Marin Bikes has been designing mountain bikes since 1986, taking its name from Marin County, California—widely regarded as one of the birthplaces of modern mountain biking. Over the years, Marin has built a reputation for producing capable trail, enduro and downhill bikes that prioritise confident handling and value for riders who want to tackle demanding terrain.
The Marin Alpine Trail range is Marin's long-travel aluminium enduro platform, designed for riders who spend their time on steep descents, technical natural trails, bike parks and enduro races, while still being efficient enough to pedal back to the top. Featuring 170mm of front suspension, 160mm of rear travel and a mixed-wheel (mullet) setup, the Alpine Trail 1, Alpine Trail 2, and top-tier Alpine Trail XR deliver stability at speed, confidence through rough terrain and agile handling in tighter corners. All three models share the same aggressive intentions and highly adjustable, storage-equipped frame, with the differences coming down to the component specification—ranging from workhorse builds to the XR's premium wireless electronic shifting, elite-level suspension, and ultra-powerful brakes.
Marin Alpine Trail - Comparison Chart
Marin Alpine Trail 1
Priced at £2,399, the Marin Alpine Trail 1 offers an accessible entry into serious enduro riding without compromising on capability. Its X-Fusion Vengeance 170mm fork and X-Fusion H3A Air rear shock provide plenty of travel for absorbing rock gardens, roots and drops, while the Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain is well known for dependable shifting and straightforward maintenance. TRP Slate Evo hydraulic brakes complete the package with powerful stopping performance for steep descents.
The Alpine Trail 1 is an excellent choice for riders stepping into enduro for the first time or anyone looking for a capable full-suspension bike that delivers impressive performance at a more affordable price point. It has the suspension travel and geometry to handle challenging trails while keeping the specification practical and dependable for regular riding.
Marin Alpine Trail 2
At £3,999, the Marin Alpine Trail 2 builds on the same capable platform but upgrades several key components for riders looking for greater performance on demanding terrain. The RockShox Zeb Select+ fork offers increased stiffness and adjustability compared with the X-Fusion fork, while the RockShox Vivid Air Select+ rear shock is designed to provide improved sensitivity and support across rough, high-speed trails.
The specification continues with SRAM Maven Bronze brakes, offering powerful braking performance, alongside a SRAM Eagle 70 drivetrain for smooth and consistent shifting. These upgrades make the Alpine Trail 2 particularly appealing for experienced riders who regularly tackle technical descents, bike park laps or enduro racing and want components that can better withstand repeated hard riding.
Marin Alpine Trail XR
The Marin Alpine Trail XR is a premium, hard-hitting enduro machine built to dominate the steepest, most technical descents while remaining remarkably composed on the climbs. Built around a robust Series 4 aluminum frame, it features a highly adjustable chassis with customizable geometry and integrated "Bear Box" downtube storage, allowing riders to fine-tune their setup for any terrain.
This dream rig pairs elite-level RockShox suspension and heavy-duty SRAM Maven brakes with a mixed-wheel "mullet" configuration for the perfect blend of high-speed stability and nimble cornering. Complete with next-generation Shimano Di2 wireless shifting, the Alpine Trail XR is the ultimate choice for aggressive riders who demand top-tier, uncompromising performance on every run.
Posted by Paul Hoyle on 16th Jul 2026
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