RIDE TEST: Trek Marlin 8+ - EMTB On A Lower Budget

Cheaper EMTB's have come a long way in the last years. We take a close look at the Trek Marlin 8+ front suspension EMTB. Coming with a Bosch 50Nm Active Line motor and a 400 w battery. Find out what we thought in our review and test.
We didn't mention in the video but the Marlin can be fully stacked with mudguards, racks and kick stands. All the necessary holes and mount points are present.
00:00 Start
00:12 Specifications
01:23 Ride Test
02:00 General riding
03:30 Uphill
03:44 Enduro descent - The limit?
04:40 Conclusion
07:39 End Titles
Note: EMTB's are expensive, this is one of the lowest priced EMTB's we have tried based on the ranges available from major brands. If you want more videos like this leave a comment below.
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[@ExhumedToConsume]

It's cool to see them taking their entry level bike and electrifying it, feels like a perfect bike for someone who wants to ride some tame cross country or commute on something a little cooler. Anyone wanting and/or needing something more aggressive should really be looking at the E-Caliber.

[@alexbiketester]

yes true

[@teamhonn]

These are designed for bikers that just need a little boost but are otherwise strong rider. My wife has the 6+ rides most of the time with no battery but when she needs it is is there. These bikes are game changers for fit bikers with knee issues that can’t pound it up hills. Great review

[@alexbiketester]

Fun machines, thanks for watching.

[@teamhonn]

You are more than welcome. If they figure out how to do regenerating charging that we really be great. I know my wife went for a hard ride for over 2 hours and battery was still at 85% because she only used it on the steepest pitches

[@ExhumedToConsume]

@@teamhonn Boggles my mind how we don't have that sort of ability through crank power yet lol

[@pdeichert]

Watch your sidewalls the bike is a unit

[@ner30_dbk35]

First its 50nm. Second is 203 mm rotors front and back. Shimano MT 420 four piston brakes are more than capable to handle bike and riders weight while braking. I am 6.9 and 260 lbs and I have to tell you this bike is more than capable of tackling any steep climbs. The only problem on this bike is a fork 120 mm RockShox Recon on rocky and long downhill you will feel every single bump on your hands. I looking to upgrade it to RockShox Pyke Ultimate 140 mm travel.

[@alexbiketester]

Its an easy going emtb. So yes if you put a bigger fork on it it will help. The motor power is 50 NM the correction is in the description.

[@d1d1ka29]

I've put a fox factory grip2 130mm on it, gives the back a new life. And I do take it down the trails, I own a Rail, which is awesome and easy to ride on the trails, but the marlin+ just rips through trails lol, I love it.

[@specialized29er86]

I'm in Australia and am having trouble getting one with an XL frame but there's always next years bikes then again the Marlin + 6 would be just as good.

[@alexbiketester]

Trek probably have uneven world stock distribution.... I bet there is one in Europe

[@dennycelestinohybridspecies]

I love this bike! I have a low budget but well built Rattan challenger 350W rearhub motor, My everyday cruiser and fun bike as well with a rigid frame that reminds me of my BMX freestyle bikes back in the late 80s like a Haro Master. I would love to have this Trek eMTB, I hope one day to find a mid suspension bike like a Trek, or a Specialized, but this would be a great way to start especially for someone from the BMX World where the challenges of the non suspension frame makes the riding more fun. 🚵

[@alexbiketester]

Yes its a different ride experiemce, its still fun and the geo on this bike is excellent. Requires differnet skills downhill, but still fun! Greaqt bike for its category.

[@raptor6799]

Hey, largely do on road or bridleway sort of riding for fitness. I just prefer doing that on mtb as it’s more comfy than bone shakers. This would suit what I do pretty well from review?

[@raptor6799]

Sometimes do a decent amount of climbing but still want to put effort in largely want to avoid getting back dead and then not wanting to go next day.

[@scottcameron9421]

Flirting with the idea of swapping my road bike which I only use for a short work commute for do it all emtb. 2 work colleagues swear by them and they certainly are more regular using the bike over the car than I am. Having owned a few trek bikes I know the quality is usually spot on but the battery size and torque is what concerns me? I understand you may gain on the weight save - will it make a difference using for a tarmac road commute and casual gravel/trail adventures with my 8 year old? Also seems a no brainier to go for the 8+ over the 6+ for the upgrades and only £500 diffrence.

[@alexbiketester]

This bike for tarmac is great, the torque is enough for tarmac use. Higher troques are good for heavier bikes or steep hills. or hard offroad. if you are doing casual trails with your 8 year old this will be fine. 8+ is better. solid piece of kit.

[@Ovlazek]

I'm looking at this as my first ebike, but I'm a bit apprehensive about battery life. Sounds like they usually have around 1000 charge cycles. What happens after that? Are replacement batteries still on the market 5 years later, or is the bike kind of disposable after the battery is shot?

[@alexbiketester]

Good question! Bosch will have replacement batteries available. Depending how much you rode and how you store your battery will shape it's life.

[@dunneryak]

Discover the Trek Marlin+ Electric Bike | Unleash Your Adventure!

[@evancleland1775]

Could it handle some small table tops on occasion? I'm hoping for a eHT that is a capable all-rounder for having fun, nothing to crazy tho

[@alexbiketester]

smooth ones yes.

[@jimbo4203]

It's a hard tail MTB and can ride anything 😅

[@jimbo4203]

It's a hardtail MTB and can ride anything 😅 the rider is the only thing holding it back

[@alexbiketester]

Yes...... Depending on the level of danger one wants to accept.... Lol

[@neilbartlett3018]

Can the battery be removed for storage in winter?

[@alexbiketester]

only by dropping the motor.

[@neilbartlett3018]

Thanks

[@vilavg3657]

Does this do well on a long tour?

[@alexbiketester]

how long? a few hours ok, i would say you should get the extender for an all day tour

[@vilavg3657]

@@alexbiketester 50-60km a day?

[@alexbiketester]

I forgot to ask your rider weight?@@vilavg3657

[@vilavg3657]

@@alexbiketester I’m a heavy 80kgs

[@alexbiketester]

you should be ok if its not much more than 300/400 metres of climbing and are not in turbo all the time and its not cold,@@vilavg3657

What is the ride range this bike ?

[@alexbiketester]

about 30-40 km

[@ner30_dbk35]

Probably around 20 miles more or less. It really depends on your shifting and power assist mode you are using. It also depends on the type of trail you are riding. If you do long steep climbs for a few miles on higher assist mode then your battery range drops significantly.

[@d1d1ka29]

I've gotten 40 miles out of it on the trails on Auto mode.

[@Mark-jb9hx]

Where do you get 60nm from? It is 50nm.

[@alexbiketester]

that was an error. But it is correct in the description. I misread the stats.