nystrom

What are your thoughts? Both are around the same price range...can't decide which one..
I'm also thinking of the Kona Blast..

never

Have you ridden them? Make your decision after you ride all of the bikes you are considering.

kandnhome

Well, like the above poster said, ride them both before you buy. But, GF bikes are (from the ones I've seen) usually a bit more lightly built than the Specialized and Kona bikes I've seen, until you get to the high end, then they're all light. So if that's a plus for you, go for it.

I went with the Rockhopper (base model) myself because it's not that far a stretch for a nice entry-level bike and it's tough enough to handle my abuse (I'm 6'2" 235lbs). So far, so good, and I've been riding the hell out of it for a month or so.

Basically, find the best fork you can in the range, a frame that's beefy enough for you (or light enough, depending on your preferences), and ignore the rest of the componentry, as it's all going to be nearly identical in this price range. Then ride them, and let that be your final decision.

nm+

GF bikes are built more lightly because they seem more race orented.
If you're light to normal, GF's are fantastic. If you're heavy, avoid. They will snap (I've done it, twice).
Which sucks because the Gensis Geometry is very good for big (tall) guys.
Also, the paint is generally worse than Specialized or (strangely), its corperate parent, trek

apclassic9

My son (6'3") has a Marlin, and the GF geometry is what makes the bike for him. If you're buying new, keep in mind that if the no-so-great paintjob starts to peal or blister within a year, GF's warrenty covers it - my son had that problem with one, and the LBS sent back for re-painting, but the GF Factory just sent him back a brand new frame. Ride them all, and then decide. If you use a hydration pack, be sure to wear that, too, to check for any difference in back pain.

dadud3r

Consumer Reports rated many bikes in a 2004 issue and the Marlin was the top rated. I own a Gary Fisher Big Sur and I love it.

XM DUDE

For me I went Rock Hopper as it might be a bit heavyer, but i can beat the crap out of it.

roccobike

Those are both great bikes. I have a Rockhopper, but a freind of mine has the Marlin. I like the recommendation in the first response to your thread. Demo ride the bikes and go with the one that you like better. I don't think you can go wrong with either of your two choices.

古強者死神

Im saving to get the rockhopper right now, I liked its feel and weight.

The other LBS tried to sway me onto a Wahoo the one step down from the Marlin but thats more on the lines of the Hardrock Sport.

As far as the Marlin your looking at a 550$ MSRP I really like the metalic/black paint job on it.

Feel is going to be the most important diffrence between them, but make sure you get to ride the same frame size for both bikes.

I was put on a 19" Hardrock and a 15" Rockhoper and I think the framesize is one of the reasons I liked the Rockhopper better.

Component to Component comparison on each bike is hard for me since im new to the bike scene and dont know parts by number yet.

Here is the Marlin:


Frame Gold Series 6061 T6 internally and externally butted aluminum | Genesis Geometry

Wheels Alloy front hub, Shimano RM60-8 rear hub + Bontrager Camino rims + 14G Stainless Steel spokes | Bontrager Jones XR 26x2.25 tires

Suspension Manitou Axel Elite fork w/TPC Lock-Out | 100mm travel | Magnesium lowers

Componentry Shimano M-511 Deore rear derailleur + M-410 Alivio shifters + M-410 Alivio front derailleur | Bontrager Sport 42/32/22 crank | Avid SD3 linear pull brakes | Alloy platform pedals | (Full Specs)



And here is the Rockhopper:

FRAME Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum, double-butted front triangle with ORE DT, 100mm travel, reinforced disc mount, externally machined HT, forged drop outs with eyelets and 06 replaceable derailleur hanger

REAR SHOCK None

HEADSET 1-1/8" threadless, sealed ball retainer

FORK Rock Shox J3 SL, 100mm travel, preload and rebound adjustment, alloy steerer w/ Lock Out

