Rift Zone 26"
A 26″ aluminum frame full suspension trail bike with upper mid-range components.
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Manufacturer Price
$1,799Frame | Aluminum |
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Suspension | Full, 130 / 130mm |
Fork | X-Fusion VELVET |
Wheels | 26″ Aluminum |
Drivetrain | 1 × 11 |
Groupset | Deore |
Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.
Compare the full Rift Zone model range
View Comparison4'6" – 5'3"
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Dec 2023 · Nelson
Those ready to graduate to their first full suspension or young riders who are paying their own way into the passion of the sport should consider the Rift Zone 29” 2.
Jul 2023 · Dario DiGiulio
The Marin Rift Zone is the most expensive bike in the Value Field Test, but does it take the top spot?
Punches well above its travel bracket
Solid frame that should withstand the fun you're going to have
Good components with no immediate upgrades needed
Active suspension feel biases towards descending
Dual Assegai tires rob some speed on the climbs
Cable routing may prove tricky for at-home mechanics down the line
Jun 2023 · Tom Marvin
A super-fun ride that benefits from sharp reactions and a playful attitude
Well-designed frame with thoughtful features
Excellent rear suspension
Decent fork
Brakes lack bite
Not the best climber
Apr 2023
The Marin Rift Zone combines killer geometry with a burly build kit at a low price. How does it ride? Read on for our Marin Rift Zone review.
Fantastic geometry
Playful and fun-loving attitude
High traction rubber
Supportive suspension
Practical and well-featured frame
Heavy for a trail bike
Sticky tyres are very draggy
Bigger riders will want to upgrade the brakes
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.
Nov 2022 · Danny Milner
From a brand steeped in heritage comes a bike that focuses on the stuff that matters: suspension, handling and price. Check out our guide to the best mountain bikes Need to know Alloy trail bike with 130mm travel Revised frame geometry and kinematics over previous generation Updated frame detailing with bespoke protection, SRAM UDH hanger and internal cable routing Three spec levels starting at £1,695 for the Rift Zone 1 (Rift Zone 2 is £2,195) Jr version comes with 26in wheels Sometimes the simplest ingredients make the most delicious dishes. The Spanish turn a tomato, a clove of garlic, some salt, olive oil and a slice of crusty toasted bread into a moorish appetiser that distils the essence of Mediterranean flavours. Italians can effortlessly convert some fresh pasta, a drizzle of olive oil and a shaving of truffle or parmesan cheese into a plate that tastes as good as any Michelin-starred dish. Which brings us to the new Marin Rift Zone, an unassuming trail bike, that’s plain vanilla next to the likes of Trek’s feature-laden Fuel EX and Specialized’s manipulatable Stumpjumper Evo, but has been infused with the flavour of a freshly scraped pod rather than the blandness of a drop of essence. Although outwardly similar to its predecessor, the Series 3 6061 alloy frame has been reworked with new tubing and forgings. The seat tube reinforcement strut has also been replaced by a gusset, there’s a slightly shallower bend to the seat tube, the internal cable routing has been improved and the non-driveside chainstay is no longer elevated. It still gets a chunky tapered head tube, radically sloping top tube and Marin’s MultiTrac single-pivot suspension design, where the vertical shock is driven by a rocker link. Shock length and stroke remains the same compared to the previous model (210x50mm), but Marin has teased out another 5mm travel to bring it up to 130mm. Although most, if not all, of this extra travel will be down to the chainstay lengths having been extended to 430mm across the size range. As the old Rift Zone was not lacking in length (at the front at least), Marin has not felt the need to comprehensively overhaul the sizing. Instead reach numbers grow by 5mm across all the sizes except the XL, which goes up 10mm. As head tubes have also been extended by 10-15mm, and the seat tube has been steepened by 1º, the seated riding position shouldn’t actually feel too different. But by stretching what was one of the shortest chainstays on the market, the new Rift Zone should feel more in proportion than it used to. The head angle remains a balanced 65.5º, at 337mm (measured), the BB height is thankfully not as tall as advertised, and Marin must be commended for keeping the seat tubes stubby and the standover generous. Which means the profile of the Rift Zone not only resembles an old four-cross bike, but it can be thrashed around like one as well. Consumers get to choose between …Continue reading »
Exploitable handling, whatever your level. A bike that can grow with your skills. Fun to ride. No gimmicks.
Overweight. You’ll find better spec from a direct-sales brand.
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.
Fun and unusual synthesis of parts and geo
Great build kit
Adaptable frame platform
Mix of progressive and dated geometry
Heavy and sticky for a short travel bike
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.
Frame | All New Series 3 6061 Aluminum Frame, 26" Wheels, 130mm Travel, MultiTrac Suspension Platform, 141 Boost Spacing (upgradable to 148x12), 73mm Threaded BB BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded Color: Teal / Black |
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Fork | X-Fusion Velvet RLC 26", 130mm Travel, Compression and Rebound Adjustment, 100x15mm Thru-Axle Travel: 130mm |
Bottom Bracket | External Sealed Cartridge Bearings |
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, 15mm Rise, 720mm Width, 4º Up, 9º Back |
Saddle | Marin Speed Concept |
Seatpost | Marin Alloy, 30.9mm Type: Rigid |
Pedals | - |
Grips | Marin Dual Density |
Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore, 11-Speed, SGS |
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Front Derailleur | - |
Crank | Marin Forged Alloy, Integrated Steel 32T Narrow Wide Chainring, Boost Spacing, 170mm Length |
Shifters | Shimano Deore, 11-Speed, SL-5100R |
Cassette | SunRace, 11-Speed, 11-51T, ED Black |
Chain | KMC X-11 Silver and Black |
Brakes | Hydraulic Disc Type: Hydraulic Disc |
Brake Levers | Tektro HDM-280 |
Rims | Marin, Double Wall Alloy, 27mm Inner, Pinned Joint, Disc Specific |
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Front Hub | Forged Alloy, 100x15mm, Centerlock Disc, 32H |
Rear Hub | Forged Alloy, 135mm, Quad Sealed Bearings, Centerlock Disc, 32H |
Tires | Vee Tire Co. Flow Snap 26x2.4", Tackee Compound, Wire Bead |
Last updated August 4
Not listed for 260 days