Hardtail to Gravel Bike Conversion - 90s Inspired Marin Mountain Bike Build

The 90s had some iconic mountain bikes for Marin... the 2000s not so much. Today I'm turning a 2007 Marin B17 in to a rigid cruiser with some 90s inspiration
-- BIKE SPECS DOWN HERE! --
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Bike Spec & Product Links
Sizes: Medium
Frame: 2007 Marin B17
Fork: AirBike Rigid 29er
Headset: FSA Orbit UF
Bottom Bracket: Shimano Deore XT
Crankset: Shimano Deore XT FC-M760
Pedals:
Freewheel: Shimano Deore XT CS-M760
Chain: Shimano Deore XT
Shifters: Shimano Deore XT SL-M760
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT FD-M760
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT RD-M761
Brakes: Hayes
Brake Pads:
Handlebar: On One Geoff
Stem: Marin
Grips: Ritchey Truegrip Foam
Hubs: Shimano
Spokes:
Rims:
Tyres: Continental 26" x 2.4"
Saddle: Charge Spoon
Seatpost: Marin
Paint: Cerakote
Decals: RetroDecals
Like the video? Don't forget to give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more!
Didn’t like the video? Leave a comment with what you didn’t like.

[@Andy_Lewis]

Love that colour scheme, its like being a kid all over again. I've been looking at those airbike forks too. I've got a Specialized Crosstrail I bought years ago that needs a bit of TLC to start some gravel commutes in to London.

[@MonkeyShred]

They’re a decent price. Worth a shot!

[@psychedeliccheese]

A full length(not sped up) version of this, especially the cleaning part set to one of those 3hr lofi playlists would be awesome. Great build!

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you!

[@HPW753]

Brilliant build, I've always loved the grey and fluoro colour schemes they had. With the 29er fork you could even go full mullet to raise the front end if needed.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks! Could do! Wonder how that would ride.

[@colbysmith2539]

What an awesome 28mins of watching a brilliant build. Nailed it in every aspect. Colour, parts choices. Running Geoff bars for yours and think they’re insanely perfect for that commute any road set up. I’d buy that bike without hesitation if I wasn’t flooded with six bikes already. But bang on with the colours. Thanks for posting this, been subscribed for a long time and still never a reason to be unsubscribe.

[@MonkeyShred]

Cheers Colby! Appreciate that! I think I’m going to hold on to this one for a while. Maybe at least until after the Marin festival in the summer.

[@michaelbautista8621]

That's a bad ass loop bar!

[@MonkeyShred]

I never really felt that comfortable with it if I'm honest!

[@michaelbautista8621]

@@MonkeyShred I saw in a video what I think is a better option,sonder confucious handle bar.

[@emausderratsuchende5447]

I've been gravel all over the country with my 95' Marin Pine Mountain for years. The bike has a rigid fork and cantilever brakes and consists of a steel frame with 3x7 and 1.9 inch gravel tires...bikepacking also works.

[@MonkeyShred]

Sounds like a pretty standard 95 bike then! They do work well for most scenarios

[@sepg5084]

My build is similar to this: Hardtail XC carbon frame 27.5 inch Aluminium rigid fork 29 inch 1.75 inch 27.5 MTB "road" tires 38t-28t 2X setup 11t-34t 9 speed Alivio MT200 hydraulic disc brakes Carbon saddle, seatpost, flat handlebar I use it as a go-anywhere bike, but mostly for road. The roads here are not very good and road bike parts are more expensive so i opted for my specific setup. I got no problem with dirt roads, gravel roads, potholes, etc. Never had a puncture. It is not road-bike fast, but it is reliable and ok for climbing.

[@MonkeyShred]

Awesome! Hope the bike keeps serving you well!

[@vernerjuliussen2071]

This must be one of the finest "retro" builds in a long time. I love the bright colours of the period, and this one haveing a "modern" XT driveline, realy make's it a good ride. Only thing missing now, is XT brakes to complete the groupe set. 😁🤙 Can't wait for the final update.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks! I’m definitely on the hunt for the XT brakes now. I think I have the XT wheels tucked away somewhere too 😌

[@vernerjuliussen2071]

@@MonkeyShred awsome! This build with absolute full XT, is one you can't sell, you know. 😉🤙

[@Maik1968]

Hy mate, nice build again and I like the choice of colors. Hope you have many wonderful rides with it. Greetings from Germany and I wish you a nice week 🍀🌞👍

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks bud! Have a nice week too!

