A couple of years in the past, we reviewed the Marin Pine Mountain 2, which was the 29er replace of what I nonetheless suppose is essentially the most enjoyable bike I’ve ever ridden, the 27.5-plus Pine Mountain which has been discontinued. I appreciated the bike so much, although I missed the smaller wheels. The solely actual points I had had been with the tires and, finally, that it rode somewhat too upright for me.
The new model is out now, nonetheless, and whereas I haven’t ridden one but, they’ve slackened it a bit and I’m tremendous intrigued.
It’s nonetheless a 29er, nonetheless a metal body festooned with mounting factors, and nonetheless has the bedroll handlebars, which I like. Even for those who don’t plan to go bikepacking, it’s nonetheless good to have some area on the bars to mount issues and even tie off a jacket you’ve shed since you’re sweating like a yak.
The Pine Mountain 2 is the upper spec mannequin, with a Shimano SLX drivetrain, Shimano MT520 brakes (the BEST bang in your buck on the market), a RockShox FS 35 fork, TransX dropper, and the identical 2.6″ Vee Flow Snap tires I didn’t look after the primary time round (although it needs to be famous, the tires by no means failed me). It sells for $2400, and whereas just a few years in the past that may have been eye popping for a metal hardtail, the value appears honest for what you’re getting.
Plus, it’s acquired a barely slacker head tube, and slacker geometry general, which is one thing I’d hoped for with the earlier mannequin.
Here’s what I mentioned about that 2020 mannequin:
“I’ve put nearly 500 miles on the XL-sized bike to this point, over a wide range of trails: steep and unfastened, steep and rocky/rooty/terrifying, gravel roads, winding circulate trails, and a mixture of all the above. Throw in loads of in-town pavement cruising too.
My general impressions are of a assured, steady bike that rides effectively and may deal with nearly something. On flowy trails, it’s a refined hoot, loading up vitality within the compliant metal, releasing it after a financial institution; on punishing climbs, the steep seat angle (74.5 levels) retains you in a snug pedal place, and the comparatively talking slack (66.5 levels) headtube angle retains issues playful when pointed down. The attain on the XL is 455 mm, which isn’t very lengthy for an XL; I really feel snug and prepared for lengthy saddle days within the cockpit, and using it round city it nearly seems like a commuter with tremendous huge bars.
It’s simply straightforward to experience. It’s enjoyable to experience. I’ve a steady of bikes to decide on if I need to experience to the espresso place or to seize one thing on the retailer, together with an e-bike and a Public bike townie factor, and 9 instances out of 10 I experience the Pine Mountain. It’s not what I’d contemplate a very rowdy path bike, but when I simply need to cruise within the afternoon on some filth and don’t really feel within the temper for shredding, I’m on the Pine Mountain. If I wanna load up with gear and experience as much as a lake to fish, I’m on the Pine Mountain. If I had been to be bikepacking this weekend, it could be on the Pine Mountain.
Add all that up, and that’s one bike doing loads of issues.
Right there on the headset cap it reads: Made for enjoyable. And I believe that’s precisely proper. This is a $2,100 bike that’s constructed to final, comes specced with respectable parts, will take you wherever you can ever need to go, seems nice, and is enjoyable doing it. Long time period, I’m completely swapping the tires, rebuilding the fork (not Marin’s fault – the fork it got here with felt clunky), perhaps swapping out the bars for one thing with somewhat extra give. I’m additionally completely having enjoyable.”
Will the 2023 mannequin produce those self same grins? I’ve to think about it can. Can’t wait to strive it.
*There’s additionally a Pine Mountain 1 with no dropper and lower-specced parts for $1,500. But I’d swing for the upper finish mannequin.*