2023 Trek Marlin 7 mountain bike

The 2023 Trek Marlin 7 is great value mountain bike for those wanting to tackle races, try bikepacking, and train for bigger and longer expeditions.

 

The bike is a super simple setup; it features a modern 1 x 10 gearing, meaning you don’t need to worry about a front derailleur (or shifter when it inevitably breaks!); no dropper post (not that you’d expect one at this price point); and RockShox Judy suspension forks.

 

Featuring 29” wheels and 2.2” Maxxis tyres, it comes in multiple sizes, (I’m 6’ 2” / 188 centimetres) and the XL fits me perfectly – leaving plenty of space for bikepacking bags (which are slowly getting added).

 

Unexpectedly, the bike handles really well on snow (despite it not being a fat bike), is great fun on the downhills, has ample space to move around (making it highly manoeuvrable), and a great bike for those wanting to get out and train in the rainy and wintery months.

 

For a sub-£1000 bike, the 2023 Trek Marlin 7 has a number of useful design features that makes it great for day-to-day riding and bikepacking, such as internal cable routing, lockout on the suspension forks, rack mounts, and comes in 3 cool colours.

Test riding my new 2023 Trek Marlin 7 in the snow in Estonia's beautiful capital city, Tallinn, to see how well it handles through winter.

2023 Trek Marlin 7 mountain bike mtb
2023 Trek Marlin 7 mountain bike mtb

Frequently asked questions about the 2023 Trek Marlin 7 mountain bike

  • The Trek Marlin 7 is a mountain bike. It is designed for off-road riding on trails and other rugged terrain.text goes here

  • The Trek Marlin 7 has a RockShox Judy suspension fork with a lockout feature. This allows you to lock out the fork for more efficient pedalling on smooth terrain or unlock it for added cushioning and control on rough trails.

  • The Marlin 7 is available in both 27.5-inch and 29-inch wheel sizes. The size that is best for you will depend on your height, riding style, and personal preference.

  • No, the Marlin 7 does not come with a dropper seatpost as standard. However, it is compatible with dropper seatposts, and you can choose to add one if you wish.

  • The weight of the Marlin 7 will depend on the size of the bike and the specific components it is equipped with. In general, the Marlin 7 is a relatively lightweight bike.

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About the author: Chris Shirley MA FRGS

A former Captain in the Royal Marines, Chris has been an advisor on the BBC’s High Risk and News Safety team, has led the risk management function in an international media charity, and has been an international disaster responder for a number of years.

He holds a master’s degree in business management, has travelled in over 60 countries, is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS), is a Guinness World Record holder, has rowed across the Atlantic Ocean in a 5-person team in 2018, completed the Marathon des Sables in 2019, multiple Ironman triathlons, and many ultra-distance events.

He is currently training to complete the Silk Road mountain race.