Making the 2023 Marin San Quentin 3 an even better bike

[@BikingRoots]

What upgrades would you have done to your San Quentin 3?!

[@careycummings9999]

I have the '22 San Quentin 3, and I had to upgrade the Rock Shox Revelation RC it came with to 160mm travel. Its a $40 part and easy to install, and pretty much eliminated the pedal strike issue I had when I first got the bike. I also ditched those 2.5 tires for 2.1 tubeless. Big improvement. I ride mostly cross country with some jumps and drops. Saddle and pedals off my old bike; my trusty Selle Italia Flite ti, and Wellgo magnesium. Yup, I'm old, lol.

[@BikingRoots]

Oh ok right on man. yeah when you raise the travel that much, your BB height does go up and in some cases can ruin the ride but glad you are enjoying it! Yeah the tires that come with them are very sticky and aggressive for a lot of people. Sounds like a fun build, good luck with it! thanks for your comment

[@molley17]

Man I love that colour San Quentin

[@BikingRoots]

Yeah agreed, I think it looks cool, thanks for opinion!

[@cf9590]

Thats a really dope setup!! My sq3 is finally on the way. All im doin so far is cosmetic upgrades for now!! Bright gold handle bar and red z2 fork i got a deal on!!

[@BikingRoots]

Thanks! Yeah I think he did good. Oh congrats man, that will look cool with the red z2! Have fun with her!

[@tejasenduro7362]

Really glad I was able to snag this bike🤙🏼

[@dustinhemmele9515]

You bought it? I'm getting a stock one from Marin.

[@tejasenduro7362]

@@dustinhemmele9515 yep! Lucked out with all the components it has🤙🏼 you are going to love yours for sure man!

[@BikingRoots]

Yeah me too! Such a sweet bike, glad you are enjoying it!

[@jimbodini100]

Did you buy that marin ? I just saw this video

[@uxmax]

Best Combo - Saint caliper und XTR lever:) As I had a couple of spare parts laying around i changed a couple of things for typical bikepark setup, chainring and singlespeed Sbone G3C. Front Brakes: XTR/Saint, Rear: Shimano mechanical Brake since I am too stupid to mount a hydro gyro. g1 title mech. gyro. beast bar 780mm and oneup 50mm stem(weight and style). reyolds 347 carbon wheels with cushcore's. Nice vid:)

[@BikingRoots]

Sounds like a sweet setup! Haven’t tried the XTR/Saint combo but I would be curious to try. Yeah I hear ya on the mechanical gyro! What is the weight on your build?

[@jasonkroll2735]

That frame is so sic....

[@BikingRoots]

Thanks! Yeah I wanted to build up my own but never got around to it.

[@chrisregister8021]

You said it was 3 pounds lighter, so what was the weight of the bike when you were done?

[@BikingRoots]

Sorry! I think I forgot to mention that or it got cut somehow. 27.4 lbs (12.4kg) was the weight afterwards (with crank brothers stamp 1 pedals) medium frame. Not too bad

[@laramiegrinde9246]

Question, what size of seat tube clamp does this bike use? I'm ordering one from either Wolf Tooth or Race Face but can't find the size online. Frame isn't here yet or I'd just measure it.

[@BikingRoots]

So looks like it is 35.3mm according to my calipers and on a san quentin 2 (should be same on the 3). According to wolf tooth that would put you in their 34.9 clamp it looks like. Per wolf tooth "For example, a 34.9mm clamp will fit frames with a seat tube measuring from 34.4mm to 35.4mm in diameter." Good luck!

[@bidibee808]

Man, that sucker's a beauty!

[@BikingRoots]

Thanks! You should buy it ;-)

[@dougkresl7538]

Nice bike! What's the biggest tire you could fit on that? I would like that bike, but with 2.8 tires instead. Thanks!!

[@BikingRoots]

Thanks! I believe we have a 2.6 on the front and 2.4 on the back. I need to double check tomorrow though because I can’t remember! 2.8 would be pretty chunky. I don’t think there would be clearance in the rear triangle, but I’ll check and let you know!

