2022 Marin Bobcat Trail 4 | Best Value Hardtail MTB? (First Ride Review)

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

It's Muh-Rin!

[@murrijuana2842]

Honestly dude. That bike looks terrible.

[@Kiles-Fortnite]

My dad pronounces it mayor-in

[@johnchamp849]

I just bought one. Great bike! Just what I want. Ride Road/Bikepath/Trail & it is perfect. 75 years old & loving it! 🚴‍♀️🐬

[@GregAspenson]

Just purchased the Marin Bobcat Trail 3, should get it in about 10 days, really looking forward to riding it. Your videos were really helpful in my decision making. Was going between this and the Polygon Xtrada.

[@simocampo344]

Nice one! It would be great to see you include content on the changes/upgrades you make. A new fork and dropper will be awesome. Short chain stays make for great fun on hardtails. Rip those corners!

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Fork, Dropper and Tires and this thing will shred! Keen to see which upgrades make the most difference

[@microtechmachineshop]

i just got one this year ive never owned a new bike my whole life and i love it will upgrade a few things over the winter

[@davidharris1451]

Hey thanks for a great video. As an absolute beginner I’ve been watching your reviews to get an idea of what to look for in my first bike and they have been super helpful. I used your link and decided to go with the Marin bobcat after watching this. Thanks again!

[@MikeOnaBike]

Amazing price! Great to see Marin coming out with some microshift drivetrain bikes. The new Muirwoods would be a great gravel bike.

[@markhulbert3726]

I have the 2020 BC trail 4, which I’ve converted to 1x9 Advent microShift, xfusion dropper and a Suntour Epixon air fork, 140mm travel and tubeless. I love it.

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Awesome! Sounds Dialed! Did you go to a tapered fork?

[@markhulbert3726]

@@trailtalkmtb6603 no just straight 1-1/8. If I replace this fork I’ll go tapered.

[@jurisx85]

Sounds awsome. I have the bobcat trail 3. Put on a Epixon 120mm, crankbrothers dropper, and pedals, and a 2.5 wtb vigilante on the front, and Kenda Rogolith 2.4 ok the rear. And I really don’t think there’s a better bike on the market on that price range. Upgrades and all.

[@seanhine6929]

Great video which helped me make a decision on a bike. Ended up ordering the Bobcat Trail 5

[@davidcox5253]

Would love to see a Marin Alpine Trail Carbon 2 review!

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Maybe one day!

[@WOLFTICKVIDEOS]

New bike day is always a great day!

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

100%!!!

[@RideyRodney]

I jumped on a trail hard tail recently for a hot lap of Manly Dam and loved it. Totally different experience with line choice critical. Looks like the Bobcat just manages to sneak into fun trail category. Tough without a dropper, surely that’s got to be one of the first upgrades.

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

For all the legal trails in Sydney, a hardtail would be awesome! I had so much fun. No dropper at the dam would be tough! At trail centre style descents like this it was too bad but as soon as there's a pinch climb you're screwed!

[@MikeOnaBike]

Hardtails handle most things in Sydney, save for Mt Narra where they struggles.

[@matthewd1963]

@@MikeOnaBike is that true? Currently trying to decide between hardtail or dual for my first bike (35M 105kg 5'7). My local bike shop dude thinks hardtail is fine for most of Sydney but almost everyone is running dual suspension 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@RyanAggabao]

@@matthewd1963 Complete opposite side of the world here, but my local bike shop says the same thing -- everything in this American state of Ohio is rideable on a hardtail. KZbin channel Path Less Pedaled puts it akin to, everyone overbikes to overcome newbishness, then trail becomes boring.

[@jeffv.akaonsjeffke9865]

Nice review !!! A good entry bike for those who do not want to leave a fortune to start a sport.

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Couldn't agree more!

[@robbaker-05n]

So add dropper seat, upgrade front end and swap out hubs for through axles and then maybe the brakes?

[@peterharris3096]

There are a ton of videos about this bike and yours is a standout. No bull and proper rider knowledge. I,m getting on a bit but I buy this as my first 29er or 27.5 to replace my old 26ers

[@benfairbrother2458]

Hi Phil, good to see another upload! Would speculation towards an all-new siskiu n for 2022 be accurate? The frame is a bit old and the rest of the siskiu range has been listed for 2022. And would a new bike have a new suspension platform like that if the Mt. bromo?

[@joshuamei7465]

I have the 2022 Siskiu T8 and as far as I know it is exactly the same apart from the stem and headset.

