buy the 3x8 geared marlin 6 the 1x10 already has the upgrade, oh next tip get the next level up shimano dior xt if its the 3x8 gearing trust me the bike needs it if he starts going on the hills. and keep spare break pads on the medium side so even amount of break power to life span, unless he rides trails all day those will do for everyday fun.
My Marlin 6 has served me well. I’m not a hardcore trail rider though. If I were a hardcore trail rider I would definitely need a bike with full suspension. Especially with that hard horse saddle back type seat.
That saddle was ridiculous
I ended up going full suspension and thr comfort even on the road is much better
Just an observation/suggestion: Take the reflectors off, at least for the bike riding. It's a freedom thing, and they look as silly as "Training wheels" and "bar end tassels". :)
You do a good vid. I just bought the 2022 7. Nice bike, (my last bike is a 1995 Nuke Proof Ti. frame 17" 22lb MT. Bike.), but I think a bit chunky at 30lbs. I am coming back in a bit in my older age, in a different era (20 years later). But I gotta tell ya, that 22lb bike (3" rock shox Duke fork), is faster and real nimble in the corners (tighter the better). Doug in Michigan
Hi,
Nice vidéo 👍 do you still confim that M/L seize of the marlin 6 fits 180cm tall? I find only ML in the store and im worried about the seize in long term use.... waiting your kind reply. Thank you 🙏
i am testing this bike out tomorrow, and your videos have been very helpful. i am hoping to get the black and green version, but my shop only has it in M. I am 5'7 so I am not sure if I will be on the verge of needing S, since I noticed I was too short for a schwinn MTB with 29" wheels. We will see tomorrow.
Any advice? I have the chance at a used Marlin 6 Gen 2 Medium. I'm a little over 5'8" / 173cm which according to the Trek site is the high end for medium, but low end for M/L. Would it be a mistake to buy on the smaller side of this? Thanks
What upgrades do you plan on this bike from stock. A future video will do. I see a mud guard on front wheel.
Will do, wanting to keep it mostly stock for a while
Thanks for this, Chris…. I’ve been looking specifically at the Marlin’s & I really like the single-chain front on the 6. This was the color combo I was looking at as well, since Trek doesn’t have an all-black 6 for 2022.
May I ask you, do they have a rear-fender mount as well? I was interested in that for the rainy days, since I do commute on my bikes to/from work.
Yes has really nice fender options, it has been a great commuter for me
Nice review thanks. Looking at picking up a gen 2 while sale is on. What kind of helmet were you using?
hi. how much its top speed would be change if the 30T crank will be changed with a new deore 32T?
Hard to say, depends how fast you can pedal but you should see a good few KM/h 3+, which is great
I have a 19 marlin 7. To save my tires I bought a set of gravel tires and tubes to swap out when I'm grinding long paved miles. Between budget and space a second bike isn't an option right now for me.
I wish wheels were a bit cheaper too
Hi Chris. I see that you chose the M/L version of the Marlin 6. Can I ask how tall you are and what your inseam is? Thanks!
5'11" and 32 fits great
I just bought this bike a week ago. Same color as the one you have. What model of front fender is that?
im about to go tubeless on my trek marlin 6
Just bought a Marlin 6, factory orange. I haven't taken it offroad yet but so far it's nice. Coming from a 20 speed road bike though .... It's taking some getting used to, lol
I originally bought the 6 but it won't get here they said until November but I'm moving soon and would be gone before the bike got here so asked what other options i had available instead and they said they could get in a 7 within a week or so so ended up with that instead. Only cost me an extra $170 for the difference. I got the Matte Nautical Navy color.
Same here and with some new grips, pedals, and everything torqued to the right specs (my bike shop set mine up a bit sloppy), it's running like a charm. Loving my Marlin 7
It's really a nice bike, I have the same model, and I want to change the stock 30T chain ring to a 34T chain ring. Do you happen to know a chain ring from shimano that I could use? Or any other brand.
I cannot wait for the new gen 3
Video soon!
is this the Gen 2 with 1x10 drivetrain right?
hey people I'm looking at getting a 2022 trek marlin 6. my style of riding is xc but small jumps too I'm currently riding a crapy Kmart bike right now. is the trek marlin 6 good quality for the money????
I have one and it has worked for me very well. Worth the price and it does well on any terrain I ride it on. But if your riding more sandy tracks the wheels might be due for a switch up.
So, this is bike fast on the road, and wich is top speed?
Definitely not got a fast top speed, with moderate effort probably 30km/h. You could put a bigger chain ring to increase the top speed
What’s your height? Trying to see if I should go for M/L o L.
5'11" I went m/l
@@goodluckchrisclark I am your same height. I think the m/l is perfect too
MY MARLIN 6 just got stolen recently, miss it alot i loved the bike its my only bike
I'm so sorry what happened to you... Have you replaced your bike yet?
can u link the saddle? i just got a marilin 7 and that seat is fucking terrible! @Chris Clark