[@BikingRoots]

So I checked the bike again. 2.4 is what we have in the back currently and there is a good amount of space for 2.6. 2.8 would tough. Depends on the brand and type honestly (also some brands measurements can vary from actual). The rim isn't wide enough for 2.8s though but if you happen to have a 2.8 148mm rear wheel laying around you could give it a try and see. Good luck! Let me know if you do get it to work

[@dougkresl7538]

@@BikingRoots Thanks for checking! I love hard tails, but I have very rocky terrain. 2.6 will work, but I prefer the feel of a 2.8

[@brettm.1115]

Nice bike.

[@BikingRoots]

thanks, you should buy it

[@jimbodini100]

Is it still for sale ?

[@BikingRoots]

No sorry, this was good bit ago and it sold pretty soon after this video went live. I believe the stock builds are available from Marin currently though or possibly build up your own from the frame kit

[@sskaustralia]

Does it come with white gloves and the glass humidity controlled display case it was kept in? Sheesh! Gear obsession addiction is real. The only thing that bike needed was pedals, and a bunch of dings and scratches from riding the shit out of it. I did also cushcore mine. Its suuuuch a sick bike. ❤

[@BikingRoots]

Ha, yes we can arrange the gloves and humidity controlled display for the buyer! Yeah everyone is different. Yeah, my bikes stay new for a few minutes and then they get a bit beat up! Nice, haven’t tried cushcore yet but my mechanic has them and likes them. Have heard good things as long as you’re not the one installing them… ha!

[@sskaustralia]

It actually wasn't too bad at all! I randomly came across this video (posted below), he talks about repeatedly working around the tire to squeeze and push the bead under the cushcore toward the center of the rim to make slack for the section that is still out. Totally works! So smart. For the final, hardest section, I additionally found that laying it on the floor and using my foot to squeeze/mash the tire down while carefully prying and pressing with a tire lever made it almost easy! Didn't use the bucket or trashcan at all.

[@sskaustralia]

Interestingly, though the bead audibly set, and the tires inflated without a problem, both tires slowly lost air (flat over night) until I rode it a few times. I wouldn't be surprised if it has to do with the way the cushcore presses on the sidewall where it meets the bead. Guessing this could vary by tire too. All good though!

[@BikingRoots]

Thanks for the tip and video! Yeah, we've had to do that technique on some tire/rim combos before. Good reminder though to get it in the channel first before you start using the tire levers. Maybe I'll consider cushcore afterall ;-)

[@BikingRoots]

Thanks for sharing

[@komoonkh]

Well thats a beast hardtail…

[@BikingRoots]

Yep, sure is! I want it

[@eastcoaster89]

Hey I’m late to the game. But is that still for sale?

[@BikingRoots]

Hello, thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately you are, it was purchased a few months back locally here in Houston. If it ever comes up for sale again I’ll let you know

[@mrvapor4791]

Good move keeping the forks..

[@BikingRoots]

Thanks, yeah the Z2 (basically a fox 34 minus the damper) is a very capable fork and not that heavy.

[@mrvapor4791]

@@BikingRoots Exactly

[@bermbros6550]

Add a Vorsprung sercus A1 to the z2 & you have coil like sus, great upgrade to do when the 50hr service comes up.

[@BikingRoots]

@@bermbros6550 Thanks for the suggestion. Haven’t tried one before but may try it when I have a z2! Thanks

[@MartinTeerly]

It's a brilliant bike but with so low BB and being hardcore hardtail this carbon crank doesn't make sense at all. Just regular Gx would fit well. Other than that bike is fantastic

[@BikingRoots]

Thanks for the comment, yeah if you ride it hard totally agree, I'd hate to bank up my expensive carbon cranks! I haven't beat on the race face ones but have owned a couple SRAM carbon cranks and beat on them pretty well without protective boots, and they held up. Totally understand your point though! Take care

[@dustinhemmele9515]

I'd have at least ridden it first. Kinda weird just buying a great bike just to replace so much of it.

[@BikingRoots]

Yeah I know, he’s done that with a few bikes that he’s bought recently. He just loves to modify and customize. To each their own I guess! Maybe next time he will just buy the frame and build it up from there