$900 GRAVEL BIKE?! IS IT ANY FUN?! (Marin Nicasio Plus Review)

Review of the Marin Nicasio Plus, a 650b endurance road/gravel bike that is low budget but high on fun! Support independent bike reviews and join our Patreon Community!

[marin_bikes]

Thanks Russ, glad to hear that you liked the Nicasio+. We'll check back here from time-to-time to help answer any questions that viewers may have.

[curtbrown]

(pssst) You're getting better and better at this. This review is crisp and easy to watch and the bike should serve many well

[bensieber]

Of course, Marin has a long history of providing excellent bikes at budget. They often fly under the radar compared to other Big Brands, but they generally make really good bikes.

[peterbaskind]

That’s a lot of bike for the money. It’s exciting that such options are out there.

I must say that I have not used Advent via a brifter. But I am a fan of the groupset. FOR THE MONEY, it’s excellent. Does it feel like Ultegra? No; but it really doesn’t need to. It will be the drivetrain on the bike I am building for my wife: 1x9 on a flat bar bike will work great in town.

Affordable bikes = more people riding. That’s a good thing.

[jameszibura]

Excellent review! Simple, to the point and above all completely transparent. Glad to see a "budget" bike review done in the same manner as a $4k bike review.

Many people will be happy with this bike, and I'll keep watching!

[boognish]

I purchased this bike last month in KL Malaysia after seeing your unboxing. Drove down from Chiang Mai Thailand to pick it up! Took 30 hours to get down there and 30 hours back. It was worth it... absolutely love this bike!

[jeffreythree]

One of the benefits of using Microshift Advent is the clutched derailleur. Usually it is Claris or Sora at this price range.

[MooCowToe]

Just something to keep in mind for someone looking to buy this bike. Especially if you intend to ride gravel. I've had this bike for about a year. I have been totally loving it. Until recently, anyway, when I ran into this issue. There's one major flaw that's making it unrideable. The derailleur hanger is built into the frame. So if it's damaged, there's no way to replace it.

On my bike, the lip at the bottom of the derailleur hanger that stops the derailleur from rotating forward has chipped. So now the derailleur rotates forward, causing the chain to loosen and making it impossible to shift to a lower gear. Essentially making the bike unrideable.

Derailleur hangers are easily damaged because it's a small part protruding down so close to the ground, and a lot of stress is put on them from the chain. That's why bikes typically have a separate/removable derailleur hanger, which is easy to replace if it gets damaged but not this bike.

[Nordicjumper]

I ❤this bike so much. I heard people complaining about the weight, but it’s never been a problem for me. It’s great for climbing IMO. I used to ride a much lighter bike, but the climbing is pretty much the same for this bike. And I go uphill A LOT because live in the Rocky mountains. This is a superb bike!!

[stephencsaplar]

Just bought one and a lot of fun to ride and really comfortable 🚴❤️ really enjoy the channel 👍

[darkmode_garden]

This is the first video I watched from your channel and now the Nicasio + is now my first gravel bike. This was such a fun way to learn more before I bought in. Also I didn't fret about the weight because this bike is so light.. compared to my ebike that now gets left at home.

[steveb]

Russ I still love my 2018 Marin Gestalt x10. I find it a great all-round bike I use for road and bike packing. Love to see you do a review of that!😊

[nicolasreed]

Thanks for the review! I've had my eye out for this bike but I've been a little uncertain about it. Your review just clinched it for me!

[sagehiker]

See it is fall in Missoula....lookee at the all the tire-shredding pine cones to dodge. I am scribbling the name of this bike down. Great concise review.

[analoguegeek]

The Nicasio is such a good, affordable platform to build on. I got a used one here in Japan for about 300$. They spec them really low here for commuters with flat bars and Altus components (though it did have tektro hydraulic brakes). I took all the low end stuff off and I swapped in advent X, a cues hollowtech crank, juintech brakes, and got some drop bars.. it’s pretty much a Nicasio ++ at this point and it absolutely rips! I take it on rindo rides up into the Japanese mountains and it handles rough beat up terrain without any issue. I put some WTB ventures on it and it smashes gravel dirt and broken up asphalt.

[icedclips]

I got a Marin Olema 2 and I love it. Feels and looks greats. Got 2x8 drivetrain, carbon fork, mech disc brakes, internal cable routing, tapered head tube, tubeless ready, aluminum frame, and all at under $900

[nopets]

Perhaps I'm an exception but I actually prefer larger jumps when shifting. I run 2x drivetrains and tend to favor the large ring for this purpose. When in a smaller ring for hilly sections, I often find myself dissatisfied with small jumps in gearing unless the hill is steep.

[seangavin]

I have microshift 2x8 on my road bike and love the 2 paddle shifting and not using the brake leaver

[selflove]

I love my nicasio + and you will too. People either love or hate the color. I think it’s good looking but if I worked for Marin, I would’ve insisted it color-match the WTB tan walls. I guess it’s heavy but I’m a strong fella I can handle it, pretty sure you can too. NYC 650B-BOY 💥🥊

[kennethstreet]

I've got a nicasio 2. Love the bike. Needs a fork with anything or lowrider mounts. Is Tiagra 4700 105 5800 rebadged? Great budget friendly group at any rate. Wheels should be tubeless ready.