Trek's best selling budget mountain bike gets three new models added to the range

The Marlin is one of Trek's best selling mountain bikes (Image credit: Trek Marlin)

The Trek Marlin is already one of the best budget mountain bikes on the market and one of the best-selling bikes for Trek. The Wisconsin brand has now added three new Gen 3 models to the Marlin range and says with the all-new features, entry-level mountain bikers riding the new Marlin will be better equipped than ever to hit the trails without breaking your budget.

The new Trek Marlin Gen 3 boasts updated geometry and features that aim to inspire confidence and improve performance wherever it rolls. We delved into the new models and checked out the features for the 2023 range.

Trek Marlin being ridden in a desert — The Marlin offers new riders a well capable budget entry into mountain biking (Image credit: Trek)

Trek adds a new Alpha Silver Aluminium frame that also gets a trail bike update, with a slacker head tube which is now 66.5 degrees from the old Marlin's 69.5, a longer reach at 440mm matches up with the Trek Roscoe, and the seat tube angle is tweaked from 73.5 to 74 degrees, and again matches the Roscoe. Wider bars and a shortened stem combined are all designed to give confidence when hitting rougher terrain.

The new frame is paired with a 100mm fork, that depending on the model chosen varies in manufacturer. Trek says the fork can also be upgraded to a 120mm fork on sizes from XS and upwards, as new riders develop their skills and want more from their ride. Increased tire clearance, also gives riders options with rubber and the Marlin can roll on tires up to 2.4 inches in size. All models also come tubeless ready and feature Trek’s Smart Wheel Sizing, with wheel size increasing proportionally along with frame size.

Trek Marlin side on in red view — The three new models feature a new Alpha Silver Aluminum frame (Image credit: Trek)

Also new is a Thru Skew rear axle that ups wheel security, and secures into a closed dropout system for a safer, simpler, and stronger ride, while retaining the existing 135mm rear hub. Another handy feature is a removable Thru Skew lever for added wheel security and a cleaner look while riding. Though while this is a neat solution, a much preferable option would have been upgrading the frame to run to a 148mm Boost width hub and a 12mm through-axle to improve rear end stiffness.

The three new models feature an updated internal cable routing and added internally routed dropper post on the Marlin 8 with compatibility to add on the 7 and 6. Internal foam tubes simplify cable routing and prevent cables from rattling on rough rides, and to increase frame protection there is a full-coverage chainstay guard.

Trek continues expanding the Marlin range with an additional XXS size this year, offering a fit for shorter riders and growing kids and a maximum size of XXL.

Small rider standing with the Trek Marlin — The Marlin is sized from XXS to XXL with and feature the Trek Smart Wheel Sizing system (Image credit: Trek)

Pricing and specifications

The Trek Marlin is available now with the Marlin 8 priced at $1,299.00 / £1,230.00 / €1,329.00, Marlin 7 at $999.99 / £950.00 / €1029.00 and Marlin 6 at $899.99 / £760.00 / €819.00. For the price-conscious, the Trek Marlin will still be available in its previous generation on Marlin 4 and 5. With more information available at Trekbikes.com.

Trek Marlin 8 Gen 3

Trek Marlin 8 side on view — (Image credit: Trek)

Frame: Alpha Silver Aluminum
Fork: RockShox Judy Silver, 100mm
Drivetrain: SRAM SX Eagle, 12-speed
Bar: Bontrager alloy, 690mm
Stem: Bontrager aluminum, 35mm
Seatpost: TranzX, 100mm-150mm dropper internal
Brakes: Shimano MT200 180mm
Wheels: Bontrager Kovee
Tires: Maxxis Ardent tubeless ready
Size: XXS-XXL
Price: $1299.00 / £1230.00 / €1329.00

Trek Marlin 7 Gen 3

Trek Marlin 7 side on view — (Image credit: Trek)

Frame: Alpha Silver Aluminum
Fork: RockShox Judy, 100mm
Drivetrain: Shimano Deore, 10-speed
Bar: Bontrager alloy, 690mm
Stem: Bontrager aluminum, 35mm
Seatpost: Bontrager Alloy, dropper compatible
Brakes: Shimano MT200 180mm
Wheels: Bontrager Kovee
Tires: Bontrager XT3 Comp, tubeless ready
Size: XXS-XXL
Price: $999.99 / £950.00 / €1029.00

Trek Marlin 6 Gen 3

Trek Marlin 6 side on view — (Image credit: Trek)

Frame: Alpha Silver Aluminum
Fork: SR Suntour XCT 30, 100mm
Drivetrain: Shimano Deore, 10-speed
Bar: Bontrager alloy, 690mm
Stem: Bontrager aluminum, 35mm
Seatpost: Bontrager Alloy, dropper compatible
Brakes: Shimano MT200 180mm
Wheels: Bontrager Kovee
Tires: Bontrager XT3 Comp, tubeless ready
Size: XXS-XXL
Price: $899.99 / £760.00 / €819.00

Paul Brett joined BikePerfect as a staff writer in 2022. He has been an avid cyclist for as long as he can remember, initially catching the mountain biking bug in the 1990s, and he raced mountain bikes for over a decade before injury cut short a glittering career. An award-winning photographer, when not riding a bike, he can be found at the side of a cyclocross track or a downhill mountain bike world championship shooting the action. Paul was the founder, editor and writer of Proper Cycling magazine, and he's traveled the world interviewing some of the biggest names in mountain biking and writing about some of the biggest cycling brands.

Current rides: Canyon Inflite, Specialized Diverge, Marin Alpine Trail 2