The Ideal Hardtail Mountain Bike | Marin Bobcat Trail 5 Bike Review

[@mammothjourneys]

Who else has ridden the Bobcat Trail 5 and what was your experience? Still a few upgrades I need to make on the bike to make it an even better ride, including that dropper post - but what other changes would you make?

[@bennigri830]

got the trail 5 2 months ago, ive been abusing it ever since. has NEVER let me down tho. absolute beast.

[@conradberke5261]

Have this bike myself - huge fan. Constantly jumping and occasionally crashing this bike - it takes a lot of punishment really well and is super durable. nice review!

[@mammothjourneys]

Cheers mate thank you. One thing I've learnt about Marin over the years is that they produce really robust kit. Glad you've been enjoying it, happy riding mate 👍

[@divadslochin]

Looking seriously at this bike. I test rode it today. I think it would do everything I want. Thanks

[@mammothjourneys]

Good to hear Divad. I'm yet to find a scenario where the bike is the limitation on me doing something, it's normally my ability! Hope you have fun with it 😀

[@the_floating_kiwi]

Amazing review here, you've convinced me to get this bike, it sounds perfect!

[@mammothjourneys]

Great stuff thank you. It's so much fun, you've picked well. Happy riding mate 👍

[@berserkerusmc7613]

Really thorough review. Great job my friend. Side note of: Mud guards are cool and necessary. Those that go without are "wankers "... Take care amd happy trails.

[@mammothjourneys]

Ha ha cheers mate. Glad you liked the video. I mean I think the mudguards are fine, but I do wonder if I'm in the minority! Good to hear some voices of support. Happy riding mate 👍

[@andyfisher2403]

I'm buying one today.

[@mammothjourneys]

Great stuff, enjoy mate! 😁

[@walken199]

I’m not interested in getting this bike but you did a great review

[@mammothjourneys]

Cheers Walken, glad you enjoyed it. What bike did you end up going for then?

[@walken199]

@@mammothjourneys so just received about a week ago the Canyon Stoic 2 and I am really impressed by the bike, specially the budget components that come on this bike perform really great, I chose the Stoic for the geometry of the bike, I will upgrade every component on the bike but in the meantime I want to make a video review and so that’s why I am watching other peoples reviews to gain inspiration and ideas.

[@mammothjourneys]

@@walken199 ah that is a nice bike. I'll keep an eye out on the review. I do the same to get ideas, hopefully over time the videos get better and information more relevant. What made you pick the Stoic in the first place? I'm always interested in how people pick a bike from the 100's available

[@walken199]

@@mammothjourneys I will make sure to send you a link to my review when it’s done. well I already have hardtail but I never tried a 29er and for my riding style I wanted an aggressive hardtail with a modern geometry, my choices was between the Nukeproof Scout, Ragley Marley, Trek Roscoe and the Commencal meta ht they were other options but they were not necessarily available and so in the end I opted for the Canyon Stoic and that is due to the fact that I feel it’s geometry will suit my riding style better and also the fact that I thought it would make a good review for a budget hardtail. When I finished with the review, I intend to fully upgrade every component on the frame. Do you plan to make a review on a different mtb and if so what bike would you like to make a review on next?

[@mammothjourneys]

@@walken199 I look forward to it mate. Sounds like you did your research to get to this point. You should do a review after the upgrades and see if the cost and effort was worth it. Be interesting. I'm not sure from a MTB perspective. I'd need to ride more and either go for a full suspension or a higher spec hardtail. I've got an idea from a gravel perspective. I want to get the DSX from Marin - flat bar gravel bike with hydraulic brakes. You could argue a MTB without suspension...... Different to what I have ridden in be past so would be very unique experience. When you are watching reviews, what information do you want to know on the bike and how do you want it presented??

[@ddg227]

I hope the frame worth and the wheels are little stronger than average because I can have and air fork and a 2 chainring setup for less money...what kind of gear ratio upgrade is possible on the v5?

[@mammothjourneys]

What make/model forks and bike can you get an air fork on? It would depend on what quality that is on whether it is worth it. Marin has 2x front chainring options if that is your preference as well. Would you be looking at completely changing the front and rear cassettes on the bike? Or simply changing the rear and upgrading the derailleur?

