2020 Field Test: Marin Gestalt X10 gravel bike review
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- čas přidán 30. 03. 2020
- The Marin Gestalt X10 is a mountain biker’s gravel bike. It’s fun and flickable, aware that a bit of instability can be enjoyable, and designed for a rider whose range of terrain is almost wide enough to necessitate flat bars and suspension.
That makes it something of a love-it or hate-it bike. It’s not traditional. It’s not for everyone. But if it’s for you, it’s an impressively affordable way to put a smile on your face.
Check out our full review at CyclingTips.com: cyclingtips.com/2020/04/2020-... - Sport
I appreciate your (and especially Abbie's) serious, no-nonsense demeanour. I'm so fed up with CZcamsrs clowning about thinking they are funny.
Nice opinion
dude stop and smell the flowers lmao
@@Ainttrippin Why?
@@Wings_of_foam bc their beautiful
I've owned this bike for about a year now. I think this review is spot on! The bike is fun. I find it to be so for the same reasons outlined in the review. I almost always ride from my house instead of transporting my bike. Some days I stay on the road. Many rides are road, gravel trail, hardpack trail, a little single track, back to gravel and then road ride home. The Gestalt x10 is fast enough on the road while still being a blast in tighter technical trail situations. It works for the way I ride so much that my road and mountain bike just collect dust now. The Gestalt gets is done.
I get the 'mountain bike side' description. I opted for the Gestalt x10 over other gravel bikes because I wanted the top tube clearance and more upright riding position. In fact, I have a higher rise stem and wider Salsa bars on mine and it feels great to me, even on long rides. My back appreciates the non aero position! Another plus is the ability to easily drop the gearing by swapping on a Race Face (or others...) front chain ring. My legs and lungs appreciate that.
Yes, the brakes aren't great. Truth be told, I still ride my ancient ti hardtail mountain bike with rim brakes from time to time and the x10's Tektros are definitely better than v brakes. It's great to see this review. I bought this bike on a hunch that it would work for me but I rarely see it get any love or reviews. Well played!
no way the tektro's are better than rim brakes. sounds like you need new rim brake pads.
I've used this bike over a year, and I love it. In a first time, I only changed the brake rotors with avid and still use stock caliper the brake is better than before. But now I've already upgrade the brakes with TRP HY RD...
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On this video they using continental tires, factory specification tell they use wtb riddler. Riddler i's superb tires for gravel.
Great review. I've used Avid BB7 for years now on road and MTB, I think it's the best upgrade that won't burn a hole in your pocket.
Loving this video series. Thanks for making them...
That's odd, I've had TRP Spyres with 160 mm brake rotors and road brake levers and had no issue locking up the wheels. It's important to compress the cable system when setting up the brakes.
This is done by loosening the brake caliper, clamping the brake cable to anchor bolt without any slack at all, evenly turn the brake pads in all the way till they press on the rotor a bit, and depress the brake lever strongly, all the way to the handlebar if possible. Cable slack may have been created so the process must be repeated till no more slack is generated, it's very important that at the end of the process, the pistons are instantly actuated when even slightly depressing the brake lever, even if it means that the caliper arm needs to be slightly depressed at the brake lever's resting position.
Then it's a matter of getting those brake pads as close to the rotors as possible without any rub, it can be quite a finicky procedure, especially with out-of-true rotors and new brake pads that haven't become perfectly parallel to the rotor yet.
I got the TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes on my adventure bike. In dry conditions my (Ultegra) rim bakes are so much superior.
A little disappointing. My next test will be to exchange the brake pads to Swiss stop ones and see if this helps.
True true about those wheels. I made mine tubeless with Rene Herse compass what a difference.
I m riding These Brakes for about 15. to 20.000 km in my Open and i m really Happy with These! Equal with 80 km/h or where ever!
Stopping power data is part of many automotive reviews, this should be added to your testing so manufacturers are less tempted to spec “adequate” braking systems to bicycles.
Record best stopping distance at 30kph, draw straws for whoever has to complete required sprints for an average of three runs 😁
Good review but I’m trying to understand this ‘mountain biker’s gravel bike’ thing. I’m a mountain biker and I bought a gravel bike which doesn’t ride like a mountain bike because I already have two mountain bikes. 🙃 Kind of same with the 650b preference. Mountain bikes steered away from it because 29 is better in pretty much everything - especially when you have less suspension - why would I want to run them on a bike with no suspension? I found the 700x42c tubeless setup perfect.
But hey, I know we all have different preferences and there is no ONE justification to get a gravel bike but many... Good work on this series! 👍
My Marin's X10 brakes work flawlessly! The wheels lock up, how much better could they be?
Brakes won't stop on dime on gravel!
You know, a decnt quality V brake is pretty damn good. Too bad they are just not marketable because they are effective, light weight and reliable. Have a set of XTR V brakes on an old Mtb and they stop on a dime, super good braking and zero headaches because they are dead simple. Disk brakes have a bit of sorcery involved sometimes with bed in and bleeds. If you have cable brakes, go V.
