2011 Marin Rift Zone

A light-weight 4" full-suss bike has been missing from the Marin range for a few years now. We have been sent by Marin's UK distributor ATB these studio shots of what appears to be a light-weight 4" evolution of the Mount Vision but with no info attached. An old name is back after a short break from the range though - meet the 2011 Marin Rift Zone!

The 4" Alchemist was set to offer a trail bike ride with race bike travel and performance. Unfortunately it was too porky to be a race bike, yet not nearly fun, wild and aggressive enough to hold it's own with the likes of the Orange ST4 and the Commencal Super 4, so it was scrapped before it even got going.

The Rift Zone appears to be a more classic take on the established Quad Link 2.0 platform. It looks pretty slimed down and they've cut back on that 'love-it-or-hate-it' levels of hydroforming that's been trademark Marin for a few years now.

We can see there's a three bike range from the pictures we have; model designations are XC6, XC7 and XC8, the XC moniker hinting that this is perhaps a more focused cross-country/racing package than the Alchemist was.

Based on sister brand Whyte's 2011 pricing and from the spec we can just about make out from the pictures, we're going to have a stab at guessing a price range for the Rift Zone starting at £2000 going up to £3500.

2011 Marin Rift Zone XC6