Mountain Biking - Marin FRS

I am considering upgrading from my Rockhopper hardtail to a FS in the near future. I had considered the Kona Dawg, but when I visited my LBS, the owner (with whom I ride) started to convince me of the merits of the Marin XC bikes, specificly the Rift Zone FRS. He said as I race XC the Dawg will be a bit too heavy, but more importantly, the Kona suspension design looses it's efficiency in the longer travel models. The Marin however does not. I haven't ridden a Kona yet, but I have ridden a mates Wildcat Trail (6" travel) and I was impressed. The LBS owner has been riding his Marin B17 for four years, and had a Rift Zone before that, so they must have impressed him. Also he has a Rift Zone FRS in my size that is a reduced price as it's last years model and the new ones have the new Quad rear end.

I have looked on mtbreview and the Marin's have had good reviews there, but doing a search of these forums, there is very few threads mentioning Marins. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with these bikes, and their opinions?

Just one comment, I'm not a big fan of single pivot suspension designs. They do have their merits, like durability and simplicity, but I don't really like the pedal induced bobbing inherant in all single pivot bikes! Besides that, it appears like a nice set-up.

BTW, if you're racing XC, why do you want 6" of travel? Or was that just your friends bike?

L8R

I only have one concern having tested one and talked with the bike shops about these bikes. Durability for a big rider. They don't handle big hits well nor do they handle big riders well..otherwise they are fine bikes...

personally I would still get the Dawg...that is a sweet bike :)

My friends bike had 6", the one I'm looking at only has 4. The one that I rode didn't seem to bob at all and that was going hard on the road. I would have thought the longer travel model would be the one that would bob more. I have to try one on the dirt soon.

So it may be a little fragile? That was one of my concerns.

also looking closer at the Dawg, it is effectively a single pivot too.

But it still based on a 4 bar so it would be a better ride. (4 bar rocker but I find it stll better than a pure single pivot). Depending on your size and riding you may find the Marin fine. I am 100% sure I would destroy one :)