[@benfairbrother2458]

@@joshuamei7465 yeah that’s my point, for the t and d there is the “2022 model” that is exactly the same apart from a few parts or paint. But not the siskiu n, and because it hasn’t been updated in a while, I thought they might do an all-new design

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Hey Ben, unfortunately, no update at the moment. I know it has been harder to source all the parts for the N builds over the past year, so it may be that too

[@cutlaps]

That looks like a fun trail to test ride. 🤘

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Good fun for something close to home! Only problem is, it's too short!

[@WOLFTICKVIDEOS]

Great job doing a Realtime Review, it's not easy to do😉.

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

haha definitely! I'm not fit enough to do it well!

[@akmcdowell1]

Hi Phil, love the videos. Can you explain more about the tapered fork?

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Thanks! So if you install and EC44 external lower headset cup, it will give you clearance to run a tapered for (in theory, we will see how we go on this one though)

[@ibby81ae]

Do a video on merida big trail 600 vs trek roscoe 7 2022.

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

If I can get a hold of them definitely! Need trek and Merida to send me one! Bug them on IG hahaha

[@ibby81ae]

@@trailtalkmtb6603 lol 😆 how about a review on paper, like spec comparison? We all respect your opinion 💯 and knowledge on bikes. , Please....

[@dotubebros861]

Looking forward to some aggressive hard tail reviews have you got any coming out soon?

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

After riding this, I'm open to doing some more hardtails reviews. A bit strapped for cash at the moment but if any companies are keen I'd be more than happy to!

[@edzeppelin933]

@@trailtalkmtb6603 so happy to hear this!

[@marcstolk6682]

@@trailtalkmtb6603 I reckon the Big Trail 500 is great candidate. I have this and it's super versatile and it rips! It's a hidden gem in the market imho

[@benjanameldt]

Hey Phil, thanks for the great practical videos, you do a great job. I lived close to where you moved, a nice place in the world. Mate what do you reckon about the 2021 Polygon Xtrada 6 1x11 - Mountain Bike as comparison to the 2022 BT4 for another $100? Love a comparison with another 2 bikes in that $1200aud price range too, the Trek Marlin 7 with Rockshox fork and the Giant Talon 1. Love your comments and or another video on these entry level bikes for beginners. Thanks heaps mate

[@rcast3763]

Yes, I'm in the same boat. It would be great if you can do this!

[@gpearce11]

This seems like an awesome beginner bike. I do think the BT4 is the sweet spot in the range, as the performance gap between 3 and 4 seems bigger than the gap between 4 and 5. Considering that all three models need aftermarket dropper posts, I'd put the $300 saved getting the 4 on a BrandX Ascend dropper (125/150mm $255, XL 170/200mm $275. Remote included). I know personally I'd happily downgrade from a 1x11 Shimano groupset to a 1x9 Microshift/Tektro groupset if it meant I got a 200mm dropper post as part of the deal (especially since almost every bike under $3K doesn't come with more than a 170mm dropper out of the box). I know the BT5 also comes with a better fork (XCM vs XCR32), but I'd still need to upgrade it regardless, so I didn't factor that into the comparison.

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Spot on! I agree, the Bobcat Trail 4 is the best value in the line. The advent 9 has great range!

[@JustTex]

Looks very similar to the norco storm1 , which is the same price around $1100 but comes with a 1 x 12 and a dropper post (which is awesome). A shame you need to upgrade straight away with a entry level bike, but then again people spend thousands and still upgrade components straight away.. Cheers 4 sahring your new ride.

[@Schoolchugs]

How can I add a tapered fork? what is an external cup, can you enlighten me? I want to get a new tapered fork.

[@guyuziely241]

Well-made and super insightful, thanks for sharing! When you say the sizing is roomy, do you mean the sizes are relatively big? I’m 170 with a 76.5 inseam (slightly short for my hight) and 59 arm length (relatively long for my hight). Do you think the Bobcat in M would be a good fit? Thanks!!

[@mikiyosangyo1627]

The best thing to do is to try out one by yourself - visit your local and take a ride. This what we did with my son, and we ended up with two Bobcats (XL and M) - great bikes!

[@JustDooItDude]

Just bought a 2021 Marin bobcat trail 4!!!! I haven’t ridin a bike since I was riding a 20” bmx in my teens!!! I’m so excited!!!! Any advice to upgrade????

[@forzer456]

Great video series, the big trail 200 would be a good comparison. Almost same components but different frame geo.

[@tom_mtb1025]

Hi Phil. Can pls try and do a review on the norco sight a3

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Ive ridden one briefly. Great option if you have fast open trails. On medium to slow speed stuff, I did notice it was a bit too much work to get around corners. One for the piners!

