We got a few sneak peeks of Marin’s new Mount Vision full suspension bike a bit before the show, but they rolled out the full line of new 2011 bikes at Interbike’s Outdoor Demo.
While the Mount Vision (and others are cool), it’s the Team CXR 29er carbon fiber bike that was catching our eye.
It has a full carbon frame with tube-to-tube construction that yields an 1,100g frame. It has a tapered headtube, brake mount inside the rear triangle. A lot of manufacturers are introducing 29er hardtails and taking a cautious, entry level approach with their first offering. Marin’s Team CXR is spec’d with SRAM X9 3×10, Sun-Ringle Black Flag Expert wheels, FSA and Raston carbon cockpit and Continental Race King tires. With a $3,600 MSRP, it sits in between race-spec’d high end models and the $2,000 and less entry level bikes.
More pics and the rest of the bikes and specs/weights after the break…
Unlike most internally located brake mounts that use post mounts, the Team CXR uses IS mounts so you don’t ruin your frame should one of the mounting bolts get “accidentally” overtightened or stripped. The curved dropout adds a nice aesthetic.
It comes with a triple crankset, which some riders (like this guy) will appreciate. It’s SRAM X9, so it’s solid spec, but those wanting to lighten the bike and make it racier can easily upgrade to their 2×9 cranks and front shifter. That’s sorta the theme with all of the spec on this bike; it’s solid and race-able, but the frame is definitely the highlight, and you can just upgrade everything else as necessary. Our experience with the Sun-Ringle Black Flag wheels, which use a Stan’s NoTubes licensed rim shape and are tubeless ready, is pretty good, making them some of the last items on this bike you’d want to upgrade.
The tapered headtube is massive and feeds into a very wide downtube. The rounded diamond shaped top tube flows well into the seatstays. Only the rear brake cable is exposed, both shifter cables are run internally.
The complete bike weighs in at 24lbs 2oz (size Large, I think). It’s easy to imagine this thing getting down around 22lbs or less. The Marin Team CXR 29er starts shipping in November.
Marin’s Mount Vision gets a revised linkage with inboard bearings and narrower stays to save a little weight and improve clearance, which makes it easier to flick around underneath you.
Other changes include a tapered headtube and travel increase from 120mm to 140mm with a more linear leverage ratio over prior model so it doesn’t ramp up as quickly. The Quadlink suspension has a floating pivot point that stars high and forward of the BB and ends closer to the BB. Marin says this improves traction, particularly in foul conditions. The axle path is upward and rearward, which they say let the wheel move up and over obstacles rather than just bump into them.
The new frame is hydroformed T6 aluminum and is about 30g lighter, but it gets stiffer and adds travel. The rear has replaceable, modular dropouts that comes with standard QR but has options for 135 Maxle and 142 thru axles.
The X0 equipped model weighs in at 27lbs 11oz. Prices range from $2,800 to $4,500 across three models.
After a hiatus, the Rift Zone name comes back as a 100mm XC race bike with three models for the US. Prices are $2,000 to $3,500.
Suspension uses the same principals and designs as the Mount Vision, but with less beefy swingarm and frame designed around the shorter travel. A slack-ish 69 degree headangle should let it pull a little double duty as a trail bike, too.
The X0-equipped model comes in at 26lbs 8oz.
The Marin Team Quad DH is designed with input from Shaums March and other pros.
The bike has 250mm travel using the same Quadlink suspension design. Marin says this design allows it to sprint really well for such a long travel bike because pedal forces will drive the rear wheel into the ground.
Rear swingarm has massive tire clearance that’ll easily accommodate up to a 3.0 tire with clearance to spare. ISCG05 tabs on the BB.
The rear dropouts are replaceable and use SRAM’s Maxle 360 rear axle system.
Other features include a tapered headtube and bearings that are sealed with aluminum shields to protect them from the elements and naughty power washers. $1,999 for frame and shock.
