Trek Marlin 8 Review: A Solid Choice for MTB Enthusiasts?

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This review of the Trek Marlin 8, the highest-end bike from the Marlin family of aluminum mountain bikes, will help you decide whether it is worth it. I interviewed one of its owners about his experience.

We will discuss the bike’s features, performance, and benefits. Of course, you will also learn about Marlin 8’s shortcomings.

About Joe

I live in Northern England and am an experienced amateur mountain biker. I mostly ride cross country but enjoy a good trail run. I have been riding mountain bikes for the past ten years. Before my current bike, I owned a Carrera Kraken 27.5er.

Trek Marlin 8 Summary

Trek currently offers Marlin 4 up to Marlin 8. The higher the number, the more high-end (and expensive) the bike. Below is the summary of Marlin 8.

Trek Marlin 8 Pros & Cons

Below, we highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of the Trek Marlin 8 bike.

Joe’s Experience with Trek Marlin 8

What other alternatives did you consider before buying the Marlin 8, and why did the Marlin 8 win out in the end?

Initially, I planned to buy a Voodoo Bizango as a budget option, but after doing more research, I discovered that Trek was the better brand. I considered the Trek Roscoe 7 and the Trek Marlin 8, which have modern geometry. 

Ultimately, I chose the Trek Marlin 8 because it had higher-quality components and was the most cost-effective choice.

Have you bought the bike online or in a store? 

I bought my Trek Marlin 8 in-store from Evan’s Cycles.

For what type of riding do you use this bike the most?

I primarily use this bike for cross-country riding, but I have also taken it on several trails.

How would you describe its riding characteristics?

The SRAM derailleur provides a smooth gear shift, always responsive. Due to the Ardent Race tires, the Marlin 8 is one of the faster mountain bikes on smooth and dry terrain. I often pass my friends on this kind of terrain. 

However, a downside of these low-rolling-resistance tires is that they struggle to find traction during wet and slippery conditions, and I often find myself spinning the back wheel.

Does the front suspension work well?

The front fork performs well. It has a Rockshox Judy silver air spring, which offers an adjustable recoil rate and a hydraulic TurnKey lockout, making it responsive and customizable to the rider’s preference. 

However, when riding on more technical terrain, especially downhill, I have struggled to maintain control of the bike, likely due to the short travel suspension – the fork only has 100mm of travel. 

Additionally, the shock absorber makes an uncomfortable whining sound upon recoil, but I believe this to be a characteristic of most MTB air springs and is a minor detail.

Would you like to have more gears, or are you ok with the modern 1X drivetrain?

My previous bike had a 3×9 drivetrain, so transitioning to a 1×12 was a big change, and I had to relearn how to use it. 

But with more modern gear ratios, I find climbing with this bike to be much easier and more controllable than with a 3×9 drivetrain. 

The only limitation I have experienced so far is on high-speed downhill runs, where I have been unable to achieve higher speeds. Nevertheless, I have still managed to hit speeds of up to 35 mph downhill.

How comfortable is it on a scale from 1 to 10?

I would rate this bike as a 7 for cross-country runs compared to other cross-country hardtails. 

However, for trails, I would rate the comfort as more of a 4, likely due to the short travel in the front fork.

What is your overall feeling from the ride?

Since getting this bike, I have been able to climb hills that used to require me to push my bike. The 1×12 drivetrain has given me a new sense of achievement by enabling me to tackle steeper ascents.

Is there something you don’t like about it?

The only thing I would change about this bike is the lack of a gear indicator dial. Because of this, I have spent a lot of time in the wrong gear, but I have gotten better with experience riding the bike.

What do you like the most about it?

What I like most about this bike is definitely the drivetrain. The 1×12 drivetrain has enabled me to reach heights that were previously unreachable. 

I also appreciate the Ardent Race tires, even though they can be challenging in slippery conditions. They allow me to reach higher speeds with ease.

Trek Marlin 8 Alternatives

The Trek Marlin 8 alternatives include bikes from the same family, such as the Marlin 7 or 6, and MTBs from other brands.

I recommend checking out my article on mountain bikes for under $1000 for more inspiration. 

Summary

Would you recommend buying the Trek Marlin 8? 

I highly recommend purchasing a Trek Marlin 8 for cross-country and adventure use. I use it multiple times a week and often push it beyond its comfort zone, but it has never let me down. 

However, if I were to buy a hardtail for trail use, I think it would be worth spending the extra money on a Trek Roscoe. With its longer travel suspension and dropper post, the Roscoe would be much more suitable for trails.

Joe, thank you again for your time and for sharing your experience!

Trek Marlin FAQ