[@tom_mtb1025]

@@trailtalkmtb6603 ok thanks

[@davidh7414]

1:04 - chainstay seems a bit short for a 29er?

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Id say on the more moderate side. A fair few bikes with 10mm shorter stays (my siskiu T8). I believe the Marin Rift Zone is 15mm shorter!

[@Tim180500]

Great vid! Thoughts on the Bobcat 4 vs Merida big trail 200?

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Thanks! Hmmmm. At typical prices, Id say the bobcat trail. but the 99 bikes gold price on the Big Trail is very tough to pass up. Especially considering you have a tapered headtube and thru axles in the rear.

[@matthewvanessathorburn7367]

I've ordered the Merida Big Trail 200 as my first mountain bike in about 20 years, hoping it's a good bike.

[@melainkinney7213]

i have the marin wildcat 3 (women's version of the bobcat) the 2x8 it had to go found it useless trouble some seemed like it shifted poorly seemed clunky . i found the bike not to be fun till i got rid of the 2x8 i installed a 1x9 i enjoy the heck out of the little bike takes some decent abuse .i'm a short trail rider under 32 miles a day weekends i play longer . a fork upgrade would be my next move also but as a entry level for the price i paid at going out business sale i cant complain so the 1x9 upgrade was not a loss and if the 2022 come with 1x9 no one will know my bike was a 2021 . i still have a lot of fun bumping past the younger crowd /

[@rahuldasmajumder5121]

great video. Can you help me choose between the bobcat 4 and Polygon Xtrada 5?

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Bobcat 4 100%!

[@jaemaine5448]

What lower cup is needed to add a tapered air fork to this bike?

[@dimitartanev97]

Hi, great video. One question, do you find the absence of a thru axel to be a con?

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Not at this price point but if you can afford to spend a bit more and plan to ride trails and hit some more technical trails then I would

[@jurgencrell206]

What do you think of the Silverback Stride range available at 99bikes?

[@Patrick-ps1hf]

Hi my friend is looking to buy a hard tail for jumps/trails for under 900 aud and i was wondering if you would have any ideas thanks!

[@Xexully]

Would love to see a tapered headtube on this bike.

[@j.s9875]

Take your like sir, if you ar happy with the bobcattraiil 4, that means the 5 is a little better bike i guess, great review.

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Thanks mate!

[@marcelosantoyr]

What do you think of the canyon stoic 2?

[@ausriley567]

If the option is available would you recommend the bobcat 5 instead or would you prefer a different bike at that price point?

[@pavolsopa2136]

Hii..im pretty new to this stuff ..do u know any if yes which bikes under 800-900€ that have an airfork u recommend

[@Tony-1971]

Deciding between two bikes ive seen. One is an 17" frame with 27.5" wheels, and the other is 18" frame with 16" wheels. Which should i go for? Im 5'8ft tall.

[@sconnolly88]

What knee pads do you use for Brisbane/QLD heat?

[@Dailyfixcarry]

Where to get the table / tool desk

[@oscarb9220]

Do you reckon you could review the polygon siskui t7

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

It's a bit too close to the T8 for me to do a long term test. But I think its the best value dual sus out right now. Performance wise, the fork is the only real difference.

[@oscarb9220]

@@trailtalkmtb6603 cheers 👍

[@rafalwanke]

marin told me that 120mm is max for fork, which fork you're going to mount? also the frame is not tapered, is it?

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

I'll try a 130mm as it's all I have but wouldn't go any longer. The frame isn't tapered but with an EC44 lower headset, you should be able to go tapered.

[@rafalwanke]

@@trailtalkmtb6603 which fork will you mount on this frame?

[@JaiLowe96]

hey man have you done anything on the Norco Storm 2?

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Sorry not for a while but I do prefer the geometry on this bike on paper

[@Filarel]

I really like this bike. I'm 191 cm, should I get L or XL? I can't decide! It would be my first serious bike. Before I had some trash bikes only, that are too small now.

[@antonelosheytanov1528]

The Polygon Syncline C5 is a massive bargain in my opinion and would be my choice over this Bobcat since the forks are Fox and the groupset is a Shimano SLX but the geometry is more or less the same as the Bobcat.

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

The Syncline is a good choice if you want that carbon frame. The only downside is the 27.2 seatpost but to be honest, on this type of bike and the riding id be doing, a 125mm dropper is all I need

[@antonelosheytanov1528]

@@trailtalkmtb6603 I agree. For me the carbon frame was a big selling point but It is still a bit of scramble to find a solid dropper at 27.2mm. Currently considering the PNW Coast Dropper with a matching Loam Lever. Still doing my research and haven’t fully decided on a set. Could you recommend something?