HANDLEBARS Alloy, 25mm rise, 6 degree upsweep, 8 degree sweep, 640mm width

STEM Alloy Ahead 2 bolt clamp

TAPE Specialized Enduro, dual density

REAR DERAILLEUR SRAM SX-5, mid cage

CASSETTE SRAM PG-830, 8-speed, 11-32t

CRANKSET Truvative ISO-Flow w/ alloy outer

CHAIN Shimano IG-31

SHIFT LEVERS SRAM SX-4 trigger, 8-speed

FRONT DERAILLEUR SRAM 3.0, 34.9mm clamp, top mount, bottom pull

FRONT BRAKE Tektro "V", linear spring, stainless steel pipe

REAR BRAKE Tektro "V", linear spring, stainless steel pipe

BRAKE LEVERS Tektro RS-360

FRONT HUB Specialized, 32h double sealed w/alloy QR

REAR HUB Joy-Tech cassette, polished races and double sealed, 32h

SPOKES 1.8mm, stainless w/brass nipples

RIMS SUN CR-18, 26", 32h, double walled w/machined sidewalls, eyelets

PEDALS Dual sided, composite body, steel cage, toe clip compatible

BOTTOM BRACKET Truvativ, 68x113mm, Power Spline, sealed cartridge bearing with double crank stops

CHAINRINGS 22t/32t heat treated Cro-Mo/44t 7075 aluminum

FRONT TIRE Specialized Resolution Sport, 26x2.0", wire bead

REAR TIRE Specialized Resolution Sport, 26x2.0", wire bead

TUBES Specialized 26x2.0 schraeder valve

SADDLE Specialized Body Geometry Sport MTB

SEAT POST Alloy 30.9mmx350/400mm, micro adjust

SEAT BINDER Alloy collar with Q/R



Im sure one of the other guys can give you a rundown on those parts really quick, compared to the Wahoo, Trek 4900, Hardrock Sport, the Rockhopper really won me over and had better components.

The Marlin tho seems like its equal.

Galtman

I've had a Marlin since 2003 and it's been an absolutely incredible bike. It's taken a lot of abuse (including my being an ignornant bike owner and not taking care of it for over a year), but it still rides like a champ.

古強者死神

Bumping the topic up as now its valid to me as well, I found a great LBS that sells below MSRP so now I can get a more expensive GF bike for the same price as the cheaper Specialized.

I have not ridden the Marlin yet, or the other 2 GF bikes I want to take a look at, wich are the Mullet, and the Pirana. I did ride the Kaitai wich is the bike that as of now I will be buying if I dont like one of the others better, its got a much better geometry for me (6'0 even 165lbs) much better shifting, and better balance and feel overall (even the seat felt so nice) Its a Dual Sport Hybrid they are giving me 70$ off MSRP so I think its a steal, but I definitly want to try its more mountain designed brothers first with the 26" wheels, I have to admit those 29" wheels on the Kaitai are pretty cool and really do help you with speed.

Taylor

I would definitly take a look at the Piranha, I bought mine on the 22nd of last month, I have ridden it every day since. GREAT bike! The Genisis geometry thing is amazing. It has held up well to my beating of it. And it is a fast bike, except the tires are sooooo loud. I recommend taking a look at it.

古強者死神

I will, just sent that LBS an email to see if they had a Marlin/Piranha in stock to ride, or a Mullet. I plan to ride both before I arrive to my final desision on what bike to get.

The Kaitai is very cool tho, in florida I hear alot of our trails are loose dirt/sand so those 29" wheels really help get over and thru it, and over at mtbr.com forums they have a "29 ers" section of there forum and everybody there is just raving about there big wheel bikes ^^

Marlin is same as Piranha minus the diskbrakes as far as I can tell and a slightly diffrent (more vertical) stem so I should be able to ride the Marlin and determin if I like the Piranha.

I would end up putting wider tires on the Kaitai most probably so the slight diffrence in price is offset by that.

The Mullet is in its own leage its advertisesed as an "All Mountain" bike and looks pretty rugged it might be the hybrid of what I liked about the Rockhopper (very rugged and tough) and the Kaitai (smooth shifting and good geometry) so thats why I have to give that bike a shot too.