As standards progress and things evolve, there are times when it seems the low end is ignored until the best stuff out there starts its trickle down cascade. Fortunately, Marin didn’t wait for the latest 1×11 (or 1×12!) and Boost stuff to fall to the bottom.
The 2017 Marin Hawk Hill brings in modern (long, low, slack) trail bike geometry with an IsoTrack-inspired MultiTrack suspension linkage on a very, very affordable alloy frame. It gets 1×10 mostly-Shimano group, 27.5″ wheels with Schwalbe tires and Rockshox/X-Fusion suspension mix, all for just $1,500…
The butted, hydroformed 6061 alloy frame is built around 120mm of travel on their new MultiTrack linkage design, which differs mainly in the fact that it has a rear pivot near the axle rather than relying on seatstay flex. Suspension is handled by a Rockshox Recon Silver RL fork with external rebound/lockout controls, and an X-Fusion O2 Pro R shock in the rear.
The drivetrain is a mix of Shimano Deore shifters and rear derailleur, Marin’s own alloy cranks with steel BB3o spindle and 1x narrow/wide 32t chainring, and a SunRace 11-42 wide range 10 speed cassette with a KMC chain connecting it all.
The Hawk Hill uses an interchangeable dropout system in the rear and ships with standard quick release on the rear, but can be upgraded to a 12×142 thru axle down the road. Front is 15mm thru axle already. The wheels are built with Marin-branded double wall alloy rims with 27mm internal width (holding 27.5 x 2.35 Hans Dampf tires) on Formula (front) and Joytech (rear) hubs.
The complete bike will retail for $1,500 (£1,100) when it hits dealers this August.
