WHAT'S THE BIG DIFFERENCE?!?! Comparing the Trek Marlin to the Trek dual sport lines | A Breakdown

The Trek Marlin is a great bike but how do you know when to choose the Dual sport? We go over the major differences and compares the two models, Hopefully this will be helpful to anyone stuck on the edge of deciding!

Thanks for watching, If you want to know what my set up is check out the links below, comment if you want more info!
Bike link here!

[doityourselfnews]

Thank you. You helped decide. I have a dual sport 3 and I’ve taken it on the trails in Kansas. (I do 50 mile rides on my dual sport on the road but I got a taste for the trail.)

[reggiesanders]

Thanks. For a moment I thought I had chosen the wrong bike - Marlin 5. I like both of them but my Marlin 5 is the one for me as I only ride on city streets and hard bike trails. I’m also amazed at how close the two bikes are in weight!!!! - within 3 to 4 pounds in favor of the FX.

[nacles__]

Thanks for your video!
I really can't choose yet...
With my cheap 26" mtb (Speed Skarabel) i used to do 100km gravel trips, short travels (5-6 days, full loaded rear rack), but also have fun in the forest and jump over urban obstacles. The DS would seem the best choice, still i'm afraid it is too "delicate" when it comes to little jumps or full loads

[selfplex]

Hey y'all... The 2022 Dual Sports can fit up to a 29x2.1 MTB tire. 700c and 29" are the same diameter rim. So you could have a DS with mountain bike tires or a Marlin with slicker narrower tires. I think the frame material/geometry and component combos are where the decision-making might better be focused (unless you're going for more serious trail riding, where you'd really want the Marlin.) Just my 2 cents 🙂

[athappyhiker]

I just took my 2022 Dual Sport 2 on a 3 mile “light” mountain bike trail today. Was a bit too much for the bike. Trail was damp and muddy at some points and with the stock tires it had poor traction. Skidded around any tight turns. Very difficult going up any significant incline and was spinning and slipping over roots. Took two tumbles off the bike. Bike fared fine; no damage at all. Chain derailed twice though. I think this bike’s sweet spot is certainly casual road, paved or gravel trails or dry packed dirt with minimal bumps or other gnarly stuff. May fare better on trails with 2.1 tires with more knobby tread to them.

[MrGodspeed]

Thanks Chris! I find your videos down to earth and informative.

[kunalsarkar]

I was bit confused, U decided for me, thanks. It's gonna be Marlin 5 gen 2 for me !!

[BDawgCrypto]

Perfect video for my needs. Got the marlin 6 and throwing some GR1 tires on for better pavement rides.

[nevs]

Hello. Do u think putting 100m fork on ds is beneficial and whether its frame can handle the beating as much as Marlins

[cjd]

What about the new Dual Sport 3 Gen 5? I will mainly do light trails and road driving.... debating between a 2022 Trek Marlin 5 or waiting for the Dual Sport 3 Gen 5 with the Carbon Fork instead of the suspension fork.

[Shinjihirako]

Can I change stock DS 2 rear Dearilleur with Shimano Deore M5120? I kinda like the clutch function on deore. I'm floating between DS2 and Merlin 6.

[MrMMusc]

Really good video. Thank you.
On the gearing for the marlin (7), riding around the park, on the grass, paths and casual weekend rides, do the gears suit well?
I’m looking to keep this bike for a while and have the option of going off road but not in the outback. I’m U.K. based and proper off-road won’t be an option but I want last-ability from a hood bike. Will I struggle with the gears as there aren’t many?
Thanks in advance

[osafoca]

You mention these are both entry level. What's the next step up for the dual sport? It seems more obvious with the marlin, procaliber or other similar.

[NAZZ]

Where is your bike shop located and how can I get ahold of you for buying one

[trixerbautista]

are you able to change the tire of marlin to hybrid tire?

[EDST]

Thanks great comparison of the two types of bikes, I already have a Trek DS 8.6 would the Roscoe 6 be a good second bike for single track rides

[trenb]

Hey Chris,

Nice comparison! If I would get a Marlin with the Dual Sport tires, do you think I would get the same on-road performance as with the Dual Sport? I mostly commute on-road, but then I could also get beefier tires to go off-roading in the future. Thanks!

[dragoslungu]

Does trek dual sport 1 have a cassette or a freewheel ?

[hollernathan]

Hi, can you review the trek verve 3? Thank you

[jasonreyes]

Thank you. This helped me decide. I think the Marlin 5 is for me but I’ll go for the DS2 if it’s all my LBS has in stock in my size.