{"id":43326,"date":"2022-11-14T09:00:49","date_gmt":"2022-11-14T08:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=701754"},"modified":"2022-11-14T09:13:16","modified_gmt":"2022-11-14T08:13:16","slug":"2023-marin-rift-zone-refresh-focuses-on-the-details","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/2023-marin-rift-zone-refresh-focuses-on-the-details\/","title":{"rendered":"2023 Marin Rift Zone refresh focuses on the details"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Alex Evans\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 14 November 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Marin\u2019s aluminium Rift Zone has been refined for 2023. The Rift Zone model is the brand\u2019s self-proclaimed most popular mountain bike<\/a>, and given its trail-focused geometry, travel, spec and affordable price, this should come as no surprise.<\/p>\n

Like the previous generation of the Rifty<\/a> (as Marin adoringly calls it), the latest model\u2019s frame comes in three flavours, offering a bike for almost everyone.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s available with four different wheel sizes. The adult bikes come with either 29in or 27.5in hoops, while the dedicated Junior models have either 26in or 24in wheels.<\/p>\n

Adding to the versatility of the multiple wheel sizes are the eight different spec options offered, where the 29in and 27.5in bikes get three models, while the 26in and Jr. 24 make up the other two.<\/p>\n

Prices start at \u00a31,695 \/ $1,799 \/ \u20ac1,999 \/ CAD$2,299 for the Rift Zone 1, 26 and Jr. 24, and rise to \u00a32,995 \/ $3,499 \/ \u20ac3,499 \/ CAD$4,449 for the 29in and 27.5in range-topping XR.<\/p>\n

2023 Marin Rift Zone frame and suspension<\/h2>\n
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According to Marin, the Rift Zone is its most popular mountain bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Marin Bikes<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Rift Zone\u2019s frame is built from Marin\u2019s Series 3 aluminium, which is the brand\u2019s second-most technical material.<\/p>\n

Series 3 tubes feature smooth welds with double and triple-butted sections, while their profiles have been manipulated and formed to give them their shape.<\/p>\n

The rocker link, dropouts and main pivot have all been forged, while cables are routed internally. Finally, Series 3 frames have tapered head tubes.<\/p>\n

Along with all the standard Series 3 tech, the 2023 Rift Zone has undergone significant refinements in a bid to improve its feel and appearance, according to Marin.<\/p>\n

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The cable exit port secures the cables using a bolt to stop them from moving and rattling.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Marin Bikes<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

First up are brazed-in internal cable-routing ports on the down tube\u2019s sides near the head tube, and on its upward-facing surface close to the rear shock\u2019s lower mounting point.<\/p>\n

The exit port uses a bolt to clamp the cables in place, while the entry ports are angled so the cables enter the frame flatter, rather than bowing outwards.<\/p>\n

The smooth-finished look of the brazed-in entry ports means it\u2019s impossible to tell they\u2019re made from an additional section of metal.<\/p>\n

The unused ports can be plugged with flared, expanding rubber grommets.<\/p>\n

Further refinements have been made to the cable routing between the main frame and swingarm.<\/p>\n

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The main pivot yoke forgings have a cut-out for cable routing, creating a tidy and refined look.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Marin Bikes<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The old Rift Zone\u2019s gear cable was routed under the bottom bracket, and the brake hose exited the down tube and then ran on the underside of the chainstay without any additional fixings. The new model\u2019s hoses thread through the forged section of the main pivot yoke before entering the chainstays.<\/p>\n

The cables pass close to the main pivot\u2019s axis to reduce cable tug during compression, and require no additional fixings such as cable ties to keep them in place.<\/p>\n

Like the previous model, instead of the dropper cable making the bend between down tube and seat tube internally via the bottom bracket, it briefly exits the down tube before re-entering the frame at the base of the seat tube.<\/p>\n

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The chainstay features chunky chain slap protection.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Marin Bikes<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Robust chain slap protection is bonded to the driveside chainstay to help quieten the bike down.<\/p>\n

