The 2020 Trek Marlin range has been released and has seen some upgrades. This is an entry level hardtail mountain bike, but it has seen improvements in its frame, components and design.
It is worth noting at this point, that the Trek Marlin has proper mountain bike geometry. This is quite rare for beginner mountain bikes.
Frames
The frame has been totally updated for 2020. All the bikes have the Alpha Silver Aluminium frame apart from the Marlin 4. This brings its geometry and weight closer to the X-Caliber, which is a cross country race bike. It has internal cable routing to protect the cables and to give it a nice and tidy look. If you decide to upgrade to a dropper seat post, the internal cable routing is ready and waiting for it too.
Other Upgrades and Features
The 2020 Trek Marlin has upgraded contact points. Lock on grips, a comfy saddle and low profile pedals all enhance the riding experience. They should also give a new rider a confidence inducing feel.
All the models in the range come with 100mm forks, disc brakes and a simple, durable drivetrain. These features are a similar style to what you would find on a cross country race bike. This means pedalling will be smooth and efficient. It will cope with trail centre trails with no problem, but the higher end versions will be more comfortable.
One notable feature that the Marlin has (as do all Trek bikes), is the lifetime warranty. This adds a value for money to an already well priced bike.
For 2020, Trek have released women’s specific bikes in the Marlin range. These have the same geometry and components, but they have grips, handlebars, pedals and seats designed for women. This replaces the Trek Skye range of bikes.
Wheels and Brakes
Mountain bike wheel sizes are always worth looking at when you are buying a bike. The Marlin has different wheel sizes for different frame sizes. The extra small and small sizes have 27.5″ wheels and everything above a medium, has 29″ wheels. This means that smaller riders will find the bike easy to change direction.
The hydraulic disc brakes and internal cable routing are features that are usually found on more expensive bikes.
Things to Consider When Choosing
- This is a hardtail bike aimed at people that want a bike for transport, as well as for having fun off-road on a budget. For riders that are planning on using it for just trail riding, it this should be fine and you will have a lot of fun on it, but very rough terrain or downhill trails will be tricky.
- Although the pedals have been improved from previous models, you may find that you want better ones. This is quite standard practice for new bikes, as they usually come with pedals that are not particularly grippy.
- Smaller frame sizes come with short-reach brake levers. These make it easier for riders with small hands to brake.
2020 Trek Marlin 5
The Marlin 5 is the entry level version of this hardtail. It is suited to riding daily as a commuter, but it also works well on the trails. This makes it a very good value for money bike at £395. Therefore, if you are looking for a reliable commuter bike that can hold its own on an off road trail, this is worth considering. The light frame and 21 gears make this an efficient bike to pedal and the hydraulic disc brakes give it plenty of stopping power.
The fact that the Marlin 5 comes with a kickstand, should give you an idea of what it is designed for. But, it is a low priced mountain bike that is suitable as a mode of transport, no matter what the surface you are riding on is.
Specifications
| Weight | 17.5˝ – 14.56 kg / 32.1 lbs (with tubes) |
| Frameset | |
| Frame | Alpha Silver Aluminium, internal derailleur, dropper post and brake routing, chainstay brake mount, rack and kickstand mount, G2 Geometry on 29ers |
| Front suspension | SR Suntour XCE 28, coil spring, preload, G2 Geometry w/51 mm offset on 29ers, 100 mm travel (13.5: 80 mm travel) |
| Wheels | |
| Front Hub | Formula DC20 alloy |
| Rear Hub | Formula DC31 alloy |
| Rims | Bontrager Connection 32-hole double-walled |
| Tires | Bontrager XR2, 29×2.20˝ front, 29×2.0˝ rear (13.5 & 15.5: 27.5×2.20˝) |
| Drivetrain | |
| Shifters | Shimano Altus M310, 7 speed |
| Front derailleur | Shimano Tourney TY300 |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Tourney TY300 |
| Crank | Shimano Tourney TY301, 42/34/24 |
| Bottom bracket | Sealed cartridge, 73 mm |
| Cassette | Shimano TZ500, 14-28, 7–speed |
| Chain | KMC Z51 |
| Pedals | VP-536 nylon platform |
| Components | |
| Saddle | Bontrager Arvada |
| Seatpost | Bontrager alloy, 2-bolt head, 31.6 mm, 12 mm offset |
| Handlebar | Bontrager alloy, 31.8 mm, 5 mm rise, 720 mm width (13.5: 690 mm width) |
| Stem | Bontrager alloy, 31.8 mm, 7-degree, Blendr compatible |
| Grips | Bontrager XR Endurance Comp |
| Headset | 1-1/8˝ threadless, semi-integrated, semi-cartridge bearings |
| Brakeset | Tektro HD-275 hydraulic disc (13.5 & 15.5: Tektro HD-276 short reach lever) |
Trek Marlin 6
The 2020 Trek Marlin 6 is a bit more of a mountain bike than the 5. It is actually an entry level cross country bike. That doesn’t mean that you can’t use it as a commuter too though. This is because it comes with the mounts for a kickstand, mud guards and rack.
It has a wide range of gears for fast and easy pedalling on any surface you need to ride on. It is running a 2 x 8 drivetrain. Which is rare for a bike in this price range, as they normally have a triple chainring up front. The advantage you get with this is, there is less chance of you chain coming off on bumpy terrain and you can change gear quicker.