[@01FozzyS]

Yes finally a new build! Love the retro modern look you gave it. Well done as always!

[@MonkeyShred]

Yes! Thank you! Glad I went this way with the retro look. I love it.

[@ljekatt]

Great build and video production as always. Thank you!

[@vpcogworks]

Spot on build, turned out proper fantastic!

[@TheNeilo-Audiosound]

This was an Awesome result and seeing as I’m in my late 50’s from an era of Retro and Vintage Bikes like the Raleigh Choppers I owned,Raleigh Grifters and then over the following years adding what we called Cow horn handlebars to 10 Speed Racers ruining my Puch Free Spirit to the Annoyance of my Father🙈 My mountain bike years were without incident starting with a brand new Townsend (yes Cheap I know) then a Universal and after a Kona Cinder Cone.I always wanted a Marin or a Trek so this is and has been great to watch. I’m also Chuckling when I heard a definite “Kin Hell” during your narration. You have a happy Subscriber From this Video and I look forward to Watching more. Oh and Yes I’m in the UK 🇬🇧🙏👍

[@MonkeyShred]

Yes I think there were a couple of ‘kin hell moments in there.. especially at the start where I slipped and head butted the work stand 😂

[@jayknibbs8413]

I heard that too 😂😂😂

[@ashpunting]

The colour coordination is spot on and for the parts you chose, you didn't leave anything to chance ✌🏾

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks! Pretty impressed how close those grips match the fork! Worked a treat!

[@Bikeops2021]

Honestly, it's one of the best rebuilds I've witnessed, everything spot on! Absolutely love it, Epic work!

[@KarlosEPM]

Cleaning parts is a pain. I got myself an ultrasonic cleaner- totally worth it. Chains, bakes, derailleurs and shifters are no longer a nightmare. Allows me to dedicate more time to the wheels, area where I have much less experience. Thnx for the videos m8.

[@iklein81]

Amazing job. So glad you converted to rigid, and that color way is 🔥🔥🔥

[@Downhillsmoothtarmac]

Always enjoy your videos! Love the retro paint scheme 👍👍👍👍

[@MonkeyShred]

Cheers!

[@JohnPilling25]

Superb - lovely xt components and yes get the matching xt hydraulic brakes. Btw changing hoses and bleeding is quite straight forward with shimano brakes.

[@MonkeyShred]

Yeah I’ve seen a bit about them. I just didn’t have the kit! I do have some basic cutting / bleeding gear now though!

[@durden.tyler537]

That was a nice bike to start with. Love the tribute livery. Stunning work and great video.

[@MonkeyShred]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@guillermohoffmann8417]

What a sterling job mate!. love the paintwork!

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you!

[@glennpettersson9002]

That is a great build, thanks for sharing 👍

[@and6239]

Love it man! Enjoy it

[@samphillips4925]

Looks awesome!

[@on_yabike2806]

That’s definitely a beauty, great video as always Mark 🔥🔥

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks 👍 I think she definitely turns heads.

[@foti5651]

good job super mario !!

[@DevonNroos]

Wasn't sure about this one at first, now I've seen the vid I really like it 👍

[@MonkeyShred]

Cheers Ross. Glad you’ve come around 😉😅

[@tanner4828]

I love the orange stem. Great build.

[@kevinborovsky3558]

Wow this one came out great you really nailed this build nice going. Till the next one cheers 🍻

[@MonkeyShred]

Cheers Kevin!

[@bricky339]

Great job, as usual. Makes me think though, just how many of these bikes are just thrown away at the tip. Keep up the good work.

[@hectoravellaneda1674]

Nice job !

[@HulluJanne]

Polished/satin/clear anodized aluminium parts are what should make a comeback :D Just imagine a new bike with shiny wide rims, rear derailleur and cranks, coupled with satin chainwheel. Seat post, handlebars and stem. And then then the frame with some neon with fluoro splatter paint! Wheh!

[@Brok3nDream]

Beautiful build!!

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks Ricky!

[@seant6102]

What a Beauty Great video

[@MonkeyShred]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@CraigFyfe]

Great build! Enjoyed watching it, not sure what I think of those bars yet 😂

[@seancbrophy]

Gorgeous build.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you!

