Beginners mountain bike - Trek Marlin 5 reasons you should buy!

I talk about 5 reasons the Trek Marlin 5 and similar Budget Cross County Mountain Bikes are great for beginners!

1. Stance
Feels like a solid bike for riding as an all arounder. Planted geometry and 29 wheelset give it confidence.

2. Speed
The 29 inch wheel size generate the most speed of any wheel size for mtb and offer great ability to roll over obstacles.

3. Good Components
They give the bike reliable and consistent components that will provide a great platform. Ride without worrying about if the derailleur is going to be shifting properly or if you'll have to make adjustments before hitting the trail. You wont!

4. Smooth Ride
This bike just feels smooth.... it's hard to explain but jumping between a full sus, agressive hardtail and this bike. It just feels the most smooth and comfortable for daily riding.

5. Trek Backing
A brand that will back it's products and support the rider no matter what.

[regieendsley]

Trek is now putting 27.5 wheels on the smaller Marlin forms for us short people.

[txhookey]

I own a Trek Marlin 5, bought as a cost effective back up trail bike. Replaced the long stem with a 30 mm, put on 30 mm riser handle bars, and a decent saddle and it works great for trail riding, has decent geometry, handles well, and was still cheaper than an official "trail" bike. It does fine on jumps/drops or other normal trail obstacles. It likely would not do so well on an advanced jump line trail or serious down hill trails. One thing I did notice on my bike when I bought it was that there were way to many spokes that were very loose. I mean squeaking because they were flexing on each other loose when I test rode it. You could feel them and tell they were loose. Tightened them all up and no issues and the trails I ride are very rocky and have several drops. I have had several pretty bad pinch punctures but the wheels are holding up well, haven't gone tubeless yet, spending most of my bike money on my primary bike. Most of them were my fault for expecting a hard tail rear wheel to slam into rocks like a FS bike. Just like any hardtail, you have to slow down a little, pick better lines, and remember you have front suspension but may need to help lift that rear wheel over ledges and obstacles.

[downwinddemon]

Had this bike for 1 year now with very little maintenance! Rides well for the money, and hits jumps just fine! I'd agree though that if you make a mistake this bike is not as forgiving as something more high end. Awesome equipment for the money!

[dampdoritos]

This video was very helpful! I am a new biker and have a Marlin 5. It has served me well, and this has helped me realize my boundaries with the bike. Thanks bro

[NorristownRoomofDoom]

I rented one of those up at Santos and it was a nice bike. I thrashed it around all day and it took it.

[UncleRicky]

Good bike but it did the same for me. I tried taking it on the rough end of the trail and felt like I was ripped off after buying this bike thinking it would handle. This was the first time I experienced something like this since I’m typically a novice rider I would say a weekend rider. Took it back to the shop and they explained yeah this happens and how to best prevent it and gave me a free fix. My prior bike was a pretty good Bianchi and that bike took me everywhere, through the trails and around town everywhere. I caught a few flats here and there but the bike held up, never folded like the Marlin maybe it’s the 29ers which seem bulky. I got the Marlin thinking I was getting something slightly better equipped for some off road stuff but after it folded I’m skeptical of ever trying anything other then the main trail. Thanks happy trails! ✌🏾

[aacc]

I'm 5'8 155lbs recently bought the Marlin 5 29er 17.5" frame as a beginner. I have a friend who's an experienced and loaded biker (he has a folding bike, road bike, & an mtb. He chose this bike for me because he said that it's frame is a solid foundation that i can build on as i smartly upgrade it in the future. But thanks for the great video, now i know the things that i should avoid doing w/ this bike. I think this bike would make a great commuter/light & medium trail/touring bike if i do my upgrades right. Excellent video thanks

[patriot]

Dude, I’m 220 and ride the mar 6. Bought it for the frame and upgraded everything. You obviously ride it like a bull in a china shop. I’ve put thousands of miles and have burned out 3 tires in 4 years. Great bike

[karsengarrity]

Thanks for the video. I'm definitely purchasing this bike. Have about 300 saved up so far.

[Ed.die]

My wife and I both just got 2019 Marlin 7's. Great bikes. And this is a great review, thank you sir

[reginaldfitzpatrick]

As of 2022, the Marlin 5 has stepped up their components by quite a bit. Switching to a 2×8 gear set, better brakes and drivetrain.
The fork is also slightly upgraded but still worth switching out for an air fork if you plan on putting it through its paces.

[martinernestocontreras]

I came to this video looking for trek marlin 5 comparison (I will buy the 5 2019) and I like it a lot! Thanks for all the complete and honest description, I think I'm going to buy this one and be progressing step by step and like you say -not all of us can buy a expensive bike - in a future look for another bike with more advanced characteristics.
PD: greetings from Chile!!

[mrray]

I ordered my first Marlin 5 and am looking forward to getting it this week. But thank you for posting this video because it's very informative. Since I'm new to mountain biking it sounds like this bike will be a good bike to learn on. After having it for awhile and learned all the basics and feel I'm ready to start jumping, I'll get the Marlin 6. It sure does sound like I'll be getting my monies' worth.

[simonmartinez]

I have a 2016 marlin 5 and still shredding shit here in south Texas with no problem...👍🏼👍🏼

[nonamemountianbiking.]

I have a trek Marlin 5 it's a great bike but if you do some modifications to it like different better Forks a dropper post and a drivetrain conversion from a 3 by 7 to a 1 by 9 conversion it works great and a sturdier derailleur you'll have no issues with this bike

[vediboy]

Damn, your camera really wants to focus on that wheel in your closet!

[nathansewell]

Informative asf. Exactly what I was looking for . Thanks for doing this.

[gabrieltobijas]

I ride it 3 years now and i have purchased better rear derailleur because old one destroyed itself, great bike just need bit more services than the others

[theracingline]

I've been using a Carrera hybrid bike on trails and I've managed to keep it up to speed and do most of the jumps.

However, it is very heavy and has ultra thin tyres so it was pretty dangerous.

The marlin 5 would be a massive step up and I think with some upgrades it would be a perfect bike for me.

[stephenvillanueva]

I've just purchased this bike and this video is very understandable! I definitely love this bike so far!