Marin Alpine Trail XR Review | This Value-Packed Enduro Bike Is Bigger, Better & Way More Adjustable

Enduro bikes have to be the most versatile products on the market. Uphill slog and rocky downhill bomb on the agenda? These rigs are expected to do both.

Mountain bikers have been scratching their heads over what makes the perfect enduro bike since day dot, and Marin is just one of many brands chasing this goal. We tested the previous version of the Alpine Trail a couple of years ago, and came away impressed with its solid, dependable ride quality and killer value for money. For 2025 the Californian brand has updated its big-hitting enduro rig with a brand new frame that boasts a reworked suspension design, mullet compatibility and an enormous range of adjustability.

Cutting an impressive figure out on the trail, I was keen to put through its paces at the bike park. So, lets get rolling!

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Marin Alpine Trail Video Review Contents

0:00 - Intro
0:23 - Marin Alpine Trail Overview
1:33 - Frame & Suspension Design
3:06 - Marin Alpine Trail Price & Models
3:32 - Geometry & Sizing
4:00 - Adjustability
5:37 - Suspension Performance
6:12 - Descending
7:29 - Climbing & Longer Rides
8:39 - Component Highs & Lows
10:25 - Flow's Verdict

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[pgson]

Clever bike for Marin to do. Great suspension, good modern angles and affordable. Good review too. well done.

[theonlyDougBlack]

All the info presented I need to make a buying decision. Thanks for being so thorough and actually trying all the different geo settings!!!

[MrSupermugen]

I had mine for a couple of months, Excellent bike, they ride sick.... Lack anti-squat so pedal like ass but managable.
I see you've said its heavy... its in the 17kg so that puts it with alot of other enduro/super

FYI - i did sell it and bought a slash. even more capable but pedals like a trail bike in comparison.

[joehoeper]

Great review - Marin is making some dope bikes.

[DontPanic_]

Great review! Was that filmed at Majura?

[LaurentiusTriarius]

I did rent and try some variation of the previous years XR my biggest complaint was with the two tone paint jobs, problem solved 😄👌

[RobertNye-vqhf]

I was using the microphone in my comment below. I said specialized bikes are the bikes that I prefer. I hate making cell phones.
Peace

[johnnybravo]

Marin is really showing me something. Trek take notes.

[RobertNye-vqhf]

I wouldn’t own another Maren the hex bolts start to rust and when you rinse it off after riding it even in the dust if you don’t make sure you wash it off completely and dry it it’ll rust completely specialized bike. That’s just my opinion. Happy trails.

[sandycarmichael]

Mmmn only marginally lighter than Polygon Collosus N9 and sounds like perhaps the Collosus with it's six bar suspension platform pedals better than the Marin despite being heavier? The welds on the alloy frame look fairly prominent, wish the value bikes from bikes online took a leaf out of Orbea's hydro polished alloy which looks like carbon except from a small visible weld near the BB. However it appears both Orbea and Marin are guilty of speccing underwhelming brakes my Rise H15 came with 2 piston Deores, which is even more ridiculous than DB8s on the 17kg Marin XR. How would the XR compare against a similarly rugged Commencal Meta AM or SX?

[liwx]

what trail network is that ? where is it ?

[marksandoval]

Maybe this bike should be called the Alpine Enduro XR because that's no Trail bike.

[jeZiorz]

Jesus christ. I could listen to her voice all day 😅