The 2020 / 2021 Marin Rift Zone Carbon 2 is the top of the Rift Zone line up with 5 versions: 3 alloy versions, 2 carbon versions.
This is the bike you'd get if you mix equal parts xc, freeride and enduro. It is a short travel (125mm rear/130mm front) built to be extremely strong and have a geometry you'd expect to see on a 160mm enduro bike.
The result is a snappy bike that rewards riders who enjoy cornering and pumping every roller, landing and dip in the terrain for additional speed.
The steep seat angle allows the rider to sit more comfortably on climbs and not waste energy pulling their body down towards the stem.
The long, but not too long, top-tube and slack, but not too slack headtube balance stability and maneuverability. The short 425mm rear ends make manualing a breeze and tight corners and and down easy.
This bike is a great options if other bikes on your list might include bikes like the Norco Optic with extremely similar geometry, Pivot Trail 429, Ibis Ripley.
This isn't the bike for everybody, but for skilled riders who enjoy feeling the terrain a bit, want to do everything from long trail rides to hitting jump trails, this is a great balance and impressively robust.
Specifications are impressive for the dollar. Fox suspension including a DPX2 rear shock, Shimano SLX/XT drivetrain and brakes, Deity handlebars, Maxxis Tires with Exo+ casing, PNW dropper remote... that is a big list of items that don't need upgrading...
$5499 (Canadian Dollars)
Weight is 30 lbs.
