The new Marin Alpine Trail XR is not an enduro bike for compromises and has been consistently geared towards downhill. What can the 17.5-kilo enduro bike do in the test?
Shred-Sled: The Marin Alpine Trail XR on test
With the brand new Alpine Trail XR, Marin is expanding its product portfolio upwards and putting a real full-throttle enduro bike on its tyres. At a price of 5059 euros, the enduro bike is in the best company in this test field and has absolutely competitive equipment. Especially the Rockshox Ultimate suspension stands out alongside the functional Sram GX drivetrain. Deductions are only made for the cheap wheels and powerless Sram DB8 brakes.
Marin relies on aluminium for the frame, but still integrates a storage compartment in the down tube that offers space for the most important utensils. In addition, the new Alpin Trail XR emphasises customisability. With interchangeable headset shells, a flip chip on the rocker and in the dropouts, the rider can make many adjustments and, for example, ride a 29er rear wheel.
In the slackest and lowest setting, the Marin has an extremely slack head angle of 62 degrees and the lowest bottom bracket in comparison. Embedded deep in the bike and blessed with a very smooth ride, the rider can conquer any downhill track. The steel rear suspension also does a great job, responds sensitively and still has sufficient progression and support at the rear. The extremely high weight of 17.45 kilos and the Maxxgrip tyres on the front and rear wheels further refine the DH qualities.
What works excellently downhill turns out to be a real brake on fun on flat and ascending topography. The Marin reacts sluggishly and tenaciously and wants to quit without a shuttle or lift support.
Equipment
- Fork Rockshox Zeb Ultimate
- Damper Rockshox Superdeluxe Ultimate Coil
- Circuit Sram GX Eagle, 1 x 12
- Translation of / bandwidth 32; 10-52 / 520 %
- Brakes Sram DB8 200/200 mm
- Telesupport/stroke Tranz X / 170 mm
- Impellers Marin Double-Wall rims, Marin hubs
- Tyres Maxxis Assegai Maxxgrip Exo+ / DD 29/27.5 x 2.5
Measured values
- Total weight 17.45 kg (without pedals)
- Weight of wheels 5570 g
- Acceleration impellers 4264 kg x cm²
Conclusion from Dimitri Lehner, Editor-in-Chief FREERIDE
The new Marin Alpine Trail XR is one of the strongest bikes in the downhill segment and is a good choice for bike park days. However, with its 17.5 kilos, the Marin has completely abandoned the original enduro concept.
FREERIDE test rating - Marin Alpine Trail XR: 8.5
