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2021 Marin

Rift Zone 29 2

A 29″ aluminum frame full suspension trail bike with upper mid-range components.
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Manufacturer Price

$2,189
FrameAluminum
SuspensionFull, 125 / 130mm
ForkRockShox Recon Silver RL
ShockRockShox Deluxe Select
Wheels29″ Aluminum
Drivetrain1 × 12
GroupsetDeore
BrakesShimano Hydraulic Disc
SeatpostDropper
Where to Buy
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Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Rift Zone 29 2
Other Trail bikes
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

28 mph

Rift Zone 29 2

26 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Sizing
SM

5'2" – 5'7"

MD

5'5" – 5'11"

LG

5'9" – 6'2"

XL

6'0" – 6'4"

Rider Fit Notes
  • 5'8", size Lg, Just right
Reviews

Summary

The Marin Rift Zone is a versatile and fun mountain bike that offers modern geometry and solid suspension performance, making it a great choice for youth riders. It's praised for its value, capable handling, and supportive suspension, though some components may require upgrades for optimal performance.

Pros
  • Unbeatable value

  • Modern trail riding geometry

  • Supportive suspension

  • Good mix of drivetrain components

  • Upgrade potential

Cons
  • Lack of a dropper post

  • Tyres need upgrading

  • Flexy fork with basic damping

  • Rear suspension lacks small-bump compliance

  • Underpowered brakes

Key Quotes
The Marin Rift Zone 2 is in the latter category.. A category that happens to be the option for any person getting their first high-end full-suspension mountain bike.
Beta logoBeta
The new “Rifty” has a slightly higher initial leverage ratio and larger volume canister for good small bump compliance.
Bikerumor logoBikerumor
Its geometry and suspension give it a real descending bias, and for that reason I loved it, just keep some money aside to change out the tyres and add a dropper.
BikeRadar logoBikeRadar

Feedback?

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Bikerumor
All-new Marin Rift Zone trail bike gets shreddy-er, from 29er to kid's models

Nov 2022 · Tyler Benedict

The new Marin "Rifty" gets a sweet new alloy frame, more travel, and a consistent spec and geometry across all wheel sizes to fit any rider.

Read Review

Loam Wolf
Review: Marin Rift Zone Carbon 29

Nov 2022 · Dario DiGiulio

The Marin Rift Zone occupies a very unique spot in the bike market, as a short travel frame meant to attack relatively serious terrain.

Highs
  • Fun and unusual synthesis of parts and geo

  • Great build kit

  • Adaptable frame platform

Lows
  • Mix of progressive and dated geometry

  • Heavy and sticky for a short travel bike

Read Review

Singletrack World
Marin Rift Zone XR review: coil for the trail

Oct 2022 · Antony de Heveningham

The Marin Rift Zone XR - XR stands for eXtra Rad - bumps the front travel up to 140mm, adds a coil shock and beefs up the build.

Read Review

Outdoor Gear Lab
Marin Rift Zone 29 2

Dec 2021 · Jeremy Benson

The Marin Rift Zone 29 2 is an affordable short travel trail bike that would make an excellent daily driver. This aluminum-framed 29er has 125mm of...

Highs
  • Reasonable price

  • Modern trail riding geometry

  • Nice component spec for the price

  • Versatile on-trail performance

Lows
  • A little heavy

  • Underpowered brakes

  • A little sluggish on the climbs due to weight

Read Review

BikeRadar
Marin Rift Zone 29 1 review

Nov 2021 · Alex Evans

Highly-capable and upgradable chassis that inspires confidence on the descents

Highs
  • Highly capable on the downhills, thanks to spot-on geometry

  • Great suspension and shock tune with plenty of support and pop

  • Good mix of drivetrain components

Lows
  • Lack of a dropper post is frustrating

  • Tyres need upgrading to unlock more performance

  • In the longer term, I’d replace the flexy fork, too

Read Review

Pinkbike
Field Trip: Marin's $2,849 Rift Zone Is An XC Bike at Heart

May 2021 · Sarah Moore

The Rift Zone is more aggressive than an XC bike, but its roots are cross-country.

Read Review

Beta
Tested: Marin Rift Zone 2

Feb 2021 · Travis Engel

This short-travel shredder takes a modern trend and brings it to the entry level. The Marin Rift Zone 2 does (almost) everything.

Highs
  • Unbeatable value

  • Smart spec

  • Forgiving but familiar geometry

  • Supportive suspension

Lows
  • Oddly shaped brake levers

  • Shimano chain and crank would have been nice

Read Review

Vital MTB
2020 Marin Rift Zone 2 Bike

Jan 2021 · Sspomer

Reviews, ratings, specifications, weight, price and more for the 2020 Marin Rift Zone 2 Bike

Read Review

Geometry
Specs
Build
Frame

Series 3 6061 Aluminum Frame, 29” Wheels, 125mm Travel, MultiTrac Suspension Platform, 148x12 Boost Spacing2, 73mm Threaded BB w/ ISCG05 Tabs

BB StandardBSA, 73mm, Threaded

ColorTeal / Silver/black

Fork

RockShox Recon Silver RL 29", 130mm Travel, Solo Air, Compression and Rebound Adjustment, Alloy Tapered Steerer, Fast Black Uppers, 110x15mm Boost Spacing, Maxle Stealth, 42mm Offset

Travel130mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

RockShox Deluxe Select R, Debonair Air Sleeve, Rebound Adjustment, Custom Tune, 210x50mm, M8x22.2mm Hardware

Travel125mm

Bottom Bracket

External Sealed Cartridge Bearing

Headset

FSA No 57E, Semi-Sealed Cartridge Bearings, 1 1/8" x 1 1/2”

Stem

Marin 3D Forged Alloy, 35mm

Handlebar

Marin Mini-Riser, 6061 Double Butted Aluminum, 780mm Width, 28mm Rise, 5º Up, 9º Back

Saddle

Marin Speed Concept

Seatpost

TranzX, YSP23JL, 1x Remote, Size S 125mm Travel, Size M and L 150mm Travel, Size XL 175mm Travel, 30.9mm

TypeDropper

Pedals

-

Grips

Marin Single Clamp Locking

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

Shimano Deore, 12-Speed, SGS

Front Derailleur

-

Crank

FSA Comet, Modular 1x, 32T Direct Mount Chainring, MegaTooth Technology, Boost Spacing

Shifters

Shimano Deore, 12-Speed, SL-6100IR

Cassette

Shimano, Deore M6100, 12-Speed, 10-51T

Chain

KMC X-12 Silver and Black

Brakes

Shimano BR-MT200 Hydraulic Disc, 180mm Rotor

TypeShimano Hydraulic Disc

Brake Levers

Shimano BL-MT201 Hydraulic Disc

Wheels
Rims

Marin, Double Wall Alloy, 29mm Inner, Pinned Joint, Disc Specific, 32H, Tubeless Compatible

Front Hub

Shimano HF-MT410B, 110x15mm, Centerlock

Rear Hub

Shimano HB-MT410B, 148x12mm, Centerlock, Microspline Freehub Body

Tires

Vee Tire Flow Snap 29x2.35", Tackee Compound, Tubeless Ready

Rider Notes
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First added December 23

Last updated April 6

Not listed for 1,868 days