[@rickgraham5164]

Great review! As a newb I was planning to purchase this bike once it becomes available on bicycles online. So I really appreciate the feedback. As someone about 177cm would you suggest a medium frame? Thanks

[@joshuamei7465]

I’m not sure if the Siskiu t8 frame size is similar, but I’m the same height as you and the size large fits me well.

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Hi Rick, If you are riding trails a fair bit and out of the saddle the large will feel good. But if XC is your game and you ride a lot of fire trails the effective top tube length might feel a little long. So your seated pedaling might feel big. So a medium 29 might be better

[@rickgraham5164]

@@trailtalkmtb6603 appreciate your reply. I’m just starting out, so I don’t really know what I’ll end up doing?! I have young kids and tend to ride a lot with them but would like to be more adventurous. I like the profile of the San Quinten as well, have you rode one before and how it compares to a Bobcat?

[@jurisx85]

Hey, Rick. I’m 179 cm and the size M feels perfect. Tried a size L once and didn’t clear the standover height. Check that before you purchase.

[@alexmadz]

Hello. My height is 175 cm, which size should I choose? M or L? and what wheel size would be better? 27.5 or 29 for my height? Thank you!

[@SJ-ef4pv]

Wish I can get one in large tan colour. Should do a giveaway Christmas 🎄

[@martiawesome]

Do the polygon xtrada next

[@benjanameldt]

yes please

[@Ms-yy3ox]

What's the fork like? Bad?

[@j.s9875]

How low can the seat go?

[@ushaacharya8386]

What is price in inr

[@drappennen5704]

I rode a Bobcat Trail the other day. Wow. How agricultural is it haha.

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

haha definitely weird going back to a more budget friendly bike. I think with a new fork it would feel great.

[@drappennen5704]

@@trailtalkmtb6603 100% it would. Even one with a tad more travel…. And despite you having got away with it, a dropper is an absolute must these days. At least on modern MTB specific trails. I hope we see these as standard on even the most entry level of bikes soon. I actually view them as a safety feature now. Love your channel btw.

[@AhmadMurtadho7]

This or Giant Talon 1?

[@isfufushah]

29er n L size. If like me 173cm what is the best bike size for me..

[@jurisx85]

M

[@JohnnyThe_G]

Hey man Looking at getting the polygon syncline C5, wanting to do some XC racing next year, have you had any experience with that bike?

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Have not yet but may do in the future! It will be a be a little quicker than the bobcat trail. I would strongly recommend checking out the Marin Team. Perfect XC bike. Not carbon but the same weight as the Syncline

[@JohnnyThe_G]

@@trailtalkmtb6603 ok will do man 👌👌 thank you

[@waynelim9866]

340mm chainstay?!?!?! Haha think u made a little typo

[@blockin9556]

anything good under 600? I’m only 14 and can’t afford 900

[@jhomelcapili1830]

This or the Trek Marlin 6 2022?

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Definitely this

[@XNick291X]

QR Axles, yet I can get a Polygon Xtrada 7 for a similar price with boost thru axles! Interesting...

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Very true. I do prefer the geo on the bobcat trail and the 30.9 seat post. But in saying that the max 125mm drop on 27.2 seatpost isn't too much of an issue on these trails

[@daytch9485]

How is having a 2x drivetrain worse than a 1x9 or a 2x9

[@jurisx85]

It’s just not trendy

[@ravenblackwing7888]

Peace and love… but the trail 3 has better colors. So that’s the one I’m going with 🤣🤣🤣

[@jurisx85]

The fist water bottle boss stops the dropper. You have to get rid of it.

[@pablourizar1521]

giant fathom 29 vs trek roscoe 7

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

Hmmm cant really go wrong with either tbh. But I'd say the value is with the Giant

[@marcstolk6682]

@@trailtalkmtb6603 I agree.. if you can find one, the Fathom is better and was in my list but couldn't get one and got the Big trail instead... no regrets either

[@octodadmtbmartyrichards2862]

In New Zealand we say maaaaaaah rin 🐑 😂

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

hahahhaha

[@robertbaker3834]

Ok so you dropped 1000 on the bike , but then upgraded the front end, added a dropper and swapped out the wheel set….. so now it’s a 2200 bike?

[@denisantivatnikov6velophot554]

у меня 2005 года я нищий((

[@feryfery8362]

kenapa sih harus ngebut bang? sayang pemandangannya jd kurang bisa dinikmati kalo ngebut 😂😀

[@joen3992]

Your a brave man riding with SR Suntour XCM forks which cannot handle a trail without your teeth rattling in your mouth....definitely dump the forks, add a dropper post and your in business. Sleeping well at night....cheers.