Marin has also moved away from its proprietary derailleur hangers to SRAM\u2019s Universal Derailleur Hanger<\/a> (UDH).<\/p>\n

2023 Marin Rift Zone suspension kinematics<\/h3>\n
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The Fox Float X rear shock has been custom tuned for Marin.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Marin Bikes<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Marin\u2019s upped progression on the new Rift Zone\u2019s 130mm rear-wheel travel, the leverage ratio now starting at 2.66 and dropping to 2.09 at bottom-out.<\/p>\n

This gives the rear end 21.72 per cent of progression over its travel, making it well suited to the adjustable-volume air springs of the Rifty\u2019s factory-fitted shocks.<\/p>\n

In the 32t chainring and 15t cassette sprocket, anti-squat is just over 111 per cent at sag. This means the suspension is more likely to resist movement created by pedalling forces than bob in and out of its travel.<\/p>\n

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It runs SRAM\u2019s UDH rather than Marin\u2019s proprietary hanger.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Marin Bikes<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Anti-rise (how much braking forces affect the suspension) starts at just below 100 per cent at full travel and drops to just over 77 per cent at bottom-out.<\/p>\n

At sag, it\u2019s 93 per cent. This means brake forces have a little effect on the suspension, but the figure lower than 100 per cent means they\u2019re more likely to cause it to extend rather than compress.<\/p>\n

This, in theory, should make the rear end more sensitive to bump absorption when you\u2019re braking.<\/p>\n

The kinematics on each of the four wheel sizes (29in, 27.5in, 26in, 24in) are very similar. However, the 26in and 24in-wheeled bikes have a slightly higher leverage ratio thanks to a marginally shorter stroke shock.<\/p>\n

Matching the Rift Zone\u2019s revised kinematics<\/a> are its custom-tuned shocks. The shocks have been tuned to offer small-bump sensitivity without sacrificing mid-stroke support, while the kinematic\u2019s progression is enhanced by the increased bottom-out control of air springs.<\/p>\n

Marin tells us the feel is more playful and firm compared to enduro bikes<\/a>, but isn\u2019t lacking sensitivty.<\/p>\n

2023 Marin Rift Zone geometry<\/h2>\n
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The XR version\u2019s decals are glossy.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Marin Bikes<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Although the new Rift Zone\u2019s geometry hasn\u2019t strayed too far from the outgoing bike\u2019s figures, it has received some key updates.<\/p>\n

These changes keep the Rifty up to date with the current expectations of what the best trail bikes<\/a> should be able to do.<\/p>\n

<\/colgroup>
2023 Marin Rift Zone 27.5in geometry<\/caption>
\ufeffSize<\/th>Extra-small<\/th>Small<\/th>Medium<\/th>Large<\/th>Extra-large<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Head angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>65.5<\/td>65.5<\/td>65.5<\/td>65.5<\/td>65.5<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube angle <\/b>(degrees)<\/td>77<\/td>77<\/td>77<\/td>77<\/td>77<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>330<\/td>390<\/td>400<\/td>425<\/td>430<\/td> <\/tr>
Effective top tube length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>552.6<\/td>568.7<\/td>589.7<\/td>610.8<\/td>641.8<\/td> <\/tr>
Bottom bracket height<\/b> (mm)<\/td>339<\/td>339<\/td>339<\/td>339<\/td>339<\/td> <\/tr>
Standover height<\/b> (mm)<\/td>661.7<\/td>677.8<\/td>687.8<\/td>682.3<\/td>687.8<\/td> <\/tr>
Wheelbase<\/b> (mm)<\/td>1,147.8<\/td>1,164.8<\/td>1,186.9<\/td>1,208.9<\/td>1,241<\/td> <\/tr>
Chainstay length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>430<\/td>430<\/td>430<\/td>430<\/td>430<\/td> <\/tr>
Stack height<\/b> (mm)<\/td>569.1<\/td>600.7<\/td>605.2<\/td>609.8<\/td>614.3<\/td> <\/tr>
Reach<\/b> (mm)<\/td>415<\/td>430<\/td>450<\/td>470<\/td>500<\/td> <\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>