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Whatever you think of flat-bar gravel bikes yourself, it’s becoming clear that the category is gaining in popularity, and for pretty good reason. Simply put - and as we’ve mentioned elsewhere - the additional leverage of a wider flat bar adds a healthy dose of fun to gravel bikes, making them easier to toss around and more controllable when conditions get dicey. Plus, many riders just prefer the more upright positioning and the casual attitude that comes with it.
While some brands have taken a halfhearted approach to the whole flat-bar gravel thing, Marin has decided to jump in headfirst, with three models built around two dedicated aluminum frames, both with longer reach dimensions than what the company uses for its drop-bar models.
The DSX 2 is the middle child in Marin’s flat-bar gravel lineup, based on the the company’s Gestalt X collection of drop-bar gravel bikes. Like that Gestalt X, the DSX is made of TIG-welded 6061 aluminum and appears to use the same tubeset, sharing similar characteristics like the more radically sloping top tube and reinforced seat tube extension for more standover clearance, and the scalloped seat tube for more tire clearance.
Although the overall shape is similar between the Gestalt X and DSX, Marin has extended the reach on the DSX 2 by about 10-30 mm (depending on size) to correct for the change in handlebar style, and the chainstays have also grown from 415 to 425 mm to help maintain similar weight distribution. Fork rake remains the same at 50 mm - it appears to be the same tapered full-carbon fork, in fact - but because the head tube angle on the DSX 2 is 1.5° slacker, the trail dimension has grown to a substantially more stable 81 mm. Bottom bracket drop holds fast at 80 mm.
Check out the full written review at CyclingTips: cyclingtips.co...
Our Field Test group bike tests are by no means paid events, but they’re still only possible with some outside support.
CyclingTips would like to thank the following sponsors for this round of the Field Test:
Rudy Project
rudyproject.com/
Pearl Izumi
pearlizumi.com/
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
sierranevada.com/
Lead Out Gear
leadoutgear.com/
Park Tool
parktool.com/