It feels like a mantra by now, but let me say it one more time - the Rift Zone is a bike that exceeds its' numbers when it comes to downhill capability and performance. The Z1 fork is another standout spec, which has impressed us over numerous test bikes at this point. The upside to the overly-aggressive dual Assegai spec is that you now own TWO Assegais, so you could potentially swap the rear out for a faster rolling alternative and keep the front as a spare for down the line. Sadly the drivetrain uses an XT derailleur and SLX shifter, which takes away the dual-click upshift that nicer Shimano tiers delivers. Thankfully, they pair nicely with Shimano's shifter, which provided excellent performance for the duration of the test. They feel great once the levers are set up in the correct spot, but that is a bit more fussy than some more traditional lever shapes. Though I'm a big fan of the Shimano MT420 brakes, their long levers and funky ergonomics might prove bothersome for folks who like their cockpit as neat and tidy as possible. This is helped by the burly parts package, which should prove reliable through their fair share of rock smashing. In these scenarios, one could be easily fooled into thinking it had a lot more travel than advertised, really giving it a mini-enduro bike character. Thanks to the supple and muted-feeling suspension, the Rift Zone really managed to impress in chunky terrain where you just want to brace yourself and plow through. Longer, arcing turns take a bit more finesse, as the bike wants to change direction quickly unless your handling is calm and planted. The low bottom bracket and high stack combine to give you a rather upright riding position, which helps the short back end whip around corners with ease. We all came away from rides on this bike impressed by just how capable it felt on the descents, bucking any expectations we may have had for its relatively middle-ground geometry and travel numbers. If you're looking for a short travel bike that delivers a descending feel well in excess of its numbers, then the Rift Zone deserves a place on your short list. With a different tire spec and perhaps some lighter wheels, the character could be changed quite drastically, but I really didn't mind the extra grip on loose and scrappy bits of climbs. While we're all big fans of the descending performance of these aggressive Maxxis treads, they certainly don't roll as quickly as other options when it comes time to get up the hill, so expect a bit of drag as payment for your increased confidence on the descents.Īll told, the handling and planted suspension of the Rift Zone make it a calm and capable climbing bike, just don't expect blazing speeds when you're on the pedals. The Float X has an easily accessible lockout switch, but there's another parts kit choice that keeps the Marin feeling a little slower on the climbs: the front and rear Assegai tires. Rather, it's content to pick up technical and challenging bits of trail, getting to the top in due time. With fairly active suspension and the upright riding position that the geometry provides, the Rift Zone doesn't coax you into sprinting up every hill in sight. The defining characteristic of the Marin's climbing attitude is one of compliance and grip. The short 430mm chainstays are consistent across all frame sizes, and the high stack - low bottom bracket combination gives a very confident and planted feel when standing. The 65.5° head angle may not be super slack on paper, but as we'll get to in the ride impressions that didn't quite translate in real-life feel. ![]() The Rift Zone's geometry chart is in keeping with most trends these days, with a fairly long 485mm reach in the size large, and a 77° seat angle to keep things upright on the climbs. The house-brand wheels keep things rolling, and the Maxxis Assegai tires slow you down and provide the grip. The drivetrain is also a Shimano joint, with an SLX/XT combo paired to some FSA cranks and chainring. It's no mystery that I'm a fan of Shimano's MT420 brakes, so I was happy to see them specced here. ![]() The Marzocchi Z1 fork and Fox Float X shock complement each other nicely, offering great performance and simple adjustment. ![]() With 130mm and 140mm of travel in the frame and fork respectively, the Rift Zone sits squarely in the middle of our travel range for this Value Field Test.
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