Marin RIFT ZONE E2 Review

As a component giant, Shimano is mostly known for its dominant position in bicycle gears. But with the EP801, the Japanese are clearly showing that they can look beyond their own plate too. Even nasty steep sections are effortlessly climbed by the motor. The Shimano EP801 conveys a riding feeling. The average range can become a problem especially for long mountain bike rides.

The very good chassis with 140 mm travel also proves to have a lot of resilience even on rougher terrain. Setup-Nerds can squeeze out the maximum performance from the chassis thanks to the many setting options. Bad brakes reduce the riding pleasure. Fortunately, this is not the case with the RIFT ZONE E2. With their four pistons and large brake rotors the TRP brake brakes good. A nice touch: The gear and components are on a very good level. When it comes to the geometry, Marin does not go completely crazy. The head tube angle and reach values were chosen with care. The result: A balanced riding behaviour with a good combination of playfulness and straight-line stability. The low bottom bracket height will likely be a sticking point for trail riders, as it negatively affects handling. Short chainstays and make the front end light in steep climbs. To keep the front wheel on the ground, you need to consciously lean forward.