All the trolls be like: "wAaaaAh thatS nOt a graVel BiEk thATs a 30-yR oLD mTB!!!??" I hate to break it to you insufferable lot of Freds, but there is a world of difference between this thing and a 30-year old vintage rigid (probably Marin) mountain bike. Like, for example, a carbon fork, hydraulic disc brakes, a 1x12 groupset, wheels that aren't 26", and it likely weighs a lot less to boot. It's hilarious to see people losing their minds over a category being inserted between road cycling and mountain biking. Like, you have to realize that there is a really vast divide between those two disciplines at this point, and honestly how difficult is it to grasp the fact that instead of things being categorized as Road/MTB it's now Road/Gravel/MTB. Beyond that, you couldn't reasonably expect to ride this Marin down most MTB trails these days, at least with any degree of enjoyment or comfort. All the Freds crying about how gravel bikes look like MTB's used to do not actually ride technical trails these days, I can guarantee you that.

In my opinion there's too much snobbery in cycling in general. It looks and sounds like a great bike. Happy days😁

I’m here for the comments about the difference between a MtB and a Gravel Bike

Flat bars seem like a natural fit for gravel bikes. It does look very similar to my rigid mtb from back in the day in terms of geometry and bar width. I think it’s a tool for a job, and looks like a lot of fun. Why people get hung up on bike categories instead of just riding their damn bikes is beyond me. Flat bar, drop bar, gravel, mtb, it’s all good.

‘It’s a number two’ - and it’s brown... marketing on point 👌🏻

People think mountain bikes are all gnar and downhill, enduro, freeride etc. As many have said, this harks back to what most of us used to do back in the old day, go out, explore, have fun!

Perfect bike for a rider who just doesn't get on with drops, and wants a good all-rounder, but probably even moreso for the many casual riders who get sold a heavy hardtail with a cheap (also heavy) suspension fork because they think they "need" suspension for comfort, and then just ride it on bike paths.

Nice fun bike! Having owned an 80s Rigid MTB, 90s and 2000s Hybrids, and currently own a flat bar gravel I can say the modern flat bar gravel bike is lighter, faster, better, and the components are way way better than my previous bikes. The 80s steel bike weighed like 100 lbs the hybrids had so much chain slap that they were un-rideable on anything other than the road or hard pack. I don't take the gravel bike on technical single track...that's not what its made for. The modern gravel bike is spec'd with better components and wider tires than the hybrids. It is just a fun bike. Fun on the road, fun on bike paths, fun on dirt roads, fun riding with my family. It is a quality do-it-all bike for me. Can you fix up and old 90s rigid and call it a gravel bike? You sure can! Go do it and have fun. Not sure why folks get all twisted about bikes. And yes I agree I don't feel the need to dress up for the flat bar....lol.

I LOVE this video! I spent so long umming and ahhing over flats vs drops for my new Sonder Camino gravel bike and in the end went with flats and I’m so glad I did. Everything you say rings true! It’s so much FUN! I’m not a “serious” cyclist and don’t have all the gear but wow I LOVE my new bike and have spent so much time haring around trails on this like a ten year old! Having moved from an ancient of MTB to my gravel bike and not being used to drops, I love the stability. Love your videos and this ones been my favourite so far! X

I have a flat bar Giant Toughroad gravel bike, very similar in style to this Marin flat bar gravel bike, and it handles very different to my Bridgestone MB-3 from 1989. It is also rigid yes, but much lighter, with tubeless tyres, new geometry, flexible seat post, disc brakes, carbon fork and fat 700 cc tyres. All of which ensures a totally new and more comfortable experience. It handles so well. Great value for money too

Your ride makes you feel alive as a viewer. Thank you.👍👍👍

I'm here now, posting about how flat bar gravel bikes are just mountain bikes and how we've come full circle - I can 100% guarantee you that I am the only person who has ever had this thought, much less the wherewithal to post it on this video, because this is absolutely the correct response to someone having fun on a flat bar gravel bike, is to be the only person in the world who can identify that it is similar to something that existed in the past and loudly declare it as someone is having fun This was a good thing I have done yes

Love the video, love the bike, its full gone circle and proves there is a space in the world for what was a 1st gen mtb.

