Marin DSX 1 - Off-road MTB Trail Review

Nice versatile bike!
Funny though how "gravel" is now the buzz word in cycling. This type of bike exists since at least the 90s and used to be called hybrid, now flat bar gravel bike lol. There was hybrids maybe more road oriented and some more off road or "gravel", some even with short travel suspension fork.

Are the rims good for tubeless?

Hi,Does it have a offset seatpost?

Hey, I also have a Marin DSX 1 and was wondering what type of front fender are you using?

I got my DSX 1 in November 2022 . Absolutely love this bike. It's exactly as stated Made for Fun !

I know this is an old video but the offered me this bike really cheap and wanted to know what would you say about excanging the flat bar for a dropbar? i really like the dropbars on the gravelbikes and am currently using a kona flat gravelbar that i really love. My gravel bike its actually a CX bike and does not accept more that 35c tires so i am looking for a cheap replacement

I do not expect this bike to perform like this Marin Rift Zone but I can see that you can ride it on trails. That would be good enough for me. Initially, I plan to buy Rift Zone 3 but I like to ride it fast on gravel or dirt road (Marin Rift Zone would not be able to with 32T chainring). To me, there is no perfect world. This bike is much faster on gravel or dirt road. It would be a perfect dual sport if this bike has dual crankset 32T and 42T.

Ive owned a DSX-1 for roughly 6 months, even though I havent had a chance to upgrade anything except pedals and grips but it still rips pretty hard. Of all our mtb bike trails, I take it on one trail in particular trail that has been created in the last 2 years it has minimal rock or root exposure, the bike is a blast. For a size L, it seems to have a fairly short wheel base with a nice rake, which makes it super snappy and really easy to control in the trees

Its not for rough mtb ride

hi! what kind of bottom bracket does the dsx1 use? thank you!

great stuff. I am strongly considering this as I want an all-round bike. Currently riding a Giant Any Road 2, and that's great for when I want faster rides on better roads (I have it set up more like a road bike) since the geometry is perfect for me. But the Marin looks like a good deal for cobbles and dirt trails and even light touring along the mixed surface trails along the Danube (currently living in Vienna). So your video has me leaning heavily towards getting one and luckily my local dealer just got a few in and I'll be test-driving it tomorrow.

Great video bro 😎

Is this bike good for long touring?

Homie, your videos make me want this bike so bad and LBS is searching for a Large and small for my wife and I. I sold my Karate Monkey and this will be my replacement. I’ve owned a lot of higher end cool bikes but more excited about the this and it’s nothing fancy but going to be so much fun. Thanks for the videos!

thanks For the video. bike looks like my1990 Bridgestone. Do you think this would be a good all round bike for nyc?

I have a 2017 Specialized Sequoia, Cromoly steel, I'm putting flat bars on it, I've got Red Shift suspension stem/seatpost on it, I've had it 4 yrs now, I ride mostly gravel in winter in Michigan I put around a thousand miles in every winter/fall/spring, Mountain bike spring/summer/fall. Gravel bikes are evolving, starting with Cyclecross bikes, and now closer to MTBs, flat bars will feel much better, I'll be more at home, and I like the shifter/brakes to be seperate, (why didn't I do this sooner, my rear shifter just stopped working), always wanted to go Flat, can't wait.. Happy Trails

that was good, thanks

Have you ridden the dsx2 and any thought on it

Great video ! What is the weight of the bike ?

I’m undecided between specialized diverge evo and specialized chisel….. this video helps me decide

Gday Cobra K, im thinking about the DSX1 as a commuting bike with 35c tyres. Now that your familiar with her what do you think ??

One out of 10 how would you rate the bike. I am looking for something to get miles in either on pavement gravel fire roads. For when the trails are wet and cannot ride

Wicked review thanks. You've helped me chose exactly which bike fits me best.

Awesome review and perspective!!! Bring back the rigid!

Hey Mr. The Cobra, where did you manage to snatch this beauty? Looking for a DSX 2 in the Los Angeles area, but as you can imagine it's sold out everywhere.

Nice video. I ordered a DSX1 two months ago and it may be another two months before I see it.

What is the tire size?

Noice! Pushing my Marin FC gravel bike on mnt bike trails on the north shore. Defs sharpens your mnt bike skills

does this bike tubeless ready?

Very cool - I'm stoked on this as a roadie --> now mostly trail and mellow rides biker. With the shortage of bikes/part costs, etc., I've decided to swap my gravel bike to flat bars rather than source a new mtb. I was wondering what the little fender is that you're running on the fork? Thanks for the vid!

How is this not a Gestalt 3 with better brakes and gear ratio for $500 less? Why would Marin do that? ... and why is the Gestalt the bike you recommend and the DSX1 the bike you bought :-) .... trying to choose between a DS1 and the Priority Apollo for road and easy trail riding with my kids

So got a diverge EVO and it came with a dropper post. What exactly do you do with it?

Hey! Thanks for your DSX videos.
I have two questions. Your answer will help me a lot.
1. front axle 12 or 15 mm.?
2. Hubs have
cup-and-cone-bearings or
high-quality, sealed replacement bearings?

Hey! Are the rims on the DSX 1 tubeless? and what frame size would you recommend for 184 cm? Thanks.

Have you been on any grindr dates yet? Did you find your Knight in shining spandex?

Now I really want to ride this. Stoked on that rock roll!

Looking at these trails reminds of how I learned to ride dirt out at Rowlett Creek Preserve in Garland. Which just happened to be on a rigid back in the 90's- so beyond the discs, and carbon, and decent drive train...and 25ish years it could been the same, man!

That bike isn’t the only thing that’s ridgid...

Pretty cool seeing you push the limits of what the bike was intended. I had been wanting to take my little gravel build onto some single track, but haven’t yet got the chance.

Definitely a fun way to change things up. I have a similar set up actually except mine is all steel, but super fun to take to the trails!

Dude, let's meet up at Emma Long in Austin and ride rigids! Mine is not a gravel bike so not as hard core as you.

What part of leon Creek? Starting at which trailhead? I been riding the medina greenway lately. Hit up the dirt then ride the path and hit up the s curves up hill. Oh yeah. 22" bmx baby!!!

What part of leon Creek? Starting at which trailhead? I been riding the medina greenway lately. Hit up the dirt then ride the path and hit up the s curves up hill. Oh yeah. 22" bmx baby!!!

Love it! That trail looks perfect for gravel adventures :) It's the roots that getcha...do you ever worry about the carbon fork absorbing all that impact? Maybe it's old-school for me to worry about that sort of thing ::guilty::

nice vid 👍👍👍

Cool review! Gravel bikes definitely breathe life into old trails.

brought back the goat, or baby sheep, idk what is that thing.

Sweet ! Pushing The Boundaries of that Gravel Bike 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

Thanks for posting Kyle. I also underbike trails to help with strength and skills conditioning. Makes me appreciate when I jump on my lighter titanium bike after a few rides on my heavy vintage steel ones.