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2021 Marin

El Roy Frame Kit

A 29″ steel frame trail frameset.

Manufacturer Price

$1,049
FrameSteel
Wheels29″
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Sizing
Regular

5'5" – 5'11"

Grande

5'9" – 6'4"

Rider Fit Notes

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Reviews

Summary

The Marin El Roy is an aggressive enduro hardtail that excels on steep descents and technical climbs, offering a stable and entertaining ride. Its geometry and component choices are praised, though it can feel heavy and less nimble in tight corners. The bike is compared to other trail and enduro models for its unique blend of hardtail simplicity and full-suspension capability.

Pros
  • Very capable descender, especially for a hardtail

  • Smart component choices

  • Geometry that gives no excuses

  • Surprisingly good on technical climbs

  • Good looking bike

Cons
  • Heavy for a hardtail

  • Too much bike for most hardtail riders

  • Tough to navigate tight switchbacks or corners

  • Only two size options

Key Quotes
The El Roy is an aggressive enduro hardtail.
BikeRadar logoBikeRadar
Drop your heels, grab the rear brake, tip the bike in and spray loam everywhere.
BikeRadar logoBikeRadar
The Marin El Roy is one of those freakishly long, slack, steel hardtails and the ride on this limo is considerably more entertaining than any MTB April Fools attempt.
Vital MTB logoVital MTB
On trails I normally rode with full suspension, I didn't feel like I was hindered by this hardtail, and I didn't change up lines to tender-foot my way down.
Vital MTB logoVital MTB

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Singletracks
The Marin El Roy Hardtail is Very Slack, But it’s not for Slackers [Review]

Oct 2022 · Jeff Barber

The Marin El Roy is a steel hardtail that's designed for rough enduro-style trail riding, with the geo and build kit to back it up.

Highs
  • Very capable descender, especially for a hardtail

  • Stylish frame and build kit

  • Good value

Lows
  • Heavy for a hardtail

  • Rims are too narrow

  • Slow pedaling

Read Review

Vital MTB
2021 Marin El Roy Steel Hardtail

Apr 2021 · sspomer SBF117

Not fooling. An incredibly fun (and weird) steel hardtail.

Highs
  • Ready run over things

  • Very stable at speed

  • Marzocchi Z1 performance

  • Eat-up-anything tires

  • Surprisingly good on technical climbs

  • Good looking bike

  • Frame-only option for a custom build

Lows
  • Too much bike for most hardtail riders

  • Tough to navigate tight switchbacks or corners

  • Only two size options

  • Complete bike price is high for the spec, especially after the Covid-related bump

Read Review

BikeRadar
Marin El Roy review

Aug 2020 · Tom Marvin

The El Roy is as happy as any hardtail I've ridden when the going gets tough

Highs
  • As competent as a hardtail can be on steep descents, with smart component choices and geometry that gives no excuses

  • Climbs steep and loose tech surprisingly well for a ‘big’ bike

Lows
  • A bit of a drag on smooth, mellow climbs and traverses

Read Review

Geometry
Specs
Build
Frame

Series 3 Double Butted and Formed CrMo tubing, Integrated Drop-In Headset, External Rear Derailleur and Brake Housing, Internal Dropper Post Routing, 148x12mm Boost Rear Spacing, PM Brake Mounts

ColorGloss Black Sparklespace

Headset

FSA Orbit 40 No.42 ACB

Rider Notes
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First added December 23

Last updated March 2

Not listed for 1,903 days