Trek is one of the world’s leading bicycle manufacturers. Trek is always known for its quality and designs. It is an extremely versatile brand that offers more than 40 premium models across roads, mountains, and hybrid categories with a broad range of Trek and Bontrager parts, merchandise, accessories, and riding gear. Marlin 5 bike is one of the versatile bikes of Trek. It is a trail-worthy daily rider that is perfect for everyday adventures. If you are a new trail rider and want the best entry-level mountain bike then it is an ideal choice.
Key specifications
Frame
The Trek Marlin 5 comes with a lightweight alpha silver aluminum frame with internally routed cables that has a very smooth and modern design with the advantage that the cables will not catch dirt and not get damaged easily.
Fork
It comes with SR Suntour XCE 28 suspension fork with 100mm of travel suspension that’s the same amount favored by most racers. This is ideal for rougher terrains.
Rims/Wheel
It comes with Bontrager connection 32-holed double-walled rims and with varieties of the wheel sizes range from 27.5″-XS to 29″-XXL. Select the best wheel size which could be best for you.
Tires
It comes with Bontrager XR2 27.5/29 * 2.2/2.0″ tires that are of excellent quality for gravel and mountain roads.
Crankset/Chainrings
It offers Shimano tourney speed drivetrain TY301 42/34/24 which is of high quality and most commonly used in this price range. you can change the 3-chain ring in the front to a single chainring to reduce the weight of the bike but you have to buy a new single ring crank.
Brakes
It offers the Tektro HD-275 hydraulic disc brakes which need only one finger to apply the brakes means you will be less likely to strain your hands on the way down. This also means that the children and people with less strength in their hands can also feel safe and comfortable on this bike
Saddle
It comes with Bontrager Avada saddles which ensure that it is comfortable even on cross country trails or commutes.
Other Specifications
Hubs
Front: This hub comes with DC20 alloy.
Rear: It comes with a Dc31 alloy.
Bottom Bracket
Sealed cartridge, 72mm
Chain
KMC Z51
Derailleur
Front: Shimano Tourney TY300
Rear: Shimano Tourney TY300
Shifters
Shimano Altus M310, 7 speed
Cassette
Shimano HG200, 12-32, 7 speed
Pedals
VP536 Nylon platform
Seatpost
Bontrager alloy, 2- bolthead, 31.6mm, 12mm offset
Handlebar
Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 5mm rise
Grips
Bontrager XR endurance comp, lock-on
Stem
Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 7 degrees, blender compatible
Weight
M- 14.59 kg/32.17 lbs inculding tubes.
Weight limit
The bike has a maximum weight limit of 300 pounds/136 kg including bicycle, rider, and cargo.
Color
Matte Trek Black, Volt Green, Teal
The terrain on which the Trek Marlin5 performs well
As The Trek Marlin 5 is a hardtail entry-level bike, it can handle rougher terrains easily but not the one which is equipped with technical challenges. There are many different biking tracks you can try out but you have to check out the difficulty levels before you head out on your trip.
Marlin5 is suitable for:
Trail riding without excessive technical trail feature(TTF)
Trail riding is a wonderful and adventurous introduction into the sports if you focus on multi-use paths and other tracks that require no technical skills.
Downhill (DH)
Marlin5 is featured with an excellent hydraulic brake system which is very suitable for downhill rides. But you have to pay attention to difficulty levels and do not push it to extremes, despite the highly durable nature of it.
Cross country
Cross country ride can be enjoyed if you forego the possible jumps. The bike is featured with a 100mm front suspension.
Everyday commute
The level of stability and comfort is very high in Marlin5 so you can enjoy your daily commute with this amazing bike.
Not suitable for marlin5
Dirt jumping
The Marlin5 is not suitable for dirt jumping, not even small jumping.
Freeride
This type of mountain-biking consists of downhill (DH) with dirt jumping so Marlin5 is not fitted well for this.
Touring
The smooth design and light frame are always perfect for thrilling rid but not for long rides when you need to drag a lot of stuff with you so this is not suitable for touring.
Let's discuss the Pros and Cons of Marlin5
PROS
- It is an excellent bike for all-round use
- A lifetime Trek warranty is the biggest pros of this bike
- Fit for everyone i.e. the choice of seven frame sizes make it fit for every rider. You can choose a perfect bike according to your height and size
- Shorter reach and easy to apply hydraulic brakes (disc brakes) make it perfect for kids too.
- The combination of strong and light aluminum with optimally designed tubing makes it a perfect bike for riders
- The cables are internally routed means less prone to dirt and damage
- It has separate brakes and shifts levers so you can fine-tune the positioning for comfort
- Rack and kickstand mounts make it easy to accessorize
CONS
- This is not suited for any kind of jumps it may cause wheel bending
- Avoid any kind of hardcore Technical trail feature (TTF)
- It is not suitable for freerides which consist of downhills and jumps
- Marlin5 does not have a full lockout suspension
Is the Marlin5 worth it?
The very short answer is YES because this is an extremely capable all-mountain intermediate bike, the Marlin5 packs with absolutely great features as compared to its price tag. Trek is always known for its unmatchable quality and customer service.
Conclusion
The Trek Marlin 5 is a wonderful intermediate allrounder that provides thrill and fun for beginners, children, and adventurers. While not suitable for extreme off-road experiences, Marlin 5 is an excellent budget option with high quality and amazing design and color options which usually find in the expensive models.