Accomplished Free Ride and Downhill instruction camp chooses Marin’s new QUAD XLT platform as their bike of choice

NOVATO, Calif. (FEBRUARY 13, 2006) –Marin Bikes, manufacturer of performance bicycles, announced today its signing and support of Mad March Racing Camps. As partners and principals of Mad March Racing, Shaums March and Mike Jones will exclusively conduct Downhill and Free Ride camps and compete on Marin bikes this upcoming season. Mad March Racing has teamed up with Marin to promote mountain biking in a new way throughout North America, sharing their passion, knowledge and skills with riders of all levels.

With a renewed commitment to develop performance full suspension systems, the partnership with Mad March Racing will creatively promote the QUAD XLT line to resorts, Bicycle dealers and most importantly, riders interested in improving their skills. March and Jones will be riding Quake models, a suspension system that operates on Marin’s QUAD-LINK design. Developed in conjunction with Fox DHX rear shocks, the suspension can be set up firmly for big hits and jumping, or supple for maximum traction, making it the ideal Free Ride bike.

As one of the most recognizable figures in the Downhill scene, Shaums March successfully founded Mad March Racing as the only all professionally instructed Free Ride and Downhill instruction camp. In addition to his outgoing personality and friendly demeanor, March has had a long career highlighted by being named the fastest North American at the 2003 World Championships, a 2nd place overall in the BC cup series in 2004, finishing 4th at the Red Bull Rampage in 2002, and the first African American to ever win a NORBA national. “We’re excited to work with a company that recognizes the value of Mad March Racing camps,” said March, “and the new Quake is the perfect resort bike for our program.”

Jones agreed that, “Marin’s energy behind our camps will enable us to reach more people who are interested in becoming better riders. We hope to promote Marin with the same kind of enthusiasm and commitment they have shown to us.” Jones has raced and ridden mountain bikes for over 15 years throughout North America. In this time, he has been a fixture in the Canadian riding scene and has represented Canada five times on the National Team as well as being the National Downhill Champion three times and BC Champion numerous times. He has also been the host of the internationally aired Ride Guide TV show for the past three years and looks forward to riding, teaching and competing on a Marin this upcoming season.

March and Jones will be present for the debut the new QUAD XLT, Marin’s innovative Free Ride platform, at the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey. For more information on how to participate in an upcoming Mad March Racing camp, please go to www.madmarchracing .com. To learn more about the QUAD XLT suspension system, contact Marin Bikes at (800) 222-7557 or visit www.marinbikes.com/xlt.

Marin Bikes was founded in 1986 in San Anselmo, California, in the heart of mountain biking by Robert Buckley. The company first established its reputation with performance models in mountain biking, and later expanded to offer top of the line Italian road bikes. As the cycling community continues to evolve, Marin will pursue its original mission to provide quality performance and product innovation. Marin Bikes offers a comprehensive line of bikes in the following categories: Alloy and Cromoly Hardtails; Cross-Country, All Mountain and Downhill Full Suspension; City Bikes; Comfort Bikes; Urban Bikes; ALP; Road Racing and Juvenile.

BIKE : Quake AL7 prototype


CATEGORY : QUAD XLT


PUBLICATION : Mountain Biking UK, Preview Issue
2006



ADJUSTABLE BB HEIGHT/HEAD ANGLE
UK-FRIENDLY-LOADS OF MUD CLEARANCE
HARDCORE BUILD WITH A LIGHTWEIGHT RIDE



The Quake AL7 is Marin`s first proper attempt at a hardcore freeride bike. Yes, you did read that right - a hardcore freeride bike from Marin. We were surprised too, but it`s phenomenal.


Marin has made so-called freeride bikes before (remember the B-17?) but let`s face it, they were just souped-up versions of their cross-country bikes. Now the company have go fully into freeriding after their chief designer, and probably the most enthusiastic bike bloke we`ve ever met, Jon Whyte, was flown to Whistler to investigate freeriding for Marin.


Jon was sceptical about the trip to start with, but he returned convinced that Marin had to be a proper part of the freeride scene. He had seen the light. We previewed this design in Freeride in the November 05 issue and now we`ve had a chance to give the prototype version a thrashing.

The
The Frame


The all-new frame is made for 6061 aluminium and features, Jon Whyte`s Quad Link suspension system, which has been redesigned for this frame. The two linkage points and the shock are mounted `inboard` the main triangle to keep them out of harm`s way and prevent mud build-up. All the dials/controls on the shock are still accessible and the linkage pivots have screw-on covers that can be filled with grease to keep the muck at bay - this really is a UK-friendly bike. The production version of the bike is set to have slimmed-down pivot caps and an optional faring to help prevent you kneecapping yourself.

The Quake AL7 will also feature a 1.5in head tube, some heavy-duty gusseting and two geometry settings. Both settings will offer 168mm (6.6in) of rear wheel travel but one (the Alpine setting) will give a 15mm lower bottom bracket height and a slacker head angle than the standard Pedal setting.



The Detail

The spec on our prototype test model wasn`t finalised but the parts fitted sure made for a great bike. The drivetrain was a mixture of Shimano XT gearing and Truvativ cranks and pedals. The brakes were Hayes El Camino hydraulic discs and the Fox DHX 5.0 shock mated well with the Fox 36 RC2 fork. A combination of FSA and WTB components finished her off a treat



The Ride

Other than a few pre-production niggles like the pivots knocking slightly on your knees, the Quake is one of the lightest, most confidence-inspiring freeride bikes that we`ve ridden to date. We even used the protruding swingarm to lean the bike over on tough turns, moto style.

The bike felt like a 4X full-susser with a bit more travel - it was certainly as light and manoeuvrable as a 4X rig but with a few extra traits to make it more versatile, such as the uninterrupted seat tube - perfect for getting back up the hills you just ripped down.

In the time we had to ride the Quake, we just didn`t want to get off it - it`s a bloody good bike and we can`t wait to try the production number. Doddy






MOUNTAIN BIKING UK Opinion

Possibly the best thing Marin have ever done: a kick-ass freeride bike for the masses.