The head tube angle was 65.5-degrees with a 76-degree effective seat tube angle. This Marin Rift Zone 2 review is from our $2,000 mountain bike group test, where we tested six full-suspension 29ers head to head. The Ripley comes with a full carbon frame, and the GX Eagle model we tested weighed almost three pounds less than the Marin. The bigger wheels, wide tires, balanced geometry, and well-tuned suspension allow this bike to descends aggressive terrain faster than you’d expect for a $1,900 bike with 120mm of travel. Switching the shock to the middle/trail position helped greatly and provided a more supportive pedal platform. $1,949 Marin Rift Zone 2 Bike Review Rating: Vital Review. This 29er pairs 125mm of rear-wheel travel and a 130mm fork with a long and … You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Marin took all the best attributes of the rift zone- MultiTrac suspension and the speed and confidence of 29” wheels- and gave it a full platform update to create the best Rift Zone yet. GearLab is reader-supported. In 2016, Kyle Warner won the final leg of the North American Enduro Tour series championship at the Big Mountain Enduro in Mascota, Mexico, on a Hawk Hill frame, which has the same alloy construction and Multi-Trac suspension system as the Rift Zone 2. How we test gear. Generally speaking, the components of the Rift Zone Carbon 2 perform very well on the climbs. Then it headed into some sharp, twisty turns before the trail smoothed out. Marin Rift Zone Carbon 2 Pinkbike Review It might be small on travel, but it’s big on character, and now Marin’s Rift Zone is available with a carbon frame. And the 75-degree seat-tube angle helps to get your weight exactly where you want it on climbs. The Rift Zone 2, $1,950, comes with a RockShox Recon RL and a Deluxe Select R shock. In those situations, we found the need to shift the weight way forward, and thankfully the generous 480mm reach allowed for that. The Rift Zone is the fastest mountain bike Marin has to offer. That said, it felt great at speed and helped give the bike its calm, stable, and ground-hugging demeanor. Paired with a RockShox Deluxe R Debonair shock, the system isn’t revolutionary, but it’s hard to beat at this price. Style: TrailMaterial: AluminumFork: RockShox Recon RL, 120mm travelShock: RockShox Deluxe RSeatpost: TranzX dropper, 31.6mm, 120mm travelDrivetrain: SRAM NX 1x11Gearing: FSA Comet 30t chainring, Sunrace 11-34 cassetteBrakes: Shimano Altus hydraulicRotors: Shimano 180mm (front), 160mm (rear)Wheels: Marin aluminum 29-inchTires: Vee Tire Crown Gem, 29x2.3. If you're after a super capable shorter-travel trail bike and are interested in trying something different, we feel the Rift Zone Carbon 2 is an intriguing new option and a solid value. PTCbiker said: Think I've zeroed in on my next bike but I'd like to consider other options too. The Rift Zone Carbon 2 is a good climber, but it's not this bike's strongest suit. When it gets steep and rocky the Rift Zone shines. As a short travel bike, it climbs well enough to get you up just about anything, but its less refined suspension platform and heavy-for-carbon weight don't make it a standout. It comes nicely equipped with a Marzocchi Z2 fork, Fox Float DPS shock, Shimano SLX 12-speed drivetrain, and Shimano MT420 4-piston brakes. Granted, it had a different build more suited to such a demanding day, but it proves the aluminum frame and suspension kinematics have what it takes to win at a high level. The Rift Zone combines efficient and smooth suspension with modern trail geometry to create a bike th… Every time we rode the Marin Rift Zone Carbon 2, we couldn’t help but feel that it would make a much better 140mm bike. The Rift Zone feels comfortable and fast on XC days, and stable when racing you’re down rocky trails—without having to make any major changes to its setup. The DW-link suspension design provides excellent small bump compliance and a calm pedal platform. It's also highly maneuverable thanks to its short chainstays, moderate length wheelbase, and reduced offset fork. It’s ready for all-day adventures, setting personal records, and smashing the weekly Taco-Tuesday ride. And it delivered excellent value on this version by including a decent dropper post, partial SRAM NX drivetrain, RockShox suspension, and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes. Head tube angles that slack were virtually unheard of on shorter travel bikes until the past few years. Track: Kozah - Travel Again [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds. The frame has internal cable routing, integrated downtube and chainstay protection, and room in the for a full-size water bottle. 2021 MARIN RIFT ZONE 2 29" (SIZE LARGE AND XL IN STOCK -- PLEASE INQUIRE FOR ALTERNATE SIZING/BUILD KITS OR OTHER PRE-ORDERS) FAST PACED, EPIC RIDES PUSHING THE ENVELOPE UP AND DOWN THE TRAIL Marin Rift Zone Carbon 2 review In recent years Marin has become best known for its flagship bikes that sport the brand’s complex R3ACT 2-Play suspension system. We feel this is an impressive new addition to the growing pool of aggressive short-travel bikes. The Rift Zone Carbon 2 is another of a growing breed of super capable shorter travel bikes with more aggressive geometries. Marin's MultiTrac suspension design controls the 125mm of rear-wheel travel along with a Fox Float DPX2 Performance shock. It has the same TranzX dropper and rims as the Rift Zone 2. Marin took the winning legacy of the Hawk Hill and adapted it for bigger wheels—no easy task. When we measured our large test bike, we found that it had a 630mm effective top tube length and relatively long 480mm reach. Marin Rift Zone Series Review. How can we improve GearLab? The Rift Zone responds quickly to pedaling input, making sure you maximize speed on descents and flat sprints. The Rift Zone is a great option for riding places like West Bragg Creek, Canmore, Golden or Crowsnest Pass - fun, efficient, stable. The partial SRAM NX drivetrain offers a value single-ring setup. Handling is intuitive and responsive, and it can pick through technical terrain and rail corners with the best of 'em. Brand: Marin, Product: Rift Zone 2. The PNW Loam lever is a fantastic dropper remote with a light lever feel but has a long throw when paired with the X-Fusion dropper. Price: $1,950Weight: 31.5 lb. Steering is direct, and the Rift Zone responds quickly to rider input. The Rift Zone isn't the most impressive climber in its travel class, but its efficiency improves dramatically with the use of the rear shock's climb switch. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Marin: Rift Zone 2 - 2021 *Formerly Hawk Hill 2* The Rift Zone has been redefined so that it represents the most modern 29” short travel trail bike possible. The rear suspension platform is more active than many, this is especially noticeable during out of the saddle efforts. The Marin Rift Zone 2 is a 125mm full suspension trail bike that will please riders and wallets. The new Marin Rift Zone is an excellent example of a short travel 29er. The Rift Zone is so capable in part because it has the geometry right. Testers noted that it had a relatively linear feel, and it wasn't as supportive in the mid-stroke as they'd like, although there was enough ramp-up at the end to prevent harsh bottom outs on bigger hits. Like most bikes in this travel class, the Rift Zone is limited slightly by its modest travel numbers, but its geometry and component specification certainly won't hold you back. Marin is better known for their budget-oriented bikes, but that is likely to change with quality offerings like the. This trail tamer features a long, low and slack modern geometry and is designed for speed, comfort and control. If you're not accustomed to a lighter bike, you might never notice, but on longer sustained climbs or big days of pedaling, the extra heft might slow you down a little. Full Forum Listing. The stable yet playful geometry keeps your weight balanced between the wheels. It’s the company’s unwritten mission statement, according to Matthew Cipes, the brand’s product manager. It also comes with a very nice build for the price that enhances its performance on both the climbs and descents. That said, the actual set tube angle is a little slacker than that, and when sagged into the rear suspension, our taller testers found themselves a little more over the back wheel than they'd like. Our size large test bike came with a 150mm X-Fusion Manic dropper, which is nice, but our tall testers would've preferred a longer travel option. Modern Playful Geometry with 29" Wheels. For a carbon-framed bike, the Rift Zone Carbon 2 is a little on the heavy side at 31 lbs and 9 oz. A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Carbon Tallboy models start at $4,199. While a touch heavy, the Maxxis Minion DHR II EXO+ rear tire provided heaps of pedaling traction, even in the loosest of soils. Due to its shorter travel numbers, it still encourages good line choice as it can't bail you out the way a longer travel bike can. The 67.5-degree head-tube angle, with 51mm fork offset and 441mm reach, is on trend with stable modern geometry. These parts offer exceptional performance for the price, too. We'd have no problem recommending this bike to anyone who looking for a versatile short travel trail bike that is capable of taking on any terrain. It’s a subtle reminder that a midpriced bike like the Rift Zone 2 can be every bit as fun as a bike that costs three or four times as much. The Rift Zone Carbon 1 and 2 models feature high modulus carbon fiber and monocoque construction to deliver the lightest, most capable, Rift Zone that Marin has ever made. See the full story here. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Marin did a great job when they chose the components for the Rift Zone Carbon 2, and they nailed some of the more important aspects of the build. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Marin has long been known for pumping out quality bikes at amazing prices, but they recently entered the premium short-travel trail bike market with their new Rift Zone Carbon models. This weight isn't egregious, but comparably priced competitors come in a pound or two lighter. The Tallboy is another short-travel 29er with aggressive angles that's keen to party on the descents. Huge selection of mountain bikes from brands such … Designed around a 120mm rear suspension and 120mm fork the Rift Zone sits squarely in the short travel trail bike category. This bike eats up trail well beyond its short travel pay grade. The Rift Zone's cockpit is capably endowed with a 150-millimeter-stroke X-Fusion dropper post and Marin's house brand items, including a nice looking 780 … Specs, reviews & prices for the 2019 Marin Rift Zone 2. … The bike rolled over the remaining obstacles without difficulty, and when the trail turned, I was able to lean into the corners while keeping traction. MultiTrac is a linkage driven single pivot design that has the main pivot located just above the bottom bracket, pivots on the seat stays just above and forward of the rear axle, and a rocker link attached about halfway up and slightly forward of the seat tube. Marin Rift Zone 2 2018. Bicycling participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The Rift Zone Carbon 2 is great new shorter travel trail bike with a progressive geometry that has a preference for the descents. We've also read other reviews where people have added a larger volume spacer in the shock to remedy this, though we didn't have a chance to try that for ourselves. As soon as I realized how capable The Rift Zone was, I began to race it against a top-end $8,000 carbon build from another manufacturer. 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