Marin San Quentin Hardtail Review: The Good Life Behind Bars | 2024 Value Bike Field Test

[@StreetComp]

I bought a 2023 San Quentin 2 with 27.5 wheels for $1399 as my first real mtb after quick test rides of a few hardtail bikes so I can’t really compare it but it’s been bulletproof through some hard riding and shifting. One unusual thing I really like is how low it rides, makes me feel more comfortable since trail riding is new to me

[@TheDavidjakeson]

"If you're in the air, there's no bumps" - Kaz, 2024

[@spidah6228]

My 2021 Marin San Quentin 3 was, and is my first MTB, it's a fantastic way to get into the sport. It's gotten me through massive bike park jumps as well as rooty, rocky, technical trails. Definitely a perfect do it all bike. Nice to see how they've made some slight but meaningful adjustments on the new one, but I plan on riding mine till it breaks in half.

[@hectorcastanares]

How do you feel it as a daily bike in the city or for long distances?

[@WesMacaulay]

Great review format. Having Henry voice over with the outline of the review is brilliant 🤙

[@shreditaus3039]

I bought one of these and replaced my full sus and DJ bike for a single bike quiver, I’m pretty sure I got the last XL frame in Canada, couldn’t get a built kit, and the build I did I’m so happy with, agree with the poor paint quality, and chainstay protection issues. But I also can say this thing rides amazingly, I’ve got a 160mm Lyrik on at the moment and it rides brilliantly on flow, tech, rides well in the pump truck and dirt jumps, super happy for it to be my only bike for the next phase of travel in my life 🤙🏼

[@GuamBombs]

I just got an SQ3(27.5) as my first bike last week so the timing of this video was awesome for me, lol. Stoked to hear great things about it, makes me feel way happier about my decision. I did swap to a 50mm riser bar though, I felt a little too forward biased, grew up doing motocross so I think I’m used to a more upright position. Obviously this is personal preference but the bike feels really comfortable for me now.

[@flyfreak23]

Henry, Dario, and Mike?? The monotone holy trinity 😍 😍 😍

[@tywitt3351]

No truer words were ever spoken

[@derekulrich3830]

with a side of vocal fry!

[@danielanthony1054]

@@derekulrich3830 4:56 that wasn't just a side of vocal fry, that was the whole main course!

[@derekulrich3830]

I picked up the 2022 version in orange used. Hadn't ridden MTB since 2010 or so. This is such a fun bike, I have a blast every time I get out on it. Climbs fairly well, descents are a blast.

[@jackmast6983]

I absolutely love my San Quentin for all of these reasons, it’s the only bike I own and it’s great for jump lines/flow as well as making trail rides really fun and playful. My main complaint is the weight, which feels heavy for a hardtail. However I do have the previous model in the lower trim level (2), so component spec may play into the weight.

[@bxmario]

Have the 27.5 version and threw a lyrik ultimate 160mm on it but took off the heavy assegi tires for some faster rolling tires and the bike is a blast. Super low seat tube lets you throw a 200mm dropper so you have a ton of room. This bike is just as fun as my dual suspension.

[@BaldwinApologetics]

Sorry for sounding clueless as I am but I've just bought the 2024 san quentin 1 in a sale brand new really cheap. Could I do what you've done to yours. 160mm folks and 200mm dropper post?

[@bxmario]

@@BaldwinApologetics as long as it’s not a small frame the 200mm dropper should fit I believe. If you go with a 160mm fork like mine just keep in mind the head angle will be around 63 degrees so for rowdy downhill stuff it’s great but if ur into xc racing not so much. I like the sense of security with the slack head angle feel like I can smash through anything and with the 160 up front sometimes I forget I’m on a HT. I liked mine so much I built one for my son.

[@gns257]

@@bxmariodude I need more info lol I have a 2023 sq3 27.5. So you still run the 27.5 wheels ? Asking because I saw a video of someone turning this into a mullet. 29er in front ? So for your setup .. you just changed the forks .. that’s it right ? I am thinking about doing the same. Gotta look up your forms.

[@bxmario]

@@gns257 yeap just changed the fork and xt bakes and xt gears but yes still 27.5 all around. I’m 5’8” and ride a medium, love the 27.5 rims seems to me like it’s snappier and great on tight tech stuff

[@noodleheadable]

Got one last year in 27.5 wheels. Swapped the rear tyre to an Aggressor. Fun as

[@auomauom]

i have the 2022 model with the 65 degree headtube. it's definitely a do it all bike. the frame compliant is pretty damn stiff imo, and not something you'd want ride for too long.

[@paests]

How does it handle compared to the 2022 San Quentin given the change in frame geometry?

