Test / E-MTB: With the Marin Alpine Trail E Bosch, the traditional manufacturer from the USA is expanding its portfolio in the E-MTB sector with a new model with a Bosch CX drive. With 170 mm of travel and robust features, the new bike is clearly at home in the enduro segment.
Cult manufacturer Marin has also been extremely active in the field of e-mountain bikes for several years. So far, the Californians have only used Shimano drives for both the Rift Zone E trail bike and the Enduro Alpine Trail E. From now on, the Alpine Trail E family will now also have two models with a Bosch drive, which will also have the corresponding suffix in their name. However, the previous E-MTBs with Shimano drives remain in the range.
New frame and more suspension travel
However, the drive system is not the only difference to the previously known Alpine Trail E. The aluminum frame has also been completely revised and has a little more suspension travel. With 170 at the front and 160 at the rear, Marin once again clearly underlines the area of application of the new bike: tricky descents in technical terrain, high jumps, optionally at high speeds. The new Alpine Trail E Bosch is intended to be a maximally stable E-MTB for tough use.
Bosch CX with 750 Wh battery
The proven Bosch CX drive provides propulsion in both models, which are initially available. There's probably no need to say too many words about the engine itself: 85 Nm torque, lots of power, good response. Unsurprisingly, years after its launch, the drive system remains one of the best you can get. The Marin Alpine Trail E Bosch combines the motor with a 750 Wh battery. This is located in the closed down tube, but can be removed downwards via a flap in the bottom bracket area. For this purpose, the frame has guide rails on the inside, which makes it much easier to insert and remove the battery, which weighs just under 4,5 kg.
The tried and tested combination of system controller in the top tube and wireless mini remote on the handlebars is responsible for controlling the drive. There is no real display, which is certainly the right decision for the intended application.
Diverse geometry options
Marin calls the new Alpine Trail E Bosch frame the “MultiTrac 2 LT,” which brings several updates and improvements over its predecessor in the Alpine Trail E with Shimano. While the Mullet wheels remain, the bearing on the rear triangle moves from the seat stay to the chainstay. This is said to have two advantages: On the one hand, better performance due to lower anti-rise values, and on the other hand, it also enables the integration of a flip chip. This allows you to adjust the chainstay length and the bottom bracket height in two positions. If you add the special offset bearing shells on the headset, you get a total of six different geometry settings.
The geometry itself is clearly downhill-oriented depending on the area of use: This is shown by the flat head angle of 63° and the short seat tube. The rather short chainstays and the very steep seat angle are exciting. Using the flip chip adjustments, the chainstays can be adjusted between 443 and 435 mm, the bottom bracket height is correspondingly 347 or 352 mm. In addition, the bearing shells allow the steering angle to be made 0,75° flatter or steeper - which of course also changes the other dimensions minimally.
| M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| seat tube (in mm) | 410 | 420 | 430 |
| Reach (mm) | 454 | 484 | 515 |
| Stacks (in mm) | 637 | 646 | 650 |
| Steering angle (in °) | 63 | 63 | 63 |
| seat angle eff. (in °) | 78,4 | 78,3 | 78,2 |
| Bottom bracket drop (in mm) | 14/31 | 14/31 | 14/31 |
| chainstays (in mm) | 443 | 443 | 443 |
| Wheelbase (in mm) | 1255 | 1290 | 1322 |
| Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 594 | 627 | 660 |
| head tube (in mm) | 115 | 125 | 130 |
models and trim levels
The Marin Alpine Trail E Bosch will come onto the market in two model variants for 6.299 euros and 7.249 euros. Both have the Bosch CX motor including 750 Wh battery, the aluminum frame and the very robust features in common. Interesting for do-it-yourself mechanics: Although the two complete bikes are equipped with Shimano gears, the bikes have a UDH derailleur hanger if you want to retrofit a Sram Transmission gears.
As with the previous Alpine Trail E, Marin makes no compromises when it comes to the stability of the components and focuses entirely on trail performance. This is supported by heavy tires with a thick carcass including Cushcore puncture protection inserts at the front and rear, 2,3 mm thick brake discs, and steel spring dampers in both models.
Marin Alpine Trail E2 Bosch
Fork: Fox 38 Performance Elite Grip2
Mute: Fox DHX2 Performance Elite
Circuit: Shimano XT M8100
brakes: TRP DH-R Evo 203mm
Price: € 7.249
Marin Alpine Trail E1 Bosch
Fork: Marzocchi Z1
Mute: Marzocchi CR Coil
Circuit: Shimano Cues 6000 10-speed
brakes: TRP Slate Evo 4 203mm
Price: € 6.299
The Marin Alpine Trail E2 Bosch on the trail
We have already been able to test the new Marin Alpine Trail E2 Bosch in practice on a wide variety of trails.
Given the built-in components, aluminum frame with Bosch drive and large battery, it shouldn't surprise anyone that the bike is not lightweight. At an impressive 27,7 kg without pedals in a frame size L, it is certainly not a bike for those who don't like the weight. However, if you're looking for maximum stability and can handle a little extra weight, this shouldn't bother you much.
What is striking are the many small, beautiful details on the frame: This extends from the chainstay protection with the Marin logo to the solid bottom bracket area with solid down tube protection to the screwdriver-friendly routing of the cables and cables.
The Marin Alpine Trail E Bosch will be available in the first half of this year.