XTR V brakes are THE bomb. 👌🤘
I got the Olema 2 and love it. Marin bikes are great.
I have this bike,and really like it so far,the brakes take a little getting used to,but still better than any rim brake,especially in the wet.Ive had bb7s before,and they do feel a little better,but you can lock these brakes up,just takes more hand pressure.
Yeh these brakes are wayyy better in the wet than rimbrakes! (had a few CX bikes with rimbrakes and that was awful) Maybe the reviewers weren't thinking about this when testing these bikes in dry Arizona.
Curious which trails were you riding in Sedona. I’d like to take my Crux there. The Marin is sick btw!
So I am assuming the brakes are bad in any situation or just a steep down hill? Good review, I think I am more a road biker who wants to do some Canal/Gravel trails. Any recommendation for a road-leaning Gravel bike?
Hi, I own this bike and I think the part about the brakes is a bit harsh. They are better than any rim brakes I've ever had but compared to high end hyd disc brakes they obviously aren't as good. With bikes you get what you pay for. Also, be aware that the front chainring is only 42t that means your top end speed on the road is limited. The bike is nimble and is great climbing especially when you are out of the saddle.
I'd like to see you guys review the Poseidon X gravel/ adventure bike.
Also. to anyone who has an issue with under performing mech disc brakes - and doesn't want to cough up the $ for
an expensive hydraulic lever set. Check out TRP hy/rd cable actuated hydraulic brakes.
They com in IS mount / post mount/ flat mount and they work amazingly.
I can't find the x10 anywhere. What do you guys think of the MARIN GESTALT 2? Not planning any hard trails. Mostly pavement here in LA, CA, USA and the rare visit to the San Gabriel Mountains.
This video sold me on the Gestalt x10
Would this make a suitable bike for bikepacking the Fools loop in Arizona
Great review Guys those brakes though just have to go!
I tried the breaks on specialized diverge e5 and have the same problem , it just can’t stop the bike. I think it would be better if the speed is low or the rider is small. But to me, I choose GRX.
For roadie looking for a gravel what would you recommend ?
Will you be reviewing the Headlands 2 ?
what is the point of getting a hardtail if a bike with no front suspension like this can do all the offroad trail stuff? and small dropoffs?
I think the brake needs to engage with the actuating arm at 90 degrees. the close up of the brake being actuated looks like it's engaging too far up
I have the 2022 version of the X10. Is there a pad upgrade that will give the brakes better feel? I find you really need to pull hard on the lever to get decent pad bite which is difficult when on trails and not low on the bars.
Changed from OEM metallic to E10.11 Organic pads and it made a huge difference!
Tektro Bicycle Brake Pad Disc -210263-01
How do they achieve such a short chainstay? My old diverge (2017) has 415 mm chainstays but with special scs hubs. There must be a flaw in this bike. Maybe 1x only and wider Q factor? Bottom Bracket seems dodgy as well.
Yes , 1x only and Marin shape the seattube with a little bit flattening profile. I still prefer the nicasio line from Marin. And questioning why cycling tips crew picked the gestalt X series instead of Nicasio series. Both nicasio 2 and Ridge have capabilities fiting dropper seat post and 650B and 700c compatibility.
Look at the seat tube again. It's indented for wheel space.
Interesting review it’s always helpful. Though I continuously here about people complain out mechanical brakes . I have to say I’ve never had a problem z( I actually prefer mechanical) maybe as I’m reasonably lite and I’m not fast rider more out to enjoy the outdoors . I actually after something as a touring bike but supply at the moment is making me look outside the box . This ticks a lot of boxes
Having used those brakes for about 5 years now, they're not *that* bad. They're ok, ish..... But, have been wanting to upgrade to proper hydro for a while...
These seem like a cheaper version tho? We haver a pair and they say TRP Spyre on the side, not Tektro like on the reviewed bike.
@@milanb.6022 I think that TRP and Tekro are the same. I'd like to think that they're not looking for a cheaper version, they're not all that expensive to begin with....
Exact same thing happens in motorcycling with brakes, etc. Anything available today is significantly better than the same component/system from a decade age. Technology shortens the learning curve, but when the newest isn't available one has technique to rely on.
Anyone know the max tire size this would take? Also, could you put 650b's on this bike?
700c
I've used those brakes also. They're finicky. Abby not being able to stop and running in to the truck though, they're not _that_ bad so it had to be oily brake pads or something.
Chris This trip was her first time riding a gravel bike. She’d most likely never tried them before. Likely didn’t realize the difference vs hydro until it was too late
You're probably right. I've got these (or something similar), and "not that bad" is a pretty good way to rate them. Also, as other people have noted, better rotors and pads help
Is no tubeless really a Con? Are people running tubeless on the reg? Hear me out. I'm a big fan; all my bikes are tubeless, but is this so important for the average graveler? It requires quite a bit of new equipment and setup is not especially easy. Would love to hear others opinion!
driventomadness117 Most bikes sold stay in a garage 360 days a year and get dusty.
Tubeless maintenance for most buyers is a huge hassle and not worth it.
