Marin Launches New Rift Zone Alloy Range
Press Release: Marin
The Marin Rift Zone is made to party, whatever your jam may be. Your ideal partner for everything from all-day epics, to local shred laps, and everything in-between. Critically acclaimed since their debut over five years ago, they epitomize our Made For Fun mantra above everything else are the heart and soul of Marin’s full suspension lineup.
Rift Zone alloy models are all-new from the frame-up for 2023, with more travel, fresh geometry, updated suspension kinematics, and refined details. Furthermore, the lineup has been aligned between the 29” and
27.5” wheel size models.
And this just in, the new Rifty has already won Gold, with Marin-sponsored ambassador and all-around awesome human Martha Gill taking the top step on the podium in the Dual Slalom at Crankworx Rotorua 2022.
Frame
Series 3 aluminum frames with new tubing and forgings freshen the Rifty’s overall aesthetics, with a shorter seattube and lower standover from previous models. Slick braze-in cable guide entry and exit ports look great and eliminate cable/hose rattle. Cable routing is built into the forging, and the bike is a zip tie free zone. Out back the dropouts are now compatible with SRAM’s UDH rear derailleur hanger. The Rift Zone is also a quieter bike, with all-new chainstay and seatstay protectors with increased coverage to minimize chain slap. Proper ISCG tabs and threaded BB shells remain.
Travel
Rift Zone 29” and 27.5” alloy models see travel bump up 10mm in the front and 5mm in the rear, now at 140mm/130mm respectively, bringing the bike firmly into the trail category. Rift Zone 26 and Rift Zone Jr models now see 130mm travel front and rear.
Geometry
Both 29” & 27.5” frames share key geometry figures, with 65.5° headtube and 77° seattube angles, along with 430mm chainstays. In short, we pegged the fun-o-meter by making these important updates to the angles. Rift Zone 26 and Jr see similar updates, with 65.5° HTA and 76° STA, with 425mm chainstays.
Kinematics and Shock Tuning
The team here at Marin spent countless hours dialing in the frame kinematics, ensuring maximum performance with current shocks on the market. From there we worked with engineers at Fox, RockShox, and X-Fusion to dial in the tunes to deliver the best combination of pedaling efficiency on the climbs and flats, while delivering bottomless-feeling control on when the going gets rough. The new Rifty doesn’t just have more travel, it also improves on the way the travel is used.
The Lineup
One key feature that hasn’t changed is the Rift Zone assortment, with three each 29” and 27.5” models, and the 26” and 24” for the young rippers. Now these models have been homogenized between wheel sizes, so colors, specifications and pricing remain the same at the various 1/2/XR levels, no matter the rolling stock.
Wait, what’s that? What’s up with this “XR” model? That’s the replacement for what had previously been the Rift Zone 3. The new XR is our “riders’ spec” model, a spicier take on the Rift Zone with some of the best bang-for-the-buck suspension and drivetrain spec available.
Rift Zone 29”/27.5” 1
• All-new Series 3 MultiTrac frame, 130mm travel
• X-Fusion Slide (29”) & Sweep (27.5”) Boost RC forks
• X-Fusion O2 Pro R shock w/custom tune
• Shimano Deore 1x11 drivetrain
• Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc brakes w/180mm rotors
• Vee Tire Crown Gem tubeless-ready tires
• 27.5” available in XS frame size
• $1799 US/$2299 CAD/£1695GBP/1999€
Rift Zone 29”/27.5” 2
Key upgrades from Rift Zone 1:
• Marzocchi Bomber Z2 fork
• RockShox Deluxe Select RT Debonair rear shock
• Shimano Deore 1x12 drivetrain
• TranzX dropper post
• Vee Tire Flow Snap 2.35” tires
• $2399 US/$2999 CAD/£2195 GBP/2599€
Rift Zone 29”/27.5” XR
Key upgrades from Rift Zone 2:
• Marzocchi Bomber Z1 fork
• Fox Float X rear shock
• Shimano SLX/XT 1x12 drivetrain
• Shimano M420 4-piston brakes
• Maxxis Assegai MAXX TERRA EXO 2.5” tires
• $3499 US/$4449 CAD/£2995 GBP/3499€
Rift Zone 26”/Jr
• All-new Series 3 MultiTrac frame, 130mm travel
• X-Fusion Velvet Boost RC fork, 130mm travel
• X-Fusion O2 Pro R shock w/custom tune
• Shimano Deore 1x11 drivetrain
• Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc brakes w/180mm rotors
• Vee Tire Flow Snap 2.4” tires
• $1799 US/$2299 CAD/£1695 GBP/1999€
Availability
All models are scheduled to be available in global markets in November/December 2022.
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Member since Jul 29, 2012
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Of course they would be a bit strange and awkward and would only show blurry pictures where you can barely see a bit of TURQuoise behind a tree... Nobody would trust them as it's common knowledge that noone can buy a yeti these days !
Regulations ahead of their times.
I cracked a rear triangle on my Marin, their dealer (Royal Distributing) and the Marin warranty rep, worked so fast to get me a new RT, I barely lost a week of riding. Then the front triangle cracked the next season, so within a week I received a new frame.
None of these were catastrophic failures, so I won't blame manufacturing.
I have only had great experience with Marin Warranty dept. If you don't buy it for the insane value, buy it for the customer service.
