Mountain Biking - Marin Rift Zone vs Jamis XC Comp

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA

View Full Version : Marin Rift Zone vs Jamis XC Comp

roadie gal
07-28-03, 10:25 AM
I've narrowed down my search for a FS bike to the two above. I've been able to test ride the Marin. It fits me and rides well, but there's just something about it that I can't put my finger on that isn't exactly right.

I'm very familiar with the Jamis brand: my roommate has 2. But there aren't any XC Comps available in the area for me to test ride. All of the local shops say they sold out at the beginning of the season.

Which do you suggest? Should I wait until the beginning of next season and test out the Jamis, or should I get the Marin now? How about the quality of the Marin? I ride in the Sierras around Lake Tahoe. The conditions are dusty and rocky, with lots of climbing and tight switchbacks. Is one of these bikes better than the other?

Thanks for the help. RG

Mad Dog JR
07-28-03, 04:49 PM
Well i ride a 03 Marin Riftzone (with the "Quad" deal). I have only had it for about 2 mounths but everything is still going strong. Quality is good (nothing wrong with it) the paint on the marin is Super durable. I use it in high desert conditions (Bend ,Oregon) and do mostly trail and XC racing. The componets on the marin are spot on with the only thing i dislike is the front derailer and shifters (there Deore) they are not bad at all but they could have went with full XT. but the Deore stuff works well with no problems as of yet and full XT would have raised the price slightly.
I was also looking at Jamis XC comp aswell (white and black one) but i got a better deal on the Marin so i went with it. but the Jamis was very "popular" and was going fast.

feel free to ask anything about the marin, i have never really got a good ride on a Jamis so i cant say much about them.
Mad Dog JR
07-28-03, 04:58 PM
The Marin has its ups like Disc brakes, less weight (it's 26 pounds) while the Jamins is 27.5. both have a good parts spec.

a2psyklnut
07-29-03, 07:34 AM
If the Marin "doesn't feel quite right", it probably never will. I'd skip it. That's what a test ride is for. I'd hold out until you can test ride a Jamis.

BTW, just out of curiosity, what were some other bikes in your selection process?

L8R
rockstar
07-29-03, 09:47 AM
marin quality is top notch, i used to ride my marin hardtail (eldridge grade) down some of the local down hill runs and the thing never let me down. i really put that thing through its paces, my buddy has a jamis dakar 2.0 and loves it, great bang for the buck for a trail bike