Marin Launches Updated Rift Zone Trail Bike

Marin has been on a tear recently, first with the new Alpine Trail, followed a few weeks ago by the new Quake . Now though, they've got new builds of their trail bike, the Rift Zone. While the Quake and Alpine trail were frame-up new bikes, the Rift Zone is getting more of a refresh - fresh builds and colors available on a frame with the same geometry. That said, the Rift Zone might just be the most important Marin launch this year, because at $1,799 for a complete Rift Zone 1, this might just be the most affordable ready-to-ride full suspension bike on the market.

Marin Rift Zone Refresh in a Nutshell

• Travel: 130 mm (rear) 140/150 mm(front)

• Wheel Size: XS, S: 27.5" M:27.5 or 29" L,XL: 29"

• Head Tube Angle: 65.5°

What's new?

Marin didn't change up the geometry or suspension platform of the Rift Zone. It's still a 130 mm single pivot suspension design, with a seat stay-mounted bearing. Depending on the build you get a 150 mm fork (XR and XR AXS) or 140 mm fork (all the other builds). It's compatible with SRAM's UDH, has plenty of room for a water bottle, comes with all the classy little Marin accents, and has nice, clean lines along with sweet colorways.

So the big changes here are all to the builds. Previously, the Rift Zone was available in carbon or aluminum, 29", or 27.5" versions. This new release is aluminum only, with a tiered sizing/wheel size structure. XS and S frames get 27.5" wheels, medium riders get to choose between either wheel size, and large and XL bikes are full 29" only.

Build options

At the top end, $4,999 gets you a pretty sweet build with a RockShox Lyric Select+, GX Transmission drivetrain, Code Bronze brakes, and Maxxis Assagai tires. For $1000 less, you can drop down to a mechanical GX drivetrain, with DB8 brakes, for a solid all-round build.

But, things really get interesting with the Rift Zone 1 and 2. The Rift Zone 2 retails for $2,299, and comes with a Marzocchi Bomber Z2 fork, Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain, and Tecktro HD-M535 brakes. Finally, the $1,799 Rift Zone 1 gets an X-Fusion Slide fork, Shimano Deore 11-speed drivetrain, Tektro HD-M280 brakes, and an X-Fusion dropper.

That, to me, is by far the most interesting build. Marin's new aluminum frames on their own retail for $1,849. So for $50 less than an Alpine Trail frame, you can pick up a complete Rift Zone. That makes it one of the most affordable full-suspension bikes on the market. Which, as we're about to discuss, is really cool.

Why affordable bikes with dropper posts matter

An old riding cohort I used to fraternize with described the minimum viable mountain bike as having "two wheels and a dropper" and I'd tend to agree. That's what I need to go have fun on a bike, to fulfill my definition of "mountain biking." Plenty of brands have offered their baseline models with rigid posts in the past - the outgoing Rift Zone 1 came with a very similar build to this new version, omitting the dropper, for the same price.

That's frustrating. I'm no "everybody should start on a hardtail" fanatic, but I don't think it's controversial to argue that budget bikes, aimed at newer riders, should prioritize a dropper post over rear suspension. It doesn't matter how much more traction the rear end of your bike is generating if your saddle is ramming you in the gooch every time you try to descend. But it's hard to explain to a new rider, already skeptical of throwing down $1800 for a new bike, that they need to add a couple hundred dollars on top of that for a dropper post. It just piles insult onto injury.

Honestly, I'd rather see high end, $6K+ bikes come with a rigid placeholder post, so that their affluent and informed purchasers can sub in a dropper with their preferred length themselves, than force dropperless bikes on first-time purchasers.

So it's really, really cool to see Marin make an $1800 bike that's fully ready to roll with a dropper post. It's hard to determine if this is actually the most affordable full suspension bike with a dropper post on the market - that title might be dubiously held by Giant's Stance, depending on where you live (the US version of the Stance has quick release dropouts, which should immediately disqualify it, and we don't have US pricing for the newer, thru-axle version of the Stance).

However, regardless of the pedantry, this is a good thing. It will make mountain biking accessible to more people, and it gets new riders started with a quality, upgradeable bike. Thank you Marin!

Ride impressions

I managed to chase a friend around a little on the new Rift Zone 1. This isn't a full review at all, but more of a confirmation that this bike does indeed meet the minimum viable product bar for mountain biking. Out of the box, it's a fun bike to ride, for less money than a premium fork or wheelset or frame. If I owned one, yes, it would get different tires immediately, and probably upgraded suspension and brakes down the road eventually. But that's the magic of the Rift Zone - it's totally adequate to start, and then the frame is actually worth hanging nicer parts on, instead of relegating to the dumpster.

For now

Affordable bikes are awesome. They make this silly activity accessible to more riders. It's genuinely encouraging to see Marin launch these new builds for the Rift Zone that make it abundantly clear that they have the experience of riders in mind. I can't wait to see all the shredding and progression that's going to take place on these new builds.

Related: Tested: Marin Alpine Trail XR