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Today’s Deals2022 Marin
San Quentin 2
A 27.5″ aluminum frame hardtail trail bike with upper mid-range components.
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Manufacturer Price
$1,459| Frame | Aluminum |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Hardtail, 130mm |
| Fork | RockShox Recon Silver RL |
| Wheels | 27.5″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 11 |
| Groupset | Deore |
| Brakes | Shimano Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
5'2" – 5'6"
5'4" – 5'9"
5'7" – 6'0"
5'10" – 6'3"
Summary
The Marin San Quentin trail bike is praised for its aggressive geometry and confident descending capabilities, making it a standout for riders looking to tackle steep and rough terrain. However, its performance on climbs and mellow trails is compromised by its weight and basic fork. The bike offers solid value with its durable components and geometry that supports skill progression, though some spec choices may require upgrades for optimal performance.
Aggressive geometry for confident descending
Solid value with durable components
Geometry supports skill progression
Wide rims for good tire volume and shape
Stable in the air
High weight limits climbing potential
Basic fork with trail chatter
Spec choices may require upgrades
Feeling of laziness on mellow terrain
No clutch mechanism on the rear mech
The Marin San Quentin is an exercise in determining the logical limits of how rowdy a trail you can design a modern hardtail for
BIKE MagazineAs soon as there’s any negative gradient, it starts to come alive.
BikeRadar"...it's nice that I know I can recommend the San Quentin as a gateway bike to an aspiring or casual rider and know that as they develop their skills and confidence there's not a Blue-level trail out there that they won't be able to enjoy on this bike."
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Oct 2023
Riders have been asking Marin to release a 29" version of their flagship hardtail, the San Quentin, for years, and they finally did!
Sep 2022
The complete Marin San Quentin 1 (SQ1) hardtail costs about the same amount of money as a top-end RockShox suspension fork and it's a fun choice for the aspiring or casual mountain biker looking for a budget-friendlier gateway rig for Blue-level trails.
Solid geometry
MicroShift drivetrain is robust and good value
Tektro brakes are reliable and easy to bleed
Marin i29 rims and handlebar are solid choices
Easy to set up tubeless
Confidence-inspiring handling on Blue trails
Forgiving geometry for less experienced riders
Good value as a gateway bike
Crankset is a weak point (dropped chain twice due to chainring)
Basic coil SR Suntour fork is heavy and unsophisticated
Tires would be an early upgrade, not good for wet conditions
Brakes require earlier braking and less slam-and-go performance
No dropper post included
Reach felt slightly short for size large
Head tube could be longer
No size XS or XXL available
No sliding or horizontal dropouts
Chain stays not size-specific
Nov 2020 · McCoy
Tough as Nails
Oct 2019 · Tom Marvin
Compromised spec, but the descent-focused geometry starts to shine on steeper terrain
Aggressive geometry makes it a confident descender
Wide rims give tyres good volume and shape
High weight and limited gear range compromise climbing potential
Spec choice
Jan 2019
What happens when a brand known for its outlandish value makes an outlandish hardtail?
| Frame | Series 3 6061 Aluminum, Double Butted Frame, Internal Shifter and Dropper Post Routing, External Brake, 12x148mm Thru-Axle, 73mm Threaded BB BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded Color: Gloss Blue / Green/black |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox Recon RL, 110x15mm Boost Spacing, Fast Black Stanchions, 130mm Travel, Bolt-On Thru-Axle, 37mm Offset Travel: 130mm |
| 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, YSP18, 1x Remote, Size S 125mm Travel, Size M-XL 150mm Travel, 30.9mm Type: Dropper |
| Pedals | Nylon Platform |
| Grips | Marin MTN, Closed End |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore, 11-Speed, SGS |
|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | - |
| Crank | Marin Forged Alloy, Integrated Steel 32T Narrow Wide Chainring, Boost Spacing |
| Shifters | Shimano Deore, 11-Speed, SL-5100R |
| Cassette | SunRace, 11-Speed, 11-51T, ED Black |
| Chain | KMC X-11 Silver and Black |
| Brakes | Shimano BR-MT201 Hydraulic Disc Brake, 180mm Rotor Type: Shimano Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | Shimano BR-MT201 Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Marin Aluminum Double Wall, Disc Specific, 29mm Inner, Pinned Joint, 32H, Tubeless Compatible |
|---|---|
| Front Hub | Shimano HF-MT400B, 110x15mm, Centerlock |
| Rear Hub | Shimano HF-MT400B, 148x12, Centerlock, Standard Freehub Body |
| Tires | Vee Tire Co, Flow Snap, 27.5x2.6", MPC Compound, Wire Bead |
First added June 8
Last updated January 7
Not listed for 1,227 days