Weaknesses: Some spec compromises, swingarm mudtraps, granny ring pedal bob is unavoidable
Overall: Successfully shoehorning a bike an inch short of travel in a crowded marketplace full of 6-6.75" machines is difficult enough, but when you're a manufacturer who's name has been synonymous with "boring" in the past, you have quite a task on your hands. However, Marin have by and large pulled it off.
Key to this success are interactive rear suspension that encourages you to take the bike by the scruff of the neck and the Maxle rear end that keeps everything stiff enough to handle whatever you throw at it.
With slack geometry, a low BB and wide bars, the Rock Springs is hardly classically Marin but boosts confidence hugely. I was impressed with the way the bike carried its speed without feeling so ruthlessly efficient that you're almost redundant. The rider is kept flattered and entertained, making this bike an excellent ego purchase. It's genuinely refreshing to see the rulebook weighted in favour of entertainment instead of efficiency for a change.
While other manufacturers stick to a vertical axle path in the name of efficiency, Marin's quad link suspension flatters the rider at the expense of some granny ring bob and mild chain feedback. If you're used to a Horst link bike, the granny ring inchworming will be disconcerting, however in reality it'll only make itself felt during a steep fire road climb, which is the only occasion when you'll be wishing for a compression adjust on the otherwise excellent Fox Float shock.
This point begs the inevitable comparison with Specialized's £150 cheaper Pitch Pro with it's standard RP2 Float also highlights some other spec compromises.
Marin has obviously not got the purchasing power of the big S and it shows with the component spec. While the hugely durable and competent Pike fork is a highlight, it's fitted with neither external floodgate adjustment or an ally steerer tube (unlike the Pitch). Cannondale can spec a Pike Air on a bike costing £1200... While I'm at it, the Truvativ ISIS cranks have no place on a £1550 bike, neither does the cheap FSA Gap cockpit and sub par headset.
Against this, you're getting sealed cartridge bearing hubs with a 12mm Maxle at the back end which aren't exactly commonplace. The amount of welding and tube manipulation in the frame is considerable too, while nobody else will replace your bearings for free if they wear out - a £100 job on a Horst link bike. The Nevegal tyres are a boon too.
While sealed cables and an extremely mud friendly suspension design make for very thoughtful touches, the bracing on the swingarm is a mudtrap that's difficult to clean. The WTB rims and Juicy 3 brakes are par for the course at this price point, but given the gravity bias of the bike, I did question why Marin didn't fit a 180mm rear rotor instead of the supplied 160mm job.
If you take the view that you're buying into a hugely capable frame and fork combination that is begging for a decent headset and some SLX cranks then you're not going to be disappointed. Headset and ISIS cranks aside, the rest of the spec is both adequate and durable and will be upgraded later. In the meantime, you'll be grinning like an idiot.
Overall: Was very pleased with this, a side by side weigh in with a 2007 XT cassette showed the SRAM unit to be significantly lighter. It's gone the distance too, having lasted me over 18 months, so I have very little to gripe about.
The pedants might suggest that the Shimano equivalent gives nappier shifts and some suggest that XT is more durable, but if paired with a decent chain you shouldn't have any problems.
The best news of all is that they can be had for as little as £35 on CRC... Right in line with XT.
Strengths: Strength for weight, durability, availability, weight.
Weaknesses: Not for huckers
Overall: Have used the 36 hole version since 2005 and am very pleasantly surprised to find that they handle the rough stuff astonishingly well for an XC race rim. Mine have seen action in the Peaks, Wales and some airtime in the Theford bombhole. They've stood up to punishment well, however a high speed ding with a kerb demolished my rear rim during the summer.
All told, they've taken far more punishment than is reasonable to hand out to an XC race rim. My riding has probably evolved to the point where I warrant a heavier duty rim, but even so I'm pleased with the performance of my XC717s.
Strengths: Durable, easy to remove for cleaning, maintains finish, Powerlink a work of genius, snappy shifting
Weaknesses: Cost compared to Shimano HG93
Overall: I've run SRAM chains for three and a half years now and have had very little to complain about. The cheaper SRAM chains lose their finish quickly (hence the price I guess), but they seem long lasting and a doddle to maintain.
A large amount of my SRAM bias is due to the Powerlink. Shimano's joining pin is a real pain in the proverbial and ensures that removing a chain for cleaning is a rare occurrence. The Powerlink on the other hand ensures that you unclip, soak, clean and refit. Job done.
My maintenence regieme isn't quite what it ought to be (is anyones?) but even so I have eked 18 months useage out of two SRAM PC69 chains and a SRAM cassette (chains being swapped between rides. As one chain is on the bike, the other is soaking in solvent. Purists will berate me for not cleaning in between the links too often...).
In all that time I have never had a chain break and very few mis-shifts. Chainsuck has been rare too, but part of this can be attributed to the high quality chainrings I have fitted.
Bugbears? Well, my biggest beef with the PC-69 - as with most SRAM products - is the cost. Shimano's XTR level (HG93) chain is £20 RRP but can be found for as little as £15. This is the only conceivable advantage to Shimano though.
Strengths: Will work with most forks, smooth, longlasting, pretty
Weaknesses: Erm... Pro II is cheaper?
Overall: In direct contrast to my experiences with the rear Bulb, the fronts are excellent. The axle can be removed with an allen key and two spacers circlip into place for 20mm bolt thru forks - as I have fitted myself.
Bearing life isn't unreasonable and they're smooth performers. The usual arsenal of Hope colours sealed the deal for me.
Strengths: Aesthetics, smoothness, ease of maintenence.
