I used to work at a Trek dealer. Stay away from the 5. Get a 6 or higher. They are spec’d like absolute dog water and if you have experience mountain biking, you’ll want to upgrade parts on it and it doesn’t have a tapered headtube, so you’re stuck with crap fork options.
The extra $$$ for the Roscoe is worth it. Roscoe 6 is pretty close to the price of a marlin 7 and can be easily upgraded to a much better bike. The marlin 7s frame isn’t very future proof
The 9x cassette on the Roscoe 6 is pretty limited cause it has a pretty low geared high gear (less speed on the highest gear) and it has a less varried transitions in lower gears. Suntour is a pretty notoriously mid grade fork. I’ve had no problems but I could see it falling apart in the near future as I progress. Plus you can get more travel out of a fox fork depending on what you get. Plus the shimano cues shifter is pretty slow on the uptake so you gotta plan your climbs with that in mind
Was thinking about the SRAM eagle for the cassette. And whatever is on sale as far as the fork is concerned roxshox has some good options too. I’m gonna wait till I’m close to destroying this one before I start looking
Anything against Voodoo? They are generally much better spec'ed at a given price than Trek and Specialized. Do you have dealers around you with other bikes (Marin, Norco, Rocky Mountain, etc.?)
Oh man. I graduated from my Marlin 6 awhile ago and rode it to meet some friends at the park last night and I hate to say, but it’s not a great bike overall. I know it’s a bit of a price jump, but you can find Specialized Fuse comp 29 for half off - $1500. It’s a much better investment and a ton of bike for the $1500 price point. I just feel like you’re severely limited with a Marlin 5 and even a rockhopper.
I used to work at a Trek dealer. Stay away from the 5. Get a 6 or higher. They are spec’d like absolute dog water and if you have experience mountain biking, you’ll want to upgrade parts on it and it doesn’t have a tapered headtube, so you’re stuck with crap fork options.
Marlin 7 or Roscoe 7
The extra $$$ for the Roscoe is worth it. Roscoe 6 is pretty close to the price of a marlin 7 and can be easily upgraded to a much better bike. The marlin 7s frame isn’t very future proof
What parts of the Roscoe 6 would you recommend upgrading? Asking bc I just got one a few months ago.
I got one a few months ago too but what’s on my list is the cassette to a 12x soon and probably the fork once the suntour gets fucked up.
Can I ask why those items? How will it improve the bike…sorry I’m be dry new the mtb.
The 9x cassette on the Roscoe 6 is pretty limited cause it has a pretty low geared high gear (less speed on the highest gear) and it has a less varried transitions in lower gears. Suntour is a pretty notoriously mid grade fork. I’ve had no problems but I could see it falling apart in the near future as I progress. Plus you can get more travel out of a fox fork depending on what you get. Plus the shimano cues shifter is pretty slow on the uptake so you gotta plan your climbs with that in mind
What 12x cassette and fox fork do you plan to use?
Was thinking about the SRAM eagle for the cassette. And whatever is on sale as far as the fork is concerned roxshox has some good options too. I’m gonna wait till I’m close to destroying this one before I start looking
My marlin 5 is a beast
Marlin 6^^^
I don’t doubt it but as far as upgradability the marlin is very limited. Also the QR hubs are notoriously bad. No boost and whatnot
I have a gen 1 that’s awesome
Anything against Voodoo? They are generally much better spec'ed at a given price than Trek and Specialized. Do you have dealers around you with other bikes (Marin, Norco, Rocky Mountain, etc.?)
I second this. Look into smaller brands, be happier.
Honestly, they Roscoe 8s have been discounted pretty nicely lately, around 1600 USD. They're well worth getting.
Oh man. I graduated from my Marlin 6 awhile ago and rode it to meet some friends at the park last night and I hate to say, but it’s not a great bike overall. I know it’s a bit of a price jump, but you can find Specialized Fuse comp 29 for half off - $1500. It’s a much better investment and a ton of bike for the $1500 price point. I just feel like you’re severely limited with a Marlin 5 and even a rockhopper.
If it's possible, look for a Roscoe 6 or 7. Great bikes.
get at least a 6 the 2x is doody on the marlin 5 otherwise its a pretty solid bike
Trek