Juliet Hi: I'm about to change my bike to flat bars. I 'm so tired of drop bars because they are so twitchy and really make it hard to ride. so thanks!! for this Idea. This bike is 41 years old and was a road bike and sat for many years, just as Mountain biking got started. and I think the Brooks saddle is a good choice too. Keep the video's coming I look forward to them.

I'm glad we got my wife a 700c hybrid at a reasonable price before they killed off those models and sold them at double the price as flat-bar gravel bikes.

I'd rather have the flat bar since I'm a mtn biker and drop bars are just so foreign to me and I don't want to get used to them.

A Denham handlebar would be a great addition for this bike. The swept back design would take the stress off the wrists and the extensions would allow the rider to get into a more aero stance on the flatter straightaways.

I love my 15 year old Marin Point Reyes. Although it's more like a commuter bike, it's not dissimilar to this one. I've got chubby slicks on it and love taking it off road a little bit. Woodland paths and muddy lanes. Great fun.

Rewind 30 years and it’s a slightly tweaked version of my old mountain bike - long live the Raleigh mustang 🤣

I own a DSX-1 and I absolutely love it

Wow, a bike that's not black, grey/silver or blue... I LIKE IT!!!

Splap some inner bar ends on and wrist position fatigue issue is solved, with the added benefit of slightly improved aero drag

I agree with the bike dress code flat bar casual drop kits

Never thought I could like a brown-coloured bike but this colour seems to work!

The line between gravel and xc seems to be getting smaller

I feel that if you are going to get a flat bar gravel bike. You may aswell just stump up for a hard tail mountain bike.

I’d agree with great utility bike, it’s what my old MTB commute beast is, yes it’s getting me to work generally with bags full of stuff, but no reason it can’t have a wee bit of fun on the way!

finally.. a review on marin dsx

I rode a flat bar Marin Highway one for 18yrs. No problem. Got the Headlands kit on order & might (just) go for flat bars.

I have a 25 year old rigid Saracen Hardtrax MTB which I always loved but it's a 26 inch with v brakes and I yearn for the nostalgia after riding a full suss 29er trail bike for a few years. I have the 29er for off-road and wanted something quicker and easier for my keep fit run up the old railway lines near home and for the commute but with the ability to do some singletrack if and when I fancy on the way without having to go the drop bar route which isn't something I really want to do. This seems perfect for that. So call it what you like but basically it's an updated mountain bike with big wheels and big grin factor. Ticks lots of boxes for me and Juliet has given a great feel for what this bike is about. About to pre-order one.

Modern retro 29er...... even looks like the pine mountain I had in the 80,s

just wanted to give my 2 cents to this: i ride a 20pounds specialized diverge and a 20 pounds s works epic ht. I thought i get used to using drop bars in the woods but flat bars are better and safer. For a long ride i take my diverge tough. Short punchy ride epic ht. Climbing Epic ht. I am happy that there is something on the market for everyone. Just ride bikes and enjoy it. Cheers.

As a mountain biker looking for a fun do it all second bike to commute on, think this might be a winner!

I like that metallic chocolate brown paint job on the bike 🚲

10 years ago I put to together an older Specialized carbon hard tail with a carbon fork and narrow rubber. I guess you could say it was a prototype flat bar gravel bike. I used it for commuting as well as fun. I even rode a century on it once. It was a very good bike for sprint training for BMX racing. Someone liked it so much they brought their bolt cutters to my work and claimed it for their own! I agree. Flat bars are way more stable on steep technical sections of gravel. Oh and cycling kit is necessary for riding drop bar bikes!😂

I knew that old Trek I have in the shed would come back in to fashion, thanks bike marketing wonks!

Looks a lot like my 90s Marin MTB sat in my shed. But I bet that's a lot more fun to ride (lighter, discs etc).

I just picked up a Cannondale Slate Apex , will convert to flat bar, with 11 speed Shimano XT , 11-46 cassette and 36t chainring .

