Trek Marlin 4 Gen 2

The 2023 ‘Marlin 4 Gen 2’ model from Trek is a robust and versatile mountain bike, available for €549. The frame is made from Alpha Silver aluminium and features internal cable routing as well as a disc brake mount on the chainstay. The frame is also fitted with luggage rack eyelets and a kickstand mount, and uses a 135 x 5 mm quick-release axle. The maximum load capacity is 136 kg, whilst the bike itself weighs 14 kg.

The brakes are mechanical disc brakes from Tektro (models MD-M280 and MD-M281) with a disc diameter of 160 mm at both the front and rear. The shift levers are Shimano Altus EF500, which allow for 7-speed rear and 3-speed front gearing. The front derailleur is a Shimano Tourney TY300 with a clamp diameter of 34.9 mm and offers a down-swing and dual-pull function.

The Marlin 4 Gen 2’s fork is an SR Suntour XCE 28 with a coil spring and adjustable spring preload. It has a 46 mm offset for 29-inch wheels and 100 mm of travel. The pedals are VP-536 nylon platform pedals. The crankset is a Shimano Tourney TY301 with a length of 175 mm and chainrings of 42/34/24. The bottom bracket is a VP BC73 threaded cartridge bottom bracket with a width of 73 mm.

The chainring is a Shimano TZ500 with 14–28 teeth for the 7-speed cassette, whilst the drivetrain is powered by a KMC Z7 chain. The handlebars are Bontrager aluminium handlebars, 720 mm wide with a 5 mm rise. The grips are Bontrager XR Endurance Comp with screw-on clamps. The stem is a Bontrager Comp, Blendr-compatible, with a diameter of 31.8 mm, a 7-degree angle and a length of 90 mm. The headset is semi-integrated and has a diameter of 1 1/8".

The wheelset consists of Bontrager Connection hollow-section rims with an internal width of 20 mm and a 32-hole configuration, fitted with Schrader valves. The hubs are Formula DC-20 aluminium hubs with a 6-hole disc mount and a 5 x 100 mm quick-release axle. The saddle is a Bontrager Arvada with steel rails and a width of 138 mm, whilst the seatpost is made of aluminium, has a diameter of 31.6 mm, a 12 mm offset and a length of 400 mm.

The bike’s packaging dimensions are as follows: width 21 mm, height 79 mm and length 148 mm. Further geometric data include a reach of 48 mm, a stack of 63 mm, a seat tube length of 56 mm, a top tube length of 67 mm, a head tube angle of 70 degrees, a seat tube angle of 72 degrees, a head tube length of 12 mm, a chainstay length of 44 mm, a standover height of 80 mm and a wheelbase of 117 mm.

The Trek Marlin 4 Gen 2 therefore offers a solid package for beginners to mountain biking and impresses with its robust construction and versatility.