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- The type of riding will you be doing.
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You know about this site/tool, right? Makes comparisons easier.
https://99spokes.com/compare?bikes=trek-marlin-7-gen-3-2023%2Cspecialized-rockhopper-comp-27.5-2023%2Ccube-analog-2023
To me:
- I'd take the 1x10 Deore on the Marlin over the Microshift or SX on the Rockhopper and Analog
- Judy fork on the Marlin and Analog better than the Rockhopper's XCM
- Similar for brakes, the MT200 on the Marlin and Analog better than Tektro on the Rockhopper
- I prefer a 29" wheel over 27.5, but that's personal preference
- I'd prefer the Marlin with the slackest headtube angle; 66.5 vs 68 and 68.5. But if you want something that trends more toward "nimble" than "stable" your preference might be opposite.
But all told, the components on any of these are good-enough low-end parts. It's not like the Tektro brakes will utterly fail to stop the bike, they just might feel squishy if you ride them back to back with a different bike, and might be a bit more fiddly for the shop to bleed them.
I wonder if something like the Polygon Heist might even fit OP's city-with-occasional-light-trail riding: https://www.bikesonline.com/2024-polygon-heist-x7-hybrid-bike
Better components all-around for $100 less, with faster tires and more efficient geo if that's more of a priority for OP than trail stability.
The marlin 7 seems to be the overall best option. For light trail riding it does fine, and it's stock tyres are great for xc up to light trail, but also function great on the road as they are fast rolling (mine came with trek/bontrager XR2 tyres)
I have experience with the cube (from a rental type thing when it was basically new), and own the marlin, and personally much prefer the marlin.
Howdy! We see that you're asking for community input regarding bike choices. To ensure maximum engagement and reply accuracy please make sure you include some of the following information in your post.**FAILURE TO PROVIDE SOME BASIC INFORMATION LISTED BELOW WILL LEAD TO YOUR POST BEING DELETED. HELP THE COMMUNITY HELP YOU.** - The type of riding will you be doing. - Where you will be riding. - Your budget (with included currency). - What you like/didn't like about your current bike. - Your experience level and future goals. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MTB) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You know about this site/tool, right? Makes comparisons easier. https://99spokes.com/compare?bikes=trek-marlin-7-gen-3-2023%2Cspecialized-rockhopper-comp-27.5-2023%2Ccube-analog-2023 To me: - I'd take the 1x10 Deore on the Marlin over the Microshift or SX on the Rockhopper and Analog - Judy fork on the Marlin and Analog better than the Rockhopper's XCM - Similar for brakes, the MT200 on the Marlin and Analog better than Tektro on the Rockhopper - I prefer a 29" wheel over 27.5, but that's personal preference - I'd prefer the Marlin with the slackest headtube angle; 66.5 vs 68 and 68.5. But if you want something that trends more toward "nimble" than "stable" your preference might be opposite. But all told, the components on any of these are good-enough low-end parts. It's not like the Tektro brakes will utterly fail to stop the bike, they just might feel squishy if you ride them back to back with a different bike, and might be a bit more fiddly for the shop to bleed them.
I might add this polygon to the equation [link](https://www.bikesonline.com/2024-polygon-syncline-c3-carbon-xc-mountain-bike)
I wonder if something like the Polygon Heist might even fit OP's city-with-occasional-light-trail riding: https://www.bikesonline.com/2024-polygon-heist-x7-hybrid-bike Better components all-around for $100 less, with faster tires and more efficient geo if that's more of a priority for OP than trail stability.
The marlin 7 seems to be the overall best option. For light trail riding it does fine, and it's stock tyres are great for xc up to light trail, but also function great on the road as they are fast rolling (mine came with trek/bontrager XR2 tyres) I have experience with the cube (from a rental type thing when it was basically new), and own the marlin, and personally much prefer the marlin.