2023 Trek Marlin 8 Review | £1200 Beginner’s Bike

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If you’re looking to start your mountain biking journey, we may have the bike for you, the Trek Marlin 8!
The 2023 Marlin is the third generation of the model and comes in at a very respectable £1,230.
It’s a robust package with a decent, if not spectacular, spec sheet. It’s fitted with a RockShox Judy Silver fork providing 100mm travel, SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain and Shimano MT200 brakes.
What do you think of the latest Trek Marlin? Let us know your thoughts in the comments 👇
#trekmarlin #newbike #2023bike
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:03 Frame
04:13 Spec Sheet
06:12 Climbing Performance
08:48 Descending
10:58 Commuting
12:01 Outro
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Suspension Gravel Bike Vs. MTB | Which Is Faster?
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Best Mountain Bike Products of 2022
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What’s The BEST Trail Mountain Bike in 2022? | Trek, Canyon & Nukeproof Reviewed!
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2022 Trek Roscoe 7 Trail Mountain Bike Review | This is NOT An XC Bike!
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Опубликовано:

6 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 99

@bikeradar Год назад

Would this make for the ideal starter bike? What do you think of this latest Trek Marlin?

@Paganiproductions84 Год назад

No to expensive 700 or 800 pound is better

@jonathanzappala Год назад

Commentors: "Bikes are too expensive, review some bikes we can afford" Commentors in this video: complain about the weight, groupset, axles, all while nobody praising bike radar for reviewing an entry level bike.

@bikeradar Год назад

😂

@wvjeepguy8178 Год назад

Zero reason this bike couldn't have came with features that are practically free to switch to during the redesign.

@ferencvarju651 Год назад

Yes, please keep the entry level content coming! :) The outgoing model was my first mtb. 2x Altus/Acera groupset, coil fork, tubed tires, high post. Maybe some guys who watch a lot of PB eill be shocked to read this… but I lived to tell the tale. I had great fun on it even though it was a smaller size than what officially fits me. So it was neither long, nor slack or low. I could absolutely have fun on it on most of my local trails. It was neither very quick, nor very capable, but it was a good reliable mountain bike, I colud go almost anywhere on it, and it made me fall in love with the sport. This new model looks to be very similar: a great entry point into mtb-ing. Just don’t expect to keep it as you progress, because the upgrade potential is not great - when you really get into the sport and find your preferref riding style, you can make the Marlin a good commuter and buy another mtb with modern standards like boost, thru axles and a tapered head tube.

@bikeradar Год назад

It is surprising how much abuse reasonably priced bikes can take! Stay tuned for more budget-content coming soon!

@dominicevans2541 Год назад

Yo its my boy Tom! Well done again on getting the position matey! Enjoy your future

@Bushwhacker909 28 дней назад

I researched and liked this entry level Trek as well - but landed on the Marlin 7. It’s nicely equipped- even has a quick drop seat.

@bikeradar 27 дней назад

Thanks for commenting. Glad you like it! ~ Will

@chrisfit Год назад

Hard tails make a great choice period.

@bikeradar Год назад

#hardtails4lyfe

@TheBikeRoom Год назад

Just had delivered the Cannondale Trail SE 3, same price point but some big differences; Deore rear mech with Deore cassette 11-51, 11 speed. 120mm Judy Silver TK but with sturdier 15x110 screw-in thru axle. WTB STX i25 tubeless ready rims came pre-taped and ready to squirt in the Stans. WTB tyres (2.25" Trail Boss out back and 2.3" Breakout taking the hits). Similarities; Tranz-X dropper, wide bar and short stem, aluminium frame (however Cannondale's premium SmartForm C2 Alloy has nicer smooth welds for an almost carbon look), internal cable routing, tapered headtube. BSA bottom bracket. I've owned Trek, I have a Remedy in the stable which my son rides and has survived so many hard kms and I used to ride a Trek hardtail, however, Cannondale's attention to specifying Deore, tubeless ready rims, great tyre combo and the Judy (and rear wheel) having proper boost width, screw in axles, it didn't take me long to chose. Great video and good to see your test was at Cwmcarn's Twrch trail. I was there only last week when I took my Cannondale on Twrch Trail and then Cafall, where my experience was that only the fork felt under-gunned, but I was riding pretty hard. I usually ride these trails on a 2021 Giant Trance 29er with Fox 34 130mm and Fox Evol DPS shock. The drop-stays on the Cannondale, providing some extra flex for comfort, also needs a mention, as I was blown away at how little chop and bounce from the back wheel.

