Marlin 4 is the perfect gateway to trail riding. It's ideal for new riders who want a mountain bike with knobby tyres, that can double as a rugged commuter. Disc brakes, front suspension, 21 speeds and mounts for a rack and mudguards make this versatile ride an excellent entry point for new trail riders and campus commuters alike.
Cheap bike, cheap components.
What were you expecting?
So what’s the deal here?
It’s cheap!!
I don't know hence I haven't voted on it
Hmm, the Trek website is not saying there is a sale or discount so is that price the RRP then?
Also, the Omara Cycles website only has size XS (rider height of 137-155cm) in stock.
This is the RRP of the 2021 model (the one listed)
The RRP of the 2022 model is $699
Not what I'd consider a bargain.
Exactly this point - all negative comments on the quality of components for this bike aside (although valid), the RRP of the 2021 model is $599 hence there is no deal here whatsoever it's just RRP, and certainly not a bargain.
Guessing it's normally $699 from a quick google?
Nope. 2022 model is $699.
2021 model is $599 rrp https://99spokes.com/en-AU/bikes/trek/2021/marlin-4
Is too much to ask that Trek sell a bike akin to this and add a mid-motor electric fitout at a half-decent price (ie. not 3k+)?
Correct.
This has a freewheel instead of freehub with cassette which requires an entire rear wheel replaced if you want to upgrade from 7 speed to 8 or higher.
Even if you could why would you bother if buying new? Just buy whatever speed you desire to start with.
True but when freewheel is worn out (by the way, freewheel is not serviceable) and you are seriously into mountain biking and want to upgrade, it makes more economical sense to replace the entire bike instead of replacing the wheels and the worn out freewheel. It is a bit like buying a computer that has everything soldered that makes upgrading more difficult down the track.
This has a freewheel instead of freehub
Wow! What happened? I thought Trek was an upmarket brand. Did they go broke and sell their name to a yumcha licensing outfit?
Aside from limited gear range, they are prone to breaking the axle if treated roughly.
This bike is fine to ride to the shops, but heavy for a commute (14kg), fragile for off-road, and certainly no bargain at $600.
Tourney components are similar to the $129 deal I posted.
It's not that 7 gears is insufficinet, more that freewheel is normally only 14-28, while a freehub does 11-32 or more.
I guess Trek wants to have a product for every rider? The discounted Giant Talon 4 in another post is also an entry level mountain bike and is better value for money than this. Aldi special buys bike beats them all in term of value for money.
I bought the aldi special buy bike, it was a real pos
Returned it and bought a talon 1
Twice the cost, 10 times better
Sure, makes sense. Just a surprise to me as Trek used to be an up-market brand, not covering all like Giant.
Anything under $2000 in Treks range are overpriced POS. They are purely aimed at making max profit off of beginner bikers who don't know any better yet and just want to ride a bike with 'Trek' on it.
good luck trying to upgrade it to something decent too, the frame only fits non-boost hubs
Cheap components.