trek mountain 5

Trek Marlin 5 Review: The Best Entry-Level Mountain Bike Around

I reviewed the entry-level Trek Marlin 5 bike and compared it to similar bikes - how did it fair?

As an experienced rider, I know what it takes to make a good bike, whether that's a top-of-the-range road bike or an entry-level mountain bike .

Overall I found the Trek Marlin 5 to have plenty of positives, including hydraulic disc brakes and Shimano derailleurs - honestly, it doesn't stop there!

For a more in-depth look, continue reading my Trek Marlin 5 review!

Table of Contents

Full Specification

Key features, alpha silver aluminum frame.

Trek Marlin 5 comes with an impressive alloy frame and things are kept tidy with the cables being internally routed.

For an entry-level bike, this is most surprising (but also welcomed!). It is rare to see internally routed cables. I love it, it makes the bike look sleek and it stops the cables from collecting dirt and becoming damaged.

SR Suntour XCE 28 Suspension Fork

It comes with 100mm of travel suspension so when faced with rougher terrain, it excels. There isn't a moment when things feel too demanding for the Marlin 5 thanks to the SR Suntour XCE 28.

Bontrager Arvada Saddle

Trek appears to like to kit their bikes out with Bontrager components and you won't hear me complaining! This saddle is there to give you comfort on long days riding and it works well for the commuter too!

Shimano Tourney 21 Speed Drivetrain  

It's common to see Shimano Tourney components at this price point. The quality is good and you have options!

You can either choose between a 3 x front derailleur or if you wish to reduce weight, you can opt for a 1 x Shimano Tourney at the front.

Which one should you choose?

Choosing the 3x will give you greater flexibility but more to think about. The 1x system will reduce the number of gears but allows you to spend more time focusing on your riding.

I favor 1x systems for their simplicity. When you're mountain biking, needing to changing the big ring can be one thing too many to get used to, especially if this is your entry-level bike and therefore your first!

If you're looking where the bike could be upgraded in the future then it could be the Shimano Tourney TY300 parts. Whilst they are decent and they are certainly a fantastic starting point, there are better options out there. A small upgrade in the future could see you finding it easier to climb hills.

Tektro HD-275 Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Hydraulic disc brakes on an entry-level bike? Trek has nailed it.

For beginner riders out there, hydraulic disc brakes are (for many, not all), the best type of braking system there is.

A slight touch on the brake levers is all you need to get a response...you don't get that from mechanical discs or rim brakes.

I came to fully appreciate hydraulic disc brakes going down Coll de sa Batalla for the first time, where I gripped on like my life depended on (it felt it did).

Since then. No turning back for me, there's only one form of brake system for me!

Bontrager XR2 27.5/29 x 2.2/2.0” Tires

Another Bontrager component!

These tires are of brilliant quality and they excel on mountain roads as well as gravel.

A downside to them is that they don't perform as well when things get muddy.

Wheel Sizes

There are different wheel sizes depending on the bike size you get.

The XS frame comes with 27.5" wheels.

Whereas, anything above that frame size gets 29" wheels.

At 5'4 in height, a lot of manufacturers would like to see me on 27.5" wheels, however, I ride 29ers on my MTB. I find this to be more comfortable and I don't feel hindered by having larger wheels.

What I'm saying is, test some bikes out, get a feel for what you like. Rules are there to be broken!

As I briefly touched upon earlier, the Marlin 5 comes with an alpha silver aluminum frame.

An alloy frame is a popular choice within this price bracket as it doesn't add extra weight to the bike as a steel frame would but it provides a good level of durability for a mountain bike.

Whilst you do get a good amount of durability, you have to factor in that this is a bike on a budget and it can't take on everything. It isn't designed for jumping so this is something to keep in mind if you're wanting a bike for serious trails.

All of the cables are internally stored in the bike, helping it to have a cleaner, more stylish look as well as improve the durability of the cables. 

The bike is available in three attractive colors, including black, green, and teal. These shades are uniquely beautiful and well-selected, so every cyclist will find the right color for them.