Marin has their fingers on the pulse of what riders really want: Capable, affordable bikes, and amazing warranty.
Shout out to Bob Ullman, and Scott Bannister (kings among men) for salvaging my season two times in a row.
Reminds me of a Trek I broke about a decade back, I cracked it on a ride on a Thursday, on my way home, I stopped past the dealer to show them it crack and let them know I'd be back on Saturday to drop off the stripped frame for warranty. I stop in on Saturday with my broken frame and the guy hands me a new frame. Turns out he sent in the claim that day, the dealer rep had been at the local Trek warehouse and when the warranty came through, he just grabbed the frame and brought it down to the shop the next afternoon. I got the frame Saturday just after the shop opened, before they had a chance to call me. Went home, threw all the parts on it, was out for a ride just after lunch. Literally was out of bike for less than 36hrs.
I work at a shop that retails Marin, and our warranty dude is the best warranty dude in the biz. Dude's the only company that reimburses us financially when we have to rebuild a bike due to a warranty issue. They sent the wrong bearings for an Alpine the other week. Contacted my dude, he sent out the correct set within days and told us to keep the incorrect set just in case it's ever needed, free of charge.
Between the spec value, how well the bikes ride, how focused the company is on customer service, I'd honestly say Marin has done more than brought their brand back; they should be one of the most talked about brands in cycling right now.
While there's some stuff I don't dig, bushings instead of bearings kinda stuff, the value goes so far it doesn't matter. Compare a Rift Zone 2 to a Scott Spark 960 or a Kona Process 134. Both of the latter are great bikes with flaws, but the Marin just comes in at a better price with better parts. It's no contest.
I don't have personal experience my self, but many owners complain about the build quality- pivots go out early, bolts are made of cheese, etc. But I guess its better than paying $5k for a Yeti frame that cracks.
The only bolt that has been a problem is the top shock bolt. it was always coming loose, so I finally modified the whole linkage rocker to accommodate a longer bolt and backside lock nut. I made a YouTube video sharing the multi trac mod.
Even with that modification, the bolt still becomes bent more frequently than it should. I’ve begun to wonder if the bent bolt happens because it’s a two piece rocker arm rather than one piece.
It's not a big deal now that I know what hardware store bolt to buy for $3, instead of buying the official Marin shock bolt kit for $25...
Hint, do an eBay search for "Socket Allen Head Cap Screw Stainless Steel M8x1.25x65", or get the 55mm length if you're not going to use a backside locknut.
Then again, if it’s bending because you’re bottoming out really hard, you might be better off keeping it as a sacrificial part...
It’s a miracle thank you Marin for making a bike they people actually will want and is able to be worked on!
youtu.be/-jgq5Iawk-g?t=290
Are Americans normal sized ?
With Rift Zone 1 price, you can consider it as a frame option, with some bonus parts to ride =)
If the Marin is cheaper for you than definitely a better choice.
Great point on the QR rear axle though - when i upgraded to a boost thru axle it required a new rear wheel (i bought a new wheelset because i didn't want mismatched wheels). PITA EXPENSIVE upgrade, but totally worth it because i wanted 12-speed Deore and the stock freehub was HG.
I wish I was a little bit smaller, then I’d be a baller.
I hope these sell well, Marin has done a good job here.
Get MT520 or M6120 4 piston brakes or at least the Deore style levers and you´re good.
My honest opinion is that the MT201's are great for beginner riders. I was able to brake with 2-fingers on them, but once i rode some demo bikes and friends bikes with 1 finger levers i knew it was time to upgrade.
Sram type 2 derailleurs (single direction adjustable clutch) were way better than their current ones.
Shimanos quality control these days isn't good either. I see it a lot when I build up new bikes and ebikes in the shop.
Still bone dry clutches on any derailleur.
Still the same issues with their brakes.
I wouldn't recommend a deore mech to anyone who rides fast and hard. They get sloppy way to fast, even at the B-bolt and sometimes rip apart at the place where the b-screw connects with the main body.
XT is much better imo.
The rear hub issue might be my fault, when I picked it up in 2020 I went out for a ride immediately without checking or fiddling with anything (other than switching out the seat and pedals) and the cassette locking came loose and the axle wasn't properly tightened from the shop. Over the next year the hub started developing a little play making intermittent clicking noises and sounded a little rough.
Another aspect that surprised me was the weight. Granted, I swapped out a lot of parts from the stock build with higher end parts, like a SID Ultimate fork, lighter cranks, Roval Control wheels, and a Bike Yoke Divine SL dropper. Nonetheless, the weight came in at 27.5 lbs sans pedals. Not bad for an aluminum frame with 125mm of travel.
Having a hard time considering getting rid of my Rift Zone though. Happy to see the changes they made, particularily that they chopped the seatpost a bit. Upgraded components as well and the price has only increased $110 over 2 years ago.
Kudos to Marin
Nice bikes and good value to be fair but other than paint job they look like giants, treks etc etc
So 65.5 seems pretty slack compared to the 68.
I think in general, if someone wants shorter travel, they're also going to prefer the snappiness of a bit steeper head angle.
Nah, tracks inside are super steep but not rough, I always end up using bigger forks or head angle adjusters to slacken it out.
Big travel bikes just numb the trail out too much for me, I like the feel of less travel.