| Features | T3 Carbon: Carbon frames are generally manufactured as a "monocoque" structure. This means the entire frame, or significant parts anyway (front triangle, or rear triangle) are molded as a single piece. The bladders that are used to pressurize the frame during molding are difficult to control and may result in additional resin left inside the frame. While this can ensure good continuity of the carbon fibers through that part of the mold, all monocoque frames still require that frame parts be glued together. Marin employs this manufacturing technique where it makes sense, but in the road category, we primarily use T3 construction, also known as "tube to tube". In this technology, each frame tube is individually molded, which allows us to precisely control the wall thickness of each tube, resulting in ride tuning perfection. Then, each tube is laid into a fixture that positions them to precisely the angles required for that frame, where they are then bonded into place, and reinforced with an additional lay up of carbon, before going into the heating ovens. This extra care results in absolute minimum weight, perfected ride feel, and a bike that you won't want to climb off of.
4-In-1 Cable Guides: An interchangeable cable management system for 2014 carbon hardtail, cyclocross and road frames. Made from precision CNC’d aluminum, the guides allow for the use of both mechanical and electronic drivetrain systems through an internal routing layout that protects cables and wires. To fit the application and rider preference, the guides can be changed out for use of full-length housing, housing with cable stops, electronic or flush mount covers when a cable is not present.
Power Taper Seat Tube: Formed seat tube assemblies found on carbon Marin Endurance Fit & Pro Fit road bikes and Cyclocross bikes to maximize energy transfer and rider comfort. The structure features an oversized dimension at the bottom bracket junction and tapers to a smaller diameter along its length before connecting at the seatstay and top tube junction. The shaping increases frame strength and rigidity at the bottom bracket area to optimize energy transfer from pedaling efforts. The smaller dimension at the top of the tube allows for greater frame compliance at the seatpost/rider interface, in addition to using a smaller-diameter 27.2 seatpost.
Press Fit 30: Press Fit 30 was developed by SRAM as a variation of the BB30 standard. BB30 required that bike frames be precisely machined to allow bearings to be directly pressed into the bottom bracket shell, in order to accept crank sets with a 30mm diameter aluminum spindle (hence the name BB30). Press Fit 30 uses a slightly larger diameter BB shell, which makes room for the bearing to be pressed into a cup, before being pressed into the frame. This cup is made of a nylon composite material, which is very high strength, but still allows for some compression, so that any variation of the machining inside the bottom bracket shell has much less effect on how smoothly your bearings turn, and how efficiently your bike pedals. The larger Press Fit 30 BB shell has greater surface area, which allows for more contact between the frame tubes and the BB, resulting in increased stiffness and strength. Additionally, the Press Fit 30 bearings have much greater surface area, for enhanced bearing life, and decreased resistance.
Tapered Head Tube: As bicycle forks evolved, the diameter of the "steerer tube" of a fork, and the "head tube" of the frame (which houses the steerer tube and headset) has steadily increased. Years ago, forks were fairly standard at a 1" steerer diameter. This increase to 1-1/8" (also known as OS) in the 90's, and even 1-1/4" and 1.5" sizes became somewhat common. In particular, 1.5" was used on Freeride or downhill frames due to the inherent increase in strength that comes from the larger diameter. But there were some problems, 1.5" forks required very large head tubes, and were heavy. As the sizes evolved, it was realized that using a tapered steerer tube would offer up the best of both worlds. Marin uses tapered forks that have a 1.5" lower diameter, but then taper to a 1-1/8" upper diameter. This reduces weight, but keeps very high strength where it's needed, at the base of the steerer tube, where it meets the fork crown. This type of tapered fork greatly increases stiffness and strength, while keeping weight to an absolute minimum. Unlike many other companies, if a Marin bike has a tapered head tube, it also has a tapered fork, to take maximum advantage of the technology.
Pro Fit Geometry: Competition-based geometry that blends classic European road racing geometry with a more contemporary riding position and frame dimensions that focuses on agility and responsiveness. Head and seat tube angles are crafted with bottom bracket drop to offer a neutral and stable platform for cornering and descending. Chainstay length and Front Center dimensions are optimized for acceleration and quick transition from seated to standing pedaling positions. Cockpit dimensions are crafted to place the rider in a position that allows for greater body extension and power transfer for climbing and committed pedaling efforts on the flats.
|
|---|
