Trek Marlin 7 is the flagship model from the Marlin lineup. This is a race-ready trail bike that doubles as a daily commuter or a leisure two-wheeler. Thanks to its attractive price, it will find its way into the hands of a variety of adventure-hungry riders.
Marlin 7 Gen 2 is the most expensive model from the beginner-friendly Trek Marlin series. However, its $1,030 price is more than justified.
This is an affordable cross-country bike with race-ready geometry and a much better RockShox fork compared to other cheaper Marlin series models.
If you’re more serious about mountain biking and you want the key to the door of real trail riding, then you should read the rest of our detailed Trek Marlin 7 review. You’re guaranteed to like it.
Contents
Trek Marlin 7 Quick Overview
The secret to Marlin 7’s success on the entry-level MTB market is the fact that it combines race-ready elements to budget components to offer a versatile package that fits diametrically different needs, such as trail riding, leisure riding, and commuting.
Key Specifications:
- Frame: Alpha Silver Aluminum
- Fork: RockShox Judy, 100 mm (80mm for XS)
- Cassette: Shimano Deore M4100, 10 speed
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore M5120
- Brakes: Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes
- Rims: Bontrager Connection, double-wall
- Tire Size: 27.5″/29″ x 2.20″
- Weight: 13.47 kg / 29.7 lbs
Trek Marlin 7 Main Features
Trek has obviously put a lot of effort into making Marlin 7 Gen 2 a gateway model to some of their higher-priced and higher-specked lineups such as Roscoe or Supercaliber.
Marlin 7 has features from both the entry-level and the mid-range world. It has excellent competition-worthy suspension, brakes, and frame, coupled with a low-level Shimano groupset and a heavier-than-ideal wheelset.
With a few smart upgrades, it can certainly become a bike that can lead you to a cross-country race podium!
Light and Efficient 1×10 Drivetrain
One of the high points of the Trek Malin 7 bike is its light and efficient 1×10 drivetrain. It’s built with an 11-46T cassette.
This means that it has an excellent range of gears.
High-Performing 100mm RockShox Fork
The RockShox Judy fork on Marlin 7 is a big improvement compared to the SR Suntour forks found on other lower-priced Marlin models.
It puts 100mm of travel under your hands but also equips you with a preload function and a Turnkey lockout. Therefore, you can lock it with the flip of a switch even when you’re riding.
The coil spring might make the fork feel a bit inefficient if you are very short and light, but if you have an average weight, you’ll be happy with it.
This fork is ready for fast descents, rocky terrain, and more technical trails.
Budget-Friendly Components
Shimano Deore components are an upgrade from the previous combination of Shimano Altus and Shimano Acera.
Deore is part of the Shimano lineup, the groupset is the cheapest group marketed towards real mountain bikers.
Deore is well-built and reliable, it even shares some features with more expensive groupsets.
Race-Ready Frame Geometry
By far the most important part of any bike is its frame. Trek Marlin 7 can be proud of its Alpha Silver Aluminum frame as its light, compliant, and nimble on the trails.
The race-inspired geometry makes this bike good both at tight and demanding singletracks, as well as at straight downhills attacked at high speeds.
Its 69.3-69.5-degree head tube angle combined with a 73.5-71.9-degree seat tube angle puts you in a good position to have maximum control.
Reliable Hydraulic Disc Brakes
The Shimano MT200 hydraulic brakes are a phenomenal mid-range choice. They are capable of providing you will all the braking power you need when attacking high-speed descents.
Combined with the aluminum Bontrager Connection double-wall wheels and knobby Bontrager XR2 Comp tires, you’ll get maximum confidence in bends and in wet conditions.
These wheels are not tubeless-ready. Still, they can be easily converted to a tubeless setup which would give Marlin 7 even better trail properties.
Does Trek Marlin 7 Fit Your Needs?
To figure out whether or not Marlin 7 is the right bike for you, you first need to define your needs. If trail riding is your hobby or you believe that it might become that, then you should definitely buy Marlin 7. This is a race-ready bike that you can enter amateur competitions with or just have fun with your friends.
But, Marlin 7 is still not too trail-specific that it cannot accomplish other tasks as well. If you can only afford one bike and you want to be able to commute on it as well, this bike can do that.
A few miles on paved roads to get to work will feel like second nature. Best of all, on the way back home, you can hit some trails and end your day the right way.
