I'm not normally a looks person,  but can't stand the huge wide fat shock pivots right in the middle of the frame.

I demo'd a 06 RockSprings,  really wanted it on paper and good price,  but in practice hated the feel of the rear end, over active or something and the rear end was just floppy, and steered itself all over the place.  Sprokkits Quad also steered all over the shop!!

So although I hope and bet they've improved the 08's I'd bet, still not a bike for me,

I'm not normally a looks person,  but can't stand the huge wide fat shock pivots right in the middle of the frame.

I think the swingarm/shock packaging on these Marins is a brilliant peice of design, could collect mud potentially but its a very tidy setup. 

I suppose it may raise the CoG a bit.

What do they ride like then...?

I'm not normally a looks person

..I know I've seen the pics on your phone