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I went with the T7. No regrets but big fan of the Marin bikes as well. No bad options here.

I almost bought the Marin , but after doing some research I ended up buying a Polygon T8. Loving it

Maxxis 2.4 dhr in the front and 2.3 aggressor in the back has worked for me in the past. Light but grippy!

Great video! I am happy with my T7 I was thinking of doing a video of mine as well.

They are from the same Factory and the components switch around each year it seems but I prefer my Polygon and the beefy wheelset is great and is the weight difference anyway.

Nice comparison. I honestly think less is more with drivetrain speeds. That 11 speed has the same overall range with gear gaps that feel more natural to me. Plus it should be a little lighter too.

I bought a T7 about 3 weeks ago. Mine came with Diore Cassette and Shimano hubs instead of the Novatecs that were spec’d. Basically my entire bike is Shimano. I have about 27 trail miles on it and it’s performed flawlessly. Great bike.

@RunBikeMike

11 ай бұрын

Nice. You definitely got a winner. All shimano is great. 👍🏻

Thought xfusion is 34 stansion unlike that rockshox heavy clunker 32mm. Both nice Marin need a dropper and there warranty is great used a couple times

T7 for sure! Good luck finding a better deal on an Enduro ready bike.

I just ordered the T7, hope everything is ok with it. Great videos keep it up

@RunBikeMike

11 ай бұрын

Thanks and enjoy the T7. It is an awesome bike

@andrewyeah3143

11 ай бұрын

I just got a T8 a few weeks ago. It is a beautiful bike to ride - you are going to love your t7 😎

There’s something about the look of the polygon that I really love, but we don’t buy bikes just for looks. It’s the Marin for me. Upgradeability and a more reachable bottle cage are my decision points.

@RunBikeMike

11 ай бұрын

Those are great points.

That’s true! The marin rear shock does lose air! I wonder if that’s a factory issue. I’ve put air twice and the air spaces after a few rides.

@RunBikeMike

11 ай бұрын

I think I am going to take it apart and see if anything looks bad.

@Mtb-TrailTime

11 ай бұрын

@@RunBikeMike That would be ideal. I think I’m gonna contact Jenson and see if they can do anything since the bike still has warranty.

My trail combo tires is Maxxis dissector on the front and the Maxxis rekon in the rear. My daily driver is yeti sb140. But if I had to choose maybe the Marin.

I am biased I own a Riftzone 1 29 (2022), but it suits my riding style more and I think it more closely matches the having only 1 bike to do it all. Not being new to the sport I have done a ton of upgrades in my year of ownership so the value of the Riftzone was better for me. (Raceface Atlas handlebar, Turbine Stem, Gripple Grips, Atlas cranks and bsa30 bottom bracket, 32t narrow/wide, SDG Tellis dropper post and and new fork Marzocchi Bomber Z2). Truly though the aim of both these rigs is to get rider on quality suspension bikes and I am all for more riders!

@RunBikeMike

11 ай бұрын

Very nice. The Rift Zone is such a solid bike and every time I ride mine I love it even more. Both bikes are very nice and you are right they are quality suspension bikes and will get more riders out there at a great price.

All I think about when I see the Polygon specs/price is that they have to be cutting corners on something. Which points to the frames. If the frames were of equal quality then Marin and the other “big” names could easily crank out some entry level bikes with the same spec as Polygon.

Specialized Ground Control Grid T7 has been my goto rear tire

@RunBikeMike

11 ай бұрын

I love Ground Control tires.

Polygon cause Texas trails are rocky with some technical stuff in between with some hill climbs and I can take it anywhere to ride out of state but Marin is good to since I don't really ride technical stuff much, a bit small jumps n drops with some nice coasting downhill flowy trails and climbs cause Texas hill country can be hilly is about much of time I have to ride.

If I were looking at buying one of the two, the Marin would be my first choice. I don't ride flow and jump lines, but prefer more natural terrain, so the Rift Zone would suit my style of riding much better.

