Marin Rift Zone

80/100
BikeRide Score
?
Where to buy
We earn affiliate commission. Learn more
Bike Size Charts

BikeRide finds and shows you the best prices of the bikes you want to buy. Prices constantly change and it’s impossible to compare them all yourself.

We search for prices on over 120 bike retailers to guarantee that we find the lowest prices – to save you time and money.

It’s a promise we stand behind: If you find a lower price on a bike elsewhere, we will sell it to you for 10% less. For example, if you find a bike for $480 that we have listed at $500, we will offer you to buy it for $432 through BikeRide. The bike must be the same color and size, sold in the US and not include the use of a coupon.

If you find a lower price, email us at [email protected] with documentation of the price. We’re committed to making sure that the cost of a bike does not keep you from cycling!

Facts

Gender
Release Year
Brand
Wheel Size
Number of Gears
Gearing Type
Weight
32.25 lb
Suspension
Brake Type
Frame Material

Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Marin Rift Zone. In summary, this is what cyclists think.

14 reasons to buy

  • The Marin Rift Zone is an affordable trail bike that can take on cross-country and enduro terrain.
  • Experts found the bike to be precise and accurate when cornering at speed.
  • The X Fusion Manic dropper post worked well. Test riders described it as smooth and flawless.
  • The Rift Zone’s high bottom bracket allows plenty of clearance for its 175mm cranks.
  • Marin uses an easy-to-maintain, threaded bottom bracket on the Rift Zone.
  • The geometry of the bike allows riders to easily shift their weight for a balanced ride.
  • Short chainstays and wide handlebars provide riders with control through tight and twisty trails.
  • Marin utilizes a PNW Loam dropper lever on the bike. Test riders were impressed by this upgrade, as the lever has a wide and easy to use paddle.
  • The Rift Zone's 76° seat tube angle places riders in a position that's ideal for generating power.
  • The bike has integrated downtube and chainstay protection.
  • Experts were pleased to find that brake levers are adjustable without a tool.
  • There is room for a water bottle on the Marin Rift Zone.
  • The Rift Zone is compatible with a coil shock.
  • With short chainstays, riders found it easy to manual on the bike.

2 reasons not to buy

  • Experts agree that Vee Flow Snap tires are slow and heavy.
  • One tester found the Fox DPX2 shock was hard to adjust on the Rift Zone.

Bottom line

With this level of components and an affordable price, the Marin Rift Zone is a great all-around mountain bike for beginners. It provides riders with 125mm of travel in the rear and 130mm of travel up front. The bike excels on descents and climbs sufficiently. It has room for a water bottle and uses integrated chainstay and downtube protection. Test riders' only major complaint about the Rift Zone is that Marin opted to spec it with cumbersome Vee Flow Stop tires.

Expert Reviews

77/100 based on 4 rated expert reviews
80
off-road.cc

Marin Rift Zone 2 2020 Review

The Marin Rift Zone 2 is a 125mm full suspension trail bike that will please riders and wallets.

Visit full review
80

Marin Rift Zone Carbon 2 review

So, if you’re a trail centre hero, an occasional bike park dweller, someone who rides all-day gnarly enduro epics or just a natural singletrack shredder, I reckon the Rift Zone has to be a top contender for your cash.

Visit full review
79

Marin Rift Zone Carbon 2 Review

This shorter-travel 29er has 125mm of rear suspension, a 130mm fork, and a progressive geometry that ticks all of the boxes.

Visit full review
70
Mountain Bike Rider

Marin Rift Zone Carbon 2 Review

Every time we rode the Marin Rift Zone Carbon 2, we couldn’t help but feel that it would make a much better 140mm bike. At 14.49kg, in stock trim, it’s just a little too heavy and the tyres too slow, so you don’t gain the increases in efficiency often associated with a short-travel trail bike.

Visit full review

Mountain Bike Under $2,000 with MODERN Geometry – 2020 Marin Rift Zone 2 Review

This is the newest iteration of the fun and capable Rift Zone line.

Visit full review
Straight Line MTB

Marin Rift Zone 3 Review

I think this is a great bike to start. This is a great starter bike or a one option bike.

Visit full review
Matty Johnson

Marin Rift Zone 1 | Test Ride and Review | Feat. TrailFeatures | Great Budget Full Suspension?!

That thing is a beast.

Visit full review
Loading…
Drew Zilardo

2020 Marin Rift Zone 1 Review, Sedona, AZ GoPro Hero 9

Overall, this bike is really awesome for the price especially. Its got a really good spec.

Visit full review
Down to Ride MTB

3 Months with the Marin Rift Zone 2

I don’t regret buying the Rift Zone 2.

Visit full review

Marin Rift Zone 3 Review

It’s more of like an XC bike, but meant to be ridden a little bit more aggressively and it prefers to go downhill.

Visit full review
Richard Duckworth

2020/2021 Marin Rift Zone Carbon Review (Medium 29er)

It’s got 29” wheels and a 65 degree head angle. It rides pretty well.

Visit full review
David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

Made for Fun! Marin Rift Zone Carbon 2 Review

I think it’s pretty good for the money. You got a good Shimano choice big groupset, got good tires.

Visit full review

2021 Marin Rift Zone 2 Overview 4K

Really good beginners bike though, this is me just starting out in the sport.

Visit full review

Enduro on a Trailbike – Marin Rift Zone Carbon

It feels playful and there’s no problems you know with jibbing around, jumping and stuff.

Visit full review
Mountain Bike Action

Marin Rift Zone 3 Custom

At the end of the day, we were quite surprised how much performance we were able to extract from an aluminum frame with high-end parts versus a carbon frame with mid-level ones.

Visit full review

Review: Marin Rift Zone Carbon 2 – Modern Geometry for Maximum Fun

Short travel meets big bike geometry is an emerging trend, and the new Marin Rift Zone Carbon is an exciting addition to a growing list of choices with a sorted specification for the money.

Visit full review

Marin’s Rift Zone Carbon 2 Is a Mid-Range Bike with a Lot to Love

The Rift Zone Carbon 2 has great parts, dialed geometry, and a nice ride. But the competition is tough.

Visit full review

User Ratings

80/100 based on 1 ratings
  • 5 star
    0%
  • 4 star
    100%
  • 3 star
    0%
  • 2 star
    0%
  • 1 star
    0%

Rankings

Compared to other bikes
#97 Best Mountain
Bottom 20%
#23 Best Cross Country
Bottom 20%
#11 Best Marin Bike
Bottom 30%
#583 Best of All Bikes
Bottom 20%

Bike Comparison

Marin Rift Zone in comparison to averages

Forum Discussions

Discuss which bike to choose in the forum