The Marin Rift Zone is made to party, whatever your jam is. Your ideal partner for everything from all-day epics to local tours and everything in between. Acclaimed since their debut five years ago, they epitomize our Made For Fun above all else mantra which is the heart and soul of Marin’s full range of posts. The Rift Zone alloy models are all-new from the frame for 2023, with more travel, fresh geometry, updated suspension kinematics and refined details. In addition, the range has been aligned between the 29″ and 27.5″ wheel size models. And just now, the new Rifty has already won Gold, with Marin-backed ambassador and almighty human Martha Gill taking the first step on the podium in the Dual Slalom at Crankworx Rotorua 2022. Frame Series 3 aluminum frames with new tubing and forging freshen up the Rifty’s overall aesthetic, with a shorter seat tube and lower strength than previous models. Sleek cable guide entry and exit ports with soldered adhesives look great and eliminate cable/rubber rattling. Cable routing is integrated into the forging and the bike is a zipless belt. Out back, the components are now compatible with SRAM’s UDH rear derailleur hanger. The Rift Zone is also a quieter bike, with all-new chainstay and seat guards with increased coverage to minimize chain slap. The proper ISCG tabs and threaded BB shells remain. Journey The 29″ and 27.5″ Rift Zone alloy models have increased travel by 10mm front and 5mm rear, now at 140mm/130mm respectively, bringing the bike firmly into the trail category. The Rift Zone 26 and Rift Zone Jr models now have 130mm of front and rear travel. Geometry Both the 29″ and 27.5″ frames share basic geometry, with 65.5° head angles and a 77° seat tube, along with 430mm chainstays. In short, we dialed up the fun-o-meter by making these major updates to the corners. The Rift Zone 26 and Jr see similar updates, with 65.5° HTA and 76° STA, with 425mm chainstays. Kinematics and Shock Tuning The team here at Marin spent countless hours dialing in the kinematics of the frame, ensuring maximum performance with the current shocks on the market. From there, we worked with engineers at Fox, RockShox and X-Fusion to dial in the tunes to deliver the best combination of pedaling performance on the climbs and flats, while providing bottomless control when the going gets tough. The new Rifty doesn’t just have more routes, it also improves the way you use travel. The Lineup One key feature that hasn’t changed is the Rift Zone collection, with three 29″ and 27.5″ models each, and 26″ and 24″ for the young rippers. Now these models have been homogenized across wheel sizes, so colors, specs and prices remain the same across the various 1/2/XR levels, regardless of rolling stock. Wait, what is that? What’s up with this “XR” model? This is the replacement for what was previously the Rift Zone 3. The new XR is our “rider spec” model, a spicier take on the Rift Zone with some of the best suspension and drivetrain specs available. Rift Zone 29”/27.5” 1 • All-new MultiTrac Series 3 frame, 130mm travel • X-Fusion Slide (29”) & Sweep (27.5”) Boost RC forks • X-Fusion O2 Pro R shock with custom tuning• Shimano Deore 1×11 drivetrain• Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors• Vee Tire Crown Gem tubeless tires• 27.5” available in XS frame size• $1799 US/$2299 CAD/$2299 CAD/299 €595/19”ft. 2 Key upgrades from Rift Zone 1:• Marzocchi Bomber Z2 fork• RockShox Deluxe Select RT Debonair rear shock• Shimano Deore 1×12 drivetrain• TranzX dropper• Vee Flow 2.35” Tires • $2399/£2919 Rift Zone 29”/27.5” XRKey upgrades from Rift Zone 2:• Marzocchi Bomber Z1 fork• Fox Float X rear shock• Shimano SLX/XT 1×12 drivetrain• Shimano M420 4-piston brakes• Maxxis Assegai MAXO 39” 3$2 RA. US/$4449 CAD/£2995 GBP/€3499Rift Zone 26”/Jr• All-new Series 3 MultiTrac frame, 130mm travel• X-Fusion Velvet Boost RC fork, 130mm travel• X-Fusion O2 Pro R shock with custom tune• Shimano De ore 1×11 drivetrain• Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors• Vee Tire Flow Snap 2.4” tires• $1799 US/$2299 CAD/£1695 GBP/€1999 Availability All models are scheduled to be available in global markets in November/December 2022.
