Trek Marlin 8 – Gen 3 – Crimson

The ever-popular Marlin series is back and better than ever. It combines the utility and versatility of the previous generation Marlin with updated, trail-ready geometry, wider tyres and dropper post compatibility. With the head angle being relaxed back from 69.5 degrees to a super stable 66.5 degrees and the reach increasing, you’ll feel confident taking on trails at speed. The tyre clearance and stock tyre width have gone up to 2.4″ for greater comfort on all surfaces and better grip on the trails. The Marlin’s beginner-friendly price tag and intuitive handling and reliable components make it ideal for getting into mountain biking and developing bike handling skills.

While the Marlin is a mountain bike at its core, it is also so much more than that. There are mounting points for mudguards and a rear pannier rack for hauling luggage on the commute or for weekend adventuring. The ThruSkew rear dropout uses a standard QR rear wheel but in a thru-axle configuration for easier and more secure wheel fitting. You can even remove the handle for increased security  There’s also direct mount point for a kickstand, so you don’t need to mar up the paint with a clunky clamp. The Blendr stem can be used to mount lights, a cycle computer or your phone for a clean-looking and functional cockpit. With the Marlin, you can take whatever route you want to work and load it up with grocery shopping on the way home.

The Marlin 8 is the top of the range and its standout features are the Rockshox Judy, air-sprung fork and dropper post. The fork is a major upgrade for trail riding with far superior adjustability and better damping than the coil-sprung forks of the lesser models. The dropper post is a massive boon for trail riding. Especially undulating trails where you are regularly changing between ascending and descending. The SRAM 1×12 SX Eagle drivetrain has a massive gear range for the steepest hills and fastest descents. The 1x configuration keeps the cockpit simple and makes gear selection easy. The 2.4″ Maxxis Ardent tyres are great for all-condition riding and have excellent grip when trail riding.

Whether you’re looking for a highly capable first mountain bike or a versatile commuting machine with mtb capability the Marlin 8 is what you need.