I've had my Marlin 5 gen 2 for a while, and have really gotten into mountain biking and have fallen into the endless mtb pit… but now that I'm moving onto black trails and much more competitive biking, I feel I need the upgrade. Does it make that big of a difference to drop 2 bands on a new full suspension bike, because my ass hurts like hell and the hard tail whipping around is giving me back pain. If so, does just getting either of these frames for my bike seem like a good idea?
Or, do you think it is better to just buy and whole new bike for the price? Or are there any other cheaper full suspension frames for the marlin 5?
by Apprehensive-Lab5599
6 Comments
Cheap isn’t always a great choice on suspension bikes. Read reviews like on Blistergear review. Of course try keep the cost down but suspension is sophisticated and cheap suspension can be worse than none. Rebound and compression have to controlled or it’s just springy.
Yeah it is great though. Better for the back for sure. More grip. Lots to like if you buy well.
It depends what your goals are. A properly adjusted full suspension bike doesn’t give that much extra comfort when seated. A marginal amount sure, but the main benefit of suspension is traction, not comfort. If you are feeling limited by your marlin, you might like a full suspension a lot. Modern geometry and full suspension make it a lot easier to progress in some ways, and make it way easier to ride some trails.
Also don’t get a frameset, if anything just get a new bike. A lot of your existing components may not be compatible.
Those treks look ok if your existing bits like fork / headset fit. Cross compatibility can be complex. You can always upgrade the damper if needed. But does your Marin have a decent fork. Sometimes it’s better to sell and start over.
This may soud a bit rude but the marlin you have is more a gravel bike that looks like a mtb. It is very entry level, and the components are not good at all.
Yes a full suspension most often is better than a hardtail, but you have to spend around 2k+ minimum to get one new with sollid suspension.
Don’t get the frames you list. Most of your marlin parts likely won’t fit. One is a dirtjump frame, not really ment for ridingg trails.
If you want to upgrade sell the Marlin and buy a new or used full suspension or better hardtail. If you buy something like a Roscoe hardtail you get a much better fork and components and have something that is atleast designed to go down a black trail, though less comfortably than a full sus.
Neither of those frames will work with the majority of parts from your Marlin. E.g. you’ve got a straight head tube fork rather than tapered and the travel will be insufficient for the geometry of the first frame even if it did fit. You’ve also got quick release rear axle and most full sus frames will be thru axle so your back wheel won’t fit either. The 2nd frame is a dirt jumper that takes 26 inch wheels too (with horizontal drop outs), yours will likely be 29 or maybe 27.5 depending on the size you got.
If you’re riding trails rather than XC then an upgrade from the Marlin will make a big difference, but you could upgrade to a trail hardtail rather than a full sus and still see a big improvement.
Definitely get a new complete bike rather than a frame or parts, it will work out cheaper given you need to replace pretty much everything to work with a new frame.
The correct answer is always N+1
(Whatever you do, keep the Marlin as it’s a great second bike for easier days, bike packing, getting into town, something if first bike has mechanical etc – but at the same time save for the new bike starting now).