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What do you want from your MTB? Is it a bike that you can take to work every day? Something light that you can easily transport if needed, something with multiple speeds that will allow you to commute with ease?
Or are you after an adventure, a bike that you can have fun with? If you live near mountain trails, for example, you might want a bike that can handle a few bumps in the road. In that case, you’ll want something tough with great suspension that can easily deal with tougher terrain.
Bottom Line Up Front: So, we would recommend it overall (you can pick it up online directly via Trek here) – particularly if you’re on a tighter budget and you want to upgrade it later on down the line. It’s one of the best out of the box budget buys.
The Marlin 6 is a GREAT budget pick to get started. An excellent all-around mountain bike, with room for plenty of cusomizations and upgrades later. Only if you need it.
Table of Contents
How does Trek stack up against other companies?
Trek is known as a brand to be trusted. Thanks to years of quality craftsmanship and its long alliance with Lance Armstrong, Trek is considered to be a solid brand in the mountain bike space.
In terms of price, Trek offer a range of different options – from around $450 for the FX (a basic hybrid bike) right up to $12,500 for the Madone SLR 9 Disc brakes eTap suspension lockout (a state-of-the-art racing bike). The Marlin 6 is on the lower end of the price scale.
Trek are quite similar to Diamondback in their price range. Although Trek do offer a lot of expensive bikes (which is to be expected given their expertise), they have more budget options than Fuji and Cannondale.
What kind of bike is the Marlin 6?
Trek Marlin 6 is designed to be a multi-purpose real mountain bike: it’s built with mountain biking trails in mind, but it’s also great for commuters, with extra features like rack and fender mounts.
It could be the perfect choice for you if you want to hit the trails at the weekend, but also need a bike to commute to work in the week. It’s not built to go downhill or for heavy trails, however.
It’s also an entry-level bike (for mountain biking) – this means it’s a lot more affordable than some other bikes on the market.
The Main Features of the Marlin 6
Let’s take a look at some of the features of the Marlin 6.
What is the Trek Marlin 6 made from?
The Marlin 6 is made from aluminum, making it a pretty lightweight bike. There are seven sizes to choose from, so you should be able to find one that fits you. It comes in orange or silver.
What are the wheels like?
Depending on which size you buy, the wheels are either 27in or 29in – this is to help the larger bikes to have a smoother ride (with minimal impact to standover height). This is great because the larger wheels allow you to have a better riding experience on slightly rougher terrain. The wheels are heavy, however, which caused some users problems as they tried to pick up speed.
The wheels are Bontrager Connection 32-hole double-walled, and the tires are Bontrager XR2.
What other features does it have?
The Marlin 6 is designed to be able to handle lighter trails and cross country moderate terrain – so you won’t be able to hit the hardcore trails with this one. It does offer multiple gears (24 speeds / shift levers) with a rack and fender mount, however, which makes it ideal for commuting or mixed use riders.
How does the Trek Marlin 6 perform?
Some people found the Marlin 6 to be a little stiff and unresponsive, with the wheels reducing the responsiveness quite drastically at times. This makes it less comfortable to ride on trails, as it doesn’t seem to perform well on drops, with limited softening. However, in terms of riding on smoother, flatter terrain, it seems to perform nicely. A great entry level bike for mountain biking.
Check out how Marlin 6 Compares to Marlin 7.
What are the specs of the Marlin 6?
In terms of specifications, here are the main things you need to know:
- Fork – SR Suntour XCT fork, 100-mm travel fork
- Crankset – Shimano
- Derailleurs – Shimano Altus
- Brakes – Tektro M290 disc brakes (hydraulic disc brakes and brake levers)
- Saddle – Bontrager Evoke 1
What warranty will I receive if I buy it?
Like all Trek bikes, once you register it, you get a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.
What’s the price range of the Trek Marlin 6?For the Marlin 6, you’re looking at paying around $650 (check the Trek site here directly for discounts), which makes it pretty affordable. However, some people found that they needed a few upgrades to make it perform better, which obviously racks up the cost a bit. However, if you’re happy with it the way it is, it’s a good price point. |
Trek Marlin 6 is suited for…
- Riders on a tight budget but want a versatile crossover bike
- Those who want to try a bit of trail riding but also need a bike to commute to work/ride on flatter terrains (cross country mountain bike)
- A solid floor of great performance (from great brakes, excellent drivetrain, dropper post, silver aluminum alloy…)
Trek Marlin 6 is not suited for…
- Anyone wanting to tackle tougher trails
- Those that don’t want to upgrade/change parts on their bike to improve the riding experience
The Marlin 6 is a GREAT budget pick to get started. An excellent all-around mountain bike, with room for plenty of cusomizations and upgrades later. Only if you need it.
