2023 Marin

Rift Zone 29" 1

A 29″ aluminum frame full suspension trail bike with upper mid-range components.
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MSRP$1,699
FrameAluminum
SuspensionFull, 130 / 140mm
ForkX-Fusion SLIDE
ShockX-Fusion
Wheels29″ Aluminum
Drivetrain1 × 11
GroupsetDeore
BrakesHydraulic Disc
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Top Comparison
Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Rift Zone 29" 1
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)

25 mph

Rift Zone 29" 1

26 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Spec Level

Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.

Compare the full Rift Zone model range

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Sizing
SM

5'2" – 5'7"

MD

5'5" – 5'11"

LG

5'9" – 6'2"

XL

6'0" – 6'4"

Rider Fit Notes

None yet.

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Reviews
Mountain Bike Action
MARIN RIFT ZONE 29" 2 REVIEW - AN EARTH SHAKING TRAIL BIKE VALUE? - Mountain Bike Action Magazine

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.

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Pinkbike
Value Field Test: Marin Rift Zone

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?

Highs
  • 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

Lows
  • 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

Read Review

Flow Mountain Bike
2023 Marin Rift Zone Review | A heavy-duty trail bike for shredders on a budget

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.

Highs
  • Fantastic geometry

  • Playful and fun-loving attitude

  • High traction rubber

  • Supportive suspension

  • Practical and well-featured frame

Lows
  • Heavy for a trail bike

  • Sticky tyres are very draggy

  • Bigger riders will want to upgrade the brakes

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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.

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MBR
Marin Rift Zone XR first ride review - MBR

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 »

Highs
  • Exploitable handling, whatever your level. A bike that can grow with your skills. Fun to ride. No gimmicks.

Lows
  • Overweight. You’ll find better spec from a direct-sales brand.

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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

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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.

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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

Geometry
99 Spokes on YouTube99 Spokes on YouTube
Specs
Build
Frame

All New Series 3 6061 Aluminum, 29” Wheels, 130mm Travel, MultiTrac Suspension Platform, 141 Boost Spacing (upgradable to 148x12), 73mm Threaded BB w/ ISCG05 Tabs

BB StandardBSA, 73mm, Threaded

ColorsGloss Charcoal / Black/silver; Gloss Orange / Blue/silver

Fork

X-Fusion Slide Boost RC, 29", 140mm Travel, Compression and Rebound Adjustment, 44mm Offset

Travel140mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

X-Fusion O2 Pro R, Custom Tune, 210x55mm, M8x25mm Hardware Top and Bottom

Travel130mm

Spring TypeAir

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

Marin Alloy, 30.9mm

TypeRigid

Pedals

-

Grips

Marin MTN, Closed End

Groupset
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

Tektro HDM-280 Hydraulic Disc, 180mm Rotor

TypeHydraulic Disc

Brake Levers

Tektro HDM-280

Wheels
Rims

Marin Aluminum Double Wall, 29mm Inner, Pinned Joint, Disc Specific, Tubeless Compatible

Spokes

14g Black Stainless Steel

Front Hub

Forged Alloy, 110x15mm, Disc, 32H

Rear Hub

Forged Alloy, 141QR, Disc, 32H, HG Freehub Body

Tires

Vee Tire Co. Crown Gem 29x2.35", Dual Control Compound, Tubeless Ready

Rider Notes
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Last updated March 23