Marathon fullys are the further development of hardtails. The add-on parts and the range of use of both types of bike are identical, but the rear suspension provides more comfort when riding and makes technical descents slightly easier. However, they are out of place on extreme trails. The shock and the joints in the rear triangle significantly increase the overall weight of marathon fullys compared to hardtails. Inexpensive bikes of this type are therefore heavy and often not much fun. Good marathon fullys have a carbon frame, weigh less than 12 kilos and cost over 3500 euros. The top models will empty any bank account with prices between 6000 and 10,000 euros. In order to suppress the bobbing of the rear suspension on climbs, many models have a lever on the handlebars with which the entire suspension can be locked. Because of the shock absorber, there is often only room for a water bottle in the frame. As with hardtails, large 29er wheels are also common in this genre.
PRICE Good models over 3500 euros
WEIGHT 12.5 kilos and lighter (without pedals)
FEDERWEG 100 to 120 millimetres
AREA OF APPLICATION Tours on tarmac, gravel and easy trails; marathon or cross-country races.
Cube AMS 100 C:68 29 Race
Sporty riding position, good rolling tyres and a hydraulic handlebar lockout for the fork and shock. The Cube leaves no doubt that it was designed for the marathon start. But anyone who prematurely labels the AMS as a thoroughbred racer is mistaken. The sensitive rear suspension provides a lot of comfort and, with 108 millimetres of travel, can take on many a larger obstacle. The 2x11 gears from Shimano provide a wide range of gears, even on steep Alpine climbs. These features make the Cube the perfect partner for marathons or long tours with many metres of elevation gain. Nothing stands in the way of an Alpine cross with this all-rounder.
Price 3499 Euro
Weight 11.28 kilos without pedals
Tested in BIKE 9/17
Judgement very good / 188 points
Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 1
If you like carbon fibre, this is the bike for you. Handlebars, seat post, wheels and frame: all made of carbon fibre. Thanks to the lightweight carbon fibre, the Giant weighs just 10.9 kilos. An absolute top value in this price class. The Fox suspension not only works particularly well on the trail, but can also be locked out using a lever on the handlebars. Thoroughbred racers love this. With its slack steering angle and long wheelbase, the Anthem exudes a lot of confidence on the descents, even at high speeds. However, other bikes are more playful on winding trail sections.
Price 4499 Euro
Weight 10.88 kilos without pedals
Tested in BIKE 2/18 - Reorder booklet
Judgement very good / 197 points
Rocky Mountain Element Carbon XC 70 Edit
Alison Syder and Karl Platt helped Rocky Mountain's maple-coloured paintwork achieve cult status with victories in the Cross-Country World Cup and the BIKE Transalp. But that was over ten years ago. The simple aluminium tubes from that time had to make way for an elaborately designed carbon frame, and the geometry and kinematics of our test bike from BIKE 6/17 have little to do with the original element from 1996. Quite the opposite. Both the top model tested and the more affordable XC-70 version show what modern marathon fullys are capable of with a slack head angle, versatile suspension (Ride 9 adjustment) and harmonious equipment. The Canadian is not only more fun than the competition in marathons, but also on easy trails.
Price 5600 Euro
Weight approx. 11 kilos without pedals
Tested in BIKE 6/17
Judgement* super / 207 points
*The Element 999 RSL was tested
Specialised Epic S-Works
Expensive, extravagant and with brains! If you are prepared to spend 9999 euros on a mountain bike, Specialized offers a marathon fully that demonstrates the state of the art in all areas. The XTR Di2 gears work electronically, the suspension locks automatically thanks to Brain technology, and the total weight of 9.71 kilos is unrivalled in this category. The option of mounting two bottle cages in the frame also impressed us during the test. The only thing we could criticise is the narrow range of the 1x11 drivetrain. Otherwise, the Epic is a master of its class.
Price 9999 Euro
Weight 9.71 kilos without pedals
Tested in BIKE 11/17
Judgement super / 216 points
You can read this article or the entire issue of BIKE 4/2018 in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