[@allentufts5185]

Great video

[@alanmordue]

Wow, just Wow!

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks!

[@stavvyy5456]

Great build 👏

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks Stavvyy 🤙

[@demonstructie]

8:12 a bit of info for the geometry Greeks? What, like Pythagoras? 😂 The completed bike looks great, makes me miss my old '93 Bear Valley SE. Such a missed opportunity for Marin not to play into those classic colour schemes with their newer offerings. Every brand in cycling and in general is trying to make it look like they have some extensive heritage to tap into; marin actually has their iconic paint schemes and they choose not to use it!

[@MonkeyShred]

😂 I think I slurred a bit there.

[@murphyco88]

Nice to see you back love the color scheme The handlebars at first ? I realize that it is a light trail and road bike enjoy😎

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks! First impressions. I like them. For a comfy sort of relaxed ride I think they’ll work well.

[@bergolli1]

Moin from Germany, interesting project, i like it. Cheers and go on

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you very much!

[@IanPhillipsWildlife]

Another fine build, I can't work out if I like the look of those bars or not.

[@nedasay6978]

Nice rebuild.

[@a8f235]

I had an Eldridge Grade that got stolen, and I remember I had just mounted triathlon bars on it lol. Lots of trial an error in those days. Mine was with the distinct titanium color with red accents.

[@MonkeyShred]

Tri bars? That’s sounds a bit different!

[@babich78]

Very cool

[@Jessicorn81]

Awesome bike it looks way better now. Did you also do the Cannock winter classic race

[@cccpkingu]

Top stuff.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks!

[@remcovandermeulen3205]

Compliments. Turned out very nice. By the look of it, I think there's less difference in height in the front than you mentioned. This is because you used a fork made for an integrated headset in combination with a traditional headset. Which is in this case a good thing.

[@robaast]

I need to find a local powder-coater/paint shop like you have. That looks awesome.

[@ElevationStation1988]

I bet its a rocket!

[@glennoc8585]

My first mtb was a marine palisades trail with those green front end. Loved that bike. People know bikes are expensive now but for what you got then wasn't cheap. I paid $320 back then which was a lot of money. Where you riding around Tamworth?

[@CHIP543]

Отличная работа

[@markfitzsimons9540]

Definitely get the XT brakes, those tatty Hayes ones let down an otherwise mint build!

[@MonkeyShred]

Yeah that’s what I’m thinking! Better quality too.

[@StoccTube]

🔥

[@MonkeyShred]

Retro colours are 🔥

[@SeikoMiura]

Older Shimano Deore XT with silver color still looks better than the modern XTs

[@KEIRINSTREETS]

Really cool build. What did you use to put the grips on?

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks. Hairspray is a trick for the grips ☺️

[@CoolDRMONEY2002]

You are the shit this bike rules😊

[@iddn]

I have a B17 from 2006 I think! The Hayes Sole brakes were the first things to go, hated them.

[@MonkeyShred]

She now have XT 😋

[@r0ns0n0l]

@3:15min u just didnt release the fuse that little plastic thing between the screws that fix the crank on the axle ^^ im wondering how u just got that off ^^ prolly cuz there was way too much grease on it ^^

[@gaddmeister]

Great paint job. Intrigued by the bars?

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks. They’re On One Geoff bars. Not too expensive and on first impressions they’re comfy for a relaxed style of riding.

[@creepingjesus5106]

I'd looked at those AirBike forks myself, are they as solid as they look? BITD I had a Saracen with absolutely bomb proof straight legs on it, and there's a lot to be said for that type of fork with comfy tyres! Quite fancy revisiting that setup as you have. (Incidentally, I've got a '92 Bolinas Ridge build on at the mo - Ribena purple and acid green ftw.)

[@MonkeyShred]

I’ve only done a few rides on it so far and not taken it on anything too aggressive so it’s hard to say how solid they are in that sense. They appear to be well built though. Only time will tell!

[@Urmoms2ndbf]

Lost me at rigid✌️, I will say though, these are the bikes I love most late 90s to 2000s bikes imo were great

[@MonkeyShred]

Fair enough! Rigid isn’t for everyone.

[@calvinstorer]

Are these the AirBike forks? Did you use 26” or 27” forks in the end? Or am I mixing this up with another one of your builds?