Define average graveler. If it is someone who actually rides off road and encounters sharp object and loose terrain, then yeah it is important. but if it is closer to someone who rides once a week and only rides on pavement and maybe smooth dirt roads, no.
Abbie got the pronunciation right👍
Cable actuated hydraulic calipers? They're out there and not very expensive if you're not going the TRP route.
Can you guys review Marin nicasio 2
What is the weight?
The brakes are not all the trash you make them out to be. Never had an issue with power on these for gravel/singletrack riding.
Sounds like the Marin Gestalt X11 is the one the reviewers would want. That said 10 speed is fine and the stopping power issue can be fixed with big rotors (I run 200/180 with TRP spyre). I'd still rather have hydraulic for the smooth braking action, but power isn't an issue with the big disks. I personally would want room for 27.5x2.2" on a bike offroad focused (run fast XC tires like speed kings and thunder burts).
Is your bike flat mount brakes? How are you running such big rotors if it is. If it is post mount it makes sense, but this bike is flat mount so it can't run bigger rotors.
@@DasRightfortyforfo I'm IS mount using adapters to post brakes - these definitely come in big rotor options. I don't know know about flat adapters (spacers?), but there is no reason it can't exist. Sure there are possible clearance issues, but I went 2 sizes up both ends no issue.
Big rotor fitting talk aside, I'm not convinced it's totally needed to go big for braking power. It's been a while since I swapped and I believe it was more for bite and 1 finger braking (in the drops) than absolute power. One of these days I'll try going back to 160/140.
The drawbacks to cable is that it's more prone to is being misadjusted and feel isn't so great due to cable friction. I can't understand how the calipers themselves are somehow less able to sqeeze as good cables and housings don't flex all that much.
I'll add that I have ridden grx800 equipped bikes and came away super impressed. There is some magic in those new levers that enables excellent braking control on the hoods not possible anywhere else.
@@jeffreythompson6282 Flat mount is limited because where the calipers are mounted. You are definitely right about big rotors being great. I have 200 f/r on my enduro bike. I was just hoping you had found a solution for flat mounts because my gravel bike unfortunately has mechanical disc on flat mount. I am completely underwhelmed with the braking performance.
So recommended as a frame set then
But you're not going to build it yourself what they spec it for....
Mechanical disc brakes are not inherently bad however are inferior to hydraulic brakes. Having said that I can't comment on the Tekros on this bike but I have used Avid BB7 and Spyre TRP and found them far superior to rim brakes.
They sure aren't.
new subscriber from malaysia
Ditch those brakes, replace with Juin Tech R1 mech/hydros...problem solved.
TRP HY/RD are great too - I haven't tried Juin yet.
Some Yokozuna Ultimo cable-actuated four-pot hydraulic brake calipers would sort this bike out!
Matthew Jackson For that price, may as well go full hydraulic, no?
It’s a niche product.
@@Hintonbro. still cheaper than full hydraulic brifters, plus you'd need to factor in install of such a setup vs just swapping calipers.
Regular road/gravel/CX calipers are two pot whereas the Ultimo is a four pot brake.
Not saying it's ideal, just one way to solve lacklustuer braking performance on a cable actuated bike.
i prefer mechanic discs brakes than hydrolic purely for an easier maintenance fact .
Might as well buy a hardtail with rigid fork.
A slower, less fun bike is not the answer for many of those who come from road cycling. I wouldn't trade my adventure bike for a hardtail MTB. Ever.
Say wheelie one more time, I dare you.
Champ Phetiam 🤘
Sponsored by ‘Jay-row’... what?
🤔 looks like a Giant anyroad...
When the bike is new the brakes are terrible...they need to be broken in. after that, they re not bad.
I see gravel frames getting more aggressive than some XC Mtn-bikes. It’s not a bad thing especially for guys that want a gravel bike to ride more technical trails that most people would just go ahead and actually ride a XC Mtn-bike or a maybe a fully rigid hardtail.
I've ridden rim brake and mechanical brake bikes. The rim brake was ALWAYS better.
Just replace those awful Tektro brakes with really good ones like the TRP Spyre or TRP Hy/Rd which are excellent! (TRP stands for Tektro Racing Products... same company, totally different products).
Honestly I have never liked tektro brakes. None of them work well.
Throw some 50$ Avid BB7 mechanical brakes problem solved. I have them on my other bike, always stop well.
: )
uuuh.. that's just a mountain bike : S
Get a head.
Get a hat.
hey don't say bad words about TREK BIKES .if you have problem about the bike don't compare any brands.
I don't care about your bike just DON'T SAY ANY BAD COMMENT ABOUT OTHER COMPANY LIKE THE TREK.I HAVE THE TREK 520 FOR 4 YEARS NOW AND ITS THE BEST BIKE I EVER HAD IN MY LIKE..
Bike companies now morphing mountain with road and using the new term for a category that really isn't one "Gravel". The dropbars look silly on a mountain frame. How soon before we can get a Big Wheel Trike for gravel? Oh! and have an e-motor in it.
Let review your expensive bike,why reviewing budget bike..asshole