The timing of this video is ridiculously funny in my case. My wife is in the process of buying a Trek and it's exactly the Marlin 8 and Roscoe debate. We are going with Roscoe 7 and for pretty much exactly the same reasons you mentioned in this video. We were having the discussions abut this exact thing a few hours earlier today, before you released the video. 😂👍👍

Too many choices results in analysis paralysis, then total confusion about what to get, too the point that the buyer my just drop the idea of getting into mountain biking.

There is a correction happening. There was a bike boom that drove demand through the roof. Part availability kept pricing high. Sales, as always is the last to react and drop pricing. They'll squeeze every dollar from you that they can. That doesn't mean the design aspect is the problem. The Marlin is a great entry design, pricing is not in line with the product offering. I love the Roscoe and have one, the pricing has recently been hit with "Sale" prices. This is where I believe the standard pricing should be. Walmart/box store bikes. I've gone that route with a couple kids bikes, I can tell you from experience they are still not where they should be for the price. They are better, still not good. Other brands are adjusting faster as demand declines, but trek is still a premium bike with great warranty. Keep riding Matty!

You keep knocking out quality videos, keep it up!

Man I just bought the 2024 Roscoe 6 in that matte keswick color you showed. Bruh it’s an amazing bike I absolutely love it. It is my first actual trail bike after not riding since 2005 when I went off to the Air Force. I picked it up a week ago and in that week I’ve already put 42 miles on it at my local trails around OKC.

I have marlin 8 gen 3 and im flying on it. Upgraded crankshaft to xx1 and it's sick.

Just got my blue/black gen 2 marlin 8, basically brand new, on marketplace for $600. Absolutely love it

Wow! Last week I took a friend to a Trek store to get his first bike and we ended up looking at EXACTLY what you are talking about. We compared a Gen3 Marlin 8 (in red) to a new style Roscoe 6 (in the mat green). I saw the same things. $100 more and the Marlin was still quick release front and rear with the strait tube fork. We went with the Roscoe hands down. Only thing I see with the Roscoe is the 9 speed cues U4000 derailleur does not have a clutch which is odd considering the Roscoe is a rowdy hardtail. Ive spent quite some time researching and it will be about $200 to upgrade that while it would have only been $50 more for trek to have went with the 10 or 11 speed cues setup in the first place which DO include a U6000 derailleur with a clutch. I BTW ride the Roscoe 9 and love it

Just bought a Madone SL7 Gen 6 Ultegra . Love it. Parked next to my Emonda SL6 AXS. Great bikes

Well Matty I just bought myself the Trek Roscoe 7 in black olive! Your fault LOL I love it so far !! Thanks for your videos and info on these bikes!! Keep up the great job!!

Was deciding between trek marlin 8 and Roscoe 6, after watching this video definitely going with the Roscoe.

I got my Trek Marlin 6 Gen 2 because of your first videos on it. You've made 15 or so new videos with different bikes and mine has turned into a Tricked Marlin 9. PNW handlebar, Maxxis tires, rockshox recon silver fork, raceface stem and pedals, diore xt brakes. I'm 280lbs and fly downhill. I'll get a roscoe when this frame breaks.

The best thing to do is go to a local bike shop and talk about how, where, and why you are going to ride. Each component does something different better or worse and they can help you out with model specific features.

For me Specialized are the true leaders of the industry. People dont like some things about how they do business, but they never make poor bikes, their product range is much easier to understand and they still can change a premium and seem to get away with it.

You're totally right about the high-end Marlin against the cheapest Roscoe. I also wish you could buy the frame in any color that they are made in! I just need a frame, but want the bright green that's only available on the Roscoe 6.