[@vrwgq3q]

huge win for Marin, great company that has for years has provided great fun at a great value. nothing about this is DJ geo lol. Its more enduro, all mountain - I know, I own both a la bomba and a rootdown but glad to hear it is designed with a higher bb to to be poppy, light and efficient, while supple. Kinda amazing for alu. Looks like a great frame to build off of - maybe the most well rounded hardtail in the market? In actuality, I wish this was more of a common option... as I don't know how many OEM bars, stems, grips, wheel sets, etc, get tossed out the minute the bike is purchased. With this having such a steep seat tube angle (77) which is INSANE on a hardtail, I believe it's built to add 10->20MM more fork in the front, just need to be careful to find one that has good progression so you don't end up like a stapler. - Me? I'd go with a fox 36 or Lyrik, which isn't going to give you the arm pump/fatigue that a zeb/38 will.

[@debayan77]

Why is the white colour version looks so different from the red ? It almost appears that the white has the least head angle than the red also, the top tube looks more straight downwards than the red .

[@ish474]

I almost bought one when they were still 27.5 but I couldn't find the tan black colorway. I still keep my eye out for those frames.

[@philippebenard1075]

They still make them in 27.5 Just bought one for 450 $Canadian. They might get still be on sale

[@johnykryll]

Wish the guy with the glasses would clear his damn throat.

[@brianpeterson6872]

The biggest question is... What's under the black tape on Dario's laptop?

[@scstinger5]

I have the 2023 27.5 version of this bike and never really liked it as it always felt so slow and harsh. So I put some faster rolling tires on it and got rid of the god awful Maxxis Assegai’s! Now I absolutely love the bike and I never ride my full suspension anymore lol!

[@gns257]

I have the same bike. Which tires you go with? Kept the same wheels ?

[@scstinger5]

@@gns257 Vee Tire Flow Snap (had a set sitting around). Not that great of a tire but considerably faster than the Assegai’s. Not sure what tires I’ll end up getting for the bike. That fine line of something fast but still has grip for corners and braking. Still running the stock rims. If you have any tire suggestions let me know 🤙

[@gns257]

@@scstinger5 I haven’t tried anything else but the stock Assegais I have on now. Was looking at the minion DHF/DHR combo.

[@scstinger5]

@@gns257 I’ll probably put back the Assegai on front and just get a DISSECTOR or DHR II for the back to speed it up a bit. My son is running a Assegai / DHR II combo on his San Quentin and it’s definitely faster than running 2 Assegai’s (only need to buy 1 new tire also)

[@hardmtnbiker]

I think people “under-value” what a hardtail is capable of doing on aggressive trails. Especially when you put beefy tires that are 2.5 or 2.6 with Cushcore or some other insert to add compression and take off the edge.

[@davidchristie2121]

Anyone know what back pack he has?

[@Lumberjack501]

Dario, breathe and use air to speak. Don't try to sound cool, you already have a great voice.

[@chenbencalipha3149]

Left guy sounds like Miley Cyrus's meme for like 85% of the time.

[@michaelsturgeon5210]

Was it me or no mentioning of drivetrain ?

[@KeoOutdoors]

I see a San Quentin 29 in a 2 and 3. Does anyone know if they have a 1 model coming out?

[@badagaioo]

Video is borderline unwatchable with the moustache guy doing that throat thing all along.

[@lodg1e]

Not only me that thought that then 😂

[@TastyGnocchi]

who's the one visiting adult sites on the job at Pinkbike headquarters to attract all these thirst trap bots in the comments? 😂

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

The same dude who bans users on the forums cuz their opinions? 😅😂 Tbh bots are EVERYWHERE

[@Ranita_MTB_760]

San Quentin 1, 2 or 3, not everyone knows about bikes ?

[@abhinav6880]

1 if youre really low on money 2 if you want to check all boxes for a beginner hardtail 3 if you wanna go all out

[@JC27813]

They went for a ride after work lol. Isn't riding part of work?

[@jpslaym0936]

When you finally begin riding during (multiple) work hours,you can begin to start calling yourself a ”pro” MTB pilot

[@corrado9076]

Marin paint is always garbage

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

Marin welds are pretty savage. Like third world style 😂 But shush u can't say anything bad about Marin you'll regret it 💀

[@karlkrause6679]

Or, hear me out, Marin's paint is usually pretty sick.

[@stuwest3653]

Dumbest name for a mountain bike.

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

It's a name with history. Buuut it's on a bike made by Polygon in Indonesia so fair play.

[@stuwest3653]

@@LaurentiusTriarius What history? Explain to me what a state prison has to do with a mountain bike.

[@aaronmacdougall9631]

​@@stuwest3653the dirt jumper is the Alcatraz. This is it's trail big brother and named after the notorious prison... In Marin County.