When did mountain biking become a fashion show? Did we miss the memo? When the Marin Wolf Ridge hit the media channels, rather than enlightening talk of kinematics and performance, the forum Kardashians united in cries of “Ugly, hideous, kill it with fire!” Yes, it looks… well, different, but if the R3ACT suspension works, if it’s amazing – that should good enough for us.
Looking at today’s choices on the market, when it comes to bikes there’s very little to separate different designs. Homology is the new reality, and designs differ by just degree here or a mm there, most separated only by marketing hype. Innovation is slowing – unless that is, we whisper about E-MTBs. However, sometimes we come across a bike so different that it’s hard to make assumptions. Yes, in a world of beautiful bikes it certainly is the ugly duckling, but does it ride like a swan? Aesthetics are personal opinion, but performance is absolute – if the innovative R3ACT suspension really works, then surely we can forgive the “unique” styling. The numbers certainly add up: a lofty 160 mm of travel from a 29er weighing in at 14.13 kg (size Large) sounds like the bike is ready to rock and roll. But what is it? Marin claim the Wolf Ridge is the ultimate all-around mountain bike experience, but is it a long-travel plough bike, agile trail missile, or just a design folly?
The Marin Wolf Ridge 9 in detail
The Marin Wolf Ridge 9 certainly looks a lot cooler in the flesh than it does in photos. The green/blue fade paint gives the bike a futuristic look, and the finish is exceptional. Like a mullet haircut, the front triangle is all business, iconically Marin, with styling cues taken directly from the Attack Trail range; at the back, however, it’s a true party. There the quirky R3ACT suspension system dominates with its huge mono-stay. Hidden inside is a large integral sliding stanchion that connects the front and rear frame structures, changing the kinematics through the stroke. Designer Darrell Voss has been playing it close to his chest when he talks about the function of the system, outwardly avoiding techno-speak. Instead, he promotes judgement based on the ride feel.
Fork RockShox Lyrik RCT3 160 mm
Rear shock RockShox Monarch R DebonAir 160 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle
Brakes SRAM Guide RS
Handlebar Deity Blacklabel 800 mm
Stem Deity Copperhead 35 mm
Seatpost KS Lev Sio
Tires WTB Vigilante / WTB Breakout
Wheelset Stan´s Notubes Flow MK3 Wheelsset
Those who regularly dig their chainrings into rocks and roots may need to take more care with the exposed belly of the R3ACT system.
Our test bike was fitted with an inline dropper, but the retail model will feature a layback which will make the already lazy seat tube angle even slacker.
While not perfect, the Marin Wolf Ridge is one of the most exciting innovations to hit the industry in years. Watch this space.
The Marin Wolf Ridge R3ACT suspension system is the best climber we have ever ridden – the mono-stay is quiet and stable under power.
The geometry of the Marin Wolf Ridge 9
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 390 mm | 420 mm | 465 mm | 525 mm |
| Top tube | 575 mm | 595 mm | 620 mm | 638 mm |
| Head tube | 90 mm | 90 mm | 100 mm | 125 mm |
| Head angle | 66.5° | 66.5° | 66.5° | 66.5° |
| Seat angle | 73.5° | 73.5° | 73.5° | 73.5° |
| Chainstays | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm |
| BB Drop | 37 mm | 37 mm | 37 mm | 37 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1155 mm | 1175 mm | 1206 mm | 1229 mm |
| Reach | 415 mm | 435 mm | 462 mm | 476 mm |
| Stack | 627 mm | 627 mm | 636 mm | 659 mm |
The Marin Wolf Ridge 9 on the trail
Does it work? OK, we will say it: the R3ACT mono-stay performs like nothing else we have ever ridden. From the first pedal stroke you can feel something different is going on. It’s a difficult feeling to explain, but the rear feels both connected to but also independent of rider weight. The back of the bike tracks the ground and responds to hits with a unique composure, seeming to accelerate forward with every hit. When it comes to pedalling efficiency, even fitted with a basic RockShox Monarch Debonair shock instead of the retail model’s Fox X2, the Wolf Ridge is a triumph of kinematics. Believe the hype, as this is the most efficient 160 mm bike on the market!
Without any platform damping added, hammering on the pedals up a steep climb results in zero bob, wallow, or hesitation from the wide mono-stay… just grip and brutal acceleration. Unfortunately, when seated, while the 462.2 mm reach is comfortable, the lazy 73.5 degree seat tube angle pulls on the proverbial handbrake, leaving us feeling like we were pedaling from the back seat (especially longer-legged testers). Our test model was fitted with an inline dropper post, but the retail version will be supplied with a rear offset dropper, which will only make things worse. It’s not terrible, but it’s a shame that the R3ACT is not working to its full potential.
Efficient climbing is only half the equation, however. Good suspension needs to be wrapped in potent geometry to really exploit the downs, especially with 160 mm of travel. It’s here where the impressive rear suspension performance proves to be somewhat of an Achilles’ heel for the Wolf Ridge. The rear suspension is SO good that you want more from the bike. The excitable handling of the Wolf Ridge 9 is incredibly accurate, darting from line to line outrageously quickly and changing direction faster than a UK politician. Off-camber lines can be hit with razor-sharp accuracy and when shown some tight radiuses it will cut a line through them like a surgeon. Ultimately, all the geometry qualities that make the bike so impressively nimble and playful mean that when white-knuckling down rough trails, it needs a racer’s mindset and big skills to hold rugged lines at full speed.
The Wolf Ridge delivers 180 mm bike potential channeled through a chassis that feels borrowed from a 140 mm bike. While we wouldn’t say that a 66.5 degree head angle is steep, a degree or so less may have calmed the enthusiastic handling and provided a better match for the rear (a George Foreman to its Muhammed Ali). We know the RockShox Lyrik RCT3 160 mm is a powerful fork, so were surprised when it felt constrained. Overall, we would love to see what the R3ACT would be capable of in a more aggressive package. Also, for those who live on very rocky trails we would not recommend the Marin, as the belly hangs low, and we picked up chips to the carbon within the first ride. Only time will tell if the R3ACT system is as durable as claimed.
Conclusion
The Marin Wolf Ridge left us at a quandary. In many ways the bike is a revelation, leagues ahead of the competition. It’s so damn efficient you could race an XC World Cup on this thing. As a trail bike, it’s extremely rapid and delivers sharp and engaging handling at any speeds. Whether this makes it a great bike depends a lot on where you live and what you ride. However, marketed as the one bike to do it all, it does need rider skill to push hard. The R3ACT system has taken Marin to the next level, but to unleash its full potential the geometry needs to step up too.
Strengths
– Class-leading efficiency
– Insanely good cornering
Weaknesses
– Lazy seat tube angle
– Exposed underbelly
For more info head to: marinbikes.com
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