I've only gone and dunnit!

[stevenb]

Nice machine that.
My Trek 6500 is used for off-road and on road if need be. I have a set of wheels and tyres for both surfaces.
having the carbon fork is a good upgrade and will certainly be more forgiving on your arms when your on the road......although off-raod will still be a bit bone jarring on the front end.....unless of course you ride pathways and singletrack then you'll be fine.
Good all rounder indeed.

 

[got-to-get-fit]

Yoinks.......thats a good looking bike.

I like roadies but this piece of mtb loveliness could convert me

 

[fishheads]

looks great, i'm looking to get something between 300-400 but cant decide yet which one , a bit off road but also doing a coast to coast and manchester to blackpool, i think i want a mtb which i can lockout susp and put some slick tyres on for the road??????

 

[simonali]

Most of the mainstream manufacturers make hybrids with suspension forks, with Gary Fisher being one that springs to mind. All the catalogues I picked up when looking are at work so I can't remember what the range they make is called. Something like dual sport perhaps?

 

[tommo81]

I'd appreciate a user review of the Marin once you've got it (Please)

I currently have a hardtail mountain bike but im looking to do more on the roads so a bike like this will be on the cards at some point this year

I've been looking at the GT range so far and i've had a test ride on a GT Legato which was very quick compared to my Giant Terrago

Simon

Ive had this bike for 4 weeks now, and have been using it for my 5 mile commute everyday. Two things - it does seem pretty heavy compared to other similar bikes I have tested. Secondly, the back brake stopped working properly after a about a week of use. I have since taken it back to the retailer who tightened it up, but sadly its function has not improved.

I have spoken to one other Novato owner who reported a similar problem. Not sure if its a model specific failing, or whether we've just had bad luck!

 

[simonali]

No trouble with the brakes on mine so far. Only issue I had was with a poorly aligned gear hanger.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

Don't have to wait too long, as it'll be here this week. Probably pick it up on Friday.

the bike or the baby? congrats on both fronts

 

[simonali]

Huh?

 

[water]

This summer I bought a Marin Muirwoods [I have a Specialized Sequoia Elite for 'fun'].This for mainly road use carrying me and my camera gear/food etc on days out.Did 60 mile jaunt last Monday with a Nikon D200+2lenses+food on a seatpost rack and it was fine.So far I can say it's been a great purchase [£319 on line] and copes with the odd tracks/trails just fine,though the smooth tyres make things 'interesting' on grass and mud.
Unusually,it's a steel frame but it's no 'tank' and definitely worth component upgrades.I will aim to upgrade bits to Deore LX level as and when they wear out.
If I was 'allowed' only one bike this would be good enough as,with the tyres pumped up hard,it gives a reasonable turn of speed and gets me up the hilly bits in the countryside around Mid/East Lothian.
On the evidence so far I can recommend the Muirwoods to anyone looking for an 'all rounder' type of bike.

John.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Well I must say it looks like one hell of a bike and it sounds as though you are having fun on it. Hope 'the new family member' behaves itself for you :-)

 

[BADGER.BRAD]

Looks fantastic to me I ride a very similar bike for commuting/general transport. I think you get better ride comfort with the slightly wider tyres and also find the handling much better that bikes with 700c tyres wheels.