[@sebschi2355]

Thanks

[@MonkeyShred]

Seb! You legend. Thank you!

[@joseantoniosanchezsanchez6789]

En el fondo todos llevamos un niño dentro

[@captjerski4165]

Fork looks short, not suspension corrected? the geometry does not bother you that the bike"s weight is moved forward? I haved replaced my suspension fork with a rigid too and is short and is heavy doing front lifts even though the front is lighter, but the good side is it goes up hill faster.

[@MonkeyShred]

It was a 29er fork. Axle to crown of 440mm so it was slightly lower than an uncompressed suspension fork. It didn’t affect the geometry that much.

[@captjerski4165]

@@MonkeyShred I measured my dork it is 420mm no wonder it is front heavyI liked your build it has cool parts and awesom color selection

[@myvicariouslife4012]

Occasionally I'll rebuild a mtb and cleaning caked on grease is a nightmare..so tedious. That being said I might pick up an ultrasonic cleaner for bike stuff and other things I like to tinker with. Why did u not just use your ultrasonic?

[@MonkeyShred]

I don’t have an ultrasonic cleaner. They’re extremely expensive for one big enough for fits cranks etc in!

[@JohnPilling25]

You won't regret the ultrasonic cleaner. I got a 10lt one from Vevor 2 years ago it was $110. It's great for cleaning bike parts, and chainrings/cranks you just pop them in on their side and then switch them over. You can get Vevor in the UK as well.

[@murphyco88]

What was the decal company you use thank you😎

[@on_yabike2806]

It’s retrodecals, I’ve used them myself and they are the best decals

[@MonkeyShred]

Answered before I could get there!

[@user-bd1gx7ky1h]

Круто Сколько весит велосипед?

[@MonkeyShred]

I haven’t weighed it.

[@mrpakalikas2662]

tihis shifter shift 2x harder gear? Maybe you can sold for me?

[@MonkeyShred]

I’m not sure I understand. It’s a 3 x 9 gearing.

[@chichocapicho2354]

Con el manubrio q tenía al principio quedaba mucho mejor

[@SimonHenshaw-bl2in]

Hi I have a giant atx full suspension in blue

[@MonkeyShred]

Ok. Nice to know. Thanks.

[@samblenkharn8099]

😂 my favourite exchange on this comments thread! 👌🏻

[@markusilomaki8922]

How about a 1 by?

[@MonkeyShred]

I don’t think it’s necessary here. The 3x XT works great.

[@markusilomaki8922]

@@MonkeyShred yep not necessary, but might be something affordable to try out that would go well with the retromodern vibe. A 11-42 might work with the existing XT derailleur and then a suitable narrow wide for the front would finish the retromodern arrangement 😀

[@MonkeyShred]

@@markusilomaki8922 I’ve done 1x on quite a few before. I’m just a lover of the 3x on these more relaxed bikes. 😌

[@markusilomaki8922]

@@MonkeyShred yep, 3X may sometimes work better in cases like this where chaindrops are not an issue 👍

[@puridade1]

i wish ride it

[@MonkeyShred]

Build your own 😌

[@puridade1]

@@MonkeyShred I had one similar ,but here in Brazil is hard to find some kind of stuff that there is trash .

[@Fitz_lee]

thumb up first before watching as always

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks bud!

[@Fitz_lee]

@@MonkeyShred we are looking for business cooperation if you have interests.😀

[@slodziak222222]

never use copper grease to aluminum

[@MonkeyShred]

Could you elaborate? I’ve not heard this before.

[@slodziak222222]

@@MonkeyShred It rusting very quick

[@ektrolleyboy]

“Muh-rin” Just saying… It’s a place. And it’s defo pronounced “Muh-rin”.

[@MonkeyShred]

Not in the UK it ain’t 😂

[@michael61985]

These bikes didn't exist in my area and still don't exist nobody rides a Marlin bike of any kind

[@MonkeyShred]

Strange. While I don’t see people riding them there are always tonnes for sale on eBay.

[@BorsteyStinson]

Would be a super nice @ gmbn for me 🥳

[@MonkeyShred]

I’ll have to send it in and see what they say 😅

[@fickbasterd]

make a spraybottle of soapy water and put wax and frease remover in it just a little cup