@RotormanMTB

11 ай бұрын

The Riffy is a keen jumper. My son has the 2022 (model before) and you'll see him on my channel ripping it real good. The new one is even better on paper.

I got the marin cause they made polygon and I love the suspension on it

I'm biased, but the Rift Zone 1 would be what I'd buy. The X Fusion shock is meh, but that linkage feels bottomless and the bike is a perfect all day trail bike. It's easy to get hyper focused on components, but geo and linkage are arguably more important. If a bike feels good with barebone parts, it's gonna feel amazing with a good shock.

@RunBikeMike

8 ай бұрын

I totally agree the frame geometry is definitely better feeling on the RZ. I also prefer the stack height on the RZ. I have recently added high rise bars to the T7 and that helped the stack height feel on that bike. I also switched out the rear shock on the RZ and it is much better now.

I bought the Polygon for my 14 y old son. He absolutely loves it, i replaced the dropper lever with a ZTTO lever from ebay, best lever i had, i also use it on my own bike with a fox transfer dropper post. I also replaced the pedals it came with, on the 1st ride my son bent the pedal axel. I think its the best value for the money spent. Vool video...

@void.less.

8 ай бұрын

Hey what size did you get him and how tall was he when he got the bike. I’m looking at the polygon for me and was wondering if after 2 months he still enjoys it and as he grows does it still work for him.

@666vraptor

8 ай бұрын

@@void.less. He is 1.77m tall, 14y old and i got him a L frame

I'm not found of either's spec. The Poly because I can't get a 29er in Small. The Rift Zone because it does not come with a Dropper, the Rear end is 141 boost and not 148 and finally the KMC chain/cassette robs you of Linkglide. If I had to pick one it's a case of what's the lesser of two evils.

@RunBikeMike

6 ай бұрын

The 141 is with spacers so it is really a QR with boost. Also the rear on the rift zone 1 can be converted to a 148 with a thru axle. I did this in this video here. I also wish they offered a 29 in small because not all small frame riders want 27.5. I do wish they would offer a full shimano drivetrain chain included. And last I totally agree the RZ1 should come with a dropper at that price point. kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZY5_j8qlZNLFerQ.htmlsi=cl7gRdkf02Gr76CR

What good bike who are and which is worth more

Which one is better for city drive

first time watching this video I notice it was 7mo. ago my question is what year is the polygon t7? thanks.. great review leaning on t7..

@RunBikeMike

3 ай бұрын

This is a model from 2023.

You know , saying you can spend money on XT Levers to improve them is not a win point. How are they out of the box vs the Tektros? I have seen those XT Levers on various calipers and I would be willing to bet they work on the Tektros as well. I could say going to Lighter wheels and tires on the T7 would make it more snappy. But youre comparing OTB features😊. Also could put and angle set headset on the T7 and make it quicker turnng..but again out of the box should be the comparison. 😊

@RunBikeMike

11 ай бұрын

You could be right they might work.

I just purchased the t7. I did a lot of research and the t7 gives the buyer soooo much for so little money!

@RunBikeMike

5 ай бұрын

Congrats and have fun on your new ride. It’s a good one for sure.

The polygon its the clear winner! The marin its 200bucks more and doesnt even gave a dropper??? And 11 speed?? No rockshox suspension??? Also the t7 comes with shimano dior groupset even cassette. With the 200 bucks you saving from the t7 you can upgrade the dopper lever and even maybe change out the tires! Or upgrade some else with the extra 130 bucks.

@RunBikeMike

11 ай бұрын

Great points

Polygon seems to have the upper hand to me. Even if they were identically spec'd, the orange and blue looks terrible in my opinion. I'd pick the polygon paint job no question.

About how many miles and/or hours did you notice the rear shock losing air? I have the exact same bike and have about 100 miles on it and haven’t noticed it so far

@RunBikeMike

7 ай бұрын

Not sure on the miles it was a few months after owning it.

i have the marin rift zone 1 and i absolutely love it but the down fall is the rear shock that leaks air.

@RunBikeMike

2 ай бұрын

Yeah I had that same issue eventually. Switched it out for a Rockshox select +.

