.....its heeeeere!

[Bpool77]

Sell it Doug. The SC is a much better frame for the riding you do.
You said yourself that the riding position is more comfortable, which is because the marin is a frame designed as an xc racer.
With you're back issues I'd looking for comfort over a few grams
Sell the Marin, put the money to one side and then keep your eyes peeled for the ti frame that you really want

More good advice thrown into the ring? Considering the above I don't know what I'd do either now :?

 

[wookiee]

Oh man...! True I guess the Marin is more designed for the hardcore racer not the Sunday afternoon plodder! And I had a first proper blast on the SC this week and it did feel every bit as "light" as the Marin was and the ride position was more comfy too. I do also have some back issues that the Marin probably wouldnt help either...

...Another thought is that I have a bunch of stuff in my garage frames/wheels/parts that I don't really need. Perhaps as I have seen good fortune, I should give a little back to redress the balance. Maybe in the form of a Wookiee's offering to the karma gods give away thread?

 

[The History Man]

As long as you tell me when!

 

[Bryncrug72]

My full sus is carbon ( I have a slight addiction to the black weave that is now being over taken by retro rust ) and I fall off loads ( 3 times last weekend ) my frames six years old now and still going strong and gets abused, I think your previous frame had a fault or was damaged and not noticed, it was good of Marin to replace your frame FOC I doubt you would get its full market value and it is a lovely frame, at the end of the day it's your call go with your gut !

 

[The History Man]

It was his gut that broke the first one!

 

[wookiee]

It was his gut that broke the first one!

Ooooofff That was below the belt....my gut that is...

 

[wookiee]

Went on a proper blast on the SC today...only came off once! (twas f**king muddy and need some proper mud tyres!)...I have swung back the other way....going to keep the SC and sell on the Marin! i know its hard to keep up....this has been a real struggle for me (I even dreamt about it last night). But it comes down to what Mark said really. The geometry of the Marin is more racey and the SC is more comfy and I really enjoyed the ride, (my first offroad ride for 4 weeks due to my back operation). It gave me the same smile on my chops that the Marin gave, and I think that is mainly down to the 29" wheels. I know a lot of folk are still cynical about the larger wheels, but seriously for me they are much easier to ride on. Climbing is just easier, it feels more solid, and it irons out the rooty bumpy stuff much better than my 26" wheel bikes. I love my retro rides but I love my modern rides too for more everyday stuff! I think they work better with larger guys...it feels more in proportion for me.

Just some thoughts and subject to change! But for now the SC is staying and the Marin going but with the thought of looking for a Ti Marin...

Doug

 

[The History Man]

Anything can happen in the next half hour.................

 

[Jamiedyer]

Interesting reading through this post, and I thought I was indecisive
I agree with the others that its your call and you have to do what suites yourself.
For me it just seems a bit strange to get a frame from Marin after telling them you were their biggest fan and loved their bikes etc and then selling it. I could understand selling or trading in to buy a more suitable Marin model, but basically getting it free, as the other one wasn't warrantied, and selling for a Santa Cruz just seems a bit odd. Maybe not the biggest Marin fan afterall
I'm sure if Marin get wind of it then the next guy who is just out of warranty may not be so lucky.
Like I said, its only a bike and its your decision based on what suites you and I am only reading this as an outsider without knowing all the details, only what I'm reading here, so these are just my thoughts.
It is a lovely frame but if it doesn't suite, it doesn't suit and lifes too short to ride something that doesn't suite. You sound like the Santa Cruz is what you want to ride judging from these posts.
Nice dillema to be in best of luck which ever way you go.

Jamie

 

[wookiee]

I'm still on the look out for another Marin 29er ideally something like the Indian Fire Trail, but I have never seen just the frame for sale yet...and as I said before still looking for a Ti Marin. Trying to share my good fortune a bit with lots of karma giveaways see here:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=278783

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=278806

Thanks to all for your thoughts/opinions.

Doug