Marlins are good bikes for commuting and cross country, but they are definitely _not_ trail bikes. I know from experience that they're not going to hold up to the repeated punishment of a chunky technical trail. I bought a Marlin 8 about three years ago, and in that time, I managed to bend the front and rear axles at least once each, cracked the rear rim, slightly bent the front fork, and, finally, slightly bent the rear triangle which permanently messed up the shifting. And I'm not even a particularly aggressive rider. So now I'm on a Roscoe 9 which is much better suited for trail riding. I bought a discounted Gen 2 Marlin 5 for only slightly more than it would have cost to buy just a Marlin frame (Gen 2 frames have been discontinued) and rebuilt it using parts from my 8, which I'm going to use strictly as a commuter and errand bike, with maybe some occasional _light_ trail riding. Like green trails and fire roads.

recently sold my 23 gen 2 marlin 6 so i can upgrade to a slash 7, i fell for the exact thing you described. wanted a bike i could upgrade over the years and found myself realizing the bikes limitations and buyers remorse set in pretty quick. from what I've seen the slash 7 seems generally more than capable of anything you can throw at it. i think for where i live (ontario Canada, pretty flat mostly) an enduro bike should have more than enough to handle the local trails and the few downhill parks (which aren't to crazy)that i plan to hit in a year. But again, it sucks i had to go through a bike to fully realize this and I'm sure I'm not the first to run into this issue.

This November I purchased the trek Marlin 8 gen 3 as a beginner bike. I feel like this bike has decent parts but could use better parts like the SRAM SX being a low entry 1x12 drive terrain to get people into a 1x12 it's an okay drive terrain but the derailer gets bumped quite a bit and I updated it to the GX derailer and chain making a big difference it comes with a Rock Shox Judy 100mm what I thought was small, but It has proved me wrong I ride this bike hard probably harder than It should be ridden and it proves to be a great beginner bike.

Dang, that trail looks so fun!

You make many good points. I feel like the low end Marlins and the Dual Sports overlap, as do the higher end Marlins and XCalibers. Really though, after 5 years of riding I feel like my Marlin is just a rugged hybrid.

I just ordered the trek Roscoe 6 XL in store a few hours ago in the power surge colour (Lime green). I'm going into mountain biking at 38.

For 90% of the riding I do a Trek Top Fuel would be just fine…but…that last 10% is why I bought a Fuel EX.

I just bought a marlin 7 on sale at Scotty Cranmers shop after considering getting a walmart Ozark trail and upgrading it a little but this bike has most of those parts I'd want for similar money. I picked it up to ride gravel paths and easy to intermediate bike trails with my 3 year old son on his stacyc since he cant keep up with our dirtbikes on sandy NJ single track. I may consider a dropper post and go tubeless but I'm more than happy with it as is. I haven't had a brand new mtb ever, it feels like a something from the future compared to what I was riding trails with before 😅

Great review, I'm going to the trek store tomorrow to buy myself and my wife either the Marlin 8 gen 3 or the Roscoe 7 and this video was very helpful. Could you please let me know the name of the Smith sunglasses you wearing bro?

You should review that $250 Walmart gravel bike. As for Trek, I never understood why there isn’t just 1 version of the Marlin, 1 of the Roscoe, etc. would make things simpler, and would actually help with lowering prices due to the scale of economy.

If you are having trouble deciding, head to a trek store. They are very good and guiding you in the right direction.

I really feel like the Marlin introduced me to the game. Most young bikers (experienced or beginner) have heard the name Trek. It's a desirable brand. And the Marlin, (also my first buy) is the quickest way into the scene. Had I known what I do now I would have also gotten a different setup. But the Marlin got me interested. Helped me to learn and upgrade. (Things I wouldn't do on the full squish now) I love it for what it is but completely agree and respect your channel for what you reveal about the company and its flaws. Hopefully they last but with your input, understand if they don't. Love the footage man!

With experience comes knowledge that opens your eyes to all the short comings that the lower price bicycles are fitted with. Spend the BIG $$$ and take to the trails on a bicycle that will not disappoint the jumps.

I mostly agree, but there is a place for XC geo. Here in the Midwest, I ride my tricked out Rockhopper more than my slack, 150mm full suspension bike, although we have a few trails where that bike works. What’s needed is a Marlin with thru axles and tapered headtube,Ike a BMC two stroke or Specialized Chisel.

