Norco vs. Marin!!!

Titanium_Fink said:

I have decided to get into this mountain biking sport 🙂 , and have selected two possible bikes that might be good. The first one is the 2005 Norco Fluid 2 and the second is the 2005 Marin Rock Springs. Can anyone tell me which one is better and what are your opinions on them? 😕

Marins - Good points

• Marins peddle very efficiently due to the quad-link suspension design so there's little 'bio-pacing' when on tarmac.
  
• They are quick off road, again due to the efficient quad link suspension design.
  
• Good climber due to the quad-link suspension design
  
• Good descender under moderatley challenging conditions (but see weaknesses)
  
• THe Rock Springs has c. 130 mm of suspension travel which is enough for most things short of DH racing
  
• The frames and build weight are reasonably competative
  
• There is tons of mud clearance around the rear wheel, if that's important for your location, due to postioning of the quad links on the frame
  
• The frame and main pivots all have a life time warranty, which Marin have a superb reputation for honouring in the UK on the rare occaisons when tested.
  
• High bottom bracket with good peddle clearance for rocks etc...
  

Marin - weaknesses

• THe frame angles do not inspire confidence for very steep descending (think challenging Welsh mountain enduros with steep rocky descents of 300 plus metres). There is a tendancy to feel you are being pitched over the front of the bike and it is particularly difficult to keep your weight behind the saddle and over the back wheel.
  

I have traded my Marin for an SC Blur, which is a signiificantly better bike all round (but at a price).

Titanium_Fink said:

I have decided to get into this mountain biking sport 🙂 , and have selected two possible bikes that might be good. The first one is the 2005 Norco Fluid 2 and the second is the 2005 Marin Rock Springs. Can anyone tell me which one is better and what are your opinions on them? 😕

hey i have a rock spring 2002 or 01 its on the heavy side but if u like the doen hill like i do that probably the one. i have now almost rebuilt the bike i ride hope m4 brakes and i can stop now. it a fun bike u get use to the weight but the new bikes are lighter. take it from me marins are no joke. cooooollll write me back if u need more inf.