Marin Alpine Trail E1/2 thread

[roanschuurman]

Just bought the E2 and then read about the issue with the e13 cranks. Is that still an issue? Someone told me that it was because of a bad batch and that this has been solved. Not sure if that was the case.
I read the instructions on the e13 website on how to check and fix the cranks but couldn’t find an definitive answer what now the cause was. Thx

 

[Flip Flop]

 

[Pezzar]

Shame you didn't get the E2, it's a brilliant bike.

 

[Pezzar]

Just bought the E2 and then read about the issue with the e13 cranks. Is that still an issue? Someone told me that it was because of a bad batch and that this has been solved. Not sure if that was the case.
I read the instructions on the e13 website on how to check and fix the cranks but couldn’t find an definitive answer what now the cause was. Thx

It is solved they say, but I contacted Marin anyway and they supplied me with XT cranks free, as Shimano only recommend their own cranks with the EP8 motor.

 

[roanschuurman]

It is solved they say, but I contacted Marin anyway and they supplied me with XT cranks free, as Shimano only recommend their own cranks with the EP8 motor.

 

[roanschuurman]

Thanks mate, was this lately? Like in the past month?
Might try this as well.

 

[toby2222]

Shame you didn't get the E2, it's a brilliant bike.

With the right upgrades the E1 is a brilliant bike too and for me worked out a lot cheaper too even with good upgrades. Yes the battery is smaller and motor less powerful but if its your first emtb it's a great introduction into it.

 

[Pezzar]

With the right upgrades the E1 is a brilliant bike too and for me worked out a lot cheaper too even with good upgrades. Yes the battery is smaller and motor less powerful but if its your first emtb it's a great introduction into it.

View attachment 114617

Yeah, totally agree, was meant as an answer to Pete, not knocking the E1 at all

 

[Pezzar]

Thanks mate, was this lately? Like in the past month?
Might try this as well.

It was in march

 

[roanschuurman]

I just got my 2022 Marin E2, great machine!
Just wondering, I got it with the Sunrace mz casette and when shift it makes a lot of noice. Shift is fast but hard, if that makes sense. Anyone else have the same experience. Also it come with a deore rotor on the front while I thought the brake system was full slx. For the rest a beast!!

 

[pete-E1]

Shame you didn't get the E2, it's a brilliant bike.

At the time, the E1 was the only thing in my price range that was in stock. I've had a great time on it. My local mountain next to me is a 500m climb, so my battery would be below 60% on a single climb and it was no fun trying to manage the battery all the time.

 

[Deep.5]

I just got my 2022 Marin E2, great machine!
Just wondering, I got it with the Sunrace mz casette and when shift it makes a lot of noice. Shift is fast but hard, if that makes sense. Anyone else have the same experience. Also it come with a deore rotor on the front while I thought the brake system was full slx. For the rest a beast!!

Yeah I noticed that also- theres a big Klunk when you shift.
Has anyone put a bashguard on?
I have a Oneup bashguard I could use bit I guess the e13 chainring is 38 tooth so the oneup bash isn’t compatible.
I smashed the chainring on a rock and broke a tooth so I’m going to replace it and hoping to prevent a repeat.
This is a fun bike and i get a bit carried away smashing down stuff.
Definitely recommend it.

 

[Deep.5]

Also- what kind of tire pressures are you running ?
I’m usually running lower pressures like 18/20
Sometimes lower since I don’t go that fast and conditions are loose and getting dry.

 

[Pezzar]

Also- what kind of tire pressures are you running ?
I’m usually running lower pressures like 18/20
Sometimes lower since I don’t go that fast and conditions are loose and getting dry.

That is low. I'm running rimpact inserts and I'm 21/23. 90kg rider. Do a fair few rock gardens so darent go lower.

 

[mxh]

Has anyone put a bashguard on?

I came back to this thread to find out the same thing. Have caught my chainring a few times now, so would be a good idea to protect it if I can. Would be interested to know if anyone has found one that will fit.

I also think that the fact that it's a 38 tooth makes it a bit more vulnerable. Not sure that it really needs to be that big. Has anyone tried a smaller chainring? Any downsides?

 

[GDT]

My take on the bottle holder solution… some aluminum strip I had lying around, a bit of fiddling around and BAM….. water bottle mounts happily and doesn’t contact the frame anywhere…..

 

[Pezzar]

My take on the bottle holder solution… some aluminum strip I had lying around, a bit of fiddling around and BAM….. water bottle mounts happily and doesn’t contact the frame anywhere…..

View attachment 117597

Good effort!

 

[Scottro7]

Does anyone know where the e2 serial/frame number is located and how many characters it is? Start with an "F"?

 

[pete-E1]

Does anyone know where the e2 serial/frame number is located and how many characters it is? Start with an "F"?

It's just behind the motor. Where the rear triangle meets the frame/bottom bracket area if I remember right. It's a bit of a pain to see/read.

My E1 starts with an MD, for Medium sizing I imagine.

 

[mxh]

My E2 has the Sunrace cassette (I've also seen the specs showing SLX) which has the five(?) largest sprockets in a one-piece unit, but the remaining smaller ones go on individually.

