I’ve had this bike since March, and I have to say, I’m quite surprised on how it rides and pedals. I agree with everything you say. The dropper post for me is fine and it’s only an inch out of the frame and I’m 6ft tall. The dropper post lever does feel alittle on the cheap side,it dosent have all the play you said but does feel alittle cheap. Tires are super sticky but heavy even after I went tubeless. The shock blew out by the 4th ride but rockshox took care of it and I had it back in less then two weeks and it’s not bad at all. I’m still playing with sag and air pressure but so far it’s good,will eventually upgrade to the ultimate and put the lyric damper in the yari and the suspension will be money. Most of my trails are ride up and descend down and I don’t think it pedals bad at all. I rarely use the lock out with very little bob. Brakes are fantastic with the metal pads.cockpit is roomy and comfortable,only issue I have is tight 180 turns going up is when the end of the bar gets close to my stomach and can make it a pain sometimes.the head angle makes this bike descend and it’s super fast and stable through the chunky rock gardens and downs hills with fast flowy sections. I’m really digging the bike.

I’ve had the carbon 2 model since the start of may. Living in Tasmania having a slack head tube is👌,good for Maydena tech, and the grip 2 damper is incredible once it’s dialed, I haven’t found it to climb badly, it’s certainly not a racehorse but being positioned right over the bb makes climbing very comfortable. Just catchup with your mates on the downs.😉 The dpx2 shock really doesn’t do the bike justice, I’m going to play around with some volume spacers to make the bigger compressions feel a bit more supportive, in the slack lever position you just blow through your travel. Also a longer dropper post is in order. Fantastic bike for the chunder, jumps and ripping up berms.

I really respect Marin Bikes. The Trail 7 Alpine, is perfect. And makes a great Big Brother to the GT Zaskar LT. Of course, the MTB fanatics of KZfaq, frown upon any bike costing less than $5K. That's okay, because whether on steep trails or flat high speed trails, I blast past those weekend gram-counting weenies all dressed-up in spandex & pricey MTB gear.

Your site is my global favourite for reviews. Good luck and thx from south Vancouver Is.

it looks like Marin stuck with their hardtail roots with that rear triangle i like it!

2 wheels carry our soul! It's a very nice video, I'm an electric mountain bike rider, I live in the Netherlands, I'm still waiting for my new channel. Good luck with my love.

I'm about to make my first purchase as it's selling even lower at AUD 3339. Hopefully, the rear wheel and pivot bolts won't get loose. Lol. I might reassemble them and check for the main frame threads once received.

I've also had this bike since March and it has been great. I did change the tires to something lighter and faster rolling since I use it as a trail bike quite a bit. One of the first things to go was the rear shock. I'm 265lbs and it just wasn't up to the task. I replaced it with a DVO Topaz 2 and it has been GREAT.

I have an Alpine trail 8(which I'm not sure if they make them this last year) They're rippers for the price they sell for and come with decent specs and components. But yea definitely get into the habit of bolt checks, aside from that the bikes ride so good for the price.

Cheers Wil and Flow

its on sale for $2,700 AUD on bikes online, so it's a no brainer

Wow, I had a 2018 Marin Hawk Hill and hated it, so last year I went to Norco and got the 2020 Sight. But seems like Marin have since up'ed their game. Geo was the biggest issue on the 2018 bike, super slack seat tube angle and short chain stays mean at 188cm tall on the XL I was almost over the rear axle instead of the BB. That and an EXTREMELY low stack height and steep headangle made for a horrid bike.

@Flow Mountain Bike you should review the Trek Top Fuel!

3900 AUD is around 2550 EUR. That is not bad for this specs and geo. Too bad this bike in Europe is shop brand, hard to find and with price of 2800 EUR... Also 1 more thing that I noticed about Marin Alpine trail is that Marin dont make alu model between this 7 and Alpine trail XR which is 3800 EUR.

that pedal kick

Isn't this the 2021 Alpine trail? Or have Marin released a model after that?

Could possibly save a KG by swapping over to DHR/DHF.

Hello FlowMountainbiking, I wish you could Test the new Canyon Spectral AL models, if that is possible! It really interest me. Would love to finally find a video about it.

Any chance to review the carbon versions of this bike?

Nice Will.... I have a 2020 JAM2 and am looking for a normy to ride that isn’t a million dollars and this has sparked an interest. I kinda like my fox suspension though.

really nice bike

Is the alpine trail xr worth the premium over this bike?

price went up 100 bucks, i think they fixed the spokes

150mm travel enduro bike with no piggyback on the shock? Interesting....

En serio una Marín por casi 4000 EU con cuadro de aluminio un shok delux básico y una horquilla de lo más normal y no quiero hablar de los frenos. Se han parado a comparar con otras marcas,... Digo yo eh

Kitana ka ye bicycle hai in Indian rupee

Stack looks very low

yew sick🤘

You can tell Polygon makes these bikes…

Yes yes yes. No wait. No one buy this. I dont wanna wait 3 months for one.

It’s what’s happens when you let a slope style rider design ya bike

Marin: Hey Commencal, can I copy your HW? Commencal: Eh sure, just change it a bit so it looks different... But seriously, glad companies are pushing geo so there are so many options in the industry. And the digestible prices of Marin and Commencal for super slack enduro bikes is very welcomed. Keep enduro bikes cheaper than DH bikes!! Society startin to move backwards...

thx, buddy you save me time to decide what mtb i will get, 3100aud, fore this bike is ok price!!