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This third-generation Trek Marlin 5 combines an Alpha Silver aluminium frame, a 100 mm SR Suntour XCT 30 fork with hydraulic lockout and a Shimano CUES 9-speed 11-46 drivetrain, weighing 15.10 kg in size M (with inner tubes). It is offered in sizes S and ML. Its Purple Flip To Trek Black Fade finish shifts with the light, from purple to bluish, before melting into a deep black.
| Frame | Alpha Silver aluminium, internal routing for derailleur and dropper post, rack and kickstand mounts, ThruSkew 135x5 mm |
| Fork | SR Suntour XCT 30 coil spring, preload, hydraulic lockout, 100 mm travel (80 mm in XS) |
| Drivetrain | Shimano CUES U4000 9-speed, Prowheel chainset with 30T narrow-wide chainring, LINKGLIDE LG300 11-46 cassette |
| Brakes | Disc brakes, Tektro 160 mm rotors |
| Wheels / tyres | Formula DC-20 / DC-22 hubs, Bontrager Connection rims / Bontrager XT3 Comp 2.40 in (27.5 in on XS and S, 29 in above) |
| Cockpit | Bontrager 690 to 750 mm alloy handlebar, Bontrager Comp 35 to 50 mm stem |
| Saddle / seatpost | Bontrager alloy seatpost 31.6 mm, 12 mm offset |
| Weight | 15.10 kg in size M (Trek figure, with inner tubes) |
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At a glance
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For the rider who wants a single bike to do it all: commuting to work or university during the week, then heading off on the trails on Saturday. It suits the beginner discovering tracks and their first singletrack, as well as someone returning to cycling after years away who wants a reassuring machine.
Alpha aluminium, Trek's expertise. At Trek, every aluminium frame carries an Alpha designation that indicates its level. On this third-generation Marlin 5 it is Alpha Silver, the foundation of the whole Marlin family: an alloy sized for strength rather than the race for low weight, with a sloping top tube on the smaller sizes so you can get on and off the bike without acrobatics.
| Alpha Silver (this Marlin 5) | Alpha Platinum (range above) | Alpha NEXT Platinum (Fuel) | |
| Level | The aluminium foundation of the MTB range | Sportier hardtails | The pinnacle of Trek aluminium |
| Construction | Thick walls, durable design | Thinner, more shaped tubes | Advanced shapes for full suspension |
| Reference bike | Marlin 4, 5, 6 and 7 | Farley 5, Procaliber 6 and 8 | Fuel EX, MX and LX |
| What it means | Shrugs off crashes and the years | A few hundred grams less | Designed for enduro and committed trail riding |
Put simply: this third-generation Marlin 5 and the Marlin 5 in the current range share the same base, the same Shimano CUES 1x9 and the same lockout fork. The differences lie in the tyres (XT3 Comp here), the chainset and the colours: if your size is available in this version, you lose nothing essential.
The fork's hydraulic lockout is the feature that makes the Marlin 5 a true dual-purpose bike: locked, the fork no longer dips with every pedal stroke on tarmac; unlocked, it soaks up ruts and roots. The Shimano CUES drivetrain uses LINKGLIDE technology, designed to last longer before wearing out.
The 2.40-inch Bontrager XT3 Comp tyres offer a good compromise between rolling efficiency on the road and grip on garrigue tracks. The frame accepts a rack and kickstand: with a basket or panniers, this Marlin becomes a sturdy utility bike for the shopping. This iridescent colour catches the eye without being garish.
| Model | Fork | Drivetrain | Wheels / tyres | Weight (M) |
| Marlin 4 | Suntour XCE 28, 100 mm | Shimano ESSA 1x8 | 29 x 2.40 in (inner tube) | 14.90 kg |
| Marlin 5 | Suntour XCT 30, 100 mm, lockout | Shimano CUES 1x9 | Bontrager XT3 Comp 2.40 in | 15.10 kg |
| Marlin 6 | RockShox Judy, 100 mm | Shimano CUES 1x10 + dropper post | Tubeless Ready rims | 15.00 kg |
| Marlin 7 | RockShox Judy Silver air, 100 mm | SRAM NX Eagle 1x12 + dropper post | Maxxis Rekon Tubeless Ready | 14.15 kg |
Our take: compared with the Marlin 4, the Marlin 5 adds one gear, a wider cassette and fork lockout for 200 g more. The Marlin 6 brings a dropper post, the Marlin 7 an air fork for less weight.
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LVR sizing advice In this version, the XS and S roll on 27.5-inch wheels (fork reduced to 80 mm in XS) for smaller riders; the ML moves to 29-inch wheels, for riders from 1.73 to 1.80 m.
Source: Trek size guide. Bike fitting available in our Béziers shop. |
| Which size, S or ML? | S for 1.55 to 1.65 m on 27.5-inch wheels, ML for 1.73 to 1.80 m on 29-inch wheels. |
| Fitting a rack? | Yes, the frame has the mounts; we fit it in the workshop. |
| What is the lockout for? | To stiffen the fork on the road so you do not waste energy. |
| Does the iridescent colour change? | Yes, the purple turns bluish depending on the angle and the light. |
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The LVR Cycles verdict A complete, versatile Marlin 5, as useful day to day as on the trails. Its iridescent purple fading into black gives it a rare personality at this level of the range.
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Why buy from LVR Cycles? At LVR Cycles in Béziers, we adjust the Marlin to your size, fit a rack or kickstand if needed and take care of servicing.
Please note that the specifications may be changed without prior notice by the manufacturer, based on the availability of components and other factors.
Data sheet
Specific References