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Trek Marlin 8 Gen 2 Review

By Sam Millers   /  Last updated - November 16, 2023   /  Mountain Bikes, Reviews, Trek

trek marlin 8 gen 2 mountain bike

Trek Marlin 8 is the premium build from Trek’s family of cross-country hardtail mountain bikes. 

The Trek Marlin 8’s price is $1,330, a significant increase on the 7, but this is justified by air suspension, a tubeless-ready wheelset, and wide-range gearing, making it far more capable than the other Marlins. 

Beginner and intermediate riders can be confident aboard this bike, taking advantage of its race-ready characteristics. Alternatively, load it up with a rack and kickstand and use it as a mixed-terrain commuter. 

Our Trek Marlin 8 review will examine the bike’s strengths and weaknesses and offer a verdict on who should buy it. 

How Heavy Is the Trek Marlin 8?

The Trek Marlin 8’s weight is 29.1 lbs, almost three pounds lighter than the cheapest model. In addition, this bike is two to three pounds lighter than similarly-priced hardtails, which makes it notably faster going uphill. 

PROS:

  • Air suspension fork
  • Tubeless-ready wheelset
  • Lightweight for the price

CONS:

  • SRAM SX Eagle is a step down from the Marlin 7’s Deore M4100


Trek Marlin 8 Specs

Frame Alpha Silver Aluminum, 135x5mm QR
Fork XXS, XS = RockShox Judy Silver, Solo Air spring, 42mm offset, 80mm travel
Small = RockShox Judy Silver, Solo Air spring, 42mm offset, 100mm travel
M-XXL = RockShox Judy Silver, Solo Air spring, 46mm offset, 100mm travel
Rims Bontrager Kovee, double-wall, 28-hole (M-XXL:32-hole rear), 23mm width
Hubs Front: Formula DC-20LW, alloy
Rear: Formula DC-22LW, alloy, Shimano 8/9/10 freehub
Spokes 14g stainless steel
Tires XXS = Maxxis Ardent 26×2.4″, tubeless, EXO Casing, 60tpi
XS, S = Maxxis Ardent Race 27.5×2.35”, tubeless, EXO casing, 60tpi
M-XXL = Maxxis Ardent Race 29×2.35”, tubeless, EXO casing, 60tpi
Bottom Bracket Truvativ Powerspline, 73mm, threaded cartridge, 118mm spindle
Crankset SRAM SX Eagle, 30T, 155mm (XXS) 170mm (XS-M) 175mm (ML-XXL)
Shifters SRAM SX Eagle, 12 speed
Rear Derailleur SRAM SX Eagle
Cassette/Freewheel SRAM PG-1210 Eagle, 11-50, 12 speed
Chain  SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed
Brakes Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc
Rotors Shimano RT26 160mm, 180mm (L-XXL)
Handlebars Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 5mm rise, 720mm width (XS: 690mm)
Tape/Grips Bontrager XR Trail Comp, nylon lock-on
Stem Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree
Headset Semi-integrated, 1-1/8″
Seatpost Bontrager alloy, 31.6mm, 12mm offset
Saddle Bontrager Arvada, steel rails, 138mm width
Pedals VP-536 nylon platform
Weight 29.1lbs

Trek Marlin 8 Gen 2 Full Review

Next, we’ll dive deeper into the components and features that make this bike stand out. But first, note the Trek Marlin 8 2022 is the same as the Marlin 8 Gen 2. 

Is the Trek Marlin 8 a Trail Bike?

When comparing the Trek Marlin 7 vs. Marlin 8, there’s a discernable difference in the ability to handle chunkier terrain. However, the Marlin 8 is still considered a cross-country bike, given the 100mm of suspension and XC-specific components. Most trail bikes have 130mm or more suspension travel.

RockShox Judy Silver Solo Air Fork 

Trek Bikes went for RockShox’s Judy Silver Solo Air suspension fork, which is the standout component of this bike’s setup. It’s relatively light, moves smoothly through the travel, and has decent small bump sensitivity.

Marlin 8 Gen 2 front suspension

The RockShox Judy air fork will easily give you your money’s worth if you decide to take Trek Marlin 8 on proper MTB trails.

Of course, it’s not going to handle big hits on rough trails with only 30mm stanchions and 100mm of travel  (80mm on XXS, XS), but it’s plenty capable on fast, flowy XC trails. It also has basic TurnKey lockout and preload adjustments.

