First Look | The New 2020 Marin Rift Zone Carbon Looks Like A Sendy Little Trail Bike

Barely a couple of months ago, Marin released the brand new 2020 Rift Zone; the Californian brand’s short-travel 29er trail platform. Equipped with 130mm of travel up front, 125mm of rear travel, and some juicy geometry numbers like a 65.5° head angle, the Rift Zone joins a new era of enduro-inspired, short-travel trail rippers like the Whyte S-120 and Norco Optic.

As part of the launch, Marin debuted three Rift Zone models based around the same Series 3 alloy frameset. Ranging from $2,399 to $3,899, the alloy Rift Zone models represent darn good value for money, proving that you don’t have to skimp on geometry with an entry-level full suspension mountain bike.

Building upon that same platform, today Marin has announced two new Rift Zone models. These two lovely lookers are designed to elevate the performance bar with the addition of carbon fibre frames, along with higher-end build kits to match.

Enter The Carbon Rift Zone

Marin’s new Rift Zone Carbon is offered in two spec levels: the Rift Zone Carbon 1 and the Rift Zone Carbon 2. Both bikes are built around exactly the same chassis, with a carbon fibre mainframe that’s defined by a chunky tapered head tube and a fanned seat tube. Somehow Marin has been able to cut a unique silhouette in the Rift Zone Carbon – something that is increasingly difficult to do these days as more brands settle on a familiar four-bar suspension platform.

The carbon frame utilises internal cable routing for the dropper post, mech cable and rear brake line. You’ll also find bolt-on belly armour, ISCG 05 chainguide tabs (yee-ha!) and a good ol’ fashioned threaded bottom bracket shell (double yee-ha!).

While the front end is all plastic-fantastic, the back end is constructed from the same hydroformed and welded Series 3 alloy tubes you’ll find on the all-alloy Rift Zone models. For stiffness, big hunks of forged alloy are utilised for the 148x12mm thru-axle dropouts, the chainstay yoke, and the clevis seatstay pivots.

What Kinda Travel We Got?

Exactly the same as the alloy Rift Zone. So there’s a 130mm travel fork up front, and 125mm of travel out back.

However, unlike Marin’s much more complicated Naild R3ACT 2PLAY (sorry for shouting) suspension design found on the divisive Wolf Ridge and Mount Vision models, the Rift Zone utilises a drastically simpler single-pivot suspension design called MultiTrac.

MultiTrac is a rocker-driven, single-pivot suspension layout that Marin has utilised on the Alpine Trail (29in, 150mm) and Hawk Hill (27.5in, 120mm). It may not look anywhere as complicated as the Naild system on the aforementioned Wolf Ridge and Mount Vision models, but suspension doesn’t always have to be complicated.

Looks Slack-As Bro!

That’s because it is mate! The 65.5° head angle is slack for a trail bike in this travel bracket, and Marin has paired that to a reduced-offset fork to increase ground trail for more high-speed calmness.

There’s lots of other impressively modern numbers too. Like the seat tube length, which has been set nice and short to take up to a 175mm travel dropper post, depending on the frame size. The seat tube is also pretty steep at 76°, while the back end is very short at 425mm. Add in long top tube lengths, a stubby 35mm long stem and 780mm wide bars, and the Rift Zone looks quite suitable for A Good Time™.

When Are They Available?

We can expect the two Rift Zone Carbon models to arrive in Australia in January 2020. Marin is distributed locally by Bicycles Online, who sell bikes directly to your door via their online webshop. This means the pricing is pretty darn sharp compared to some of the other big name brands on the market, and it also means that you can expect a small amount of assembly when the bike box arrives.

Both of the Marin Rift Zone Carbon models will come with the same Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR 3C tyre combo, an X-Fusion dropper post, and 4-piston brakes and a 203mm front rotor.

But whereas the Rift Zone Carbon 1 comes with a Marzocchi Bomber Z2 fork and Fox Float DPS shock, the more expensive Rift Zone Carbon 2 moves to a Fox 34 fork and a piggyback DPX2 rear shock. The Rift Zone Carbon 2 also upgrades to Shimano Centerlock hubs, a sweet-looking Deity handlebar, a PNW Loam Lever, and a wider range 10-51T cassette.

2020 Marin Rift Zone Carbon 2

• Frame | Carbon Fibre Mainframe, Series 3 Alloy Rear End, MultiTrac Suspension Design, 125mm Travel
• Fork | Fox 34 Float, Performance Series, GRIP Damper, 44mm Offset, 130mm Travel
• Shock | Fox Float DPX2, Performance Series, EVOL Air Spring, 210x50mm
• Wheels | Shimano Centerlock 32H Hubs & Marin Double Wall Alloy Rims, 29mm Inner Rim Width
• Tyres | Maxxis Minion DHF 3C Maxx Terra EXO+ 2.5in WT Front & Minion DHR II 3C Maxx Terra EXO+ 2.4in WT Rear
• Drivetrain | Shimano SLX/XT 1×12 w/FSA Gradient 32T Crankset & 10-51T Cassette
• Brakes | Shimano SLX M7120 4-Piston, 203mm Front & 180mm Rear Rotors
• Handlebar | Deity Skyline Bar, 25mm Rise, 787mm Wide
• Stem | Marin 3D Forged Alloy, 35mm Long
• Seatpost | X-Fusion Manic w/PNW Loam Lever, Travel: 125mm (S), 150mm (M/L), 175mm (XL)
• RRP | $5,299 AUD

2020 Marin Rift Zone Carbon 2

• Frame | Carbon Fibre Mainframe, Series 3 Alloy Rear End, MultiTrac Suspension Design, 125mm Travel
• Fork | Marzocchi Bomber Z2, RAIL Damper, 44mm Offset, 130mm Travel
• Shock | Fox Float DPS, Performance Series, EVOL Air Spring, 210x50mm
• Wheels | Forged Alloy 32H Sealed Bearing Hubs & Marin Double Wall Alloy Rims, 29mm Inner Rim Width
• Tyres | Maxxis Minion DHF 3C Maxx Terra EXO+ 2.5in WT Front & Minion DHR II 3C Maxx Terra EXO+ 2.4in WT Rear
• Drivetrain | Shimano SLX 1×12 w/FSA GRID 32T Crankset & 11-50T SunRace Cassette
• Brakes | Shimano MT420 4-Piston, 203mm Front & 180mm Rear Rotors
• Handlebar | Marin 6061 Alloy, 28mm Rise, 788mm Wide
• Stem | Marin 3D Forged Alloy, 35mm Long
• Seatpost | X-Fusion Manic w/1X Composite Lever, Travel: 125mm (S), 150mm (M/L), 175mm (XL)
• RRP | $4,199 AUD

So what do you folks think of the new 2020 Marin Rift Zone Carbon? A good looking package for the money? Or not quite your type?

If you’re looking for more info on the 2020 Rift Zone range, then head to the Marin Bikes website, or Bicycles Online. And if you’re digging this new short travel trail rippin’ vibe, take a look at the recently released 2020 Norco Optic and our mid-term review of the 2020 Trek Fuel EX.

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