I agree. The Marlin is very much over priced. But I believe it still has a place. Beginning riders, especially younger riders. Need something to learn the basics on and something to beat on. But not at $1k+. The most expensive Marlin should be around $700 with the dropper post, air fork and a decent budget drivetrain. The other marlins should be around $400 with the coil fork. No dropper included. I just bought the Roscoe 9 on Saturday. Your channel gave me all the confidence to make the purchase knowing it can handle a lot! I can keep my siskiu T7 and the now Roscoe 9 and have all the bike I will ever need for any situation. I’m going to sell off my Marlin 6, and Roscoe 6 and I think I’ll be set for a good while. Appreciate you man!! Thanks for ALL the content

I bought my first mountain bike about 7 months ago. It’s a Trek marlin 5 gen 2 and I got it at the recommendation of the guy at the cycling shop. I was amazed at how quickly my ability outgrew what the bike could handle. In less than 6 months I had to replace the entire drivetrain and upgrade the back wheel, all while doing my best with maintenance. While it is an excellent bike for the price, I really wish the dealer would have pried a bit more into my intention while riding instead of assuming beginner=Cheaper XC bike. I would have likely spent a bit more for the Roscoe series if I understood the differences between them or the other marlins. I just bought my second bike (a Giant Stance 2) from a local bike shop and it was so much easier making an informed purchase because there weren’t 7 different models in each line. It was simply, x line is good for y riding, there’s 2 models in each line, they’re 90% the same, pick which drivetrain suits you more.

Some bike shops are the problem too. 3 separate times in the last 2 years I’ve gone into lbs and said what I wanted to spend and and what my intended riding was. Each time I’ve been shown bikes $500 or more than the $1200-1500 I wanted to spend, and twice was told I needed a L frame-when i clearly was crushing my nuts trying to stand on tip toe.... I appreciate the your perspective, Matty (and your commenters).

I still ride my 2020 Roscoe 7 handling all the same trail terrain as buddies with full suspension - thousands of dollars bikes. My 67 slack, 27.5 x2.8 XR3 tires @ 18/16 psi upgraded forks, 170mm cranks, carbon bars, revgrips and X01 drive train? There is nothing this Roscoe 7 cannot handle now. And I am on an Xlg at 6'0, opting for the larger bike in between sizes. Don't care for 29 wheels. 27.5 quicker off the line and zippier. You are correct. Someone getting into mtb today? 2024 Roscoe 6 is perfect. The Marlin 8 comes with the low end SRAM NX which will wear out in 6 months easy.

We need to see you try the Marlin gen 3 !!!

Walmart wasn't very big when I was growing up. Kmart was much bigger back then believe it or not. My grandpa had already bought me a Schwinn when I first learned to walk. It sat around for a few years before I was allowed to ride it. Back then we had bike shops were Schwinn was the main bike that sold there

4:49 I definitely agree, if going for a trek hardtail this is a much easier to ride bike, due to the trail geometry. But I would still not buy a Trek. Maybe if it's a great deal second hand. But I don't know if quality has improved lately. But if I were to get a trek hardtail it would be the Roscoe.

I bought the Trek Procaliber 8 after years of watching your channel! It took a long time the find the perfect match for me. We have some lite trails in Spijkenisse the Netherlands. Perfect for me and the procaliber 8 I hope you can confirm that i made the right decision :D €1350 I hope my english isn’t that bad :)

Trek making bikes in China for $400, then pricing them at $2,000 in the US is extortionate. I'm thinking Trek has a cocaine addiction as they're behind on their bills, ruining their relationships and can't focus on anything for more than a few seconds.

Direct to consumer is the way to go - Canyon, YT, Polygon. Significantly better value than Trek in every single category.

i think another big discussion is the fact that for the same price as a marlin 8 (maybe slightly more) you can buy a full suspension polygon with the same/better features or one of their new carbon hardtails aswell

Love the vid and I agree with what you said. Would you consider buying a frame and build it out as an alternative?

