Trek Marlin 5

Now on the size, extra, small and small. They'll set this bike up in a twenty-seven and a half inch version medium and larger. It's all going to be 29

5) I’m pretty much still a beginner, and I was concerned about this too when I got my first real mountain bike. I also wasn’t too sure what kind of riding I wanted to do. I ended up with a Trek Marlin 5. It certainly wasn’t perfect, but once I got to riding some real trails and improving my skills, I got a better idea of what I wanted to upgrade.

If I go to the Marlin 5 webpage and click on the little link that says "Use our 2-question size finder" and input your specs, it recommends a large. You really are on the tall end of a large and some people your height would ride an XL. You may be able to make the ML work, but if you can switch sizes I think you'd be much better off. For reference, I'm 5'10.5" with a 30"ish inseam and I would pick a large for me, granted I like riding longer bikes.

Unless you want to do steep rocky stuff In wet conditions gravel bikes got you covered. However I recently bought a trek marlin 5 2022 as was thinking about doing a little more technical stuff but on a budget. But instead without really thinking about it I've slowly changed it into a gravel rider and finished it off with 44c wtb byways front and back to compliment some amazing bar ends that completely make the bike so comfy for climbing, lock the fork out, 710mm bars. It feels so comfy to ride on my local UK planned gravel routes and I feel so confident on the desents and it climbs like a mountain goat, it's extremely comfy not bent over all the time and I have suspension to unlock if a desent looks a little rough and glides down tarmac roads .

I have a Marlin 5, do not buy one if you intend to ride seriously. I have basically replaced everything on mine except the frame and let me tell you. I could have purchased a much, much nicer full suspension for the money I have put down, though that's just my own experience and will not be like yours necessarily. If there's a Marlin 6 available go for it (since it has an air fork), otherwise I'd highly recommend a Vitus Nucleus.

Especially a MIPS helmet. As for actual bike upgrades, when I was first starting out I went dropper post and new pedals on my Marlin 5 and that made a huge world of difference in staying on the bike during rough sections. I'd say ride your bike a bit and listen to your experience, you'll have a good idea of what things you'd like to change once you've put some miles on it.

I spend some time on trails/gravel so the solid fork is a little harsh on me but damn is the bike fast and its reasonably comfortable on long rides otherwise. I've got a 2022 Trek Marlin 5 on order from my local shop(size small, 15" frame) that ticks most of the boxes for what i'm looking for, though i'll likely throw a hybrid tire of some sort on it if i'm not happy with what it comes with. I'm only really familiar with the Trek lines and I'd definitely recommend the FX series is you plan on spending more time on the road, otherwise check out the Marlin series, or the Dual Sport(which i didnt even know existed until just recently).

Being 193 cm and 85 kgs, I'm currently favouring either a 23" Trek Marlin 5/6 or XL Norco Storm 4/3 or equivalent. The Marlin seems a bit shorter and, based on stack/reach ratio, more aggressive (which I'd like), but the Storm has more travel and slightly better standard groupsets. Other than that, both seem fast, come with 27.5" or 29" wheels, and the Marlin 6 and Storm 3 come with 2x8/2x9 drivetrains.

To that end, though, we have a Marlin 5 in our house and it's heavy as heck. It was the entry level hardtail we chose for my 10yo son. It was ok, in that it's completely bombproof, but it's unwieldy for essentially anyone, weighing close to 35lb. My son outgrew it and is now riding my 25yo Trek 9700 carbon hardtail, which only weighs 23lb, and my 11yo daughter has the Mariln.

I went to a Trek store and got quoted for a new 2022 Trek Marlin 5 ML 29" at $715(inc. tax). I sent this to my brother that builds his own bikes (he does BMX so he is always replacing stuff) and he says that Trek bikes are good so I think I'm kind of set on the brand.