Many mountain bikes are so expensive that some newbie cyclists look at the exorbitant prices and give up, which is wrong. There are many manufacturers out there who offer great mountain bikes at affordable prices. The Trek Marlin 4 bike is one affordable bike you can buy to begin your cycling adventures or add to your bike collection.
The Trek Marlin 4 is a simple yet quality bike that uses the best components from significant bike manufacturers. Although this is an entry-level bike, you will be surprised at how much it can offer to an entry-level cyclist.
This Trek Marlin 4 bike is an entry-level bike which means it is not a high-end bike. Therefore, if you are searching for a bike to go on a cross country or other aggressive cycling, this is not the bike for you. However, if you want a bike that you can use to commute to and from work and also hop curbs on your way, then this is for you.
Because it is an entry-level bike, you do not expect it to work as a hybrid one, but you may be surprised at how much it can offer as an entry-level bike. Below is a detailed review of the Trek Marlin 4 bike – its main features, its pros, and cons so that you are in the light of what you want to buy when you choose the Trek Marlin 4 Bike.
Features – Trek Marlin 4 Review
The key to getting the best bike on the market is to look at the main features. These features will tell what type of bike you want to purchase and how well it may function according to your needs.
1. Frame
The frame is the most crucial feature of the Trek Marlin 4 bike. The bike frame looks like what you find in most expensive mountain bikes. The frame is made of high-end aluminum; it also features rack and fender mounts, kickstand mount, cable routing, and a rack. The paint job is also first-class, so it is an excellent addition if you want an aesthetically appealing bike.
The cables for gear shifting and those that control the brakes are routed in the bike’s frame so that the outside frame of the bike is clean. This feature makes the cycle look uncluttered and also minimizes the likelihood of any damage. In addition, the small Trek Marlin 4 frames feature a top tube that dips down, thus creating a better standover height. This frame feature will allow you to straddle the bike comfortably without hitting the crotch; this is excellent news for new riders.
The frame comes in two colors: magenta and grey and is perfect for both men and women.
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2. Wheels and Tires
The wheels and tires of this entry-level are from the sister company of the Trek company – Bontrager – an established manufacturer known for making quality wheels and tires at affordable prices. This also means that the Trek Marlin 4 bike wheels are built in-house.
Just like most modern bike wheels, the Trek Marlin 4 wheels come in different sizes; the small sizes come with a 27.5″ while the rest come with 29″. The wheels are mounted with Bontrager XR2 Comp tires that feature low-profile knobs. The knobs are suitable for crossing over between cement and low-intensity trail cycling. The wheels also have a wire bead that makes them more durable and less prone to flats.
3. Handlebar
The handlebars are also Bontrager made, making them more comfortable, giving you a comfortable p[osition when riding them on smooth roads and other off-road paths.
4. Speed and Gear
This bike carries a 3X7 drivetrain which means there are 3 gears on the front and 7 gears on the rear. Unfortunately, the cycle also does not have a wide gear range, which makes it unsuitable if you want to ride it on steep hills.
The whole drivetrain components are derived from Altus lines and Shimano entry-level Tourney. These low-profile components work very well. This is because Shimano manufactures some of the best drivetrain components worldwide. Note that it would be tough to replace the drivetrain components. To change any part, you will have to change the whole drivetrain, which can be very costly.
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5. Brake and Suspension
This bike has mechanical disc brakes from Tektro. They are very basic, but they are very reliable and can stop you effectively whenever you need to stop. The mechanical disc brakes will work just fine as the expensive hydraulic brakes, but they do not give the same comfort as the hydraulic brakes.
The downside of mechanical disc brakes is that you might strain when riding downhill on a steep hill. This is because you might have to squeeze more on the brakes. Mechanical disc brakes also add to the bike’s weight compared to their hydraulic counterparts. The good thing is that you can easily change the mechanical disc brakes to hydraulic disc brakes for comfort and reliability.
The bike carries a front suspension fork manufactured by a leading Japanese mountain bike suspension maker, SR Suntour. The suspension is not lightweight and does not have as many adjustments as high-end mountain bikes. However, it works just fine and can stand up against any abuse.
