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The third-generation Trek Marlin 4 is Trek's entry-level hardtail mountain bike: Alpha Silver aluminium frame, SR Suntour coil fork, Shimano ESSA 8-speed 11-45 single-ring drivetrain and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, weighing 14.90 kg in size M. Eight sizes, from XXS to XXL, cover almost every build. Blue Sage is a soft, luminous sage blue-green.
| Frame | Alpha Silver aluminium, internal cables, dropper post ready, rack and kickstand mounts, ThruSkew 135x5 mm axle |
| Fork | SR Suntour XCE 28 coil, preload, 100 mm (80 mm in XS; XCM 30 with 26-inch wheels on the XXS) |
| Drivetrain | Shimano ESSA 1x8, ProWheel chainset with 30T chainring, HG300 11-45 cassette |
| Brakes | Tektro hydraulic discs (HD-M276 up to S, HD-M275 from M), 160 mm rotors, 180 mm front from size M |
| Wheels / tyres | Formula hubs, Bontrager Connection double-wall rims / Bontrager Montrose Comp 2.40 in (26, 27.5 or 29 in depending on size) |
| Cockpit | Bontrager 690 to 750 mm alloy handlebar, Bontrager Comp 35 to 70 mm stem |
| Saddle / seatpost | Bontrager Verse Short / Bontrager alloy seatpost 31.6 mm |
| Weight | 14.90 kg in size M (Trek figure) |
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At a glance
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For the beginner who wants to discover mountain biking on easy tracks and greenways without a big outlay, for the student or employee looking for a tough bike for commuting, or for a parent who wants to ride along with their children. It is a forgiving bike that needs little maintenance.
Alpha aluminium, Trek's expertise. Trek grades its aluminium frames in several Alpha levels, from Silver to NEXT Platinum. The Marlin 4 gets Alpha Silver: an alloy chosen for its strength and controlled cost, with tubes shaped to withstand the knocks of a proper mountain bike. The internal cable routing and lowered top tube on the smaller sizes show that this entry-level model does not get a cut-price frame.
| Alpha Silver (Marlin) | Alpha Platinum (Procaliber 6 and 8) | Alpha NEXT Platinum (Gen 7 Fuel) | |
| Level | Trek's first level of MTB aluminium | Race hardtail aluminium | Trek's most refined aluminium |
| Construction | Tough tubes, generous wall thickness | More refined tubes, neat welds | Complex shapes, full-suspension frameset |
| Reference bike | Marlin 4 to 7 | Procaliber 6 and 8 | Fuel EX 5, 8 and 9 |
| What it means | Strong and affordable, ideal for beginners | Lighter and livelier when accelerating | The strength of a full-suspension enduro bike |
Put simply: on a Marlin 4, it is not the frame that holds you back, but the coil fork and the 8-speed drivetrain. The Alpha Silver frame is the same as on the Marlin 5 to 7: it can take a better fork or a dropper post the day your riding evolves.
The Shimano ESSA drivetrain is designed for simplicity: a single 30-tooth chainring, no front derailleur, a single lever on the right. With the 11-45 cassette, the lowest gear lets you climb the steep vineyard tracks without straining. Fewer parts also means fewer adjustments and less wear to keep an eye on.
The hydraulic disc brakes are the real pleasant surprise of the Marlin 4: they keep their power in wet weather and need little effort at the lever, which reassures beginners on descents. We check and bleed the system in the workshop. The 2.40-inch Montrose Comp tyres add volume and a little comfort on rocky tracks.
| 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 | 29 x 2.40 in (inner tube) | 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: the Marlin 4 is the only one in the range available in XXS, and its 14.90 kg places it between the Marlin 5 and the Marlin 7. The Marlin 5 mainly adds a ninth gear and fork lockout.
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LVR sizing advice The Marlin 4 comes in eight sizes: the XXS rolls on 26-inch wheels, XS and S on 27.5-inch, the rest on 29-inch. Between two sizes, the smaller one makes the bike more agile, the larger one more stable on smooth ground.
Source: Trek size guide. Bike fitting available in our Béziers shop. |
| Is it made for real trails? | For easy tracks and singletrack, yes; beyond that, a Marlin 6 or 7 will be more at ease. |
| How many sizes? | Eight, from XXS (26-inch) to XXL (29-inch). |
| Can a kickstand be added? | Yes, the frame has mounts for a kickstand and rack. |
| Does the sage blue show dirt? | This light shade shows dust a little; a wipe with a sponge is enough. |
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The LVR Cycles verdict Trek's most sensible entry-level mountain bike: a sound frame, hydraulic brakes and a simple drivetrain. Its soothing sage blue gives it a fresh, modern look.
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Why buy from LVR Cycles? As a Trek retailer in Béziers, we choose the right size with you from the eight available and set up the Marlin 4 before your first ride.
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