Great video and subject. As a Trek Marlin owner (and overseas, outside US), there are some other things to keep in mind. The Trek Marlin 8 Gen 3 here goes for USD 1800 (yeah, I know). And there is now Roscoe series here. So unless you want to cough up well over $2.5k for the next make up, the Marlin 7-8 is really the only option. Would love to see the Roscoe available overseas in the price range you mention, as I’d consider selling my Marlin 8 and trading down/up.

IF TREK is what you want, and you are set on having a Hardtail, this is a great video. HOWEVER, for the price of the Roscoe 6 at 1200 and the 7 on sale for 1649, you could get a Polygon Siskiu T6 Full Suspension for less than the Roscoe 7. The Siskiu has really good geometry. Just an option to think about :)

I just bought a new Marlin 4.2 because I like the "Living Coral color. Considering it's going to be converted into a dropbar trail bike with SRAM Xx front , XO rear, Rival shifters, a 27.5" ehub rear-wheel drive, the original 29er front and add an existing Canyon S15 suspension seatpost - maybe I'll get some Judy Silver Air forks, and be ready to go. Nobody makes the bicycle I want so it doesn't matter if it's a Marlin 4 or 8 but the motor requires QR dropouts - so the Roscoe won't do it.

I just got a marlin 6 Gen 3 and sometimes wish I got the roscoe 6

The Marlin is a good bike if you know what you are getting into. I mean it will give you a taste of mixed use with a focus on getting you onto an actual trail. The issue is that as you advance and wear parts you realize just how limiting the design and geometry is. The fact that they are charging as much as they are for the Marlin is something that they really should address. At those prices the bottom line Roscoe is by far the better option simply because the upgrade path is so much better.

I was looking at a gravel bike too and when I seen the one you thought about I checked into it and why not

I’d take an Ozark Trail anyway over a Marlin of any kind

Been riding a long time. I bought a Gen 2 Marlin 6. No way a Wally world bike is in the same category. I upgraded the pedals, seat, grips, and fork (Rock Shox Recon). I ride it all over the place. All bikes break. I know guys with 4k bikes that aren't happy and upgrading. Are there better bikes? Of course! I'm 250lbs and don't take it easy on my Marlin 6 Gen2. Enjoy what you bought. These are good videos. But don't let it take the fun away from riding what you have.

For the price i run a 2023 roscoe 6 olive green i cant get enough of the looks and the comments bad side is just the single 10 gears ……. Oh and the tyres my next upgrade is either the goodyears or the maxxis gum wall

My 'new' bike is a 2011 Rocky Mountain Slayer 70 which I snapped up for $900. The last owner swapped the 26" wheels for 27.5s and it's absolutely perfect for me. Good travel, insanely good climbing, and 31lbs. Worth noting is that I live in Nelson, BC where blues are equivalent to double or triple blacks in most other places. Over $1000 for a hardtail is ridiculous to me personally. No reason to buy a new bike... ever.

we dont have the upadated Roscoe 6 here in Czechia. I asked at my local Trek store about it and the guy there told me "dont think its coming here and if it does, then in 2025". Now im stuck going through bikes like you mentioned: Mariln 8 gen 3 - Roscoe 7 - Kona Honzo - Stoic 2 - Orbea Laufey..... So much to choose from but everything I mentioned will be a huge upgrade to my /my dads actually/ old Schwinn.

My bike shop was my local flea market.

I bought a Roscoe 6 today. I’ve been from the very simplest bike to the very high dollar bikes over thirty years of mountain biking and I can honestly say that I will never pay over $1500 on a bike again. In the end it’s all about the rider. These bikes today and ESPECIALLY Trek have lost their minds on their prices and the redundancy of their bikes is rediculous. Keep it simple, ride hard!!

Hi, I just came across this video when I was searching for information about the first beginner trail bike. I have limited budget, so that’s why I’m considering Trek marlin 7 gen 3. The bike shop is having a promotion for this model only for 530 USD. Do you recommend buying it?

