Marin Headlands Review

The unidirectional carbon is purpose-built for multi-surface adventures, a 1x specific frame loses the ability to mount a front mech but, this allowed Marin to use a short 420mm chainstay creating a fun and nimble ride while still allowing wide tyres. The front centre is long, taking cues from the mountain bike world where "longer, lower, slacker" geometry has made bikes more capable than ever. The long top tube and short stem make the Headlands confidence-inspiring on gravel and singletrack while still keeping a fast, efficient and comfortable ride on tarmac.

The frame and forks use bolt thru-axles at both ends and allow 700 x 45c tyres or with 650b wheels tyres up to 50c wide. The frame is covered in mounting points for all manner of accessories or custom made frame bags. A threaded bottom bracket, internal dropper routing and full rack and mudguard mounts round out this impressive frameset.

Both bikes come with a 1x11 drivetrain. With the introduction and popularity of 11-speed cassettes, "one by" gearing is now almost standard on mountain bikes, the range offered is huge and gives comfortable gaps between the gears. With fewer components to adjust and maintain a 1x set up is lighter and easier to use. If you are loading the bike up for a big trip then a smaller chainring will help with the climbs. Both bikes have a 10-42t cassette, the Headlands 1 has a 40t chainring and the Headlands 2 has a 42t.

The Headlands 2 comes with a dropper seat post, anyone who has ridden a mountain bike with a dropper knows how needed these are on descents, they add so much to off-road capability and fun levels, the redundant left-hand shifter is used the remote actuator for the dropper post using slick internal routing.

In the last few years, Marin's wheelsets have performed amazingly across their range. From being able to handle hardcore hardtail abuse on the San Quentin, to month-long touring on the Four Corners, the Headlands gets some 21mm internal width 700c tubeless compatible rims matched to 32h fast-rolling hubs with good quality bearings and seals.

Marin has chosen the incredibly fast-rolling Schwalbe G-One all-road tyres for the Headlands, they feel fast on the tarmac and in this 40c width they can eat up most gravel and off-road situations with ease. Those that want something a little chunkier will be able to fit up to a massive 45c tyre. This bike is compatible with the new breed of 650b (27.5) adventure wheelsets, using this set up the Headlands will fit a 50c tyre for real adventure comfort and security.