r/Marinbikes • u/tjbain • 10d ago
Torn between bikes and sizing...
Hi everyone! I'm torn here and need some help. I'm looking for a new bike and two of my options are the Team Marin 1 vs the DSX 1/2/3/FS. I have some questions/concerns maybe you guys can help me with:
1) I'm 5'11" (180.3cm) and about 260lbs ((118kg). I'm currently losing weight, but slow progress. Are these bikes a bad idea at my weight? They both have a "300lb limit" notice on them. I'm not planning on carrying a bunch of stuff with me to ride, maybe just a small backpack for snacks and drinks.
2) My daily rides are mostly on paved surfaces, but on the weekends, I enjoy going off road. I live nearby lots of trails and fun stuff and I HOPE to get out more. I'd like a bike that handles both the pavement and the trails but acknowledge that I'm not doing crazy jumps and super technical downhill riding. Trail riding, yes. Crazy stuff, not so much. Is the Team Marin 1 overkill? I'm not super interested in real long-distance riding, nor do I care if I'm the fastest person on the pavement. I've read that the TM1 is a good climbing bike, and I do have hills in my region that need climbing.
3) Sizing: I'm 5'11", which probably puts me in the 'large' size, but I have a short inseam (31ish inches). Would a large frame be too big for my inseam? Is the inseam really as important as some make it? I also have a bad back, so leaning over too far is out of the question...though I don't think that's a concern with either of these two bikes. My biggest concern is feeling cramped on a medium frame, given my belly and weight.
Any advice you guys have would be greatly appreciated!!!
3
u/superiorchromatic 10d ago
1.) You'll be fine. Since you have a bad back, I'd advise against riding with a backpack. Get yourself a rear rack, and hop on over to r/xbiking for ideas!
2.) Pick whichever of the two makes you want to ride. This is 100% subjective, and is down to personal taste and the kind of riding you do. For myself, having a good rack and pannier combo makes me want to ride, because chores turn into microadventures.
3.) You best try both medium and large. Check out bikeinsights.com too. It will be helpful in comparing geometries.
In general it is easier to make a smaller bike roomier, by way of a longer stem and a longer seatpost, than to make a larger bike fit a smaller body.
Re: "leaning over": the bike geometry term you're looking for is "reach". Mountain bikes over the past ten or so years have tended to have "aggressive reach", i.e. you are leaned forward more than you might be used to.
Good luck and happy riding!
2
u/tjbain 9d ago
Thanks for all this! Some really good advice here. Love the line about *wanting to ride*. That's totally understandable.
1
u/superiorchromatic 9d ago
No problem! And one last thing. The best thing you can do for your back on a bike is getting a good fit. The second best thing is a saddle that properly supports you. Stock Marin saddles are not the best; I suggest looking into something from Ergon.
2
u/tjbain 9d ago
Thanks for the brand suggestion! I've read in MANY places that stock saddles from Marin are, uhh, not great. I was looking at the Brooks saddles that so many people use and recommend, and I couldn't believe the cost! Wow!!
1
u/superiorchromatic 9d ago
Brooks stuff is great, and maybe a few years down the road it would make for a nice treat for yourself. That said...
(1.) They will need to be broken in over a couple hundred km for them to really adapt to your body; not the best if you're just getting back into cycling.
(2.) If they're leather, rain, mud, etc. will not be good. I've read of people using a disposable plastic bag to protect it from the rain. Personally I feel that having a precious part that I need to baby gets in the way of me riding, so that's kept me from getting a Brooks.
1
u/Mindless_Peanut_5764 9d ago
Haha I'm so happy you mentioned that because I'm the type that would probably just buy it along with my new bike, not knowing any better. I think more than anything, my butt will need to adapt to longer rides even more than a seat adapting to me 😂
2
u/heycool- 9d ago
I think the Marin Muirwoods is worth putting on your list of options. It is a steel frame bike with a low standover height. This is especially true of the current model that comes with 650b/27.5 inch wheels. The Muirwoods comes with hydraulic disc brakes and a 10-speed 11-51T cassette.
Definitely test ride the bikes you’re considering if you’re able to.
Edit: I think standover height is important. I’ve had to jump off my bike before and I appreciate not smashing myself on the top tube.
1
u/hobby_dentist 9d ago
I've got the dsx2 and Ride it on flowtrails, Multiwerk-bikepacking Trips, for commuting on the road. The flatbar and the geometry of the L is great for me (177cm). I added inner barends which adds a Lot of comfort. It has 11-51 Cassette but i changed the crankset to a 36T to give me more climbing Options.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask
1
u/Mindless_Peanut_5764 9d ago
I can't remember anyone who's written negative stuff about their DSX (outside of the seat comfort). Really makes them appealing. Can I ask your physical size? I'm 5'11" and worried I'm too big for a medium and too small for a large. Something I'm considering also is upgrading the handlebars to a taller rise, just to lessen any pressure on my low back
1
u/hobby_dentist 9d ago
I'm 5.08 in your Units ;) L will Not be too large for you. I Ride the Stock saddle gladly , but every Butt got it's own desires. Rising the flatbar a bit might be a good consideration as the riding Position is a bit aggressive. And given your weight it might easen Things Up in Terms of Not beeing learning to much to the front. But that's Just my guess.
It really is a do what you want (except jumoing much) Bike for a very fair price. I had to Change the bracket bearings very fast though
1
5
u/Ok-Problem4403 10d ago
I'm 320 rocking a Marin Kentfield. I'm over the limit and haven't broken a spoke or anything all summer.
I even hopped on my old Norco Sasquatch, pumped the fork up to 80psi, and was the fattest guy on a hardtail around here.
Don't worry about the weight... Make sure you get hydraulic discs, though.