Punching Above Its Weight Class | Value Bike Field Test: Marin Rift Zone Review

No strangers to creating idiosyncratic and unique bikes, Marin has done it again with their new update to the Rift Zone. The 130mm trail bike manages to deliver a ride feel well in excess of its numbers, and the little ripper lives up to Marin's claim that it is "made to party, whatever your jam might be."

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[nascarisawesome]

Good to see PB reviewing budget bikes like Marin and Norco that is actually accessible to most riders. It's a breath of fresh air seeing these bikes.

[Nicoya]

Just to clarify things, it's pronounced "Marin".

[chriscowan]

thanks for the focus on this price for many of us!

[RidesWithJake]

I've been riding the Junior 26" version for a couple of months now, and while previous bike which is a Norco Fluid FS1 is better in specs, I now enjoy riding it. It's made me ride faster in the chunks, but I needs quite a few upgrades.

I agree the value on this bike is not that great, I spent quite a bit to upgrade it and it now feels amazing!

[betoalvaradog.]

It will be great to see a comparison between Norco Optic and Canyon Spectral 125. Two 125 mm bikes that behave almost like Enduro Bikes

[theamazingtacocat]

I have a rift zone carbon and absolutely love it. Feels so natural and fast compared to my Scott

[chrispierdominici]

Interesting tire choice of the Assegai on a trail bike. Beast of a tire, but overkill and sluggish to my mind for a trail bike. Rode a set on my enduro bike for awhile and found them quite delimiting unless riding a lot of loose, gnarly terrain. Minions are better for a trail bike that can play a bit in the enduro realm.

[Arturito]

I have a 2022 Marin Rift Zone 1 27.5 and love it to death. So good

[worgle]

I reckon I'm gonna pick one up. Bikesonline has 'em for sale at $1, 800 AUD off! Pretty hard to beat at that point...

[TheNnyx]

I picked up last year's 27.5 rift, put a coil shock and swapped the z2 for the z1 and it's a tank. Rides like a slope bike on flow tracks. And mini Enduro on the north US chunk. First mid travel bike that I can just point down hill and trust it to work.

[montanaharkin]

Friend has the previous generation Rift he got on clearance. Easily the best money ever spent in the history of mankind. Punches way above it's class.

[endianAphones]

I really like my 27.5 Marin. It's just fun to ride. Hard to fault it for the price. Wouldn't mind trying a similar sized 29 er to see how it feels like.

[Checkitwithamagnet]

Which Rift Zone is this? Please add to video description if you can.

[Michaelarvin]

Marin are the best bikes out! I can’t wait for the dh bike they are working on

[Alaakso]

Also one amazing thing about that float x performance, ypu can add the lsc knob yourself and make it black version of factory version.

[waldowsxxghostxx]

Aside from the 2023 models having UDH how much improved is the new Riftzone compared to the previous 2022 models?

[ChunkyWalnutX]

I did not know about the option of switching the cassette. I know this video is 1 year old, but how would one be able to contact Marin to do that?

[creativechimp]

Good review. I'm looking at the Rift range vs the Giant Trance X range. Both 27.5 variants as I'm 5ft 6, what do you think is a better bike for a mix of XC/local trails, plus bike park visits (Reds, not blacks/huge drop-offs etc).

[AdventureRich]

I had the option of this bike vs the Vitus Mythique that was cheaper with the same fork up front. I went with the Mythique and I'm LOVING IT!

[nite]

Picked one up on clearance for $2299 couldnt pass that up! Yeee