Trek Marlin 5 Gen 3

The 2024 Trek Marlin 5 Gen 3 is a versatile mountain bike available for 649 EUR. It features a robust frame made from Alpha Silver aluminium with internal cable routing for the rear derailleur and Vario seatpost, as well as luggage rack eyelets and a kickstand mount. The 135 x 5 mm ThruSkew axle provides additional stability. The bike’s maximum load capacity is 136 kg, whilst it weighs 15 kg.

The Marlin 5 Gen 3’s braking system consists of Tektro brakes with 6-hole disc mounts and 160 mm brake discs at both the front and rear. The gear lever is a Shimano U4000 with a 9-speed drivetrain, which ensures precise and reliable gear changes. The SR Suntour XCT 30 fork offers 100 mm of travel and is fitted with adjustable spring preload and a hydraulic lockout.

The pedals are VP-536 nylon platform pedals, whilst the crankset consists of a Prowheel C10Y-NW with a narrow-wide steel chainring (30 teeth) and a crank arm length of 170 mm. The cassette is a Shimano LINKGLIDE LG300 with a 11–46-tooth range and is also a 9-speed unit. The drivetrain is completed by the Shimano LG500.

The handlebars are a Bontrager model made of aluminium with a diameter of 31.8 mm, a rise of 15 mm and a width of 750 mm. The grips are Bontrager XR Trail Comp with nylon clamps. The stem is also by Bontrager, made of aluminium, Blendr-compatible, with a 7-degree angle and a length of 60 mm. The semi-integrated headset has a diameter of 1 1/8".

The wheelset consists of Bontrager Connection hollow-wall rims with an internal width of 20 mm and a 32-hole design. The front hub is a Formula DC-20 made of aluminium, with a 6-hole disc mount and a 5 x 100 mm quick-release axle. The rear hub is a Formula DC-22, also made of aluminium, with a 6-hole disc mount and a Shimano freehub for 8/9/10-speed cassettes, as well as a 135 x 5 mm axle.

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 is packaged with the following dimensions: width 24 mm, height 82 mm and length 151 mm.

The frame geometry comprises a reach of 50 mm, a stack of 64 mm, a seat tube length of 50 mm and a top tube length of 68 mm. The head tube angle is 66 degrees, whilst the seat tube angle is 73 degrees. The head tube length is 14 mm, the chainstay length is 44 mm, the standover height is 79 mm and the wheelbase is 123 mm.

In summary, the Trek Marlin 5 Gen 3 offers a balanced combination of stability, comfort and performance for beginners and advanced mountain bikers at an attractive price.