Choosing bikes of Trek is easy if you get into it and start learning. For beginner i would say take Marlin 8. Its a great beginner bike. If you want full suspension if think you should look at what kind of riding you would do. If you consider casual trails and some enduro then fuel ex it is, If you choose enduro and moderate trail then Slash it is. Difference between the numbers is Aluminum and carbon and each version come from different level of specs. Take slash aluminum versions have top model Slash 8 but its still moderate specs for their high end stuff. However this still is a great bike and wouild do fine for anyone. Then you have their carbon bikes that have improved geometry and specs. They start at 9.7 then 9.8 and 9.9. Those number variants have same frame but different cost and specs. 9.7 - mid range specs with high end frame, can be upgraded in the future. Usually comes with SLX components which are still pretty good. 9.8 XT - (the one i recommend) High end components that have great value to performance and you dont overpay for gimmick. 9.8 GX AXS - Still good value, but i think XT gives better value for the cost because Better shifter, casette, cranks and breaks. 9.9 XTR - This are their high end specs and everything is just top of the line. If you look at this, you already know your stuff. Here you get high end performance slightly higher than 9.8 XT setup but usually its stuff like saving few grams and a bit of looks. Its maybe 5-10 percent better than XT variants at seriously higher price. Unless you are top rider i dont recommend this. 9,9 XX and XO bikes - Unless its an ebike i dont recommend this. They are just overpriced as hell and are not worth the money. XTR with hyperglide+ and offers insane performance and much lower price and you still get all the same stuff. You are paying insane money for wireless stuff. Can be good for ebikes though to avoid chain snap, but XTR still has great shifting so still no problem and XTR is lighter. Those 9. numbers apply to most of their mountain bikes like fuel ex, top fuel and ebikes like rail, fuel exe. If you dont go for full suspension and want a hardtail. I recommend marlin 8 or Roscoe. Both are good for start. Price might be issue though For me i would say buy cheap hardtail to see if you like the sport. If you do i go for high end 9.8 bike. Ive got 9.8 Slash. It went for 8000 dollar, but its a killer of a bike. Never looked back once and this 1 year i had it was the most fun bike experience. I planing to get rail sometime, but will keep this bike because its incredible.

Specialized fuse comp. Try it out. Hard tail. Jams.

Marlin 5 Gen 2 would be my choice, size medium, in azure blue. I'm old school: I prefer a 2x drivetrain and eight speeds are the practical, real-world choice. Even though I'm _only_ 5'3", I've learned first-hand the medium-size Gen 2 fits me far better than the small- and medium-size Gen 3. Being a beginner, though, I'm still not sure how I'd feel about having to handle 29" wheels.

I’ve said and thought about it for a while and I feel bike companies should ditch that rockshox RL fork and go with the marzocchi bomber it might bump up the price of the bike but not by much and is a good fork for a MTB

I’m super curious what trail that was at the end of the video. I also live in Colorado and can often identify what trails you’re on which is super cool to know you’re riding the same stuff as me. But, I couldn’t identify that one. What trail was that?

I went to a Trek store to try and get a Fuel EX 9.8. The thing ended up being all scratched up and looked like a demo bike. The store felt like a conveyer belt for customers and the sales staff was extremely unhelpful. Didn’t even pump up the tire before letting me ride it around the parking lot… almost completely flat. I went to a legit bike store nearby and ended up getting a Santa Cruz Hightower S for $1100 off, even lower than the manufacturer sale. Took a demo one out for over an hour on a nearby trail and hit all kinds of features. The staff went above and beyond in getting me all set up on the suspension and answered all my questions. Working with a GOOD bike shop matters almost as much as what bike you get. Especially when they really make you a good deal. I’ve been to numerous Trek stores over the years and I’m always deterred by their sales staff among other things.

Does the Roscoe have all the things you said missing off the marlin ?

I've got 3x9 XTR on my 2000 Stumpjumper and Homegrowns. They keep my local trails sketchy and fun and are simple to maintain. Most riders don't need this new "progressive" trail geometry. It rides great on gnarly stuff, but most riders aren't, or will rarely ride those killer back country trails. I do agree that Roscoe should replace the Marlin, or that Marlin needs to be closer to $750-$800 and run a 1x9.

