Marin Pine Mountain 1 sounds rather interesting
Over on the forum the past two days I’ve been teasing our regulars with the idea of a semi-fat bike with semi-gnarr geometry. It’s drawn a few responses but now I’ve been rumbled it’s time to put some meat on the bare bones information I’d provided earlier.
The bike in question is the 2016 Marin Pine Mountain 1. Made from 4130 cro-moly, this isn’t likely to be a particularly light bike. But it’s been engineered specifically to take the latest trend/fad of 2.8″ tyres on 27.5″ rims. This gives you – essentially – a 29er, but with a lot more air volume in the tyres and a greater contact patch on the trail. Win-win you might say.
What’s more interesting is the price. For £750 you get the steel frame (with a 44mm headtube for slackerising opportunities), a rigid fork, a 1×10 11-42 SRAM X7/X5 drivetrain and cartridge-bearing equipped hubs with 40mm internal width rims, running Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.8s. I can’t think of a better entry into the semi-fat market for those on a budget.
I agree with all those who say in its’ spec form it’s not especially slack, and maybe a little short in the wheelbase. My point is to move those numbers in the right direction requires a lot more cash and I’m willing to bet that there’s a great deal of fun to be had with this bike in any case.
I never thought I’d go back to a Marin. They generally look like dogs to me, but in this case, the nickel/orange colour scheme looks mighty fine. I’m very tempted…
About the author
Matt is one of the founding Molefathers of the Muddymoles, and is the designer and main administrator of the website.
Having ridden a 2007 Orange Five for many years then a 2016 YT Industries Jeffsy 29er, he now rocks a Bird Aether 9 and a Pace RC-627.
An early On-One Inbred still lurks in the back of the stable as a reminder of how things have moved on. You can even find him on road bikes - currently a 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105 SE, a much-used 2011 Specialized Secteur and very niche belt drive Trek District 1.
If you've ever wondered how we got into mountain biking and how the MuddyMoles started, well wonder no more.
There are 8 comments on ‘Marin Pine Mountain 1 sounds rather interesting’
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tony says:
Will you be getting some bar-ends, flex-stem and an Etto helmet to go with it? It’s 1990 again!
It looks a lot of fun …….. plus……. n+1=good
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Posted on November 18, 2015 at 1:16 pm
Matt says:
Well, I already have an orange crash helmet which is a good start (thankfully doesn’t look anything like an Etto). As for bar ends and flex stems… shudder ! I remember the bolts on Mark J’s flex stem worked loose once on the descent into Denbies as we hit the concrete section at 30 mph. Fortunately the bolts didn’t come out.
So not quite back to the future. I think big volume tyres on a hardtail could be the best of all compromises…
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Posted on November 18, 2015 at 2:18 pm
Colin says:
Genius, I love it Matt. It’s slack enough and why want it longer, this bike is about fun and chuckability, 40mm rims and all for £750? A bloomin’ bargain. After riding fat and b+ earlier this year, I’m convinced that b+ is the way to go for rigid bikes.
It’ll be like riding a BMX on steroids. Don’t be tempted, just do it – your fleet needs something belonging to this decade 🙂
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Posted on November 18, 2015 at 2:55 pm
Matt says:
“your fleet needs something belonging to this decade”
Unfortunately you would be right about that Colin!
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Posted on November 18, 2015 at 3:51 pm
Elliot says:
I reckon it’s likely quite a nice ride. I do like the bright orange fork and lowered seat stays. Visually that gives the impression (particularly in my size) that the frame isn’t the barn gate it otherwise would be.
I was wondering what it weighed and much to my surprise Marin does indeed list a weight, 30.09lbs. Think of it as a big ass clunker and that’s fine. Can’t argue at that price.
Bit of a shame it misses out on the Columbus Thron tubing of the top model. Might not make a difference to the ride but it’s interesting for not being a commonly used steel. Some street cred right there!
Did anyone spot the suspension Pine Mountain (great name) has a Reba with Fox decals? Clearly I’ve got nothing better to do at 1am… 🙂
I’m looking into obtaining a mid fat demo bike to persuade myself I DON’T need the likes of a Pony Rustler.
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Posted on November 19, 2015 at 2:02 am
Related: Spot Brand Rocker 27.5+ bike looks great | Mutterings, Trends | Muddymoles: Mountain biking (MTB) in the Surrey Hills and Mole Valley
Jamboy says:
Just wondering if anyone got this bike I’m awaiting a demo (in shop) once they come into stock here in NI (unhappy dealer).
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Posted on February 13, 2016 at 9:01 pm
Related: Marin Pine Mountain has arrived | Bikes | Muddymoles: Mountain biking (MTB) in the Surrey Hills and Mole Valley