{"id":12057,"date":"2022-05-16T18:17:24","date_gmt":"2022-05-16T16:17:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/mbuk\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=12057"},"modified":"2022-05-16T18:17:23","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T16:17:23","slug":"marine-alpine-trail-xr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/mbuk\/2022\/05\/16\/marine-alpine-trail-xr\/","title":{"rendered":"Marine alpine trail XR"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
<\/div>
\n

SPEC<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u00a33,475<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frame <\/strong>\u2018Series 4\u2019 6061 aluminium alloy, 150mm travel <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sizes <\/strong>S, M*, L, XL Fork <\/strong>RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, 160mm travel <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shock <\/strong>RockShox Super Deluxe Coil RCT<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drivetrain <\/strong>Shimano SLX with FSA Gradient cranks and Shimano Deore XT rear mech (1×12)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wheelset <\/strong>Marin rims on Shimano MT410B (f) and MT510B (r) hubs, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 29×2.5in (f) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxGrip DD 29×2.4in (r) tyres <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brakes <\/strong>Shimano M4100 (lever)\/ MT4120 (calliper), 203\/180mm rotors<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bar\/stem <\/strong>Marin 35, 780mm\/Marin CNC, 35mm <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seatpost\/saddle <\/strong>X-Fusion Manic dropper, 150mm\/ Marin Speed Concept<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight <\/strong>16.25kg (medium, without pedals)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

www.marinbikes.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

The Alpine Trail <\/strong>XR is the cheapest bike in our enduro test by some way, but also the slackest; we measured the head angle to be 62.5 degrees. That\u2019s combined with a lengthy reach and front-centre (the distance between the BB and front-axle centres) \u2013 455mm and 810mm, on our medium bike \u2013 and compact 430mm chainstays.<\/p>\n\n

The steep 78.1-degree seat tube angle allows comfy and efficient seated climbing, while the BB sits just 335mm off the floor. A single-pivot suspension system with linkage-actuated shock delivers 150mm of rear-wheel travel.<\/p>\n\n

The XR wins mega value points with its spec. Both the fork (a 160mm Lyrik) and shock (a Super Deluxe Coil RCT) are from RockShox\u2019s Ultimate range \u2013 seriously impressive at this price.<\/p>\n\n

The triple-compound Maxxis tyres are spot-on for the intended use, with the midweight EXO+ casing up front and tougher DoubleDown at the rear. We\u2019ve no quibbles with the mixed<\/span> Shimano drivetrain either, although we\u2019d settle for cheaper Deore gearing if we could trade the long M4100 brake levers for the Cannondale’s M6120s.<\/p>\n\n

While the own-brand bar and stem look great, they\u2019re overly stiff, and swapping them out had a marked effect on comfort. Also, we couldn\u2019t use the frame\u2019s bottle mounts, as the base of our bottle fouled the shock.<\/p>\n\n

After dropping to a 300lb spring to get the 30 per cent sag we were after, the Alpine Trail rode great. The taut alloy frame feels responsive and reactive, giving a direct feel when putting the power down, and making changes of direction quick and easy.<\/p>\n\n

It\u2019s a comfy climber when seated, thanks in part to that steep seat tube, although the rear tyre does drag a bit.<\/p>\n\n

No matter what the trail, there\u2019s a cheekiness and playful streak to the Alpine Trail. Its stretched-out shape means you can push it hard and ride it fast when given the chance, but it\u2019s still agile, supportive and manoeuvrable enough to navigate technical sections without any awkwardness.<\/p>\n\n

The short rear end makes it easy to get the front wheel airborne, but there were times, screaming around rough, loose turns, when we felt a slightly longer back end would improve the rider position and weight distribution.<\/p>\n\n

At these higher speeds, or on steep, brake-dragging descents, the anchors also lack the stopping power of the pricier options here, so hands and arms get tired more quickly.<\/p>\n\n

It\u2019s not the smoothest or most silent when the going gets tough, but dear Lord, this bike will go fast! A couple of spec changes would properly polish this diamond in the rough.<\/p>\n\n

The Marin will take on any trail you dare throw it down, but a few minor changes would make it even better<\/p>\n\n

  • \"\"
    Super-slack geometry and a plush coil shock make the Marin a blast on the descents<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>
  • \"\"<\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The Alpine Trail XR is the cheapest bike in our enduro test by some way<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":12437,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"150","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"150","purple_seq_number":"1","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"1","purple_source_article":"article_150-1.xml","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"article_150-1.xml","purple_source_issue":"June-2022","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"June-2022","purple_external_id":"June-2022-150-1","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"June-2022-150-1","purple_issue_code":"|0000112137||","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000112137||","purple_android_product":"com.im.mountainbikingukmagazine.408","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.im.mountainbikingukmagazine.408","purple_ios_product":"com.im.mountainbikingukmagazine.408","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.im.mountainbikingukmagazine.408","purple_web_product":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_web_product":"","purple_publication_id":"0638d426-1edc-44c5-8614-70723dfc91b6","purple_migrated":"","kt_blocks_editor_width":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2022-05-16T16:17:31Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"5ae2587f-a337-48e9-9013-37f5e3a921eb","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2022-05-16T16:17:31Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAD\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/w==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/AWuJYf6M3SOmQEzf146kh6w","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":true,"apple_news_is_preview":true,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_article_theme":"","apple_news_sections":"[]"},"categories":[85],"tags":[13],"apple_news_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2022\/05\/MBK_408_supp_enduro.SB_20220405bpw019_preview.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/mbuk\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"3","apple_news_title":""},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2022\/05\/MBK_408_supp_enduro.SB_20220405bpw019_preview.jpg",994,663,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2022\/05\/MBK_408_supp_enduro.SB_20220405bpw019_preview-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2022\/05\/MBK_408_supp_enduro.SB_20220405bpw019_preview-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2022\/05\/MBK_408_supp_enduro.SB_20220405bpw019_preview-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2022\/05\/MBK_408_supp_enduro.SB_20220405bpw019_preview.jpg",800,534,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2022\/05\/MBK_408_supp_enduro.SB_20220405bpw019_preview.jpg",994,663,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2022\/05\/MBK_408_supp_enduro.SB_20220405bpw019_preview.jpg",994,663,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/mbuk\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"The Alpine Trail XR is the cheapest bike in our enduro test by some way","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/mbuk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12057"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/mbuk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/mbuk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/mbuk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/mbuk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12057"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/mbuk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12057\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12576,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/mbuk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12057\/revisions\/12576"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/mbuk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12437"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/mbuk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12057"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/mbuk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12057"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/mbuk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12057"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}