Problem is that there's a lot of movement on the spines (rotational, not side to side) so whilst the one gear I'm using might be quiet (because it has the chain on it), the rest of the cassette is rattling around making a right old racket. Anyone else had this? Is this a hub or cassette issue? I would have thought the sprockets should be relatively snug on the splines, but they move a few mm back and forth. Have had a look at the driver and the splines don't seem particularly worn. Bike has done 500km.

Thoughts?

 

[Scottro7]

I pulled my original wheel off to swap with a new one. I checked for the behavior you described in #380 post. My cassette ws very tight, no wiggle.

 

[Scottro7]

I pulled my original wheel off to swap with a new one. I checked for the behavior you described in #380 post. My cassette ws very tight, no wiggle.

Oh, and the original (that I checked) is a Sunrace.

 

[toby2222]

I'm after some rider input on rear tyres, I need to change my maxxis assegai and want to go for something a bit sturdier. What are you guys running?

 

[pete-E1]

I put on a schwalbe Big Betty 2.4 in. Super gravity casing on the rear. Its fantastic. I never want to run a Maxxis on my bike again i found it to be that good. I also run cushcore.

I have an assegai DH casing on the rear on another bike, with cushcore and that feels ok too.

 

[mxh]

I'm after some rider input on rear tyres, I need to change my maxxis assegai and want to go for something a bit sturdier. What are you guys running?

What casing is on the existing Assegai that you find too 'unsturdy'? I gave up on Exo and Exo+ years ago as I was constantly getting sidewall punctures (even with a cushcore), but have found the DD and DH casings to be much more robust. I'm currently running a DD Assegai and will be replacing it with the same when it wears out.

 

[toby2222]

What casing is on the existing Assegai that you find too 'unsturdy'? I gave up on Exo and Exo+ years ago as I was constantly getting sidewall punctures (even with a cushcore), but have found the DD and DH casings to be much more robust. I'm currently running a DD Assegai and will be replacing it with the same when it wears out.

It's an exo+, I looked into the DD and they only go up to 2.50, I've just ordered a Schwalbe Eddy Current super gravity after talking to a couple of other ebikers yesterday. I used to run Schwalbe so I'll see how I get on this time round.

 

[mxh]

I looked into the DD and they only go up to 2.50

Fair enough - 2.50 is wide enough for me. I had 2.8s on my previous bike and eventually got rid of them as they were just too vague. I gave the Vee Rubber 2.8s a try on this bike, but again didn't like them.

If you happen to be passing Sydney any time soon, you can have my lightly used 2.8 Vee's if you want them!

 

[roanschuurman]

My E2 has the Sunrace cassette (I've also seen the specs showing SLX) which has the five(?) largest sprockets in a one-piece unit, but the remaining smaller ones go on individually.

Problem is that there's a lot of movement on the spines (rotational, not side to side) so whilst the one gear I'm using might be quiet (because it has the chain on it), the rest of the cassette is rattling around making a right old racket. Anyone else had this? Is this a hub or cassette issue? I would have thought the sprockets should be relatively snug on the splines, but they move a few mm back and forth. Have had a look at the driver and the splines don't seem particularly worn. Bike has done 500km.

Thoughts?

I got sunrace and had issues with shifting from day one. I have read in other forums unrelated to Marin e2 people had issues with the Sunrace XT combo not shifting properly between 4 and 5. SLX is what it should be, the put sunrace on it due to stock issues apparently. My bike goes back for warranty check and will ask for SLX. Thing with the sunrace is that it got Marin hubs which are not microspline so you cannot change to SLX or XT without changing hub. Tbh it is a bit annoying that they say it is XT/SLX drivetrain and only put a XT derailleur on it.. That is how they keep cost low

 

[Pezzar]

I got sunrace and had issues with shifting from day one. I have read in other forums unrelated to Marin e2 people had issues with the Sunrace XT combo not shifting properly between 4 and 5. SLX is what it should be, the put sunrace on it due to stock issues apparently. My bike goes back for warranty check and will ask for SLX. Thing with the sunrace is that it got Marin hubs which are not microspline so you cannot change to SLX or XT without changing hub. Tbh it is a bit annoying that they say it is XT/SLX drivetrain and only put a XT derailleur on it.. That is how they keep cost low

Not gonna lie, I wouldn't have accepted the bike like that, as the specs (including cassette and hubs) was a big part of why I went for an E2. It's scandalous that in order to get it back to 'as advertised' you'd have to change the rims as well. I'd be asking Marin to pay for that - I was pissed off that mine came with Vee tyres and not the Maxxis as specced, but at least the shop set it up tubeless for me to compensate!

 

[mxh]

Not gonna lie, I wouldn't have accepted the bike like that,

I suppose it depends when you bought it - I got mine about 8 months ago and at that time the supply issues from Covid were still a big issue. Mine came with Vee Rubber instead of Maxxis, plus the Sunrace cassette and a 50mm stem instead of 35mm - but it was a choice of the Marin, or not a lot else (I'm in Aus - we're pretty much last on the list of where bikes get sent).

I got the cassette issue sorted by using a bit of wire to take up the slack between the cassette and the splines - and I'm pretty pleased with the rest of the bike, so I'm happy to cut them a bit of slack re the few bits they had to change with the specs.