Well the thing is, that they designed my frame up until 2002, and Marin now makes it, so the frame is still supposedly one of the best designed ones out there. I have never ridden a bike with the sturdiness and climbing ability of that bike (and I have ridden a lot recently) so that is why I was wanting to keep the frame..
Although it is 12 years old, the frame is still pretty current design wise. But I am going to get a new bike.. Maybe try to offload that old one
thx guys!