@andreas7176

2 ай бұрын

@@RunBikeMike i want to do it too but dont have enough money but im saving up for it

@andreas7176

Ай бұрын

@@RunBikeMike What is the name of the rock shock rear shok

@RunBikeMike

Ай бұрын

Deluxe select +

@andreas7176

Ай бұрын

@@RunBikeMike thanks

Which would be better for a person who prefers free ride, btw I’m 5’5 50kg

@RunBikeMike

8 ай бұрын

Both are great bike as for free ride I can’t make that call. As these are more trail bikes. Not made for super big hits.

"Why get an 11 speed when you can have a 12 speed?" In the Marin Rift Zone 2023 video, you said, "I'd take an 11 speed over a 12 speed any day."

@RunBikeMike

Ай бұрын

11 speed can be easier to tune but after having several 12 speeds since then I have come to really like them.

the Rift zone is more practical to me for what I ride

@iamjakov9253

Ай бұрын

What do you ride

Is there a difference in rear suspension position? Which one is better

@barfo281

29 күн бұрын

There used to be (according to some people, and some still say there is a big difference). But it's mostly now down to personal preference on how it looks, really. The travel length, pressure, and rebound of the rear shock are probably more important now than the orientation of the shock. The thing to keep in mind is that certain shock positions have more bearings than others, which means more maintenance too....the more pivot points on the shock assembly, the more bearings, and the more parts that need keeping an eye on for replacement when it's time. BikeRadar has a very technical article discussing the different shock orientations and some pro/con of each type. "The ultimate guide to mountain bike rear suspension systems"

Look, i think this comparison is a little lopsided. Why? well.. the T7 is more comparable to the Riftzone 2 (price is more on par with each other). And for spec for spec, the Bomber Z2 will take care of the T7s Recon and then some.. and it has the 12 speed Deore and a dropper.. PLUS.. its UDH frame is something to consider. I'd take the riffy. Any stock rims will eventually be replaced as they die. 2.6inch rubber on a trail bike? nope.. overkill.

@RunBikeMike

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing. The Rift Zone 2 is $2,399 and the T7 is $1,899 full retail. The Rift Zone 1 is $1,899 full retail. You might be looking at a sale price.

@scottjascoe409

11 ай бұрын

The T7 is on sale right now for 1599.00 hard to beat.

@RotormanMTB

11 ай бұрын

@@RunBikeMike Yes. On the Australian side (where I live), T7 is $2,299.00, Riffy 2 $2,699.00. Fo me, the price difference is well worth it.

@bristi1622

11 ай бұрын

As of today, in the US, Marin 1 and Siskiu t7 are both $1599. The Marin 2 is $1999.

nothing wrong with 11 speed especially now that you can get a 51t rear cassette....11 speed stuff is cheaper to replace when it goes bad as well

@RunBikeMike

10 ай бұрын

Very true. 11 speed is great

@radiocontrolled9181

10 ай бұрын

@@RunBikeMike My 3x7 is great too 😉

What height are you on a large marin? I'm 6'2 and as I can't try one Physically I don't know what size to go for

@RunBikeMike

Ай бұрын

I am 5’11” you might want an xl

@iamjakov9253

Ай бұрын

@@RunBikeMikewhich one is yours

@RunBikeMike

Ай бұрын

I have both in a large

Which is weight lighter?

@RunBikeMike

26 күн бұрын

Fully stock the Marin. Only by a pound or two.

2 cool bikes Marin more down county and polygon is mere trail I like the rift zone 2 with dropper

T7 is the better bike on paper. Shame they still sell the T7 with the old gusset design which can result in snapped frames

@nathanw5747

10 ай бұрын

This is literally the only thing that's held me back from buying a polygon. It's bad enough they have there own Facebook page for cracked frames + if you crack a t7 frame now they are sending the purple T8 as a replacement not sure what the deal is and the gusset issue seems to primarily be with the T7. So if it's the look you like of the color combo this is something to consider you crack your frame you maybe getting a different frame back lol..

t7

Polypeptidt