Trek Marlin 8 Gen 2 (2023)

Trek Marlin 8 - Race-ready hardtail at entry-level price

Sporty Cross Country biking is very much back in vogue. Why? Because it's fun to ride a nimble and nippy hardtail over the trails. One like the Marlin 8 from Trek, which can hardly hide its racing genes at first glance: Slim aluminum frame, clean lines, no unnecessary frills. But even at second glance, the budget-friendly Marlin 8 can convince: smooth RockShox suspension fork, modern 1 x 12 drive from the renowned US manufacturer Sram and wheels prepared for tubeless operation. As the icing on the cake, Trek gives the Marlin 8 a set of Maxxis Ardent Race tires from the factory. Even pros swear by them. Service-friendly Shimano disc brakes underline the carefree character and complete the more than reasonable equipment. This is exactly what we love about hardtails.

Trek - Aluminum frame construction with tradition

The US forge Trek is one of the pioneers in the processing of aluminum frames since the eighties. You can therefore rely on a huge know-how. The meticulous processing is also one of the main features of the Marlin 8. In addition, there are coherent details such as internally routed cables and stiff thru-axle system. Even if aluminum weighs slightly heavier than carbon, it is still the most reliable and robust material in frame construction. Practical: Those who also want to use their mountain bike in everyday life will find mounting points on the Marlin frame for accessories such as mudguards and luggage racks. Clever: To ensure that all riders enjoy the optimum seating position and geometry, Trek matches the wheel diameter to the frame size. That's why XS and S frames come with 27.5-inch wheels and the higher models (M to XL) with 29-inch.