Geometry & Sizing
| Frame size number | Frame size letter | Wheel size | A — Seat tube | B — Seat tube angle | Effective seat tube angle | C — Head tube length | D — Head angle | E — Effective top tube | F — Bottom bracket height | G — Bottom bracket drop | H — Chainstay length | I — Offset | J — Trail | K — Wheelbase | L — Standover | M — Frame reach | N — Frame stack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.5 | XS | 27.5″ | 34.3 | 73.5° | 73.5° | 9.0 | 69.3° | 54.4 | 29.2 | 5.8 | 43.8 | 4.2 | 8.8 | 104.9 | 65.8 | 37.6 | 56.5 |
| 15.5 | S | 27.5″ | 36.8 | 73.5° | 73.5° | 9.0 | 69.3° | 55.5 | 30.2 | 4.8 | 43.8 | 4.2 | 8.8 | 106.6 | 68.6 | 38.5 | 57.4 |
| 17.5 | M | 29″ | 41.9 | 71.9° | 73.0° | 9.0 | 69.5° | 60.2 | 31 | 5.8 | 43.8 | 4.2 | 9.3 | 110.0 | 74.8 | 41.8 | 60.2 |
| 18.5 | ML | 29″ | 44.4 | 71.9° | 73.0° | 9.0 | 69.5° | 61.8 | 31 | 5.8 | 43.8 | 4.2 | 9.3 | 111.6 | 75.8 | 43.4 | 60.2 |
| 19.5 | L | 29″ | 47.0 | 71.9° | 73.0° | 10.0 | 69.5° | 63.8 | 31 | 5.8 | 43.8 | 4.2 | 9.3 | 113.7 | 75.7 | 45.1 | 61.1 |
| 21.5 | XL | 29″ | 52.1 | 71.9° | 73.0° | 12.0 | 69.5° | 65.9 | 31 | 5.8 | 43.8 | 4.2 | 9.3 | 115.9 | 76.9 | 46.6 | 63.0 |
| 23.0 | XXL | 29″ | 55.9 | 71.9° | 73.0° | 12.0 | 69.5° | 67.3 | 31.1 | 5.8 | 43.8 | 4.2 | 9.3 | 117.3 | 80.4 | 48.0 | 63.0 |
Other Marlin Models
Verdict: Good Value or Not?
Trek Marlin 7 costs $1,030 and is worth every cent if you’re looking for a real trail bike that’s ready to rumble.
Excellent geometry ensures agile steering and the coil-spring RockShox fork provides impressive shock absorption even on rocky surfaces.
The entry-level components keep the price in check but can be upgraded if need be. However, casual riders and first-timers on the trails can enjoy the original setup for years and miles to come.
Trek Marlin 7
$1,030
Pros
- Efficient RockShox suspension
- Race-inspired geometry
- Strong Shimano hydraulic brakes
- Wide-range 1x10 drivetrain
- Three attractive colors
Cons
- Budget groupsets
Hi Jeff,
I will be getting my Marlin 7 2021 sometime this week. I know this is a Cross Country bike, but since it is so hard to get a hold of the Roscoe models, i figured I’ll just upgrade this Marlin 7 to make it more suitable for aggressive trail rides. Here are the parts that I’ve purchased so far:
Race Face 25mm riser bar (740mm length)
Race Face 50mm Stem (stock came with 60mm)
29′ Maxxis Minion EXO Dual Compound tires (2.3 rear, and 2.5 front)I will also convert to tubeless
TranzX JD-YSP18 Dropper post
Race Face Chester pedals and Grips
I’m still new to Mountain Biking, so I still have a lot to learn. But in the future I want to be able to learn how to do jumps and ride aggressive trails. Do you think the upgrades above will be acceptable for what I’m trying to accomplish?
Hi Nav,
They all look great. But remember, the more aggressive the ride, the more you need to get a shorter stem length. But, for now I think 50mm will do. 29′ is also not friendly for dirt jumps and other aggressive mtb rides. 27.5 is more acceptable(just my opinion).
Such a detailed review
And valuable from every aspect
Could u plz suggest about the performance of cube aim sl in comparison to marlin 7
Hi Jatinder,
I will keep that in mind in my future review. For now you can check this
Hi Jeff,
I have recently purchased a Marlin 7 and would like to go tubeless, I would like to ride some jumps and trails as well as the weekly commute
What wheels and tyres would you recommend?
Thanks
Hi Jeff,
Note that most MTB today have 27.5˝ (also know as 650b) or 29˝ (called 29ers). The 27.5 is still the most popular wheel of choice. You can get a 2.5″ wide tire size if you are more into jumps and trails because they can take abuse. 2.25″ to 2.4″ are good for casual offroad riding.
Hi jeff is the marlin 7 dropper post ready and does it have a clutch to prevent the chain falling off.
Hi Joe,
Yes it is. As for the clutch, all Shimano and Sram derailleurs have clutches.
So the wheels and tires that come with the Marlin 7 can be converted to tubeless?
Hi Donie,
Good question!Yes they are not tubeless but they can be converted. Read more about Tubeless conversion
Great review! I really like this bike but what you you recommend for an intermediate rider?
Hi Marcus,
Thanks! I also posted several reviews about the Trek series. You might want to check: Trek Marlin 6 (2020)
Great review Jeff. I’ve had my Marlin 7 for about 4 months now and just love the bike.
What upgraded wheels and tires would you recommend?
Thx
Thanks, Logy, glad you like the bike! As for the wheels and tires, there’s sooo much choice out there that depends on too many factors for me to just recommend one. First set your budget and then start the research.
Thanks for the info Jeff. Just got my marlin 7 yesterday. Can’t wait to ride it
That’s great to hear! Have fun! 🙂
What would be your first upgrade on the Marlin 7?
The wheels and tires would go first. That’s always the most significant upgrade you can do to a bike. 🙂
Hi, is the marlin 7 better than cannondale trail 5? What do you think?
They are very similar, but I’d go with Marlin 7 because of a slightly better RockShox fork. Plus, it’s one pound lighter, according to Trek, if that matters to you.