The SR Suntour XCE fork for Trek Marlin 4 may not give the huge hucks or win you some bling points at any bike shop, but it will definitely soak up your chatter and also take impacts from your hands or arms.
The bike’s suspension travel on this Trek Marlin 4 is at 100mm, except for the other XS version, which gets about 80mm fork. That’s low by the current standards, but it’s just enough for the type of cycling the bike was meant to do.
6. Seat
As mentioned, every part of this Marlin Trek 4 is not high-end, but the parts are fully functional and effective in what they are meant to do. The seat is no exception; it is a simple but rigid seat. Therefore this is not a seat you can ride on for long or down a steep hill.
The good thing about this is that you can easily change it and replace it with a more comfortable seat.
7. Maintenance
Maintaining a Marlin Trek 4 bike is not a complicated thing. You just need to keep your bike clean by cleaning it regularly. Make sure you don’t have dirt build-up, especially on the chain and wheels. Also, be sure to keep checking the tires regularly because of the possible wear and tear.
You will also need to keep the battery in check at all times by checking the level of the distilled water every two weeks. Also, ensure you always maintain a low speed when riding your bicycle. Maintaining a good bike speed, especially for this entry-level bike, allows less fuel consumption, and the engine will be in good shape for a long time.
Trek Marlin 4 Price – Is It Affordable?
The bike costs $619.99 from their official website. Considering that it is an entry-level bike with essential components, this price is very affordable. It is also worth the money considering that it is beginner-friendly. It is also very functional, reliable, and effective in every way possible.
The Marlin Trek 4 bike was made with the newbie rider in mind. That is why it is affordable for most people who want this to be their first bike. However, if you have high expectations for this bike, this might not be the bike for you.
Trek Marlin 4 – Best 29” Mountain Bike
The Marlin Trek 4 is the best gadget you can choose for trail riding. The bike is not only beginner-friendly; it is also budget-friendly. Although the components on the bike are basic, they still work reliably and efficiently. It is made specifically for commuters who are also considering trail riding. ThisTrek Marlin bike also acts as a reliable, rugged commuter that one can ride to work, school, or maybe around your campus.
If you plan to take a long way to your home when you’re through with your errands, then this bike is a better choice. If maintained well, the bike can last long because of its durability features.
One way of maintaining is to avoid rough off-roads; with this bike, you may only need to stay on the smooth paved roads. Here are some of its pros and cons.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Beginner-friendly
- Knobby tires for a slightly rugged path.
- You can easily replace the mechanical disc brakes if you want to change them.
- Drivetrain parts are made by the best drivetrain parts manufacturer known as Shimano.
- First-class paint job
- Quality aluminum frame
Cons
- Basic bike components
- Not suitable to ride on steep hills
- Heavy wheels
Trek Marlin 4 Specs
Here are some key Trek Marlin 4 specs that you will find on the bike;
- Frame: alpha silver aluminum
- Fork: SR Suntour XCE 28, 100M
- Front derailleur: Shimano Tourney TY301, 3-Speed
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Tourney TY301, 7-speed
- Number of gears: 21
- Brakes: mechanical discs
- Weight: 14.4 kgs
- Category: cross-country
- Drivetrain: 3×8
- Groupset, Tourney, Altus
- Suspension: hardtail
Comparison: Trek Marlin 4 Vs. Trek Marlin 5
One step up from the Trek Marlin 4 is the Trek Marlin 5. To get the Trek Marlin 5, you might need to add a few dollars to get the Marlin 5. With the Marlin 5, there are a few things that you will note have been upgraded. For instance, the fork suspension can now be locked, unlike with the Marlin 4, where you did not have the liberty of closing the fork suspension. With this upgraded feature, you can choose when the front forks are bouncy to soak up the rugged terrains and when the forks are fixed to throw your weight behind.
The gearing of the Marlin 5 is now at 2X8 instead of the 3X7 on the Marlin 4. As a result, you will now notice that the Marlin 5 will have fewer mechanical issues than the Marlin 4 due to the gearing change, which also means fewer repair costs.
