The Trek Marlin 6 is the latest in the Trek Marlin series of mountain bikes compared to the Marlin 5. It has a lot of similarities but is different in terms of riding experience due to the improvements in the drivetrain. With this in mind, what sticks out most with the Trek Marlin 6?
The Trek Marlin 6 is known for its new paint color, and its better handling frame, which our testers really liked. We will step by step Trek Marlin 6’s descending and climbing performance, components and specifications, and comparison with other mountain bikes.
Although fast descents are not the Trek Marlin 6’s specialty, we opted for a longer wooded descent. Loose branches are a difficult terrain for many cheap mountain bikes. In this guide, we will explain how well the Trek Marlin 6 performance and what you can expect.
Trek Marlin 6 Explained
First and foremost, some things to keep in mind about the Trek Marlin 6 is that this bike has a wide wheel coverage.The Trek Marlin 6 has big 29″ tires and 2.2″ wide tires that roll quickly down descending paths where roots and rocks are not visible. Fast descents on rough trails are very easy on the Marlin 6 with its 100mm shock fork, and very good maneuverability.
In fact, I had so much confidence in this SR Suntour that the fast descending trails didn’t bottom out.So all things considered, we think the Trek Marlin 6’s fast descents in slick trails are where it shines. Not really suitable for hard rock descents.ike the Trek Marlin 5, the Trek Marlin 6 is equally impressive, dropping considerable speed on the climbs.
I really like the gentle gradient climbs, which are the most popular climbs for recreational riders. And the Trek Marlin 6 is right up my alley. Trek Marlin 6 uses Tektro’s 100mm travel fork (smaller size is 80mm) with a lockout feature that saves most of the effort on climbs. And it’s a 1X10 drivetrain, although This drivetrain is limited in range, but this test was on moderately difficult climbs without too much difficulty to speak of.
We hit a few snags when we were on particularly steep or gravel-filled uphill roads. Considering its purpose, we can well understand such a design.
Considering the need for more moderate to low difficulty trails or hilly mountain riding, the loaded pauseable fork and 1X10 drivetrain with a slightly steeper head tube angle are at ease in these terrains.
Flat trails are the best stage for the Marlin 6 mountain bike, with mountable fenders and a rear rack frame that allows you to cross shallow puddles with peace of mind. Last but not least is efficient riding when commuting to the roads, with medium size tires of 27.5 inches or large tires of 29 inches that allow you to ride fast.
The not-too-wide tires give you more maneuverability, and the hydraulic disc brakes provide very good braking power even on long downhills on the road. So we think the Marlin 6 has a strong appeal for the everyday adventurer.
The XS-S has a curved head tube, which makes it easier for smaller riders or junior riders to straddle. The clean and tidy internal alignment protects the cable from damage and extends its life. Reserved for rack and bracket mounts, as well as mudguard mounts. Makes long trips or daily commuting much more convenient.
Mountain riding also requires a water bottle holder, and Marlin 6 is equipped with water bottle mounting holes at the seat post and downtube respectively. Let you have plenty of water to replenish after exercise. No easy quick-release front and rear tires are used to make you faster on mountain rides or commuter rides.
Marlin 6 is a cross country mountain bike built to give you an efficient off-road ride with a suspension fork that locks out, and smoother-shifting 2×8 drivetrain. It’s made for mountain biking, but it’s also equipped with features like rack and kickstand mounts that make it a great choice for adventurous daily commutes.
Trek Marlin 6 Key Details
It’s right for you if…
– You’re testing the waters of off-road riding, and want a real mountain bike at a great value, with a wide range of gears to cover more ground on the road and trail.
The tech you get
– A lightweight aluminum frame with internal shift cable and brake hose routing to protect your cables and add to the bike’s sleek look, an efficient 2×8 drivetrain, powerful hydraulic disc brakes, and a suspension fork that takes the edge off bumps and rough terrain, plus a lever that lets you easily lock the suspension so you don’t waste energy on smooth terrain.
The final word
– Marlin 6 gives you upgrades you’ll notice on every ride, like the suspension lockout and a really smooth-shifting Shimano drivetrain. Extra-strong, double-walled rims and powerful hydraulic disc brakes give you durability and stopping power for your most rugged adventures on the trail, in town, and everywhere in between.
Why you’ll love it
- The 2x drivetrain gives you all the gears you need and none you don’t
- Smaller frame sizes (XS and S) have short-reach brake levers that make it easier and more comfortable for riders with smaller hands to brake confidently
- Marlin models in XS and S frame sizes have a curved top tube and a lower standover height that makes it easier for smaller riders to mount and dismount
- Rack and kickstand mounts make it easy to accessorize, so your mountain bike can double as a rugged commuter
- Like every model in the Marlin family, it’s backed by Trek’s lifetime warranty
- Trek Marlin 6 is available both as a men-specific and a women-specific bike. First and foremost, in terms of components, they are 100% the same. Both have the same groupset, same brakes, wheels, tires, etc.