What do users think of Trek Marlin 6?
There are a range of views here. Many people find that it works very well on flatter ground, and they enjoy the large wheels and multiple speeds. Quite a few users decided to change the grips and pedals (for different types of pedaling), which made riding the Marlin 6 a bit more enjoyable.
Generally, it’s considered a good bike for the price, and people say it is a good bike for customization – so if you want a bit of a ‘blank slate’, you can tinker with it to your heart’s content.
On the other hand, people found that braking and sudden turns put stress on the suspension fork legs, making them stick – and that it generally feels like a stiff, not very responsive ride on trails. Small jumps and dips in the trail were quite unforgiving for some people, which is a shame. A few people mentioned that the undampened suspension also made for a less comfortable riding experience on trails.
So, mixed opinions – it could work for you if you want to give trails a go, or if you’re willing to customize it, but it’s mostly suited for commuting (with kickstand and all).
The Pros and Cons of the Trek Marlin 6
Here are the best and worst bits about this particular model:
Pros:
- Great price point (see here for latest)
- Very customizable
- Handy for commuting
Cons:
- Doesn’t ride as well on trails
- Can be a bit stiff and unforgiving
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly asked questions about the Marlin 6.
It weighs around 31.77lbs.
The maximum weight for riders is 300lbs.
People suggest you can ride the Marlin 6 on blue and green level trails with no problems. However, there may be more suitable bikes out there for you if you plan to hit the trails a lot.
Most users don’t recommend it – it can deal with small drops okay, but it isn’t designed for jumps.
Yes – it comes in a variety of sizes, too, so you should be able to find one that suits you.
Yes, there are two choices – orange and silver.
Where can I find Trek bikes?
What are the Best Trek Marlin 6 alternatives?
There are a few alternatives we can recommend if you don’t want the Marlin 6:
Diamondback Overdrive – This is a great bike at a similar price point to the Marlin 6. The wheels have great traction (making it great for trail riding), and it has a comfortable seat. It’s also very easy to assemble out of the box, making it a good choice for beginners.
The classic returns this year with 27.5” wheels, 24 speeds, a plush four-inch Suntour suspension fork, and powerful disc brakes. Big knobby tires grip every root and rock, keeping you confident and in control as you explore the trail. Whether you're a diehard hardtail aficionado or looking for a solid starter mountain bike, the Overdrive doesn't disappoint.
Trek Marlin 5 – This is great for beginner riders and offers similar features to the Marlin 6, including the alpha silver aluminum frame. You can get it for as little as around $500, which is great if you’re on a tight budget. Again, it’s great if you want a bike that can handle the commute (commuter road riding) as well as some mild-to-moderate mountain bike trails (road and trail).
Marlin 5 is a trail-worthy daily rider that's perfectly suited for everyday adventures, on and off the trail. A front suspension fork with 100mm of travel, 21 speeds, and mounts for a rack and kickstand make it an ideal choice for new trail riders or anyone looking for a comfortable, stable commuter with the ruggedness of a real mountain bike.
Kona Blast – this is a tough bike that comes in at under $1,000 but can handle some tougher trails than the others on this list, thanks to the robust frame sizes (also aluminum frame) and excellent suspension. It can also handle some good jumps, too, so if you want to go on more adventures with your bike, it could be worth the extra money.
Conclusion – is the Trek Marlin 6 worth buying?
The Marlin 6 is going to appeal to a specific type of person. If you’re on a tight budget, you want a bike that can handle mild trails and you want to use it to commute to work, then the Marlin 6 is a great bike for you.
Also, if you’re willing to tinker around with it, you can slowly upgrade it to improve your riding experience over time. This is a great bike if you’re new to the MTB world and you fancy customizing a bike for the first time (as a more novice rider).
However, you do get what you pay for, and in this case, this budget bike doesn’t stack up very well against its more expensive counterparts. It’s not as fun to ride as other bikes we’ve reviewed, especially on rocky, bumpy trails. If you want a hard-wearing bike that you can have an adventure with, the Marlin 6 isn’t going to be for you.
Bottom Line: So, we would recommend it overall (you can pick it up online directly via Trek here) – particularly if you’re on a tighter budget and you want to upgrade it later on down the line. It’s one of the best out of the box budget buys.
If you can afford to spend a few hundred more dollars and you don’t want to bother with customization, we’d recommend investing in a different model that is a bit more comfortable to ride such as the Diamondback Overdrive.
The Marlin 6 is a GREAT budget pick to get started. An excellent all-around mountain bike, with room for plenty of cusomizations and upgrades later. Only if you need it.