The Marlin 5 also uses hydraulic brake fluid instead of the cable pulls mechanicals found on the Marlin 4. As a result, they are much lighter, and they are mainly used on high-end mountain bikes. These bikes have many similar features, but only the disc brakes and the weight of the bikes differ. The frames are both high-quality aluminum and are both in the cross-country category.
Trek Marlin 4 Vs. Trek Marlin 6
Just like with the Trek Marlin 5, the main difference between the Marlin 4 and Marlin 6 is the disc brakes. The Trek Marlin 6 has hydraulic disc brakes, while the Marlin 4 has mechanical disc brakes. The Marlin 4 is also heavier than the Marlin 6, which is lighter.
Also, while Marlin 4 has a groupset of Tourney and Altus, the Marlin 6 has Shimano and Altus. There is also a difference in the drivetrain; while the Marlin 4 has a 3X7, the Marlin has a 2X8 drivetrain. Despite these differences, both of the bikes belong to the cross-country category. Both have high-quality aluminum.
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FAQs – Trek Marlin 4 review
Q. How Heavy is the Trek Marlin 4?
The Trek Marlin 4 is not as lightweight as you would expect it to be. While its counterpart, the Marlin 5, is at 14.0 kgs, the Marlin 4 is at 14.4 kgs heavy. This is not lightweight, especially for an entry-level bike.
So, what makes this bike heavy. First, it could be because the cable routing inside the frame adds weight to the bike. It could be because of the mechanical disc that many riders consider the disc heavy.
So if you ever wanted to have a lightweight bike, you can consider the Marlin 5 bike, which is slightly lighter than the marlin 4.
Q. Is Trek Marlin a Good Frame?
The Trek Marlin range comes with five different models, including Marlin 4,5,6,7 and 8. All of these bikes come with the same high-quality aluminum frame. The only differences you will see will depend on the components fitted to each Marlin range.
The frame is lightweight compared to other mountain bikes from other manufacturers. It is also very durable and stylish looking. This means that the bike is good for both men and women. The frame works well on smooth roads and for riding the bumpy road along the way as you commute. However, the Marlin frame is basic and entry-level, so do not expect much from it.
So to answer this question, the Trek Marlin is a good quality frame for beginner cycling needs.
Q. Are Trek Frames Made in China?
Most Trek bike components are made in China, including high-quality aluminum. If they were made in the USA, they would be costly, and many people would not be able to afford them. Therefore, they are not only made in China but also in the Netherlands, Taiwan, and Germany.
Trek company is located in the USA, but they do not manufacture any of their bike parts in the USA. Back in 2017, they stopped manufacturing any of their bikes in the USA. According to an insider source, before the halt, they had already made about 20,000 bikes in the USA.
Conclusion – Marlin Trek 4 Review
Like many entry-level bikes, this Trek Marlin 4 bike has to be evaluated according to its intended design. The bike is not a jump-ready enduro or mountain bike and is not a light, featherweight cross-country race bike. If you are looking for a high-performance bike, this Trek Marlin 4 might disappoint you – you might have to spend a few more dollars to get a high-performing bike.
This bike is meant to serve budget-conscious newbie cyclists. It is also designed to serve as a cross-country or light-trail bike. If you are looking for a simple commuter bike to commute to and from work at the lowest price possible, then this is the bike for you.
Trek Marlin 4 is highly functional and very accessible in terms of price. At the price they are offering the bike, they put some effort into making an affordable, simple yet reliable, and effective bike. The bike consists of some straightforward components that most people would be disappointed in. however, you can easily change some parts. Like you can change the mechanical discs into hydraulic disc brakes to make the bike a little bit lighter.
However, for some parts, like the drivetrain, it may be difficult to change some parts; you may have to change the whole drivetrain. Besides that, this is a good entry-level bike worth its price. If you need a higher-performing bike, you can opt for the higher ranges of the Trek Marlin, which are Marlin 7 and Marlin 8.