Marin Alpine trail 2006 - good buy at £699?

daniel_b

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/index.html?pageTitle=Marin_Alpine_Trail_Bike_2006&pageDesc=The_Alpine_Trail_uses_the_TARA_FRS_Frame_see_below_for_more_info_This_EntryLevel_spec_is_an_excellen&action=detail&maincatID=0&catID=&prodID=7481&brandID=

Down from £1195, seems a major deal to me?

Any opinions at all?

And I know it's impossible to say, but would you suggest I would need a smaller FS frame, as oppose to a HT?
I ride a 17.5" Marin HT.

Any Marin FS owners out there?

I'm 5ft10, with a 35" inside leg.

Dan

daniel_b

No opinions to be shared at all?? :shock:

Not even on sizing, or that there might be something better out there for the money?

ride_whenever

Brakes are crap, decent, if entry level fork. Good frame and suitable for much better parts. It is a bit of a steal at that price. At 5.10 a medium should be fine but, as always, you should try and test it first.

The Big Cheese

The frame size would certainly suit you. I ride a 17" IFT and have just bought a medium Attack Trail.

The bike seems very good value for money but is let down by a couple of components i.e., the brakes - Hayes Sole are AWFUL!

If you could spend a little more on say some XT brakes it would make your ride so much better - see how you get on with the Sole but I guarantee after a while you shall be wanting to rip them off with your bare hands!!

The rest all seems OK and the bike has the potential to be upgraded when things wear out - starting with the brakes

You could always get a cheap deal on some XT brakes or Juicy 3s for little money that would improve your ride!

daniel_b

Brilliant stuff, thankyou very much guys, that's just what I was after.

So would make a sound purchase, but a few bits that could do with upgrading.

My Palisades has Sole brakes too, so I am used to them, and as I am fairly light, they seem to stop me reasonably well, but I could use them til they wear out I guess and then upgrade.

Thanks again, I have some finances to work out!

Cheers

Dan

The Big Cheese

No worries and if you need anything else just ask!

daniel_b

Cheesey wrote:

No worries and if you need anything else just ask!

Well you did say!

Can't see in the spec, but it states that the front and rear suspension have rebound adjusters, do you know if they have a lockout option, ie would a lockout option be useful for hill climbing on a hardpacked path or tarmac at all?

And lastly, can I ask what your stats are Cheesey, as I believe the Attack trail is the same frame geometry?

What's your height and your inside leg?

Although I think your building yours up, so you probably can't test it yet?!

Dan

The Big Cheese

I am 6' but not lanky and my inside leg is 32/33.

I have sat on an Atack trail fully built in a showroom last year in a mdeium - and it felt spot on.

I like my bikes to have a 'compact feel' to them - makes me feel more in control.

With regards to the forks:

If they are 302 solo air they should have lockout but they could be OE forks which sometimes means features are changed - if they do it will be a bonus and will help with flat terrain and climbing.

The rear shock is a Float R - I am not too sure if you can lock it out - I don't think you can but I have never owned one - but I know it doesn't have ProPedal which in essence is better than a lockout.

Hope this helps!

daniel_b

Thanks for all that info Cheesey - much appreciated

Chap here at work has a Ginat Trance, and he though the 06 Marin FS bikes were meant to be a bit high, ie high bottom bracket, and therefore high centre of gravity.

Had you heard anything like that?

I can see how the centre of gravity would increase, but equally can see how you will have better ground clearance.

Dan

ride_whenever

both are true, it is a trade off between stability and pedal strikes

dirtbiker100

First of all - have you rung winstanleys and checked they have the bike there and in stock ready to send out?!?!? please do this first. their website and actual stock are rarely similar and make sure you get them to deliver it safely

I had a 06 alpine trail, trying to sell the frame at the moment actually. such a nice frame, great suspension. the forks have been fine for me, indeed the brakes are extremely crap but 700 is a good price. I was more than happy with it.

i've gone onto a hardtail just because i'm silly hence selling the frame.

daniel_b

dirtbiker100 wrote:

First of all - have you rung winstanleys and checked they have the bike there and in stock ready to send out?!?!? please do this first.

Fair play, just spoke to someone in sales, and yes they have the 17.5" in stock.

Decisions, decisions.

Dan

dirtbiker100

Yes I would get it. simply

and i'll try not to act too surprised that they have one in stock