I don’t know. I had no issue picking a trek. Matter of fact I think specialized has even more options than trek. I researched everything down to weight and what I was going to do with it and decided I wanted an FX sport and later decided I wanted the 6. And that was the end.

2:34 They have way too many models, but less models in Norway. USA got the most models. And differences in components is not much, components, fork. But same goes for other brands. 3:39 That's a XC bike. but the skewers is a let down. a crappy drivetrain you can replace, so rather have cheapest possible junk drivetrain and nice fork, thru axles, then customer can select drivetrain of choice later. 3:57 Resin only rotors, is a no go, and Shimno's resin pads too, horrible bite, wear fast, I could wear it out in a month. And proper rotor and pads won't cost much extra. Tapered head tube is nice.

I don’t think that Walmart will substantially “destroy” the independent bike shop brands. There’s the issue of service after the sale (A BIG ISSUE). Walmart doesn’t offer that.

You know what.. I don't really care about the options. I just want a decent bike that I cant destroy by pedaling hard. I can make any bike work and I can get stronger and stronger so that I can keep doing more with it! Think about it, when you give a bike to your child. They're happy and they have fun with it. They don't care about options, they get on it and go. I'm the same way. I did happen to buy my son an amazing bike. It's all aluminum and the lightest 16" bike in the world (as far as I know) when I bought it many years ago. That's a bonus but the rest, he didn't care, It was his favorite color and that's all he cared about. Being light and having good brakes and strong parts was nice for me because 8 years later my 2nd son is using it. I just bought new tires, a nicer seat post, lubed the Chain with Ceramic lube, completely detailed the bike so it looks truly like nobody used it... Clay Bar, polish, everything. It's mint! I know that this bike will be good for my Grand kids too! The brand is Spawn. They make great bikes for kids.. I find them to be better than other companies. Even the forks are custom made from the manufacturer specifically to work properly with the lighter weight of the kids intended to use the bikes.

I bought a Fuel EX gen 6, but I was so drawn to the Roscoe 9. Arm got twisted for a FS! I like the Fuel alot, but its way more bike than I need and I think the Roscoe would have been great too! There are too many choices and it gets overwhelming!

for the price of a firsthand trek you could get a used full suspension trail bikes at are in good condition. If you wanted a trek youcan get a fuel usedfor way less then a 1000 and 29 wheels only downside is 120mm front back travel

Yeah i feel like the big companies can make their entry level bikes with better basic parts and more standard frame geo in the $700-1200 range.

I have marlin 8 2 gen ..the 3 gen is much more heavy and the rear axel is only for this bike so it would be harder to replace , so im happyer with 2 gen

You can still use tapered steerer forks on non-tapered headtubes.

which state is this if you dont mind me asking

How much was the Rosco 6? Compared to the Marlin it seems a way better bike but how much more is it than the Marlin 7?

I don't like how low the bottom bracket is on a lot of the newer Trek hardtails. Looks like they would be more prone to pedal strikes.

The x-caliber would be the upgrade from the Marlin. The Roscoe has a completely different use case

the shimano CUES is great for entry level bikes. All you need to upgrade that 1x9 to a 1x11 is the cassette and shifter, the chainring, chain and derailleur are all the same across the CUES range, they all use an 11 speed chain and standard shimano 11 speed hub.

Allegedly Dick's sporting goods is going to be carrying Giant soon. Big box stores, and direct to consumer is the future, bike shops are dying off.

Make sure you stick with the 2024 Roscoe as the older Roscoe 6 has a different frame.

Tomorrow I'm picking up Trek Roscoe 8 for 600 bucks I'm taking my buddy who is a bike mechanic for 20 years ago with me I'm getting into bikes again after a couple of your break I've always raced Motocross but always had mountain bikes I'm a Wheelie guy

I think a long-standing issue with bike companies is calling budget XC bikes "mountain bikes". They all do it. A bike with a cheap coil fork, quick release skewers and weak brakes shouldn't be ridden on legit trails.