This version of the Marlin has a suspension lock out feature. This means you can stop the suspension bouncing when you are riding roads or climbing, to make pedalling more efficient.
Specifications
| Frame | Alpha Silver Aluminium, internal routing, chainstay disc-brake mount, rack and kickstand mount, 135×5 mm QR |
| Fork | SR Suntour XCT 30, coil spring, preload, hydraulic lockout, 51mm offset for 29″ wheel, 100 mm QR, 100 mm travel |
| Front suspension | SR Suntour XCT 30, coil spring, preload, hydraulic lockout, 51mm offset for 29″ wheel, 100 mm QR, 100 mm travel |
| Front Hub | Formula DC-20, alloy, 6-bolt, 5×100 mm QR |
| Rear Hub | Formula DC-22, alloy, 6-bolt, Shimano 8/9/10 freehub, 135×5 mm QR |
| Rims | Bontrager Connection, double-wall, 32-hole, 20 mm width, Schrader valve |
| Tires | Bontrager XR3 Comp, wire bead, 30 tpi, 29×2.20″ |
| Shifters | Shimano Altus M315, 8-speed |
| Front derailleur | Shimano Altus M315, 34.9 mm clamp, top swing, dual pull |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Altus M310 |
| Crank | Shimano M315, 36/22 |
| Bottom bracket | VP BC73, 73 mm, threaded cartridge |
| Cassette | Shimano HG31, 11-34, 8-speed |
| Chain | KMC Z8.3, 8-speed |
| Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, steel rails |
| Seatpost | Bontrager alloy, 31.6 mm, 12 mm offset |
| Handlebar | Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 5mm rise |
| Stem | Bontrager alloy, 31.8 mm, Blendr-compatible, 7-degree |
| Grips | Bontrager XR Endurance Comp |
| Headset | Semi-integrated, 1-1/8″ |
| Pedals | Not Included |
Trek Marlin 7
The 2020 Trek Marlin 7 is mountain bike that is at home on a commute as it is in a cross country race. It has a higher quality fork and components to reflect its racing ability. This is the flagship model of the Marlin range, with a RockShox fork equipped with a lock out and 27 speed drivetrain.
This bike is designed to take on long distances over smooth and rough terrain, either for fun or for racing. Priced at just £550, this is a very good value for money mountain bike.
Specifications
| Frame | Alpha Silver Aluminum, internal routing, chainstay brake mount, kickstand mount, G2 Geometry on 29ers |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox XC 30, coil spring, preload, TurnKey hydraulic lockout, G2 Geometry w/51mm offset on 29ers, 100mm travel (13.5: 80mm travel) |
| Front Derailleur | Shimano Altus M2000 |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Acera M3000, Shadow |
| Number of Gears | 27 |
| Shifters | Shimano MT100, 40/30/22 |
| Chain set | Shimano Altus M2000 |
| Bottom Bracket | Sealed cartridge |
| Cassette | Shimano HG20, 11-34, 9 speed |
| Chain | KMC X9 |
| Pedals | Not Supplied |
| Brakeset | Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc (13.5 & 15.5: Tektro HD-M276 short reach lever) |
| Handlebars | Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 5mm rise |
| Stem | Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 7 degree, Blendr compatible |
| Headset | 1-1/8″ threadless, semi-integrated, semi-cartridge bearings |
| Grips | Bontrager XR Trail Comp, nylon lock-on |
| Rims | Bontrager Connection 32-hole double-walled |
| Front Hub | Formula DC20 alloy |
| Rear Hub | Formula DC22 alloy |
| Tyres | Bontrager XR2, 29×2.20″ (13.5 & 15.5: 27.5×2.20″) |
| Saddle | Bontrager Arvada |
| Seatpost | Bontrager alloy, 2-bolt head, 31.6mm, 12mm offset |
| Weight | 17.5˝ – 14.35 kg |
What do you think?
Are you tempted to go for a 2020 Trek Marlin? Do you have experience with Trek bikes? I would love to know your opinions, thoughts and questions. Please leave them in the comments section below.
Thanks for the article about the latest Trek Marlin mountain bikes available (and the reminder about the lifetime warranty). It’s helpful that you’ve pointed out which bikes are good options for someone who wants to both be able to take it on the trail and to use as a daily commuter. Many people don’t have the space for more than one bike so it’s great to find options that will work in a variety of environments and conditions!
Hi Aly,
Thanks for your comment. It is a good versatile bike for novice riders.
Definitely tempted with this bike; it’s a great one that I can use pretty much anywhere from the sound of it, and with a decent price like 395, it’s something that won’t break the bank, either. I have no real experience with Trek bikes, but this one looks like a real ringer. I like how it’s versatile for those of us who are smaller, too.
Hi Todd,
Thanks for your comment. It is well priced and well made. I wouldn’t be suitable for big downhill trails with jumps and drops, but it would be good for most novice riders.
I would be interested in seeing how the internal cable routing for the dropper post is accomplished on the Marlin 7″
Hi John,
If you look at this YouTube video, the guy shows you how it is routed. https://youtu.be/-Fg5M_Hygzo?t=342
Thanks
Tom
I just got my new 2020 Marlin 7 Emerald/Iris and no holes.
Major disappointment in Trek, but the claim is that they changed them for 2020. Apparently the derailleur being used mounts over the reinforcement area and the brilliant engineers decided to just nix it. Thoroughly disappointed.
That is good to know. Thanks for sharing, it is great to get information from customers positive and negative.