With the E-MTB Hardtail Marlin+ Trek presents an e-bike version of its popular and affordable mountain bike model Marlin. Unusual: The Americans equip the e-hardtail with the Bosch Active Line Plus, which is mainly used in trekking and city bikes. With a maximum torque of 50 Nm, this e-bike motor is quite weak, but considerably cheaper than its more powerful Bosch counterpart, the CX. This allows Trek to invest in the equipment of the Marlin+ 8 and still offer the bike at a relatively favourable price of 3299 euros. The energy is supplied by the small 400 watt, permanently installed CompactTube battery from Bosch, which presented together with the new SX light motor was. This means that the Trek Marlin+ weighs just 21.84 kilos. Together with a modern, long geometry and trail-ready components, this emphasises the sporty ambitions of the e-hardtail.
The facts about the Trek Marlin+ 8
- Motor: Bosch Active Line Plus, 50 Nm maximum torque
- Battery: 400 Wh (permanently installed); optional range extender with 250 Wh
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Suspension travel: 120 millimetres
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Price: 3299 Euro
- Weight: 21.84 kg (test bike in size XL, EMTB measurement)
The e-bike drive on the Trek hardtail e-bike
Bosch's Active Line Plus motor and the CompactTube 400 battery are an unusual combination. The Active Line motors are the entry point into the Bosch LineUp. With a maximum torque of 40 Nm, the normal Active Line drive is designed for use in the city and for light touring. The Active Line Plus has been doped up to 50 Newton metres and should therefore also be equipped for somewhat crisper climbs in off-road use.
We particularly liked the motor because of its smooth power development and because it is quite quiet. However, the tame unit cannot compete with the league of power motors à la Bosch CX. In order to achieve a low overall weight, the decision was made in favour of the small 400 mm battery and this was firmly embedded in the slim down tube of the Trek. The small Bosch battery was actually primarily developed for the new SX light motor. In the Trek Marlin+, the CompactTube makes a significant contribution to keeping the scales at a slim 21.84 kilos. That's an impressive three and a half kilos less than the heaviest e-bike in our test of nine affordable e-hardtails, which we tested for issue 5/2023 of EMTB magazine.
The 400 Wh is more than enough for everyday use. And in combination with the 250 Wh PowerMore Range Extender from Bosch, the journey time can be extended by 60 per cent. However, the argument that the weaker motor draws less energy and that this means a decent range is possible even with the small battery is only partially true: after all, you can also call up less power from a powerful Bosch CX with a large battery at a low support level - and then get all the further.
When it came to the display, the Trek product managers decided in favour of the new Bosch Purion 200 - i.e. a step switch and display in one control element. The Purion 200 is compatible with Bosch's Smart System, displays the most important riding data in an attractive colour scheme and has four support levels.
The geometry of the Trek Marlin+
Long chainstays, long wheelbase, long reach - the Trek Marlin+ is definitely not designed as a playful trail bike. On our test bike in size XL, the values were extreme, in size L the dimensions are relativised somewhat, but even then the long bike is clearly aimed at smoothness and riding safety. Thanks to the so-called "Smart Wheel Sizing", every frame size of the Marlin+ is paired with the optimum wheel size: XS and S frames are fitted with 27.5-inch wheels, while frame sizes M to XL come with 29-inch wheels.
EMTB measurements at a glance (frame size XL)
- Seat tube length: 479 mm
- Wheelbase: 1288 mm
- Reach: 488 mm
- Stack: 658 mm
- Steering angle: 66.4°
- Seat angle: 74.5°
- Chainstay length: 482 mm
The features of the Trek Marlin+ 8
Trek has equipped the Marlin+ 8 well for trail use: wide cockpit, grippy 2.6 inch wide Bontrager tyres, Rockshox Recon Silver RL suspension fork, Tele support, four-piston disc brakes with 200 mm discs front and rear and 12-speed Deore drivetrain. The 32-speed chainring helps to climb even steeper climbs despite the weak motor. The workmanship of the Trek e-bike is very high quality - with a stylishly integrated motor, robust chainstay protector and sturdy screw fittings for mounting the pannier rack.
Practical test: How the Trek Marlin+ 8 rides
You sit on the Trek in a sporty, stretched position, slightly front-heavy thanks to the steep seat angle, which puts a little pressure on the cockpit. The tame Bosch motor accelerates smoothly and only emits a very muffled whirring noise, even at higher pedalling speeds. Even on bumpy trails, the Trek is very quiet - no rattling, no clattering. Pleasant, and unfortunately rather rare on E-MTBs.
The wide, ergonomically designed cockpit, the moderately slack head angle and the long reach provide a lot of downhill confidence. The decent Rockshox fork, the grippy 2.6 inch wide Bontrager tyres and the powerful four-piston brakes with 200 mm discs also help to ensure that the Tek always remains composed downhill. On flowing trails, the low weight has a positive effect, but you don't really feel like playing. The long chainstays keep the front wheel firmly on the ground, making a bunny hop a feat of strength. On the other hand, the bike corners like it's on rails and can be steered precisely with pressure on the wide cockpit. However, the lightweight Trek is less fond of tight radii - the bulky geometry requires a very active riding style.
The advantages and disadvantages of the very long chainstays become apparent on steep climbs: The front end rears up late, but it takes a lot of physical effort to lift the front wheel over a step. Added to this is the weak motor which, despite the 12-speed gear ratio and 32 chainring, does not provide enough power for technically demanding climbs.
Conclusion Josh Welz, EMTB editor-in-chief
Trek presents an exciting concept with the brand new Trek Marlin+ 8. At less than 22 kilos, the bike is nice and light for an affordable e-hardtail. The discreet motor and small battery are a smart combination for everyday use, but the Marlin+ is not recommended as a companion on long tours. The bike shows its trail skills in downhill mode - then it conveys a high degree of riding safety. On the climbs, extreme climbing geometry meets a weak motor.
Pro
- Sensible equipment
- Low weight
- Good downhill properties
- Good climbing geometry
Contra
- Low range
- Non-removable battery
- Weak motor
- Bulky geometry
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief
