Marin Eldridge Grade or Spesh Rockhopper (UPDATE)

razer

So been down to the local bike shop today and rode both of the above bikes. I found both to ride pretty similar (geometry etc), possibly slightly nicer on the spesh (marginal)

My wife bought a Marin last year which i ocassionally borrow instead of taking my 99 hardrock and i liked it hence trying the eldridge.

I prefer the looks of the Marin and like the Fox forks compared to the spesh, problem is ive had spesh for years and am slightly reluctant to take the plunge on the Marin for this reason having never had any problems.

So which should i go for?!?!

To throw another spanner in the works the guy in the shop said it may be worth something else in the Marin brand, the B17 is in the range. What do i do?!?

confused [:p]

Unknown

Ride them and see what feels right for you.Both are nice bikes.Both are reputable manufacturers.Anything which goes wrong is more likely to be down to the components hung from the frame,rather than the frame itself,so wouldn't worry too much on Spesh v Marin relaibilty issues.

At this price you`re not really going to get a duffer,its more down to personal preference,riding style and what feels right.


Some days you're the statue.Some days you're the pigeon.

My Rockhopper

My XTC

My biking pics

Unknown

Rockhopper Pro 07! I love mine!

Seagull

I know a guy with the B17 frame. Lovely frame, crap spec though. Generally specialized will have the best spec, and the marin will have a really nice anodised frame, Spesh frames are good as well, but the paint jobs are known for occasionally being dodgy.

my photos NYM biking routes

razer

ive ridden both today (first post) and like both when it comes to riding, so i think its going to be down to looks! [:0]

Is there anything else in this price bracket to look at?. im getting the bike through work nad cyclescheme so the likes of the merlin malt are out.

razer

anyone care to comment having owned one or both of these?

Thanks

proximo

i just love marin, was looking at the rocky ridge for myself! also looked at the eldridge but its a bit too XC for my riding style.

he who dares wins!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7357821@N06/

Unknown

Razer, I have not seen the Marin myself but if you like the look of the Marin over the RH Pro then go for the Marin. Personally i love my RH Pro, its a great frame, very upgradeable but not much call for it to be upgraded though...only as parts fail i guess. The only thing that lets it down spec wise is the crankset which i am going to change when the new XT stuff comes out in July.

Good luck anyway.

Unknown

Oh yeah, its nice and light and is fast over XC, great for climbing but has a low BB so watch it near obstacles, but i dont find that a problem as i hit them first and go over the handlebars.[:)]

Wolf

Well, I haven't ridden the Spec, but own the Marin you are looking at! Lovely, lovely frame, very light bike, but a bit of an acquired taste me thinks. Very XC orientated, but the 100mm fork will allow you to go down anything. The back end is very stiff, which can be a god or a bad thing. It is very predictable and beautiful to chuck around in fast downhills, but it might be a bit unforgiving when the ground gets very rocky/routy. It climbs like a mountain goat and is very nice to steer in the uphills with its steep angle. The fork is plush and very adjustable, but I have to say I have missed the ability to lock it on tarmac. Still, this will only be 5% of the time.

Oh, and as you say, the looks are stunning! [:D] And there aren't as many around as there are Specs...

I just think that the Marin is something a bit different, something to buy with the heart, and not just with the head. But in the end, the decision is yours [;)].

By the way, IIRC the B17 is more of a hardcore hardtail, totally different from the Eldridge or Hardrock...

Marin Eldridge Grade 07
GT Avalanche 1.0 07

razer

the type of riding i will be doing is local commons, south downs, leith hill etc. Anyone know these areas and care to comment as im not 100% sure if XC is what i am looking at (im guessing it is!)

Thanks all for the helpful comments so far

Marky Mark.

Wolf is a North Downs man and if he's finding the Marin capable then it's not a bad reccomendation. Before finally giving in to full suss I had/still have a Klein HT which is more of a trail bike (can run up to 120mm comfortably) than a full blown XC bike and it suited me well for spending hours on the South Downs with the occasional Leith Hill jaunt thrown in.

The Kinesis Maxlight XC 120 frame might also be a good option and allow you to build it up quite nicely for around a grand.

There's also the Charge Duster in steel as another option



http://www.flickr.com/photos/markymarkstuff/

Wolf

I think either of those two bikes will be fine for Leith Hill and the North Downs (If they are anything like the South Downs...). I have found the Marin excellent in the flats and ups, and it loves the twisty/foresty singletrack around holmbury hill! supersmooth fork means it just flies over roots, but giving you enough notice to lift the arse from the saddle (or you'll get a nasty bump). As mentioned, the only negative thing about the bike is the tail in rocky downhills, but I assume it is the same with any XC bike... There wil lalways be a tradeoff, and you can just go a wee bit slower in the downs, while leaving everyone behind in the ups.

All this only from my limited experience with bikes of course, and I am sure the Spec will behave similarily. Just try them again and choose your favourite, in my case the LBS also deals Specialized, but I just loved the looks of the Marin, and the fact that it is a bit less comon [;)]

Marin Eldridge Grade 07
GT Avalanche 1.0 07

x-clusive

I'm in agreement with Wolf on the last comment, only other owner <s>I have come across.</s> I am aware of [:D]

2007 Marin Eldridge Grade | 203mm Disc upgrade Front and Rear | SDG Bell Air saddle | XC Pro Tyres | 991 Chain | To come:- Flying snakes and new wheels

razer

thanks guys, my brain says rockhopper my heart says eldridge grade. I'll give them both another try but i think the marin will be the winner

razer

So finally got my bike at the weekend and ended up with a Marin East Peak Not tried it in vein yet, but absolutely loving it. Got a big ride out tomorrow night.

Ive already had a comedt moment with the SPD's!!!!

I now need to get back into any maintenance issues and other things to keep an eye on

Thanks for all your advice