£5,200 / 27.5in / marinbikes.co.uk
H
ot on the heels of the 2018
Wolf Ridge, Marin introduces
the new Mount Vision with
the R3ACT–2 Play suspension
system from Naild.
And the latest Mount Vision isn’t
simply a 150mm-travel version of the
Wolf Ridge, it’s an evolution of the
design with the addition of an injection-
moulded carbon rocker link to boost
stiffness and allow Marin additional
control over the leverage rate.
The focus has shifted too. So while
the Wolf Ridge had a very wide remit,
the Mount Vision is a modern trail bike
through and through, with 150mm
travel, 27.5in wheels and 2.6in tyres.
One thing remains unchanged,
however, and that’s the complexity of
the Naild patent-pending R3ACT–2 Play
suspension layout. It’s a mindboggling
design that uses a combination of
traditional links with an oversized
rotating strut that pivots in front of the
BB. But it’s actually the way Marin and
Naild are thinking about suspension that
makes it unique in terms of more than
mere looks alone. Take the size-specific
kinematics for example, the size S and M
share one layout, the L and XL another.
The design also claims to isolate the
rider’s mass from acceleration forces, to
provide a new benchmark in pedalling
efficiency and bump absorption. In fact,
Marin is so confident in the pedalling
performance of the new Mount Vision
that the shock on the entry-level MountVision 8 that we rode comes sans
lockout lever. It’s a bold move for sure,
but having spent a full day on the bike
it’s clear that it doesn’t need one.
And that’s because the R3ACT–2 Play
suspension has been designed to have
a considerable amount of anti-squat. So
much so that you can feel the constant
tension in the chain maintaining a stable
suspensionresponsewhenclimbingorneed to
know● Modern trail bike
with 27.5in wheels,
2.6in tyres and
150mm travel
front and rear
● Full carbon-fibre
frame and swingarm
● Naild patent-
pending R3ACT–2
Play suspension
with two kinematic
profiles, one for
S/M frames, another
for L/XL
● Shielded sealed
bearings on all
pivots for long-
term, all-weather
performance
● Three models
all use the same
frame: Mount Vision
Pro: £8,700, Mount
Vision 9: £6,500Marin Mount Vision 8
You’ll need a boffin to explain the suspension
but on the trails the Marin is poetry in motionthe suspension
maintains a stable
response when
climbing or sprinting
Injection-moulded
carbon rocker link
stiffens suspensionComplex R3ACT-2 Play linkage
design delivers 150mm
of travel... somehow