@bikeradar Год назад

The Cannondale is a solid competitor for the Trek with some nice details for sure! Cwmcarn is great for riders of all abilities and perfect for showing the kind of riding the Marlin and other budget hardtails are likely to be used on

@TheMartinchostar 10 месяцев назад

Nice bike by Trek even though not the best machine at that price point seems quite good starter into trial-commuter bike world out there. Nice and neat review my friend. Congrats!

@NeelsWorld Год назад

Ordered my Marlin 8 and waiting for it to arrive at local Trek dealer. I will be using it for leisure commute on road and sometimes rough roads. Hope the bike will serve my purpose.

@bikeradar Год назад

A great choice for that kind of riding, you'll soon want to take it off the beaten path even more!

@NeelsWorld Год назад

@@bikeradar I hope so, I am new to the cycling world since I last used cycle during my early school days only. Waiting for next week for the delivery.

@outkast_xiii670 Год назад

Let us know what you think about this bike. Enjoy your rides mate looks like a great bike.

@NeelsWorld Год назад

@@outkast_xiii670 I'm enjoying my rides as a beginner. I go for evening rides after my work and so far I am happy with it. Still figuring out how to ride longer.

@astrology5536 Год назад

I’m getting back into the biking world and just bought the Marlin 8 Gen 3. I’ll get to test it out when I receive it in a couple days!

@erickaranja3122 Год назад

Hi am Eric from Kenya ....and I think they got it right 👍😃

@bikeradar Год назад

It's a great bike for sure, with lots of potential

@simonmrazik2350 Год назад

Hey i was wondering if you tried some jumps on it i like that bike and i would like to buy it but i also think that the 100mm travel is low (iam a beginner) thanks

@shwndh Год назад

Nothing wrong with this bike for the price and intended rider. All bases covered well.

@moxnix 11 месяцев назад

True, he shouldn't call it a beginners bike, it's my 5th

@trickyrickymtb5622 9 месяцев назад

Can't agree, there are dozens of way better choices out there with propper mtb spec for less money. Trek are cashing in on the name, hoping ppl will be wowed at the possibility of riding a Trek. This should be 500-600 at best. Way over priced for what it is.

@bobbysmith15 7 месяцев назад

@@trickyrickymtb5622 what would you recomend

@jurisx85 Год назад

Looks beautiful! Trek really up their game with this one. Looks like a great first Mtb

@bikeradar Год назад

It is a great looking bike! Fun to ride as well and with a few changes to unlock it's potential, is a great first MTB!

@chrisa6950 Год назад

@@bikeradar what would be the best things to first upgrade? Are thru axles an option? Picking this up in a couple days and it’s my first MTB.

@moxnix 11 месяцев назад

Get a good set of pedals, the ones on the bike are low in to keep the price down.@@chrisa6950

@xxjay22xx 9 месяцев назад

@@bikeradardo you think slapping on a shimano xt drivetrain on this bike worth it?

@silver_c1oud Год назад

Finally Review for entry Bikes

@bikeradar Год назад

The people ask and the people shall receive!

@bebopman5 Год назад

This makes me wonder what they’ll do with the X-Caliber now that the updated Marlin has more modern geometry than it. Will they finally put proper thru-axles on it, like the Roscoe? Since that’s a true trail bike now, and the Marlin is supposed to be a beginner XC bike, that leaves their current mid-tier X-Caliber to get their lunch ate by both.

@silver_c1oud Год назад

Atleast Make it thru Axle.

@bikeradar Год назад

The X-Caliber is more a budget XC bike, so they have the range covered quite nicely. The X-Caliber for a more XC race feel, Roscoe for out and out trail riding and the Marlin sitting square in the middle with bits of both. Certainly feels like that on the trail!

@joeleming9605 Год назад

If you don't compete against your other models, someone else will.

