2024 Marin Headlands 2 - Discussing the specification, review, details of this amazing gravel bike

[@prof_writer]

Noted your comments on the quality of Marin versus the price. I bought a 2021 Marin headlands 1. I ride that bike more than my cervelo or specialized mountain bike. Those other bikes are more expensive, but it doesn't make them better. The geometry and fit I get on my 58 cm Marin is excellent. Changes are a 90 mm redshift sport stem, front chainring changed from a 40 to 36 tooth, also carbon seat post and specialized seat for comfort preference. Tubeless Continental Terra trail 700x45.

[@bloodyfingersstl]

Awesome video, fingers crossed hoping you put one out on the new Gestalt XR black grey for 2024

[@gregsullivan7408]

Excellent review - much appreciated. Re the chainring size - i asked Marin - the largest supported chainring is 42t.

[@jduarte1506]

I'm between this Headlands 2 2024 Marin and the 2024 Salsa Cutthroat C Rival GX AXS Transmission

[@stevemullin1195]

I can't ride drop bar...can you get it with flat bar or alt bars? Also what's the weight limit for the bike (rider+gear). Looking to do road and off road touring/bike packing for GDMBR or transam.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Marin sells a frame and fork which would allow you to fully custom build, or just replace the bars with alt bars...

[@stevemullin1195]

@BikeBrosBikeShop it would be cheaper with the frame set as converting from a complete bike would be expensive to change over from the drop bar levers/shifter over to flat bars. But I'm still trying to find what the weight limit is for this bike. I'm 210lbs and still have to put racks and bags with gear on it to tour or bikepack. Don't want to damage or break the bike by overloading it.

[@irockuroll60]

I have been riding mtb for 6 years now. Have a few $7,000 plus mountain bikes. Anywho, I have a now 2 year old and wasn’t getting the same free time to hit the trails and decided to get a gravel bike to ride from the house when I had a free hour or 2. I looked at every bike and narrowed it down between this and Giant Revolt advance (whichever has a dropper). I love my Marin. I spent an extra grand and got some good wheels as the stock ones are rubbish. I also do not love the handlebars. They are big for this type of bars and I plan to get a new handlebar soon. Coming from mtb, I love this bike and it’s a hell of a deal.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@davidelatini9319]

Another great review. Headlands 2 or DSX? Which would be the pick if you could only have 1?

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Well... I'm about to have my third Headlands 2 so that answers the question of what I choose though a big part of that is the Pro deal I get. The other part for me is still a traditionalist love of drop bars makes me feel more like a "true" cyclist... I realize though that for what I ride and how I ride I'd get 95% the same experience at 1/3 the cost on a DSX.

[@fernandom6811]

Love your detailed reviews! 😎👌🏾 I’m from Australia! So you can only buy Marin’s through an online retailer! Is the 2024 frame the same as 2023 frame? Thanks 😊

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@simontavner5805]

trouble is you're flogging them - totally impartial?

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Yes, I am flogging them and can't claim to be impartial... however, if the bikes didn't impress me then I wouldn't feel right about selling them. I'm also obviously impartial which I believe may differ from some of the other bicycle media out there who are trying to sell advertising to brands they're reviewing. If you watch a few of my reviews, you'll see I'm fine with pointing out flaws or shortcomings of bikes we sell: in many cases they are things determined by the price-point of the bike. During the purchasing and planning stage of the year I look at many of the offerings from brands we don't sell. If I see a category or model that the bikes we sell don't compare favorably then I don't bring in those bikes which leaves me making mostly positive reviews of bikes we sell.

[@user-cf9pr8gw1g]

I am thinking about gravel or converting XC mtb to gravel. This Marin is one of the candidates. But downgrade from GRX8xx to Apex... Really? I absolutely hate Srams "dual control". Rival AXS would make this bike absolute beast.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

While I usually prefer Shimano I have no reservations about Sram in this case. Apex, as far as I know, was the only 1x12 drop bar setup with a huge range of gears & hydraulic discs at the time this came out and makes it a stand out option. I will happily be giving it a go on my next gravel bike.

[@davidelatini9319]

Any update on how well the Apex has performed vs GRX?

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

@@davidelatini9319 I can only comment on how beautifully smooth the Apex is when setting things up new.

[@mazditzo]

Big no for press fit BB, and for the carbon, Marin always heavier dunno why but its explain why it has lower price

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Yes, I prefer the threaded bb on the Headlands too... the weight is due to Marin caring more about durability and light weight.

[@user-cf9pr8gw1g]

@@BikeBrosBikeShop Hi, there are plenty of bolts for racks etc on the frame. Si I assume the strength of the carbon tube is adjusted to carry extra weight/bags

[@stephengauden-ing9304]

Do you get much toe strike/overlap. I’ve got the previous gen 54 and that is my only complaint.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

@@stephengauden-ing9304 The geometry is the same on all Headland generations as far as I know... toe overlap is a pet peeve for me, I wish bike companies would pay more attention to that as part of their design process, especially with them making Headlands down to a size 49.

[@stephengauden-ing9304]

I’m thinking about getting a set of 650b wheels for more technical rides. Jealous of the gear range in the 1 x12. But in every other sense I love it