Marin Gestalt X10 | Is this the best budget Gravel Bike on the market?

[@nukemforkhigh]

I am a road cyclist, i race as well. But for feeling something different I bought this one a while ago. Really budget bargain, I use 4 commuting, gravel and touring. Easy to transport on your bike rack without worrying of dents and scratches. It’s a bullet proof. I needed a bit to understand the geometry it’s just more relaxed. It makes you face up and enjoy the landscape. Its main goal is having fun, you can still do great training/fitness but I wouldn’t use it primarily to transfer power…although it’s got a great response. Great with spds on 👍

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Thanks. Your thoughts are appreciated.

[@Cold417]

I'm a big fan of Marin Bikes. They're pretty accessible for those of us still experimenting with trying to find what we want out of cycling.

[@MrWah79]

Just picked up one of these on sale from a bike shop in New Zealand for just over $855 Canadian. It'll be used as a mixed surface commuter. Thanks for the review, it helped me see the bike up close before purchasing!

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Very nice! Thanks for watching. Enjoy

[@kellyreed8714]

I was eyeing this bike at my local bike shop, but it’s price was to much for me at the time. Then the shop had a 30% off sale. Which put this right in my price range. I’m loving this bike. It’s a great match to my Rift Zone 2.

[@AA-dx4ql]

Just bought this bike, 2022 model. My first gravel bike can't wait to ride it

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Nice! Congrats. Let us know your thoughts after the first few rides.

[@Wings_of_foam]

I just bought this bike today for $1.083. I'm very happy about my purchase and my new bike.

[@strix2035]

Would you say the mechanical brakes on this bike are good enough for someone just entering gravel

[@duduoson5278]

I've got the 2020 version, I ride it all the time. Highly recommended. I am not familiar with the Advent groupset though, cause the previous model was equipped with sram apex/gx. I've heard good things though.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Yes, Marin pretty much eliminated SRAM from their bikes in 2021. The Apex/GX setup you have was really nice stuff but switching to Microshift has increased the gear range quite dramatically which helps this bike stand out even more from other offerings in this category now. This Microshift Advent X is pretty new stuff so these are some of the first bikes coming equipped with it. Once more companies catch on to it I expect we will see more - it far outperforms its budget pricing.

[@cjohnson3836]

@@BikeBrosBikeShop I'm surprised to see the Advent X derailleur with a 51t cassette. I have the X for my mountain bike and the stated limit with the 48t that is the X specific cassette. How does it shift on the Marin? This is interesting to know.

[@corrado9076]

SRAM lever cable routing is so much better,advent looks like it’s 20 years old with the cable out the side, Even sensah figured out cable routing

[@kris.monroe]

Thank you for this! The Gestalt X10 is really attractive to me at the moment, with the goal of daily riding, longer weekend adventures, as well as the possibility to ride the Tour Divide (GDMBR) and even some extended Touring. How do you think this feels on repeat long pavement days? Thanks!

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Hi, thanks for watching. I think you'd enjoy the bike on everything you mentioned with the exception of the Tour Divide. I think that could be a bit of a stretch for the body positioning, aluminum frame and relatively narrow tires. From what I've seen, many Divide riders choose a but more casual body position and wider tires (traction and comfort). Aluminum frames on very rigid bikes like this, can suffer from hardcore, heavy loaded, bike packing.

[@Unfinished_Thoughts]

Just one quick question from Ontario. In a gravel bike only matters the frame size based on your height and not the rim size?

[@SwyvCrux]

I have a question. I'm newish to bikes and considering this over a giant revolt 2. I plan on upgrading from mechanical to hydraulic brakes in a year and was told the giant revolt 2 would need a new drive train just to be compatible with the new shifter and brake levels needed to work with the new hydraulics?

[@grahampye2314]

I would not recommend planning to upgrade to hydraulic. The cost of the lever/shifters and brake calipers, installation is pretty steep and parts are still really hard to track down... so I would suggest either going with the next model up right away or trying the mechanical brakes to see if you'd be happy with them.

[@jasonrichardwatts]

You can upgrade the calipers to “cable hydraulic”. You maintain your current drivetrain and you simply swap out the calipers to a sealed hydraulic unit that works with the existing cable pull setup. Check out Yokozuna Ultimo brakes. Failing that you could upgrade the cable calipers to TRP Spyres/Spykes or to Paul Klampers. The aforementioned are the best/strongest cable disc calipers going.

[@migaud7789]

@@jasonrichardwatts seconding the cable hydraulic route, I did this with the x10 and I'm extremely happy with the performance

[@jasonpapich3726]

Is this a wise choice for a commuter? (50km roundtrip)

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Great option for commuting I think (if you are attracted to drop handlebars). Good flat bar options would include the Fairfax, DSX and Muirwoods

[@RicknerMontilla1]

this is a fantastic bike. still have in stock?