Weaknesses: Freehub falls off too easily, bearings seem to die quickly, seal drag when new.
Overall: I bought a set of Bulbs in 2005 with a set of XC717 rims. Straight out of the box they're gorgeous, with the usual array of Hope colour choice. My reason for going for Bulbs was to future-proof my bike (justifably so, given I swapped to a 20mm bolt thru fork soon after), plus I was guaranteed the legendary Hope build quality, which helped sweeten the pill of the price.
Within a couple of months, the first problem reared it's head. A trailside puncture resulted in the rear wheel tipping over once removed from the bike. This tip was enough to dislodge the freehub body and spit springs and pawls into the undergrowth.
The resulting push home was very monotonous, but had I lost a race because of this it's fair to say I would be incandescent with rage. This annoying issue could have been avoided with a simple circlip.
Within six months I noticed some rear end play. The bearings were swapped under warranty, but the issue resurfaced again six months on. And then again a year on. It's obvious there is some issue with my hubs and I my LBS is in communication with Hope to resolve this.
Summary:
In the light of the problems with bearings, I cannot give a definitive review and intend to revisit a few months down the line once I have more news on the bearings issues.
Otherwise, they do as advertised, but the easily removeable freehub is a monumental pain in the arse when pawls and springs inevitably ping off into the undergrowth.
Strengths: Comfortable for beginners, Spesh's laudable Body Geometry technology, no stitching to fray
Weaknesses: Too much padding for experienced users, weight, not that durable
Overall: This was fitted brand new to my Enduro after I'd been used to a WTB perch on my previous steed. To be honest, I never really warmed to it, long rides would leave me feeling uncomfortable and I'd often have to stand on the pedals for a break. Never a good sign.
I thought long and hard as to why I found it so uncomfortable, and then I realised. Padding.
Simply, there's too much of it. It's way too soft for experienced bikers and leaves you feeling like you've been sat on a cinema/airline seat too long. While this may be good news for newcomers, who are going to appreciate the softness, experienced riders are going to resent it.
Quite why this saddle is fitted to a bike which won't be bought by beginners is a mystery to me.
Overall: Saddles are most definitely a subjective thing, what fits person A can be like sitting on an anvil for person B. A decent saddle is one you don't notice after a few hours riding.
The Rocket is one of those saddles for me. Granted, it took some time to bed in but it's generally comfortable and doesn't make it's presence known after a three hour trek.
I'll deal with the aesthetics in a minute. Flipping the saddle over reveals a large cutout right where the perineum normally rests. This cutout is filled with a squishy elastomer, which goes some way to ensuring bloodflow to the vitals isn't unduly affected.
Straight out of the box, the WTB is a thing of not inconsiderable bling, with it's pale blue stitching and silver PVC at the rear. It certainly looks the part, however as any experienced rider with a few miles under their buttocks will tell you, embroidery is easily scuffed and holds dirt. After 18 months or so, my WTB has seen much better days, as the stitching is almost all frayed and the saddle cover bears a few scars.
For the price, you can't fault it. Most people won't baulk at paying £30 for a tyre which lasts two seasons, which is why I'm giving the WTB a decent score for value. It's comfortable and doesn't break the bank. Or your behind for that matter.
'BETTER THAN RACEFACE, BUT EXECUTION STILL FLAWED.'
Strengths: Easy to source, smooth bearings, theoretically stiffer than cartridge BBs, lasts longer than some boutique brand competition.
Weaknesses: Still not durable enough, plastic bearing races need careful handling, external bearings are costly to replace.
Overall: After my much vaunted X-type BB bit the dust (literally, the driest summer on record was sufficient to kill it) within six months, I elected to fit Shimano's XT BB instead on the grounds that it was cheaper.
Over a year on, it's managed more than double the lifespan of the X-Type, but is slightly grauncy and the big ring is showing some obvious play when pedalling hard - even on a frame that has been properly faced prior to installation.
I anticipate replacement before the end of winter. For the price, the performance simply isn't good enough. My old Deore Octalink BB managed a year's use but at £16 I was prepared to invest the time and expense required to annually replace it.
In terms of what it actually does, the XT BB is smooth and relatively nondescript. Sealing is adequate rather than outstanding and the plastic bearing races can be a little fragile when attempting for force the spindle of your two piece cranks through.
Aftermarket bearings are available from Phil Wood, which press into the BB cups and allegedly offer much improved durability. However, fitting is fiddly given that you need to pay lipservice to the "do not disassemble" warning etched onto the BB cups. In my humble opinion, such drastic surgery shouldn't be necessary.
The concept of external BBs is a good one, but needs better bearing seals before it really does make sense. With other players like SKF and Hope entering the external BB marketplace, there is clearly potential for the teething issues to be ironed out. Shimano (and FSA. FaceFace etc) need to rethink their products carefully, hopefully increased competition will force them to do so.
Strengths: Well made, durable, comfortable, cheap as, warm in spring/autumn, cuff retention.
Weaknesses: Weighty for summer use, finger pads not the longest lasting.
Overall: Bought these in 2004 and still use them today. The friction pads on the fingers lasted about a month, but the rest of the glove has a Methuselah-like ability to keep going in spite of everything I throw at them.
I use the Comps in the autumnal and spring months, where a little warmth is appreciated. They're weighty and chunky, but perfectly comfortable for long rides with no bunching in the palms or any fraying in evidence. The velcro cuffs work well too, fastening underneath the wrist where they don't get snagged.
The clarino palms show no wear at all and aside from some bobbling on the fingers, these gloves have plenty of life left. For the £16 I paid for them, they've outlasted my Spesh Enduro gloves two times over...
