ok in the continuing saga of my hunt for a new bike I find myself needing some advice. Got some great advice previously on malt2 vs the XTC3 but recently found and rocky ridge reduced to 695 which has thrown a spanner in the works.

My question[s] is is rocky ridge a bit to trails? for a XC rider like myself? also is the extra cost in comparison the other bikes mentioned just down to the components on the bike rather than the frame actually being that much better?

I could get the rockhopper comp disc for 100 less the merlin seems like on hell of a nice bike also.

any advice much appreciated.

Tom

Hey mate, iv got a wildcat trail, same frame as the rocky ridge just nicer bits n pieces. All i can say is buy it! wonderful bike for flinging round singletrack though if u want 2 race id put sum skinnier tires on it. Also although its more fun allround with a long travel fork it does affect the climbing a bit, handles faster with less travel as well, id say 100mm perfect 4 xc.
I also tried a rockhopper, didnt like the low pedal clearance but then i ride rocky trails so might not affect u as much.
good luck anyway

Hiya, I run a Rocky Ridge, not in stock spec - it was built up around a frame - but I've ridden the standard 2004 bike with the Dukes on, I have 125 Vanillas on mine. It's a fantastic bike, superb on singletrack, but also comfortable enough and civilised enough for day rides in the Peak. I loaned it to a mate for the afternoon a few weeks ago and he came back with a huge grin on his face. To put that in perspective, he normally rides a Whyte 46 and a Cove Stiffee.

It's just a blast to ride, the Duke's adjustable travel will help with the climbing anyway, but it still climbs pretty well even with the Vanillas up front on a 125 setting. The frame's great, steers really quick, but still manages to feel totally under control, very easy to flick around, balance point is spot on for lifting either end of the bike with minimal weight shifts.

I don't think you lose anything to pure XC hardtails, even with a longer fork on, but it opens up new possibilities on twisty singletrack stuff. Stick some big volume tyres on and it also floats over rocky stuff. Oh, the back end's surprisingly soft too thanks to the triple-butted rear triangle and the long seatpost.

I know the guys at WMTB magazine and they were blown away by the Marin. Steve Worland's been running one long term by choice, my bike's based on the magazine test bike frame which I bought off them after riding the press test bike for the afternoon.

I don't know what else to say really, it's just a brilliant bike and the frame is spot on, good enough that if you upgrade the fork in future - the Vanilla works well - it'll be even better. I've had more fun on this bike than anything else I've ridden, which includes some pretty expensive stuff like, erm, Mavericks, Blurs, a Whyte 46 for a week in the Pyrenees, erm, etc.

Just buy it, you won't regret it, honest :-)

Btw, the Rocky Ridge is a higher spec than the Wildcat Trail. The Rocky was priced at just under £1000 originally so under 700 quid is a bit of a bargain.

Shame the 2005 ones have returned to the obvious Marin branding, I rather prefer the subtle tribal markings.

cheers fellas i was totally gutted but the frame was just to small for me. reckon it must have been under 17" but then i guess that would be y it was under 700. Damn shame really felt nice.

Looks like it might be a malt 2 instead.