Damn I’m in the market for my first mountain bike in years and was looking at the same two bikes. Was going to get the Marlin 8 gen 3 but now I don’t know. Still very confusing for me

I was away from mtb for about 8 years (after 22 years of riding). Decided on the Marlin 7. Great bike, but I hadn't checked closely enough to realize that trek had removed the ability to internally route a dropper post, which they had on their gen 1 marlins (or at least on 7 and above). Caused me to sell the bike within a year.

This is where marketing and reality collide. Trek needs a bike they can offer in the $500-$600 price range because that's what people shop at when starting to look at bikes. If they don't have that option, folks will just go to Dick's or Walmart and that's it. In truth, the Roscoe is a much better mountain bike, but then in reality, there's some marketing in there as well as many folks just ride on greenways or dirt roads and don't need that. The more upright nature of the Marlin is more comfortable to ride as essentially a gravel bike, which is what most folks really need.

I'm getting a Roscoe 8 for 600 bucks my buddy who is a bike shop mechanic for 20 plus years is going with me❤❤❤❤

What is the name of the trail you’re riding towards the end of the video?

Im looking into new bikes with my dad because mine got stolen 😔 when I was on vacation it was a cannondale trail 7 can’t remember what it was called but I put it through a beating 😂 my dad owns a trek rockhopper but we are thinking of getting new trek bikes

I'm not a bike expert. Just the same the question was raised whether a big box store like Walmart could sell good mountain bikes. I figure, "why not?" A bicycle is just a machine. Walmart for example sells TVs which are certainly more complex than mountain bikes. They also sell computers. Lawn mowers are more mechanically complex and they sell those. Why shouldn't big box stores sell mountain bikes of equivalent functionality as a bike shop? They should be able to charge more money for these bikes and with their economy of scale still sell them for less.

Today I was fishing and saw a family of four riding full suspension Trek mountain bikes on a cement bike path. I tried to laugh. There is no way my family would have spent at least a thousand bucks on just one bike for one of us kids to ride on a bike path. Maybe if we had raced and were sponsored but mountain bike racing had just started a few years before I even ever heard of one before I had moved to Colorado.

marlin 8 is great for a beginner who like to ride and doesnt care about trails. I ride only city and the trek marlin 8 gets it done.

So does the new Roscoe 6 have the same frame as the 7/8/9 now? Also, not sure about that SR suntour fork...

$1299 for QR axles 😮

Trek Marlin is the Toyota Camry of mountain bikes, just a bike, nothing special. It's definitely ran out of place within the Trek lineup and needs to be upgraded or discontinued.

I love my Marlin. It was a cheap covid grab for beefier gravel bikepacking and rotten weather. I get the categorization of mtbs but good fit is good fit. I was Trek sponsored and rode Xcailbers plus a plethora of road snd cross bikes. All Treks have been great and I have purchased 11 over time. Aren’t Roscoes 27.5 vs Marlin 29ers?

Choose what fits your budget. Get the best bike you can afford for what you want to do.

Anything but the big three (trek, giant, spesh). Better bikes than what they offer from other brands.

Now that I have been out of loop for 20 years and I have Marlin 8 gen 3 and then I see this video 🥴

Im watching Your Channel from Poland for 3-4 months, i want to buy a bike and that will be 100% Trek, but i have problem with decide which model . My heart want Roscoe beacause i have a lot mountain and forest tracks nearby but Procaliber seems to be better on normal roads and long trips could you try to explain maybe with someone from Trek store + and - of all Trek hardtails

I'm torn between the Roscoe 8 and the Canyon Stoic 4. Although I'd prefer to buy the Roscoe in store, the nearest store is 90 minutes away and the odd sizing of the Stoic worries me.

What about the commencal HT, $700. You can get a shimano slx group for $500 and you can get a nice set of wheels for under $ 400. There are tons of forks on pinkbike for sale. You can build up a nice hard tail for $1500 if you know how to shop.