Nice vid. I've been thinking of getting a flat bar gravel bike like a Diverge Expert E5 Evo.

Very nice !!! great colour alternative to green which is my perso fav for a gravel bike dont know why .... My hand built gravel bike was stolen in London, I bought a cheap and cheerful steel single speed as a stop gap which has been brilliant as a town bike and dirt bike sans slopes, now i'm itching for another lightish flat bar gravel bike, so thanks for the review !!

I´m currently eyeing this exact bike. My beloved 29´´ hardtail got stolen unfortunately, and i need a replacement. I bought that bike back when Gravel as a category didn´t exist yet - i wanted something that will be mostly ridden on pavement, but isn´t afraid to jump a few curbs, or ride on a dirt road. my bike shop recommended a basic hardtail 10 years ago. I loved that bike, and noticed that i kept the front fork locked out 99% of the time. So now when it unfortunately came the time to buy a new bike, i was basically searching for ´´29er MTB with rigid front fork´´. And this is exactly what i imagined. A Marin Kentfield or Muirwoods also seem like good alternatives but those seem to be sold out everywhere near me. Interestingly Marin seems to be the only mainstream, affordable brand that does this kind of bike.

A proper review on this bike :!! Much knowledge from a pro! Cheers!

juliet you make any bike look great ..love your channel mate

I like Marin bikes, I used to sell them when I was a bike mechanic. I get pro-deals on them, but they seriously never have anything in stock.

I love this. It totally justifies what I’ve just done. I’ve recently converted my 15 year old Trek 7.7FX from 3x10 to 1x10 by using an 11-32 cassette and going with a 39 tooth Oval chainring. Along with some 33c gravel tyres it’s now a very light and quick back lane weapon, that is much better suited to the area that I moved to recently.

Next thing you know they'll be adding suspension to it and inventing a whole new genre; Mountain Bikes. 😂

I still have my old Bridgestone MB1. I guess it's back in style. Maybe I'll update the group set.

Wouldn't that just be a 29" stiffy mtb?

Looks a nice bike ....the Marin colour schemes are good too

I just bought a well cared for Specialized Rockhopper from the 90s. Steel frame, big tyres, flat bars, $60. See you on the road.

I like that. I've been thinking about adding a flat bar gravel bike to the rest of the n+1 clan I have. My fave at the moment is my Fairlight Secan on 650b, but this Marin DSX looks a hoot and takes name back to being a kid. Sometimes you just want to hop on and ride rather than the faff of kitting up. Keep up the good work and wish Dave luck for his Everesting. Its a good cause.

I just stumbled upon this video, and loved it. Been thinking about a new bike. My mountain bike is great, but I don't do actual mountain riding anymore. Still, I want to be able to jump off the pavement onto fun trails whenever I want. I also want less weight. A gravel bike might be just what I need. I hope they also make them with step-through frames.

Put bar ends on it Juliet, fantastic for going up hills!!!

This looks like my Marin Eldridge Grade from mid 90's. Flat bars, ally frame. Mine has saved weight by having smaller cogs on the cassette and has put the mass low and central by having 3 front chain rings for a good wide range of gears. I can put various tyres on from narrow road tyres ( I have 1.5 on at the moment) to wide off road tyres. I found mine in a skip and it cost nothing. I love riding it as it is such fun. Seems to me that this DSX 2 is a marketing exercise. Old hat themes with a modern day price tag.

As was said in other comments. This is basically back to the start of mountain biking or in other words a hybrid bike.

Fair Play Juliet I was not expecting that 🤪 when you said having new bike Dave’s the King of FUN but I think your competing for the title 🚴🏻‍♀️ well Queen of Fun 🤪🤪 Great vlog cool 😎 👍👍

“The more things change, the more they remain the same”. Older riders will understand this one.

Drop some bar-ends inside the shifters and that would mimic the hood feel. And an aero-bar would even give you more options for the longer road sections.

Canadian MTB'er and flat-bar gravel biker checking in. You've hit the nail on the head regarding bar width. After riding my 29er trail bike with 800mm bars all summer, anything narrower than 700 or *gasp* drop bars feel downright squirrelly due to their narrowness. I've recently upgraded a city commuter into a flat bar gravel bike by installing 700x40c gravel tires (WTB Raddlers) and 740mm bars. This combination gives me a familiar bike feel, with a much faster top speed 👍. Keep up the great content. I originally found you looking for bike packing tips, and stuck around for the gravel biking.

what a fresh idea, flatbar gravel bike...

One of the justifications often made for a gravel bike is that the drop handle bars make it easier to ride on the road between 'gravel' & 'trail' sections which is not a valid argument for this bike. Personally I think a XC hard tail MTB with lockable fork would be a better option for most people unless I'm missing something 🤷 I'm not for a moment being critical of the bike, I'm just not sure what need it specifically addresses.

Actually, really impressed over the fact that this bike (Model 1) offers hydraulic discs for under $1000 USD! Throwing Panaracer Gravelking SK tires on my ancient hard-tail MTB made me realize how fun gravel riding can be on a flat bar bike. Maybe I'll be able to find this bike in a shop in 2021, once the crazy pandemic-driven demand for new bikes has subsided a bit.

Morning!!!!!!!!!!! I love the beautiful little country lanes; your riding is so much different than my riding in Canada! 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

Amiable do-it-all bike, you said it best; I would use it a lot for commuting and light grassy/gravelly offroad paths I see it fit for; the copper-like colour though, it makes it trendy ! 🟤🚲

I built a flat bar gravel bike with XT groupo a couple years ago but I'm going to rebuild with flared bars as I'm not a fan of flats for longer rides.

I have been riding my gravel bike for a couple years now and I just got my 2021 Giant Anthem advanced 29 1 mountain bike. I couldn't believe the difference the flat bars made with my bike handling (and obviously the full suspension)....but, I'm considering swapping my aero bars on my gravel bike for flat bars now! So rad about your new bike! Hope you have fun smashing it out there Juliet!

It calls so much attention. Most everytime I ride, some entusiastic stop me to talk about my marin DSX 1. And it so fun to ride.

Good luck finding one in the UK...

It looks like retro but It is so beautiful. Have fun with it 😉

Welcome to the club; my 'Flat-Bar' MTB/Commuter is a Raleigh Tarantula Steel over 25yrs old.

I love this bike, I own it and it's awesome

So 90s mtb geo with modern parts on it... we really have come full circle. Not sure what to make of it but I think I like it lol

Love your enthusiasm and your outfit on this ride. Nice to see I'm not the only one riding in jeans when I feel like it.

Years ago I had a Cannondale SH800. Aluminium, flat bars, 700c, gravel geo. Juliet makes drop bars sound a bit dangerous. I recommend that they're paired with cross top brake levers. Flat bars don't have enough hand positions. Something like the Jones H-Bar would be better.

In the early days, we called that a mountain bike .

Those colours look badass 🤙

I like the bike but it really seems like a rigid trail bike with geo from 10 years ago.

I've read quite a few comments since yesterday when I labelled this bike a hybrid. I actually have a mountain bike, an ebike and a gravel bike as they are called now. I bought the gravel bike to use on the road as I hadn't got a road bike and I can say I'm at ease with now calling this my road bike now. When my ride is finished with my mates who all have road bikes, which look a lot like mine, I can shoot off road to take a short cut home if required ie a hybrid type bike. The mountain bike is used for moorland riding etc and the ebike is just another mode of riding when not much time. The bike Julie has is, to me more akin to a mountain bike as she has wider tyres and flat bars. To the guy above who refers to Fred's, Bert's, Albert's or whatever. People are not necessarily calling the above bike, they seem to be merely saying it looks like a hybrid bike which one would use on a multitude of differing terrains. The bike Juliet has looks great by the way.

Looks like an early 90s mountain bike when most MTBs hadn't a suspension fork. Later on it was called fittness bike. Anyway looks like a nice combo, lightweight and fast.

