Trek Marlin 7 Gen 3

The 2023 Trek Marlin 7 Gen 3 is a versatile mountain bike that stands out for its high-quality components and robust build. Priced at 849 EUR, it offers excellent value for money. The frame is made from Alpha Silver aluminium and features internal cable routing for the rear derailleur and the Vario seatpost, as well as luggage rack eyelets and a kickstand mount. The ThruSkew axle measures 135 x 5 mm. The maximum load capacity is 136 kg, whilst the bike itself weighs 14 kg.

Both the front and rear brakes are fitted with Shimano RT26 disc brakes, which have a 6-hole disc mount and a diameter of 160 mm. The shifter is a Shimano Deore M4100 with 10 speeds. The fork is a RockShox Judy with a coil spring, adjustable spring preload and TurnKey lockout. It offers 100 mm of travel and 42 mm of offset for the 27.5-inch wheel.

The bike is fitted with VP-536 nylon platform pedals. The crankset consists of an FSA Alpha Drive with a 28-tooth steel chainring and a length of 170 mm. The chainring is a Shimano Deore M4100 with 11–46 teeth for the 10-speed cassette, and the drivetrain is complemented by a KMC X10 chain.

The handlebars are a Bontrager aluminium model with a width of 720 mm, a rise of 15 mm and a diameter of 31.8 mm. The grips are Bontrager XR Trail Comp with nylon clamps. The stem is also made of aluminium by Bontrager, is Blendr-compatible and has a length of 35 mm with a 7-degree angle. The headset is semi-integrated and measures 1 1/8".

The wheelset consists of Bontrager Kovee hollow-wall rims, which are tubeless-ready and have an internal width of 23 mm. The hubs are Formula DC-20 at the front and Formula DC-22 at the rear, both made of aluminium with a 6-hole disc mount. The seatpost is also by Bontrager, made of aluminium with a diameter of 31.6 mm and a length of 330 mm. The saddle is a Bontrager Arvada with steel rails and a width of 138 mm.

The bike’s packaging dimensions are 23 mm wide, 79 mm high and 139 mm long. Further geometric data include a reach of 42 mm, a stack of 57 mm, a seat tube length of 37 mm, a top tube length of 58 mm, a head tube angle of 66 degrees, a seat tube angle of 74 degrees, a head tube length of 10 mm, a chainstay length of 43 mm, a standover height of 69 mm and a wheelbase of 112 mm.

In summary, the Trek Marlin 7 Gen 3 offers a balanced combination of stability, comfort and performance, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced mountain bikers.