First Look: Marin 2014 bikes

I’m gonna call a spade a spade here, I don’t think anyone could deny that Marin were once a big serious player in the MTB world. But over the last few years a watered down market approach, no obvious team or any type of rider to relate to, the brand had things definitely waning. The bikes weren’t bad, they were just a little invisible, as was the brand’s “story”. Well by the looks of this press release and these new 2014 MTB bikes, Marin is on the up. CEO Matt VanEnkevort is an actual mountain biker and has had close ties with New Zealand over the last few years as CEO of FSA. He had a great relationship with their distributor here and we even did a Frankly Thursday with him. I’m actually excited about what the future holds for Marin under his direction and after checking out the below bikes I’m sure you will too.

I’m trying to get release dates and prices for these bikes now! Will update as soon as I do.

Today, Marin Bikes California announces an evolutionary leap for the company, including the culmination of robust new R&D and company structure, led by President Matt VanEnkevort.

Respected bike-industry veteran VanEnkevort took the helm as CEO in late 2012 and swiftly began the work of driving Marin forward with the greater resources at his command as a result of the company’s acquisition by a private firm earlier that year. VanEnkevort and the team at Marin have revitalized the company from the ground up and the inside out, driven by love for the brand and the thrilling, majestic landscapes that inspired it. The new direction features crucial advancements, as well as a return to the heart and soul of Marin: bikes designed by a small collective of passionate riders who work and ride hard in order to give the cyclists of the world the absolute best.

“I couldn’t be more excited,” says VanEnkevort. “Marin Bikes California is intimately connected with its namesake, and our people and products reflect this. We all live and ride here, and we love it. We’ve challenged ourselves and dug deep for our fans—our dealers and customers—and we have high expectations for 2014. Not only are the bikes going to be better than ever; we’ve completed and will be launching a full redesign: logo, headbadge, design aesthetics, bikes, Web site, all of it. We’ve built a bigger, stronger company, poured resources into R&D, and embraced platforms like 27.5-inch wheels, the IsoTrac suspension system, and much, much more, offering greater performance and versatility to our riders. We can’t wait for everyone to see it all come together.”

ATTACK TRAIL C-XT PRO
The new Attack Trail signals Marin’s return to the longer-travel All-Mountain market, and 2014 marks the advancement to 27.5″ wheels, as well as a new, full-carbon frameset with a 66.5-degree headtube angle and interchangeable frame components, including a downtube bash guard and bottom-bracket/chain-guide attachment plates for single- and double-chainring cranksets. The Attack Trail utilizes Marin’s venerable Quad Link 3.0 suspension system for big mountain riding, offering 150mm of travel with 160mm forks up front. The Pro model will be offered with the new Rock Shox Pike RCT3 fork and a 2×10 SRAM XO drivetrain, with go-fast bits from e13, including TRS+ wheels, crankset, and chain guide. Riders will have the option of two all-carbon models, as well as an aluminum/carbon model.

SPECS:

150mm Quad-Link 3.0 suspension
27.5″ wheels
Rock Shox Pike RCT3 fork and Fox Float-X shock
Avid XO Trail brakes
SRAM XO 2×10 drivetrain
e13 TRS+ tubeless wheels

MOUNT VISION C-XM PRO
The 2014 Mount Vision receives major updates, starting with a new carbon frameset with integrated cable routing for brakes, derailleurs, and dropper seatpost, plus a 27.5″ wheel platform. Models will also have an interchangeable bottom-bracket plate system that allows use of chain guides for single, double, or triple cranksets. The frame offers 140mm of travel through Marin’s new IsoTrac suspension system and is paired with 140mm forks up front, with a 67.5-degree headtube angle. The Pro model boasts a full SRAM XX1 group, Reverb seatpost, and Formula Engineering carbon wheels to achieve a low weight of 25 pounds. Targeted at the trail and enduro markets, the Mount Vision will be available in three carbon models, two opening-price-point aluminum/carbon models, and a full-carbon Women’s Fit Geometry model.

SPECS:

140mm IsoTrac suspension
27.5″ wheels
Fox 32 Factory CTD fork, Float-X CTD shock
Avid XO Trail brakes
SRAM XX1 1×11 drivetrain
Tubeless carbon wheels

TEAM CXR PRO 27.5
The ultimate XC race machine, the Team CXR Pro features SRAM’s revolutionary XX1 1×11-speed drivetrain, full-carbon, tubeless-compatible wheels from Formula Engineering, and a top-of-the-range Fox 32 Factory CTD fork. Easton carbon cockpit parts connect the rider to the ride, and Avid XO carbon brakes keep things in check. For racers and riders looking for the best technology, look no further. The Team CXR Pro is available in 27.5″ and 29″ wheels.

SPECS:
T3 carbon frame
27.5″ wheels
F/R though-axles
Fox 32 Factory fork
Avid XO carbon brakes
SRAM XX1 1×11 drivetrain
Tubeless carbon wheels

CORTINA T3 CX PRO
The flagship model of Marin’s cyclocross lineup, the CX Pro features an all-new, disc-specific unidirectional T3 carbon frame and tapered full-carbon fork, PressFit 30 bottom bracket, and interchangeable 4-in-1 cable-guide system, for the option to run electronic or mechanical drivetrains. Shimano’s new Ultegra Di2 drivetrain, BR-R785 hydraulic brakes, and tubeless-ready Easton XD wheels make up the drivetrain. It’s topped off with a Ritchey WCS cockpit. Marin also offers a blue-collar carbon racer in the Cortina CX, which uses the same T3 carbon frame but is mated to a 10-speed SRAM Rival drivetrain, with an XO Type 2 rear derailleur for added chain tension & security on rough courses. Rounding out the ’cross family is the Lombard, built out as an urban ’cross bike with an aluminum frame, carbon fork, Shimano 105 drivetrain, and a special finish that includes reflective decals for improved visibility at night.

SPECS:
T3 UD carbon frame w/ tapered full-carbon fork
2×11 Shimano Ultegra Di2 drivetrain
Shimano BR-R785 hydraulic disc brakes
Tubeless-ready Easton XD disc wheels
35mm Continental cyclocross race tires

Founded in 1986, Marin Bikes California is a pioneering, innovative bike company built and run by passionate riders. Born out of the cycling paradise of Marin County and San Francisco, we’re obsessed with superior design, quality, and performance.