@moxnix 11 месяцев назад

It's NOT a Beginner’s Bike. This is my 5th Mountain Bike. I purchased it because that's all I wanted to spend on a bike for my type of riding. So don't lead people to think that this is a started bike and in a year or so you will need a more expensive bike. BTW I started out with a full suspension Giant = too much bike for my cycling

@nyreppin1 Год назад

The bottom bracket is pretty bad. If you remove it and look at the caution label it states not intended for jumps or drops. If you're looking to ride that like a trail bike you'll want to upgrade the SX cranks to the DUB version.

@DWJL511 Год назад

I notice the bike is an L size. What's your height by the way? I'm 6ft and L is recommended. Would the M/L be okay for me?

@hexyw0w Год назад

Bike looks good, but what about the Scott Scale 970? Same price but should be better on the trails. :)

@bikeradar Год назад

The Scale is a great bike, but more XC than the Marlin. Perhaps faster, but the geometry between the two might give the Trek the edge on descents, particularly with the dropper as standard

@MaQuGo119 Год назад

Any news on a XCaliber with thru axle frame?

@bikeradar Год назад

No news yet :(

@deviousfortnitedemon 11 месяцев назад

Looking if large would be good fit for me iam 5 11 how was it for u ??

@Ryan-vd9cm 10 месяцев назад

I'm 5'11 mL good size

@photoenduro Год назад

in a few years, according to journalists and web portals, the entry level bike will be the one for €5000, with the fact that you will need to upgrade forks and derailleurs

@oliwerkurman9822 2 месяца назад

Yeah. Think about old days how bikes looked, the were simple without post droppes and shit, and people were flying. Now everybody need bike for fortune 🫠

@andrewclark-ql5eg Год назад

Is this for American and European versions? With dropper

@bikeradar Год назад

This is the UK version, no US version on Trek's site at the moment

@fisharefriends598 Год назад

It’s pretty good .. apart from that axel.. a hybrid?… 15kg is damned heavy for the price.

@bikeradar Год назад

It's unique for sure, and it is easier than a standard QR axle, but a proper thru-xle would be even better!

@jeffklaubo3168 Год назад

Anyone notice these bikes cost as much as motorcycles and dirt bikes?

@enensis Год назад

If calibre can make a thru axle mtb with 130mm front fork for less money and better overall spec why can't marin?

@bikeradar Год назад

Not sure about Marin, but bikes aren't just about on paper spec. We have the new Calibre in for review so stay tuned for a video!

@d1d1ka29 Год назад

Can you install thruaxle on both front and rear on this bike?

@bikeradar Год назад

Nope, no thru-axles at either end. You could upgrade to the fork to one with a thru-axle, but the frame will have to stay QR only

@d1d1ka29 Год назад

@@bikeradar okay thank you

@photoenduro Год назад

for the average commuter qr is exactly what we need for quick servicing in the garage. Thruaxle is safer and better, but there is no need for them on bikes for this purpose. If you are going to jump, go wild and compete, then this bike is not for you.

@Salamattder 17 дней назад

Just bought a used/brand new M8 gen 3 for $500 of msrp. 😅

@EarthSurferUSA 10 месяцев назад

I say a slacker head tube angle (more progressive geometry), is a negative. There is no problem with bike stability of the Gen 2 models, and a slacker angle just does not turn as well. "Different" or "new", is not always better. But it sells.

@virginiascurti5036 9 месяцев назад

Is this the Gen 2 or Gen 3?

@luimariri 6 месяцев назад

Gen 3

@JogieGlenMait16 3 месяца назад

with the price...you can just get the xcaliber 8...or 9.

@mickfaragher7897 Год назад

Rip off pricing for outdated technology. Same as Specialized-there are loads better bikes out there.

@TheReg83 Год назад

Can you name a few ? I'm still a wee bit of a newbie and looking for an upgrade from my marlin 6 which I will be keeping as my commuter!

@Stefanoss Год назад

What year is it?

@bikeradar Год назад

It's the latest 2023 model that's in the review 👍

@mroctober3657 3 месяца назад

Is that you Kyle Reese?

@tommyjer1979 Год назад

The standards from these comments are outrageous..feom a normal persons view point who has ridden normal big retailer bikes...this bike absolutely blows alot of bikes away...there is way too many snobby bike people on here its really strange.

