Opinion Needed - 2020 Trek Marlin 5 or Kona Fire Mountain 2019

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Tonkers16
Hey everyone, I'm looking for an opinion for mountain biking. I know that the Fire mountain (https://konaworld.com/2019/fire_mountain.cfm) is better spec'd than the Trek Marlin 5 (https://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en_CA/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-m…). IF it were totally up to me, I'd go with the Kona, but this is going to be my son's bike. We don't live anywhere near where we could try out the Kona but he has been on the Marlin 5 to check sizing and fit and I've been seen enough on the geometry to know that the Kona will also fit nicely.

My question is about beginner to moderate single track as I know both bikes will handle commuting, gravel roads etc. just fine. How will the Trek handle realistically? He won't be going off any jumps, but will be rolling over lots of roots, log bridges and small obstacles.

How effective is the fork on the Trek going to be? It really seemed to pogo a lot when he tried it out (and when I went on it briefly). My previous bike experience is with Norco and Specialized. If anyone could compare it to what is on the last year's Pitch (https://www.specialized.com/us/en/womens-pitch-27-5/p/129218) that would help as I've used my wife's bike on the trail a bit and am familiar with how it handles.

The reason he is basically between the Marlin 5 and the 2019 fire Mountain is for the colour! that's why I haven't mentioned other bikes as I know there are some other good options but he doesn't like the colour scheme on them.
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westeegarden 4/22/2020 8:40am
4/22/2020 8:40am
Just by taking a quick look at both bikes, if the Kona is spec'd better, it's by a small amount. The fork on the Kona is virtually the same as is on the Trek. I don't know much at all about that level fork and the different models, but just about all bikes/forks at this price point are going to perform pretty much the same. If you want a bike with a fork that performs noticeably better, you're going to have to spend a couple hundred more dollars. And the reality is, if this bike is an upgrade from your kid's last bike, he won't be held back by it. I started mountain biking on a similar bike (GT Aggressor), and I rode it far beyond what it's limit probably was. Your kid's gonna shred if he wants to shred, and I'm assuming he's at a riding level that whatever bike you give him, he'll ride without complaint. Will getting a bike with nicer suspension and geometry let him go faster and harder? Sure, but like I said before, you'll need to spend much more money for it to actually make a difference to him. Bottom line, let him decide which bike he wants based on which one he thinks looks cooler.
Tonkers16 4/23/2020 11:22am
4/23/2020 11:22am
westeegarden wrote:
Just by taking a quick look at both bikes, if the Kona is spec'd better, it's by a small amount. The fork on the Kona is...
Just by taking a quick look at both bikes, if the Kona is spec'd better, it's by a small amount. The fork on the Kona is virtually the same as is on the Trek. I don't know much at all about that level fork and the different models, but just about all bikes/forks at this price point are going to perform pretty much the same. If you want a bike with a fork that performs noticeably better, you're going to have to spend a couple hundred more dollars. And the reality is, if this bike is an upgrade from your kid's last bike, he won't be held back by it. I started mountain biking on a similar bike (GT Aggressor), and I rode it far beyond what it's limit probably was. Your kid's gonna shred if he wants to shred, and I'm assuming he's at a riding level that whatever bike you give him, he'll ride without complaint. Will getting a bike with nicer suspension and geometry let him go faster and harder? Sure, but like I said before, you'll need to spend much more money for it to actually make a difference to him. Bottom line, let him decide which bike he wants based on which one he thinks looks cooler.
Thanks, the specs are better mainly on the shifters (altus and Alivio which are upgrades from the basic tourney).
As far as the fork is concerned, I realize that it`s not the greatest fork on either models but will most ertainly get him through whatever he will throw at it. I myself was still using a Suntour with only 80 mm travel until I upgraded and went full suspension and got a bike with an air fork as well.

I guess after reviewing your comment, my biggest concern with the fork on the Trek Marlin is that the stanchions are 28" in size and the one on the Kona Fire Mountain are 32". the 28" will work fine on some easier single track - he might go over a drop that might be 4 feet but I really don't expect that he would at this point.
Pavel_Repák 4/23/2020 12:58pm
4/23/2020 12:58pm
I'd personally go with the kona. The drivetrain has a wider range (595% vs 466%) and is higher-end. The brakes and the cockpit are pretty much the same, but I'd say the kona has better tires. The fork is definitely superior too, because it has wider stanchions and a rebound adjuster (I didn't realize the importance of rebound until I got a new bike and bounced around on my old one for a bit - it was insanely bucky). Another important thing is the tapered steerer on the kona, which allows for future upgrade options (such as a rockshox 35). As for the color argument, the kona is pretty ugly and the color is what got me interested in a trek slash 8, but I'd personally take the performance over color. You have to ask him how much he really cares about the looks. If it's not a huge factor for him, just take the kona. Otherwise, the trek should still get the job done.
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Pykes
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Pykes 4/23/2020 2:33pm
4/23/2020 2:33pm
The trek is fine but it is a basic spec 21sp mtb. The marlin 6 and 7 get 24sp and 28sp and a upgraded fork and by upgraded i mean a lockout. The Treks are good bikes, they are well put together and the bontrager wheels are nice. Ive built a lot of them the last few years and they are good bikes. The kona looks good, 28sp and a rebound control looks good. As long as its the model in the link you posted the Kona would be the way to go. Hope this helps
Tonkers16 4/24/2020 5:43am
4/24/2020 5:43am
Pavel_Repák wrote:
I'd personally go with the kona. The drivetrain has a wider range (595% vs 466%) and is higher-end. The brakes and the cockpit are pretty much...
I'd personally go with the kona. The drivetrain has a wider range (595% vs 466%) and is higher-end. The brakes and the cockpit are pretty much the same, but I'd say the kona has better tires. The fork is definitely superior too, because it has wider stanchions and a rebound adjuster (I didn't realize the importance of rebound until I got a new bike and bounced around on my old one for a bit - it was insanely bucky). Another important thing is the tapered steerer on the kona, which allows for future upgrade options (such as a rockshox 35). As for the color argument, the kona is pretty ugly and the color is what got me interested in a trek slash 8, but I'd personally take the performance over color. You have to ask him how much he really cares about the looks. If it's not a huge factor for him, just take the kona. Otherwise, the trek should still get the job done.
Thanks for the input, I felt that the trek bounced around just as much as the 2010 Norco Storm he is riding which had no adjustments on it at all - great little commuting bike and gravel roads but not stellar for anything but mild cross country.
In the end, it will be his choice but I secretly hope he picks the Kona because I feel that it is slightly superior (especially at the sale price) Not sure if it wasn't on sale that we'd be having this discussion at all!
Tonkers16 4/24/2020 5:45am
4/24/2020 5:45am
Pykes wrote:
The trek is fine but it is a basic spec 21sp mtb. The marlin 6 and 7 get 24sp and 28sp and a upgraded fork and...
The trek is fine but it is a basic spec 21sp mtb. The marlin 6 and 7 get 24sp and 28sp and a upgraded fork and by upgraded i mean a lockout. The Treks are good bikes, they are well put together and the bontrager wheels are nice. Ive built a lot of them the last few years and they are good bikes. The kona looks good, 28sp and a rebound control looks good. As long as its the model in the link you posted the Kona would be the way to go. Hope this helps
Thanks for your input! I'm in agreement but we'll see what he decides!
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