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Sorry no stock left

[@chriswright9096]

I'm a little confused. I've been looking at the Gestalt 2 (because it is the only "gravel bike" available in shops around my location). The standard tires it comes with are 32. Surely that's a bit narrow. The 40 on the X10 seems more like it. Is the Gestalt 2 not really a gravel bike (more of a commuter?). And I need to hold out for something like the X10?

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

The Gestalt and Gestalt X are aimed at different users. Gestalt is not a full on gravel bike, more-so a great drop bar bike that is much more capable and more robust than a traditional road bike. During development the Marin guys did test on smooth dirt, gravel etc and loved it but by modern classifications it is more of a "beyond road" bike. Gestalt X fits more into modern Gravel classification.

[@dhikaput1210]

Hai..In terms of ride quality how does it compare to nicasio plus?

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Most noticeable is that it handles a bit lighter from the lighter tires

[@adamharris2674]

Really looking at these. Other reviewers have said the brakes are a no go however, don’t work well. Hey, ya gotta upgrade something.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Hi. Without upgrading to hydraulic brakes I think these dual piston Tektro mechanicals are one of the better options. If they don't grab as well as you'd like you always have the option of switching brake pad materials. I like the feel at the lever more than most mechanical discs.

[@DilbertMuc]

Yeah, strange that Tektro Disc brakes suck in general. The TRP disc brakes are VERY good on the other hand. Fun fact: Tektro and TRP are the same company.

[@drill_fiend1097]

​@@DilbertMuctheu don't put TRP branded brakes on entry bikes. Yhey just move the price up then put hydraulics when going a tier up. I still thought this bike had good brakes than ones used in Broam 60 though.

[@NRHR8735]

I'm 6'2" or 187cm. Any clue on size I would need? I was thinking 60.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

I think more likely 58cm. For traditional road bike fit you'd likely be debating whether to go 58 or 60cm but we're finding that sizing down on gravel bikes is common for a less stretched fit and better maneuverability

[@NRHR8735]

@@BikeBrosBikeShop Appreciate the insight!

[@Boxingfanatic-fb8zg]

Did you go for the xl I'm also 6feet 2. I did watch another video on KZbin the guy was 6feet 2 he had xl and said it was perfect.

[@devinbyrnes8058]

Shared to a friend. He is looking to switch from a road bike to a gravel bike. I do not think he knows about Marin’s lineup.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Thanks. Hopefully he finds this helpful.

[@kimbirondo9684]

Are the wheels tubeless ready?

[@nakitojimo2001]

Unfortunately no

[@emhezmfe]

I bought one, and the shop allowed me to return it thankfully. It felt incredibly cheap. The mechanical brakes were the worst I've ever experienced--very mushy with insufficient stopping power. Felt like the shifters would eventually break. Hard pass on this one.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

I'm curious what you chose instead and how much more it cost. I agree the brakes aren't great but also don't know of something with better performance at the price (while I do see worse brakes at the price). Also, for the brakes on this bike to feel mushy ( instead of blocky ) indicates a set-up / alignment issue in my mind. For gravel usage I would be OK with the feel and function of this bike. If stretching the scope to mountain bike trails I agree the brakes wouldn't be good enough to ride aggressively.

[@emhezmfe]

@@BikeBrosBikeShop still looking but a Giant Revolt 2 I rode felt much better. It has mechanical brakes as well but felt much better. Also comes set up tubeless which is pretty cool. Trying out a Cannondale and a Salsa today.

[@hecjvaldez]

​@@emhezmfe Which one do you choose at the end? I'm looking for a gravel bike myself but don't want a cheap bike. I've used and enjoy Cube and Trek bikes and in my country Marin doesn't have physical stores to test one.

[@emhezmfe]

@@hecjvaldez I ended up not getting a gravel bike at all. Instead got a Kona Dew Plus commuter and going to put some knobbier gravel type tires on it.

[@hecjvaldez]

@@emhezmfe Thanks!!

[@mrmoola3970]

The frame is ugly. But definitely a good deal. Always loved the 1xxx gear train. My gravel I converted to a 1x7 Shimano setup from a 3x7. I normally ride a single, but when on the trails or feeling lazy its nice to shift down a few gears.

[@joshuaallswang8016]

Your weird

[@joshuaallswang8016]

Wow!! No one said anything… it’s 11-48 tooth!!!! Not 11-51!!! Sad..

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

The most common 1x gearing offered on gravel groupsets from Sram and Shimano is 11-42. In comparison 11-48 as a stock setup is a significant improvement.

[@kellyreed8714]

Mine is a 11-51.