In todays article we take a look at the all new Trek Marlin 7 2021 model. The Marlin 7 is the beginning of Treks higher end bikes. This bike comes with upper mid-range components and also a inviting price tag of $1,099.99
What is the Marlin?
The Marlin 7 is a crosscountry hardtail Mountain Bike. It is one of Treks most popular selling MTB. The Marlin 7 is the best option you can pick up in their line-up. With other Marlin options offer even more affordable price tags. However this Marlin 7 is the best bang for buck.
Is Trek Marlin 7 a good bike?
For the money you can’t go wrong with this bike.
It has a RockShox Judy fork with 100mm travel, (which is rated 2 out of 5 stars compared to all suspension forks on the market.) While it is powered by a 1 x 10 Deore, FSA groupset, (which is rated 3 out of 5 stars compared to all MTB’s).
This means a FSA Alpha Drive, 28T steel ring, Boost crank. With a Shimano Deore M4100, 11-46 cassette. Combined with the Bontrager Connection rims and 29×2.20″ Bontrager XR2 Comp tires. The bike achieves an 17.62″ climbing gear and 73.66″ largest gear. That’s a 0.61 to 2.55 gear ratio.
Just quick for those of you who don’t know much about gear inches. They typically range from 18 (very low gearing) via 70 (medium gearing) to 125 (very high gearing). So low gearing is for going up hills and high gearing is for going fast.
Anything under 18″ for climbing is ideal for a mountain bike. Sometimes 1x drivetrains are not the most capable for climbing running larger tooth cranks but this Marlin has no trouble here.
Trek claim that this is a “race-worthy mountain bike”, weighing in at 30.4 lbs / 13.8 kg. It is ideal for someone looking for maybe their first mountain bike. And want a serious bike for their money.
The bike comes with all the expected rack mounts, to carry all the gear and accessories for tours. Suspension lockout which helps when riding on road when you need efficiency compared to bump absorption.
On the chainstay you have to option to mount a rear kickstand, to keep the overall look of the bike clean and simple it has internal cable routing. Adding to the clean design, you get the option with Bontrager gear to mount accessories like lights directly onto the stem, thanks to the Blendr Stem.
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Marlin 7 2020 vs Marlin 7 2021 vs Marlin 7 Gen 2 2023
What is the difference between the 2020 and 2021 Trek Marlin 7? It has seen some updates. The frame is pretty much the same, with an identical geometry. But the new 2021 model has much better quality components, 2020 having the 2 x 9 Acera, Altus groupset/drivetrain (rated 1 out of 5 stars out of all mountain bikes).
The 2020 Marlin 7 has a better gear range, with both bikes having the exact sample climbing capabilities. The new 2021 model is more limited and will spin out before the 2020 Marlin, because of the 1x drivetrain.
The 2020 also had a different fork, the RockShox 30 Silver TK. While the 2021 model is 300 grams lighter.
Below you can see a detailed table comparing both bikes side by side.
| Marlin 7 (2020) | Marlin 7 (2021) | Marlin 7 Gen 2 | |
| MSRP | US$799 | US$855 | US$1,299 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Crosscountry | Crosscountry | Crosscountry |
| Weight | 31.0 lbs / 14.1 kg | 30.4 lbs / 13.8 kg | 13.5 kg |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Fork | RockShox 30 Silver TK | RockShox Judy | RockShox Judy |
| Climbing Gear Inches | 17.62″ | 17.62″ | 17.62″ |
| Largest Gear Inches | 91.86″ | 73.66″ | 73.66″ |
| Gear Ratio | 0.61 to 3.27 | 0.61 to 2.55 | 0.61 to 2.55 |
| Wheel Size | 27.5″ / 29″ | 27.5″ / 29″ | 27.5″ / 29″ |
| Tires | 29 x 2.20″ Bontrager XR2 Comp | 29 x 2.20″ Bontrager XR2 Comp | 29 x 2.20″ Bontrager XR2 Comp |
| Wheel Material | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Brake Type | Hydraulic Disc | Hydraulic Disc | Hydraulic Disc |
| Groupset | Acera, Altus | Deore, FSA | Deore, FSA |
| Drivetrain | 2 × 9 | 1 × 10 | 1 x 10 |
| Suspension | Hardtail | Hardtail | Hardtail |
| Front Travel | 100mm | 100mm | 100mm |
| Seatpost | Rigid | Rigid | Rigid |
Also below is a comparison table of each bikes specs.
