Marin Rift Zone Review

There are two Rift Zone frame options, both share the same thoroughly modern trail bike geometry. The slack 65.5° head tube angle is combined with a short fork offset which makes the bike nice and stable speed while the short chainstays give you nimble handling in the tight. The riding position offers a great balance for both climbing and descending.

The alloy bikes, the Rift Zones 1, 2 and 3 all share the same Series 3 aluminium alloy frame. This is a high-quality frame made from 6061 aluminium alloy that has been butted and hydroformed for optimum strength and lightweight. The Rift Zone Carbon 1 and 2 are both built around a carbon front triangle that is made from high modulus, unidirectional fibres. This makes these bikes significantly lighter weight than the other models. All the bikes in the range get internal cable routing and there is room for a bottle inside the front triangle.

The suspension travel on the Rift Zone has been extended to 125mm on the rear combined with a 130mm travel fork. The Multitrac suspension system that controls the rear wheel travel is a simple single pivot design with a rocker link for a progressive leverage ratio. This means that the suspension is nice and sensitive on the small bumps while keeping you covered on drops and bigger hits.

The quality of the suspension improves as you move up through the range. Starting with the Rift Zone 1 you get a functional but basic X Fusion shock, the 2 has a RockShox Deluxe shock while the rest of the bikes get Fox Float Shocks with adjustable compression damping alongside the rebound adjustment found on the others. The carbon framed bikes both get shocks with piggy-back reservoirs for more consistent performance on long tracks. The forks start with RockShox Recons, moving up to Marzocchi Z2s and then a Fox Float 34 on the top model.

It is great to see such great component specs on bikes that are this reasonably priced. Apart from the entry level Rift Zone 1 which has 11 speed, all the bikes in the range get 12 speed drivetrains with ultra-wide range rear cassettes. This means that you get all the gears that you are ever likely to need in a nice easy to use package. Every bike is fitted with a clutch rear mech to keep your chain in place when riding the rough. You also get Shimano hydraulic disc brakes on every model for reliable stopping power.

Every bike gets wide 780mm handlebars with a short stem. This set up is great for trail riding and helps to give the bikes their confident feel. All the bikes apart from the entry level model come ready fitted with a dropper post. The drop is size specific so every rider will get the maximum benefit of being able to drop the saddle out of the way at a flick of a switch.

If you want to ride fast then you can’t beat 29” wheels. These larger wheels carry speed very well and roll over bumps much more smoothly than smaller hoops. Whether it’s long distance cross-country rides or sessioning the tracks in your local woods you can’t beat the grin inducing speed of a 29er.

All the bikes are fitted with Marin double wall rims. The 29mm internal width of these wheels offers great support for the wide tyres. The wheels on the Rift Zone Carbon bikes are both shod with Maxxis Minion MaxxTerra, EXO+ rubber. Offering superb levels of grip MTB tyres don’t come much better than this. The Vee tyres on the alloy bikes don’t have the same pedigree but they are fast rolling and offer enough grip for cross-country riding. All the wheels and tyres are tubeless compatible, so it is easy to ditch the inner tubes and say goodbye to punctures.