[@ddg227]

Cube Attention here in Central Europe with entry level Judy airfork. Problem is these bikes will never be compatible with a 40 or even 36 front chainring with a 1x setup to be used on flat and asphalt as a tourer, but this Marin has so overwhelmingly positive reviews for the types of riding I'd do with it. The cost of upgrading the v4 model to be very capable is also high, that's why it's interesting what your experience is with the 'premium feel'. I didn't have satisfactory results upgrading something cheaper in the past.I think I get something with a 2x setup from the get go..I'd like to hear your opinion.

[@danypopov]

What about weight measurements?

[@mammothjourneys]

Good question, will make sure that's included in future videos, it's an important fact to know of the bike. It's just shy of 14kg.

[@CharlieStacey-v2u]

What is a dropper post?

[@mammothjourneys]

A seat that drops down, but can then return to the normal position. It's operated by a button on your handlebars. Helps when going down hill, so you can move your weight backwards and the seat doesn't get in the way. Then when you are going uphill you bring it back up so you can sit on it in the correct position. Make sense?

[@CharlieStacey-v2u]

@@mammothjourneys OK thanks. Would you say it’s worth getting one?

[@mammothjourneys]

@@CharlieStacey-v2u It depends. If your riding isn't going down much downhill sections where you need to have your weight over your back tyre, then probably not. But if you find that you are doing some singletrack sections and you are finding the saddle is in your way when trying shift your weight then it is well worth it.

[@CharlieStacey-v2u]

@@mammothjourneys ok thanks

[@ichsanrahmanto]

is that 2022 or 2021 series ?

[@mammothjourneys]

This is the 2021 series. Have you ridden this model?

[@ichsanrahmanto]

@@mammothjourneys yes! It was great! I will buy the 2022 series (the one with shimano diore) next week, right now it on sale for 40% off in my country, best deal ever!

[@mammothjourneys]

@@ichsanrahmanto Wow that is a crazy price drop - definitely take advantage. Where you are from to get such a good deal?

[@ichsanrahmanto]

@@mammothjourneys i am from indonesia bro

[@mammothjourneys]

@@ichsanrahmanto amazing! Marin is really popular over there from what I can tell. I've been lucky enough to visit a few places there and loved it. Never with a bike unfortunately, hopefully one day!

[@skg901]

Unlessfhis is really cgesp like 500 USD, this doesnt make sense. I'vd ridden this and it feels cheap.

[@mammothjourneys]

@@skg901 ah damn. Take it you didn't enjoy it? Same model of the Bobcat Trail and not the lower versions? It sells for more than 500USD yeah

[@MrStingraybernard]

Pronounced the name wrong

[@mammothjourneys]

@@MrStingraybernard ha ha the Marin bit? Yeah I realised about a year I had got it wrong, but its now what I'm used to so even knowing it hard to break the habit. Will have a DSX2 video out later and will do it right then!

[@richardparnell8402]

Never again will not ever buy a Marin ever again. Nothing but bottom bracket issues, something is creaking and no one can figure it out. It's only been on the street

[@mammothjourneys]

@@richardparnell8402 that's rubbish mate. Which model did you get? Was it from new? Any issues like this just go back to the dealer, that isn't normal.

[@richardparnell8402]

@@mammothjourneys not rubbish. Bobcat 5 and two different frames bottom bracket went out on both. I'm 40 I've had like 4 bikes in my life time and biked thousands and thousands of km never having any issues. My last two bikes were a Norco and CCM both lasted ten years and I biked the absolute hell out of them with zero issues. The bottom bracket on both frames started to creak, and the frame one the new one makes a tic when you pot pressure on it. I only use this bike to ride about 25km/day to work, and it can't even handle that.

[@mammothjourneys]

@@richardparnell8402 no I meant it's rubbish you had that experience, not suggesting your experience wasn't true, misunderstanding there. Gutted to hear all of this. I certainly wouldn't be happy with this at all. What did the shop say about it all?

[@richardparnell8402]

@@mammothjourneys oh sorry, I'm use to people on the internet being rude lol. It's been back and forth. At this point I'm taking a kiss on it. Just sucks.

[@mammothjourneys]

@@richardparnell8402 ha ha no worries. I read your comment a few times and it only made sense when I re-read mine! That sucks though. Surely once the shop rides the bike and can hear the problem, and atey unable to fix it, it needs to head back to Marin. Fingers crossed for you mate 🤞