Marin Alpine Trail E: Marin's new aluminium enduro with Bosch motor & full-throttle DNA

It all began at Marin in 1986, back then with filigree titanium frames. In recent times, however, the Californian brand has tended to has made a name for itself with robust aluminium bikes and sturdy equipment. Adhesive tyres, Cush Core inserts ex works and modern geometries are aimed at shredders. Marin remains true to this line with the new E-Enduro: the Marin Alpine Trail E comes with a Bosch motor and 750 Powertube for the first time. With a particularly short rear end for agile handling, extensively customisable geometry and thick suspension elements, the bike is designed to inspire particularly active riders. We have all the details.

The facts about the Marin Alpine Trail E

• Motor: Bosch Perf. CX, 85 Nm max. torque
• Battery: 750 Wh (removable)
• Frame material: Aluminium
• Suspension travel: 170 / 160 mm
• Wheel size: 29 / 27.5" (Mullet)
• Frame sizes: M, L, XL
• Price: 6299 or 7249 euros
• Weight: 26.5 kg (manufacturer's specification)
• Permissible total weight: 136 kg (plus 2.3 kg luggage)

Marin with Bosch for the first time

Marin has only been producing mountain bikes with a motor since 2020, and until now they have always come with a Shimano drive. The Alpine Trail E now uses the CX from top dog Bosch for the first time. At 85 Newton metres, it nominally offers the same torque as the Shimano drives in Marin's other e-bikes, but in practice is even more dynamic and has a greater range.

>>To the motor in the test: How the Bosch Performance CX performs in the lab and in practice

The disadvantage of the Bosch motor: the high weight. With the 750 battery (4.3 kg), the motor itself (2.9 kg), robust aluminium frame and heavy-duty equipment, the Marin Alpine Trail E is more likely to weigh well over 25 kilos than under. In keeping with the brand's downhill focus, Marin decided against a display in favour of the sporty combination of a slim mini-remote and system controller on the top tube. Instead of a classic speed sensor in the rear wheel, there is a valve solenoid that can be read directly by the motor.

All aluminium, or what? - Frame & Geometry

Marin has designed a new aluminium frame around the drive system. Compared to the previous Alpine Trail models with Shimano and without a motor, the suspension travel has been extended by 10 millimetres to 170/160 millimetres and the rear pivot point has moved from the seat stays to the chain stays. As a result, the suspension should remain more sensitive on the brakes and work better in the middle and end of the travel range. Both models come with steel spring dampers ex works.

The geometry of the Marin Alpine Trail E is very modern. Specifically, the super slack head angle of 63 degrees is striking, even for an enduro bike, while the steep seat angle, low bottom bracket and long reach match the downhill orientation of the bike. The chainstays are extremely short for a bike with a Bosch motor. If you want, you can adjust the steering angle by +/- 0.75 degrees using the angled headset. A flip chip in the chainstays shortens the chainstays even further and raises the bottom bracket slightly.

Geometry at a glance (frame size L / flip chip)

• Seat tube length: 420 mm
• Wheelbase: 1290 mm
• Reach: 485 mm
• Stack: 646 mm
• Steering angle: 63 degrees
• Seat angle: 78.3 degrees
• Chainstay length: 443 / 435 mm
• Bottom bracket height: 347 / 352

Two models from 6299 euros

The Marin Alpine Trail E will be available in two models for 6299 and 7249 euros. The more affordable Alpine Trail E1 comes with Marzocchi suspension, Shimano Cues gears and TRP Slate brakes, while the more expensive Trail E2 features Fox Performance Elite suspension with top-quality damping technology, Shimano XT drivetrain and TRP DH-R Evo brakes. Both bikes roll on Attack tyres from Veetire with a robust carcass and also have Cush-Core inserts for maximum puncture protection fitted ex works.

Marin Alpine Trail E1 - 6299 Euro

• Fork / shock: Marzocchi Z1 / CR Coil
• Gear system: Shimano Cues (10-speed)
• Brakes: TRP Slate
• Tyres: Veetire Attack Gravity-Core with Cushcore inserts

Marin Alpine Trail E2 - 7249 Euro

• Fork / shock: Fox 38 Perf. Elite / DHX2 Perf. Elite
• Gear system: Shimano XT (12-speed)
• Brakes: TRP DH-R Evo
• Tyres: Veetire Attack Gravity-Core with Cushcore inserts