Thinking of ditching your car for a bike in the New Year? Thanks to ever increasing bicycle infrastructure and the work of advocacy groups like People for Bikes, it’s becoming easier than ever to do so. Even if you don’t plan on completely giving up on your automobile, a dedicated city bike can make errands by bike a pleasure rather than a chore.
You could easily spend a fortune on a new bike, but for many riders looking to bicycles for transportation, value is as important as performance. Based on their Pavement line up for 2015, Marin seems to understand the concept as well as any manufacturer. Nearly everything in the Pavement line is new with fresh frames, improved spec, and better value. On various frames you’ll find internal cable routing, improved disc mounts, and more integrated accessories and accessory mounts than ever making it easier to just jump on and ride.
Commuter ready right out of the box, the Fairfax SC6 DLX is one of the more interesting bikes in the line up. Complete with a Shimano Alfine 11 speed internal gear hub, Gates Center Track belt drive, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes puncture resistant tires, the SC6 DLX adds commuting ease with a Super Nova E3 lighting system that receives power through the front dynamo hub. An integrated fender/rear Ractime Custom Integrated Match-It QL3 rack system makes rides in sloppy conditions a bit more pleasant, and the entire bike with all the accessories comes in under 30 lbs (28.28 lbs). As the top level Fairfax the price reflects that, but at $2399 complete, the bike is still a bargain.
That theme continues with the rest of the models after the break…
If the SC6 is the high end, the Fairfax SC2 IG is a true value at just $649 for a city bike equipped with a Shimano Nexus 8 speed IG hub. Compared to the SC6 the SC2 is bare bones, using a Series Two 6061 aluminum frame and fork with horizontal dropouts rather than the high end Series 3 frame with forged dropouts, EBB, and internal cable routing, but for a simple yet durable commuter that wont break the bank, the SC2 looks like a steal.
There are plenty of traditionally geared bikes in the Fairfax line as well, capped off with the SC5. Coming in at $1199, the SC5 uses a 2×10 SRAM Via drivetrain with Tektro Gemini hydraulic disc brakes along with a Series Three frame and RFE Carbon/Alloy fork to get the weight to 23.3 lbs (10.6 kg).
Also sporting a new Series Three frame with a relieved head tube and bottom bracket, internal cable routing, and post mount specific forged dropouts, the San Rafael DS4 is an interesting bike if your rides are a mix of pavement and dirt. The DS4 includes a Suntour NCXD suspension fork with 63mm of travel and a hydraulic lockout along with a Shimano Deore and Alivio 9 speed drivetrain for $899.
Essentially the women’s specific version of the San Rafael DS4, the San Anselmo DS4 has very similar spec at $899 but with their Women’s Fit Dual Sport Geometry.
As a long time staple of their urban line, the Muirwoods 29er is still a burly commuter based on 29″ wheels. Built with a cromoly frame and fork, the frame carries an updated geometry that’s at home on the commute yet won’t feel out of place charging fire roads to get out of town. The commuting pedigree is highlighted by the included reflective 3M graphics, locking security skewers and seat post collar. Running a 3×8 Shimano Altus/Alivio drivetrain and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, the Muirwoods 29er retails for $749.
Finally, if dropbar commuting is more your speed, the Lombard series gets updated including this beautiful battleship grey Lombard running Schwalbe Road Cruiser 35mm tires with Kevlar Guard puncture protection. This is actually the starting point for the Lombard series with the Shimano Sora 3×9 drivetrain and Promax Render R mechanical disc brakes selling for just $999.
The higher end Lombard Elite will include a SRAM Apex 2×10 drive train complete with a SRAM X7 Type 2 clutched derailleur and Avid BB7 R mechanical discs for $1399.
To check out the complete 2015 Pavement line, head over to marinbikes.com.
