Is an Electric Mountain Bike a better eBike option? Trek Marlin+ Electric Mountain Bike Review

What if I told you this eMTB could change how you get around town?

This is a pretty different review than any others on the web, but maybe it will show you what is possible with this bike!

In most towns I’ve lived in, social trails and utility lines cut through neighborhoods. These hidden jewels can make the difference between having an easy way to get to school or the library by bike or simply not doing it at all.

While I’ve tried pushing my various city bikes and cargo bikes on some of these trails, they aren’t always up to the task due to their smaller wheels, slicker tires, or simply being too stupidly heavy to be caught carrying or pushing over down trees or rocks.

I’ve had the Trek Marlin+ 8 in for review over the last few weeks, initially in to test out some Bosch features and compare it to the Tern Orox, both of those things in separate videos.

While riding it, I was able to explore without any of the typical constraints of using a cargo bike or even my non-electric mountain bike. I simply pulled up the ride with GPS, looked at the heat maps cutting through neighborhood easements, and went exploring to find the most enjoyable routes to run errands.

ABOUT ME:
Ex-bike shop owner turned YouTuber helping families get on the bike to leave the car at home ❤️

I owned an electric bike shop and have worked in the bike industry for 20 years. I mainly cover e-bikes, cargo bikes, cycling tech, and general bike maintenance on this channel.

DISCLAIMER:
This bike was provided for review, and I may make a commission off some links if you purchase through them (affiliate links.)

[barbschwendtner]

I love my eMTB (Orbea Rise)! It makes riding fun again as I can get up the hills in VT without suffering. It has also enabled me to go on some group rides for some great social connections out on the trails.

[rshawiii]

e bikes are a game changer. I converted a mongoose full suspension with a BBS02. I live in SW colorado and I use it every chance I get in place of my car. I pull a bike trailer up roads with 10% grades with ease. Even in winter with studded tires.

[TALON-]

I'm looking forward to your video comparing the eMTB to eCargo bike.

[markotrieste]

I have a hard tail with brose motor, is my daily drive. I have two bags on the rear rack, plus a small bag frame for emergency tools etc. During the years, it has pulled first a Thule child carrier, then a Roland Add + tag-along, and now that my son has grown up, a Burley Travoy for the heavy shopping.

I too live in a place that is both hilly and with few bike lanes, but plenty of trails that allow for relaxed and quick commutes between various parts of the town.

One tip for 365 days commuting, if you don't live in really snowy places: get all-season tires, possibly tubeless. Hadn't had a flat since, and they are grippy also in cold and wet conditions.

[ukrytykrytyk]

German Cube has the Reaction hard tail with rack and fenders as an option or as standard, also Stereo 120 full suspension with the same.

[MashiroMartinez]

@E-bikeguy Can I modify this bike with a 72v dual battery cargo bike setup using a Fardriver controller connected to the Bosch motor?

[southernebiking]

The Marlin line makes great commuter bikes. I have a regular marlin seven that has a mid drive kit on it. Fantastic on bikeways, etc. Biggest issue is that a mid drive does create a higher maintenance schedule. Over 4000 miles on it and I finally am putting it to off-road only. Put far fewer miles on mountain bike trails then you do on greenways. Curious if the Marlin 8 E bike has a removable battery? I know the marlin 7 e-bike has a battery that cannot be removed. Very big problem here in North Carolina.

[emilycs]

considering a regular bike has replaced cars for me. Any ebike is a no brainer. If even a smal fraction of car trips could be replaced by ebike. A lot of burdensome car infastructure could be replaced with quality public transit that people would actually use further reducing car trips.

[OmniTierra]

I’m curious what is the plan for dealing with batteries when they come to the end of their life. Is there an industry program to manage this waste?