| Marlin 7 (2020) | Marlin 7 (2021) | |
| Frame | Alpha Silver Aluminum, internal routing, chainstay disc brake mount, rack and kickstand mount, 135x5mm QR | Alpha Silver Aluminum, internal routing, chainstay disc brake mount, rack and kickstand mount, 135x5mm QR |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox XC 30, coil spring, preload, TurnKey lockout, 46mm offset for 29″ wheel, 100mm QR, 100mm travel | RockShox Judy, coil spring, preload, TurnKey lockout, 100mm QR, 100mm travel |
| Bottom Bracket | VP BC73, 73mm, threaded cartridge | FSA, 73mm, threaded cartridge |
| Headset | Semi-integrated, 1-1/8″ | Semi-integrated, 1-1/8″ |
| Stem | Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree | Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree |
| Handlebar | Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 5mm rise | Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 5mm rise |
| Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, steel rails, 138mm width | Bontrager Arvada, steel rails, 138mm width |
| Seatpost | Bontrager alloy, 31.6mm, 12mm offset | Bontrager alloy, 31.6mm, 12mm offset |
| Pedals | VP-536 nylon platform | VP-536 nylon platform |
| Grips | Bontrager XR Trail Comp, nylon lock-on | Bontrager XR Trail Comp, nylon lock-on |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Acera M3000, Shadow design, long cage | Shimano Deore M5120, long cage |
|---|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | Shimano Altus M2020, 34.9mm clamp, top swing, dual pull | |
| Crank | Shimano MT101, 36/22 | FSA Alpha Drive, 28T steel ring, Boost |
| Shifters | Shimano Altus M2010, 9 speed | Shimano Deore M4100, 10 speed |
| Cassette | Shimano HG200, 11-36, 9 speed | Shimano Deore M4100, 11-46, 10 speed |
| Chain | KMC X9, 9 speed | KMC X10, 10 speed |
| Brakes | Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc | Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc |
Wheels
| Rims | Bontrager Connection, double-wall, 32-hole, 20mm width, presta valve | Bontrager Connection, double-wall, 32-hole, 20mm width, presta valve |
|---|---|---|
| Front Hub | Formula DC-20, alloy, 6-bolt, 5x100mm QR | Formula DC-20, alloy, 6-bolt, 5x100mm QR |
| Rear Hub | Formula DC-22, alloy, 6-bolt, Shimano 8/9/10 freehub, 135x5mm QR | Formula DC-22, alloy, 6-bolt, Shimano 8/9/10 freehub, 135x5mm QR |
| Tires | Bontrager XR2 Comp, wire bead, 30 tpi, 29×2.20″ | Bontrager XR2 Comp, wire bead, 30 tpi, 29×2.20″ |
Trek Marlin 7 Women’s
The Marlin bikes also come in women’s options, which is perfect! His and her bikes anyone?
This bike has some slight differences compared to the Marlin 7. As a womens bike it comes in smaller sizes with slight adjustments. The frame is still the Alpha Silver Aluminium however it features a low standover. Thanks to the downward curved top-tube.
The women’s option weighs 29.8 lbs / 13.5 kg which is 300 grams lighter. All other components and parts stay the same. For the exception of a different saddle. The Womens Marlin 7 has the Bontrager Ajna 1 Women’s saddle. And the other Marlin 7 has the Bontrager Arvada.
Trek Marlin 6 vs Trek Marlin 7
What is the difference between Trek Marlin 6 and 7? We have a more detailed article which compares these two bike models.
In a nutshell, the main differences is the bikes components. The Marlin 6 has lesser quality components then the Marlin 7. But the Marlin 6 is cheaper by $200.
The Marlin 7 is slightly better at climbing but the Marlin 6 is more capable at descending. The Marlin 6 is 700 grams heavier then the Marlin 7. Check out this article if you want more info on these two bikes. (Coming soon)
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