Aluminium hardtail mountain bike Trek Marlin 5 matte black XS: 27.5in wheels, 80 mm fork, CUES 1x9, 15.10 kg in M

Trek Marlin 5 Matte Dnister Black in XS: a proper mountain bike for smaller riders

In size XS, this third-generation Trek Marlin 5 fits riders from 1.45 to 1.55 m: 27.5-inch wheels, SR Suntour XCT 30 fork reduced to 80 mm, 160 mm cranks and a 690 mm handlebar. The Shimano CUES 9-speed 11-46 drivetrain is the same as on the larger sizes. Trek quotes 15.10 kg in size M (with inner tubes). Matte Dnister Black is an understated matt black that never goes out of fashion.

Technical specifications

Who is it for?

For the young mountain biker moving on from a 24-inch children's bike, for the smaller adult who struggles to find a mountain bike that fits, or for a family who want a bike that can keep up on Sunday trail rides. It lets riders progress on adult-sized kit, simply scaled down in its proportions.

The LVR workshop view

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.

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.

On a small frame, proportions matter more than anything: 160 mm cranks for shorter legs, a 35 mm stem and 690 mm handlebar so the rider is not too stretched out, and an 80 mm fork that keeps the front end low. The curved top tube lowers the standover, which greatly reassures a young rider who has to put a foot down on a climb.

The 11-46 cassette provides a real bail-out sprocket for the hills, essential when you have less power than the adults in the group. The fork lockout also helps on the road home. Matt black has the advantage of hiding the inevitable small scratches on a bike that lives outdoors, in the garage or against a school wall.

Which Marlin should you choose?

Our take: in XS, the Marlin 5 keeps the same drivetrain as the adult Marlin 5 and a shorter fork. The Marlin 6 and 7 add a dropper post, useful for a young rider who is improving quickly on descents.

Your questions

Why buy from LVR Cycles? In Béziers, we check that the size really suits the young rider, set the saddle and levers to fit their hands and support them through their first services.

Please note that the specifications may be changed without prior notice by the manufacturer, based on the availability of components and other factors.