Trek Marlin 6 Feature Breakdown
One of Trek Marlin’s main selling points is the freedom of choice it offers. First of all, Marlin 6 is available as both a men’s and women’s version, making it a better fit for both genders.
Size-specific wheels and tires give you the possibility to get the perfect sizing option for your height and inseam. The smallest frames (XS, S) on both men’s and women’s models come with 27.5″ wheels compared to 29″ wheels on the bigger frames.
Then there are colors. Each version of Marlin 6 comes in two colors (four in total), all of which are modern, attractive, and shiny.
The frame is equipped with eyelets for a rear rack, two water bottles, and a kickstand. Thus, you can personalize it to your liking.
Marlin 6, like other Trek Marlin bikes, comes with an Alpha Silver Aluminum frame. This frame is characterized by low weight, comfortable ride, and excellent geometry!
Namely, the two smallest frames (XS, S) have a drop in the top tube, which provides more standover clearance for shorter riders.
Moreover, this bike has a head tube angle of 69.3° to 69.5°, which is right in-between slack and steep. As a result, you’ll get the best of both worlds — swift and responsive maneuverability, as well as good rolling qualities.
The Frame
The frame is the heart and soul of any bike, and really what makes this bike special.
The frame of the Marlin 6 is constructed with TREK’s super strong, proprietary Alpha Silver aluminum and features low-profile, internal routing for cables, disc brake mounts, kickstand mounts, and chainstays.
Hubs & Rims
A pair of Bontrager double-wall Connection rims with Formula DC-22 hubs keep the wheels spinning and provide extra protection against rocks and bramble on the trail.
Trek Marlin Wheels & Tires
The tires are Bontrager, the same ones that come stock with most TREK bikes. Bontrager may be the in-house brand but there’s no corner-cutting here, It’s an excellent quality tire that grips well on a variety of surfaces.
Wheel sizes range from 27.5” to 29” which means there’s a comfortable size for everyone.
Shimano has been making high-end bike parts for years and they provide the powertrain for this Crosscountry bike with an M315 crank and the Altus 310 and 315 for the front and rear gear plates.
The gear ratio is just perfect, no more clunking through slipping and grinding, this set up provides a perfect gear for any situation.
Trek Marlin Brakes
Performance braking is stock on the Marlin with disc brakes from Tektro, the HD M-275, and 276 respectively.
If you’ve never ridden a MTB with disc brakes before, prepare to be impressed with the stopping power.
Forks
This is a really cool feature. Definitely not the silverware that sat on your mother’s table, TREK provides an amazing ride on the Marlin.
Light and Efficient 1x Drivetrain
Marlin 6 is equipped with a 1×10 drivetrain that’s excellent for the trails. It’s lighter than a 3x setup and eliminates all the gears that you’d never use. You end up just all the gears that you need and none that you don’t need.
This drivetrain is fitted with Shimano Deore components. That is a slight upgrade from the previous Shimano Altus components.
Another improvement seen on Trek Marlin 6 compared to its cheaper brothers Marlin 4 and 5 is a better fork. The SR Suntour XCT 30 still offers 100 mm of travel, but comes with some additional functionalities.
Namely, this fork is slightly lighter than the XCE 28, even though it is also fitted with a coil spring. The good news is that it has both a lockout and a preload feature. Therefore, you can lock the fork completely if you’re riding in the city to increase your pedaling efficiency.
- Lever: I-SPEC EV
- Lever Adjustability: 10
- Actuation: Servo Wave
- Caliper: 2 piston, ICE TECHNOLOGIES
- Mount Type: p
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Powerful Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Last but not least, we should mention Marlin 6’s excellent hydraulic disc brakes. Tektro HD-M275 brakes are strong, precise, and durable. They’re coupled with 160 mm rotors both front and back.
These are dual-piston brakes characterized by easy adjustment and easy maintenance. When you adjust them once, you’ll be able to use them in all conditions and get the most out of them.
As we’ve mentioned earlier, Trek Marlin 6 can meet the demands of different types of riders. It’s an excellent cross-country bike that’s suitable for trails, gravel, dirt, and any other unpaved challenge.
It also performs decently well on paved roads, even though it can prove to be sluggish due to burly tires. But you can use it for short urban commutes without any problems.
Marlin 6 is perfect for beginners and occasional adventurers. Even though trails are part of its nature, we wouldn’t use it for anything extreme, such as timed descents, jumps, drops, or rocky singletracks.
