Marin Rift Zone EL 2025 on test: First review of the Californian light e-bike made from aluminium

California is known for many things: Sun, beach, sea, forest fires, electric cars - cheap mountain bikes are not so much a part of it. No wonder, as the Sunshine State is more associated with brands such as Santa Cruz, Specialized and Ibis.

However, after spectacular experiments with titanium and carbon, MTB pioneer Marin now relies entirely on aluminium. This keeps the prices at a bearable level. And: The last mountain bikes from the Californians absolutely thrilled us in the test. Be it the curve-loving E-MTB Rift Zone E2, the super-affordable Rift Zone 2or the elegant Rift Zone XR.

Now the Californians are rolling out a new bike that is supposed to be somewhere between the extremes. At least in terms of weight. With the light and lively Bosch SX motor and compact battery with 400 watt hours, it is intended to bridge the gap between full-power e-MTBs and classic bikes without a motor. The bike goes by the name of Rift Zone EL (for Light-E-MTB) and rolls into the test with 150/140 millimetres of suspension travel, short chainstays and 29-inch wheels.

The Marin Rift Zone EL at a glance

• Motor: Bosch Performance Line SX, 55 Newton metres
• Battery: 400 watt hours, removable
• Suspension travel: 150/140 mm
• Wheel size: 29 inch
• Frame: Aluminium
• Price: 3 model variants from 5399 to 7699 euros
• Weight: 20.98 kg (top model XR, size L, BIKE measurement)

Bosch SX: Lots of power with a high cadence

In the Rift Zone EL, Marin relies on the latest light motor from Bosch, the Performance SX. It only delivers a little pressure at the bottom, but revs up powerfully at high cadences. In the short term, it pushes almost like a power motor. In combination with the direct acceleration and good response behaviour, this makes for an extremely dynamic and fun riding experience. Disadvantage: Little torque for technical key sections.

>> In the test: The Bosch Performance SX

The classic 400 watt-hour battery is of course integrated into the down tube of the lightest Rift Zone, but can be removed if necessary. However, this is a little more complicated than with other bikes: first you have to loosen the cover and use a long Allen key to release the battery with a push button.

The battery can then only be removed from the holder by carefully raising the bike upright again. But beware: the precious battery can easily crash out of the frame without braking. If required, the range of the bike can be significantly increased with the Powermore Range Extender from Bosch.

Aluminium frame & classic cable routing on the new Rifty

The frame of the Rift Zone EL is made of aluminium and the cables are routed internally in the classic way. Cable ducts keep the down tube tidy. The rear triangle manages 140 millimetres of travel with a conventional 4-link design and is designed for 29-inch wheels.

The chainstays of 438 millimetres are quite short by E-MTB standards and, in combination with the moderate steering angle of 65 degrees, should ensure neutral handling, while the reach in size L is a modern 482 millimetres. If required, the steering angle can be adjusted by +/- 0.5 degrees via a rotating bearing shell.

Geometry at a glance: Rift Zone EL in size L (BIKE measurement)

• Reach: 482 mm
• Stack: 646 mm
• Steering angle: 65°
• Seat angle: 77°
• BB drop: -34 mm
• Chainstay length: 438 mm
• Wheelbase: 1260 mm

From 5399 euros: The 3 models of the Rift Zone EL 2025

The new Rift Zone EL is available from 5399 euros RRP. All three models rely on strong chassis and a grippy MaxxGrip front tyre. So you don't have to do much tuning for downhill fun. Savings are made on the gears and wheels. The cheapest model, the Rift Zone EL 1 for 5399 euros, comes with the Bomber Z1 all-mountain fork from Marzocchi and Slate Evo brakes from TRP, but only ten-speed shifting with Shimano Cues.

Top suspension is available with Fox Performance Elite components from the Rift Zone EL 2 for € 6499. A Fox 36 GripX2 and a Float X shock are at work here. Sram's Code Bronze and a mechanical GX drivetrain round off the equipment. The top model, the Rift Zone EL XR, comes with the same suspension but an electronic GX transmission and MT7 brakes from Magura for € 7699.

First test of the Marin Rift Zone EL XR

Thanks to the steep seat angle, the riding position on the new Marin is modern and front-wheel orientated. This is comfortable on steep climbs, but puts some pressure on the wrists on flat terrain. Successful: Marin's own parts, from the saddle to the cockpit to the Tele levers, make a strikingly high-quality impression across the board, and the ergonomics are pleasant.

If you steer the Marin up steep climbs, the lightweight Bosch motor makes its mark on the bike. It always wants to be kept at speed. The steep seat angle helps uphill, but short chainstays and the not exactly low front end make the front wheel noticeably lighter on ramps. The suspension also works very defined uphill, but in combination with the rather low-profile Maxxis tyres at the rear, it doesn't generate much traction.

Rift Zone EL downhill: great riding fun, firm suspension

Downhill fun, on the other hand, is right at the top of the Rift Zone EL's list of priorities. Even on easy trails, the Marin is suitably direct in its handling and can shine with a lot of pop in the suspension. However, our top model, the Rifty XR, cannot completely hide its 21kg live weight. Although it rides playfully for an E-MTB, it is not quite as lively as the super-light bikes in the under 20-kilo class.

If the downhills get rougher, you'll be pleased with the well-integrated stand in the bike. In combination with the geometry and direct handling, this encourages a fast pace. Apart from the clattering of the Bosch SX motor, our test bike remained relatively quiet downhill.

Even downhill, the suspension remains firm and direct, passing impacts clearly to the rider. One thing is clear: this 140 is a trail bike and not a mini enduro bike. The soft front tyre and the high-quality fork are great, but the bombproof equipment of other Marins (often with double-down rear tyre and insert ex works) However, the Rift Zone EL has to do without. As a result, it lacks the super-saturated ride feel that we know from other Marin bikes.

Strengths:

• Direct handling, plenty of pop and driving pleasure
• Aluminium frame is beautifully made
• harmonious equipment

Weaknesses:

• Suspension a little stiff and not very firm
• Test bike XR quite expensive for aluminium

>> Marin Bikes: All tests & novelties - BIKE Magazine

BIKE Conclusion on the Rift Zone EL

With the Rift Zone EL, Marin presents a stylish light eMTB with character. The bike is not quite light, and you can feel the somewhat short 140 millimetre travel at the rear on the descents. But an aluminium frame, top equipment and a removable battery are rare on the market. The riding characteristics appeal to shredders, and the components are well chosen. - Adrian Kaether, Test & Technology Editor at BIKE