Can You Add a Dropper Post to a Trek Marlin 8?

Yes, you can add some of the best dropper posts to a Trek Marlin 8. There is a hole to run the dropper internally through the top tube, but you will have to run the wire externally through the seat tube, as there is no hole at the bottom.

12-speed Gearing and Shimano Brakes

The Trek Marlin 8 mountain bike uses a modern 1×12-speed SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain, comprising a 30t steel chainring and an 11-50t cassette. This combination provides tons of range for the steepest climbs you’ll encounter.

Trek Marlin 8 SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain

SRAM’s SX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain offers a massive gear range to conquer virtually any hill you come across on your rides.

Although the gear range is better than the Marlin 7, we’re disappointed with the switch to SX Eagle, as it is a step down from Deore M4100 in performance and durability. 

Thankfully, Trek maintained the Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes on this bike, ensuring reliable stopping power in all conditions. 

Tubeless-ready Maxxis Ardent Tires and Bontrager Kovee Rims

The Trek Marlin 8 takes a huge step up with XC-specific Maxxis Ardent EXO tubeless-ready tires. These are fast-rolling, race-ready tires for dry to mixed trail conditions. The three-compound design reduces rolling resistance and optimizes traction, while the EXO layer provides cut and abrasion protection. 

Running a tubeless setup gives the Marlin 8 MTB a massive boost in capability and comfort. Riders can run lower tire pressure to enhance traction, shock absorption, and control, opening up more trail opportunities. In addition, the risk of puncturing is greatly reduced. 

Likewise, the Bontrager Kovee tubeless-ready rims are a marked improvement over the Connection rims on the other four models. They’re lighter, more durable, and designed specifically for cross-country riding. 

Trek Marlin 8 Gen 2 Sizing Chart

  • XXS — 4’5″-4’9″ / 135-145cm
  • XS — 4’9″-5’1″ / 145-155cm
  • S —  5’1″-5’5″ / 155-165cm
  • M —  5’5″-5’8″ / 165-173cm
  • M/L — 5’8″-5’11” / 173-180cm
  • L —  5’11”-6’2″ / 180-188cm
  • XL —  6’2″-6’5″ / 188-195cm
  • 2XL — 6’5″-6’8″ / 195-203cm

Who Is Trek Marlin 8 Gen 2 Best Suited For?

The Trek Marlin 8 is a proper XC bike for cross-country cycling, ideal for beginner or intermediate mountain bikers who want an affordable yet capable option to hit the trails. Likewise, this bike can double as a comfortable mixed-terrain commuter or bikepacking machine, thanks to the rack and kickstand mounts. 

Marlin 8 Gen 2 with a rear rack

Marlin 8 is compatible with a rear rack and even with a kickstand, so it can be a practical daily commuter or even a capable bikepacking machine.

The Marlin 8 is a broadly-appealing option as its versatility, reasonable price, and durability make it a great bike to develop your mountain biking skills on and even upgrade in the future. 

Is Marlin 8 Gen 2 a Good Buy?

The Marlin 8 is an excellent buy at this price. You get Trek’s renowned reliability, air suspension, a tubeless-ready wheelset, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, and a lightweight, compliant frame.

Marlin 8 top view

Trek gave Marlin 8 a premium finish, so the bike looks a lot more expensive than it really is, which is a nice plus if that’s something you care about.

It isn’t easy to find a hardtail at this price that handles cross-country racing, but this bike can put it up to the more expensive models. Trek Marlin 8 reviews online also paint an overwhelmingly positive picture, a testament to the quality and the value this bike offers in the sub-$1,500 price range. 

Choose Trek’s Marlin 8 if you’re looking for an affordable, race-ready XC hardtail that’s equally at home in the city. 

Buy from Trek Bikes

About the Author

Sam Millers

Sam Millers is the guy behind Bikexchange.com. From the early days of three wheels to conquering challenging mountain trails, Sam's love for cycling knows no bounds. With a background in web development, Sam seamlessly combined two of his greatest passions – cycling and technology. As the creative force behind Bikexchange.com, he shares insightful stories, expert tips, and engaging content for fellow cycling enthusiasts. When he's not exploring new biking routes or tweaking website codes, Alex enjoys sipping on a post-ride espresso and planning his next cycling adventure. 

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