@wvjeepguy8178 Год назад

Zero reason they can't use a tapered head tube and boost spacing. Even Walmart bikes come with these features nowadays. I have a 2021 Marlin 7 and it is next to impossible to upgrade with anything worth spending the money on. New riders, like i was, will quickly be disappointed to learn they will need an entirely new bike when they want to do any meaningful upgrades. There is no logical conclusion other than Trek is purposely making this bike bad in order to drive customers into another bike sooner than that customer had planned.

@ryanmichels2981 Год назад

A shame they put the absolutely POS Sram SX drivetrain on this thing, better off with deore 10 speed or similar, if you want to save a few bucks. And just make this thing boost through axles, for crying out loud, not another stupid hybrid through-axle thing

@MrJonas2255 Год назад

The new Shimano cues that is releasing soon will be ideal for bikes like this

@mokotramp Год назад

Well, Shimano is so so superior! 🤣🤣

@bikeradar Год назад

Absolutely! Excited to try Cues and see how it performs.

@nyreppin1 Год назад

I used to own the Marlin 8 and once i broke the SX in it was amazing. Reviews like these Don't take break-in into consideration because they can't but i assure you or anyone else the SX is a dream and being able to shift up 5 gears with one swing of the lever made climbing so much easier in the middle of a race. Definitely don't knock it until you try it because, correct me if I'm wrong but, the only difference between the SX, GX... Etc is the materials they're made from.

@ryanmichels2981 Год назад

@@nyreppin1 you’re lucky to have a good experience with sx. I’ve heard from multiple sources and friends including bike shop owners how bad sx has been. Came on a bike I got and if you went down a bumpy trail it would ghost shift. Made from cheaper materials, mostly plastic, and a weak clutch spring.

@juny1138 Год назад

Walmart bike is a beginner bike 🚲

@goofyahh7794 Месяц назад

Not true at all just unsafe and don’t last 🥱🥱🥱👎👎👎👎

@Xyuleos Год назад

I think it's great to see reviews of 'entry-level' bikes, but sorry, £1200 is not a price for 'beginners'. That's ridiculous. Something is stinky in the bike industry with pricing. We used to get more for much less. A beginner bike should be about £500. A bike you can use to seriously participate in competition riding should cost £1000 and up. In my opinion we need to vote with our wallets and boycott these overpriced bikes.

@Xyuleos Год назад

I mean to say we should either boycott 'beginner' bikes that cost £1000 or stop calling them 'beginner' bikes.

@dopamine-87 Год назад

i've got mine for 720 pounds, way cheaper than advertised

@samuelshelton8042 9 месяцев назад

@@dopamine-87 695 here

@poosanth 3 месяца назад

Just me or does the voice audio sound blown? Keeps distracting me

@FeWH 7 месяцев назад

Seriously, a harsh review of a great mountain bike. Trek is an amazing company. What was this dude expecting.

@sayno4137 9 месяцев назад

I actually cancelled my order for 1 of these and put extra £170 and got the X Caluber 9..... Better Components and better all round for the £

@BrandonMeyer1641 Год назад

This is a sub $1000 bike with a Gucci belt.

@conman1395 Год назад

Orientated?

@RotormanMTB Год назад

Compare this to the Polygon Xtrata 7 and you'll quickly see how this is NOT a good value bike. The lack of boost spacing (Frame) for the money they want is unacceptable. Stay away in my view.

@Paulklampeeps Год назад

I think trek released this bike at the wrong time

@reedmecum8966 Год назад

Do not buy a bike fro YT I received a damaged and unsafe bike and they are refusing to do anything Soulless cash grab, very disappointed

@roymeisteryt4237 Год назад

Middle class family not afford this bikes sry

@phenofinder9145 Год назад

Speaking from experience. Those wheels are absolute trash. Bontrager 108 rapid drive wheels are cool but those particular wheels on that marlin suck so bad

@trickyrickymtb5622 9 месяцев назад

The M8, like all Marlin's is sh1te, the QR fork, square taper BB, straight head tube, and wierd hybrid rear axle are just very poor choices by Trek. Not a proper mtb, sorry Marlin fanboys.