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

Review - With its dirt jump-inspired geometry backed up by a solid spec choice, the Marin San Quentin promises to be a riot on the trails. How did it handle the wet trails of Squamish, BC?
The 2024 Pinkbike Value Bike Field Test is supported by Ride Concepts:
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[@flyfreak23]

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

[@tywitt3351]

No truer words were ever spoken

[@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

[@WesMacaulay]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@paests]

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

[@keosoutdooradventures]

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

[@brianpeterson6872]

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

[@davidchristie2121]

Anyone know what back pack he has?

[@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.

[@michaelsturgeon5210]

Was it me or no mentioning of drivetrain ?

[@rana_MTB]

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

[@johnykryll]

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

[@piotrlukowicz6760]

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

[@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

[@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

[@chenbencalipha3149]

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

[@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 💀

[@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.