Come on then, thoughts on the Marin Hawk Hill?

jamski

I can demo one for three hours round Swinley Forest before I buy. Costs would be.

£1450 from Swinley new with a new trail helmet (up to £130) thrown in free
£999 from Swinley ex demo
£1200 from somewhere online

Love the fact I can give one a good test before I buy. Also love the way it looks. Gets good reviews, has a decent spec for £1200, perhaps slightly less so for £1450. Like buying local, through an independent shop.

http://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/desc ... -multitrac

Thoughts?

midgehulluk

I like it! If you enjoy riding it and it fills all your needs, get one!

rockmonkeysc

You can do a lot better for £1200.
I'd go for the Giant Stance. £100 cheaper and a better fork.
Or this for £300 less and equally good. http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-bos ... ke-p347143

jamski

RockmonkeySC wrote:

You can do a lot better for £1200.
I'd go for the Giant Stance. £100 cheaper and a better fork.
Or this for £300 less and equally good. http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-bos ... ke-p347143

The 2017 Stance has the RockShox 30 fork. Yes it's the gold version so lighter, but it's thinner and the tk version so no rebound adjustment. Also a 9mm qr on the front wheel not the bolt through like the Marin. Unless I'm missing something?

The Bossnut is always an option, but I have a Calibre now, and although well specced, I'm not overly convinced by their build quality or finish long term.

JBA

For £1,400 I'd be seriously looking at a 2016 Trance 2 from Rutland.
Only small and medium in stock but a cracker if one of those sizes fits you.

rockmonkeysc

jamski wrote:

the tk version so no rebound adjustment.

TK dampers have got rebound adjustment.
To be honest, bolt through makes very little difference with 32mm stanchions.

jamski

Thanks all. It looks like every brand will have its fans/critics. I'm still keen on the Marin. Will go and demo, then take it from there. I can get it for £1200 online, so if push comes to shove I'll do that. Budget started at £1k so I'm happier nearer that mark than £1500. As stated in another post, it's about what I can justify spending, not what I can afford. With a family, there are other priorities other than bikes.

For me the Marin is well enough specced, and has been designed to be upgraded which I like. I'm on a 14kg hardtail so weight shouldn't be an issue. I'm totally sold on 1x drivetrain now too. The internal routing I like, and the comments on pinkbike from various countries are nothing but positive, along with 'professional' tests being very strong. And lastly, I think it looks great!

Thanks for all the comments, if things change I'll be asking for more advise I'm sure. Cheers.

prawny

No end of issues with my Bossnut, if you can get the hawk hill for less £1200 or less I'd go for that. £1450 is a bit rich though.