There is just one question: Who needs a gravel bike with flat bar? That is me! I have a garage full with bikes. What I missed was a fast bike I can use for nearly all but it must be fast on asphalt. So I built up a Nikolai Argon cx. With two chainrings in the front, 11speed, 11 - 46, hope v4 brakes., 40 mm tyres......yes, it looks like a rigid mtb but it is faster. On pavement it is fast as a gravel but if the trail gets tricky, its faster due to better control with flat bar. By the way, I do not like drop bars.

Yes, this is the sort of bike I would love. I feel so much more in control with the flat bars. I live in the heart of the country, so there is all sorts of mixed terrain. The 1x12 groupset is something I would like to try out. I've had a 3x9, a 2x9, and a 1x9, so far on different types of bikes. I don't like the 2x, as there is too much of a jump between high and low. 3x is my favourite, as it's a smoother transition. 1x would be simpler, but I find all the changing very hard on my thumb.

I've owned the Marin DSX 2 for about 3 weeks now... DEFINITELY "Made for Fun"! I ride MTBs (trail and XC) and wanted to get this bike for commutes, road rides and light trail rides (AND to save my MTB tire tread by keeping it off pavement). This bike is light, handles well, shifts smoothly and looks dope AF! Definitely good for road riding, commuting and riding light trails. Only negative is the bottom bracket is really low (good for stability, but pedals hit the ground on sharp fast turns). Hard to pedal and maintain speed in a sharp quick turn without banging the pedals or your shoe on the ground. Took it for a spin on a light flowy trail and it performed fine, but can't plow through roots like a XC or trail bike without making your front axle loose. I do wish it had drop bars, but that's just for the look (i love cyclocross)....flat bars handle much better and are less twitchy. Overall, i LOVE this bike and use it as an every day ride for fun and use my trail bike for the trails on weekends.

The bike in the video is roughly similar to the mid 90s Gary Fisher mountain bike I bought for $80 US a couple of years ago. They both have flat bars with no suspension, but the one Juliet rides in the video uses newer technology and design, making it more rideable. Mine has a welded steel frame, higher gearing with a triple chainring, and twist-grip shifting. It's still really good for riding on most gravel roads or in particular, converted railroad beds.

I have a 1994 Marin Nail Trail which is an awesome bike which I still ride a lot.

Loving the brown! Sick!

I've been riding my old steel frame MTB with aluminum alloy rigid forks from 2018 with alivio 3*9 groupset and they're so much faster than regular MTB. I mostly ride on city roads n highways so I prefer rigid fork over suspension

This is basically a pre 2010 vintage MTB with bigger wheels.

Велика сила маркетинга! У меня гибрид "GT Nomad Ltd" 2004 года и он прикольный, как и этот Marin и тоже на 28 колесах. Когда на этот Marin поставят вилку с ходом 75 мм, их отличия практически сократятся до минимума) Спасибо за обзорчик!

Thank you, am thinking of purchasing this bike

'Fes up, it's a hybrid!

Just my current Carrera Gryphon hybrid that I have been riding for the last 8 years. I prefer flat bars to drops due to feeling more in control than. My bar ends give me a similar position to the hoods on drop bars. Love the bike and may look into a Marin as my next bike.

Same as me old cannondale...2006 bad boy ultra...except cannondale has a built in front suspension...and yes u can use 700c

Looks like the Marin Bear Valley I had back in the day!

Lovely bike Juliet you and your family take care.

Great vid , bike looks great

Please do a long term review of this bike

Very useful review for a flat bar and the Marin DS2, especially helpful in my search for one right bike, the first after many years away, tks.

Gravel bike sales have skyrocketed in the past few years. Rails to trails is growing everywhere and people want bikes that excel on those surfaces. All bikes have similarities and differences and arguing the details is like sport to some. Lots of room for interpretation as to what constitutes a gravel bike. Just choose one and ride. This one looks fun and flexible and oddly attractive. I'm not generally a fan of brown bikes, but Marin nailed this color scheme.

I think all "gravel" bikes need to have a flat/riser 20-25mm riser bar option. Drops are cool but you don't need to be so aero while on gravel when riding for fun.

Looks like a fun shredder,maybe you would like a double shot pedal,very versatile esp,those days you don't want to kit up!