You can add a rear rack and kickstand to the Marlin 5’s frame, which makes this model a great choice for commuters, as well as adventurous cyclists. 

Do keep in mind that if this mountain bike was made of carbon fiber, it wouldn’t weigh the frame down as much, but the Trek Marlin 5 would come in at a much higher price point.

On Which Terrain Does The Trek Marlin 5 Perform Well?

We have to keep in mind that the Trek Marlin 5 is an entry-level machine so it isn't designed to be ridden by an expert rider, taking it on challenging trail riding.

Saying that the Marlin 5 is capable of rougher terrain and it works well as a trail bike. I'd always suggest that you check what the difficulty levels are before you hit the trail.

[Want some beginner tips? Check this out]

Bontrager Components

Let's clear something up for beginner riders getting into mountain biking.

Trek fits their bikes with 'Bontrager' parts. This is a Trek brand and made in-house.

For some brands, this isn't a sign of quality, yet this isn't the case here. Bontrager is a sign of quality.

On the Trek Marlin 5, Bontrager features a lot; the seat, seat post, handlebars, grips, and stem.

The stem is Bontrager alloy,  31. 8mm 7-degree Blendr compatible .

One of the best things about using these parts is that they are truly compatible across the Trek range of bikes.

As they are made by Trek, for Trek, the parts are made with the precise specification of their bikes so everything will fit seamlessly together!

For beginner riders, this is perfect as you won't need to give much thought about whether you're buying the correct parts.

[Check out this video from Trek for an overview of the range.]

Alternatives To The Trek Marlin 5

Without a doubt the Marlin 5 is feature-rich but how does this entry-level mountain bike compare to other bikes?

Trek Marlin 5 Vs Marlin 6

The first difference has to be the cost, the Trek Marlin 5 comes is quite a lot less than the 6 - this makes it an ideal first trail bike for those new to mountain biking, or those on a budget.

Having said that for trail riders looking to spend a bit more money, you do get a durable fork, a 2x drivetrain - including a better groupset and you even get a lighter bike!

One thing I do like with the Trek Marlin 6 is that there is the option to have either a man's frame or a women's. Whilst I find that women can ride men's bikes, it's nice to have an angled top tube.

You also get more options to customize certain features, so if you fancy a different wheel size, then the Marlin 6 can cater to that.

The standout benefit would be the upgrades with the fork - the fork on the 6 is a fair bit lighter than that on the Marlin 5. This reduces the weight of the bike, making biking trails or the commute easier.

Equally, the fork has a lockout and preload function so you are able to completely lock the fork to increase how efficiently you pedal - making your adventures easier!

Trek Marlin 5 Vs Giant Talon 3

The Giant Talon 3 has some good reviews and they're well deserved. In a lot of ways, these entry-level bikes are similar so are there any features that set them apart?

When compared to the Marlin 5, the Talon 3 seems to offer more traction when pedaling. This could potentially mean that as a rider, you don't feel as safe underfoot on the Trek Marlin and you could find that you're more likely to slip.

Though, the Trek Marlin 5 does give you a greater range of color types to choose from. So for trail riders who want to make their bike their own, the Trek could be the way to go.

There is a difference in wheel size too, with the Trek Marlin 5 you get 29" wheels, whereas Giant Talon 3 gets 27.5". Which one is better will come down to what you want from a bike.

The 27.5" wheels do mean the bike is lighter, which could be an appealing bicycle option to the commuter, beginners, or anyone who wants a bit more control!

Both hardtail mountain bikes have plenty to offer and the specifications are similar. For me, it all comes down to wheel sizes and the experience you want when you're cycling.

[Want to read more about the Talon 3? Find out here. ]

Trek Marlin 5 FAQs

Can i do tabletop jumps on the trek marlin 5.

The Marlin 5 is part of Treks' entry-level range and is not suitable to be taken on any type of jumps.

The wheels and tires are not designed to cope with jumps and could bend, even on a small jump so don't try it!

Can I Use Tubeless Tires On The Trek Marlin 5 bike?

Unfortunately not. The wheels aren't compatible with tubeless tires.

However, the wheels and tires are robust and suit mountain bikes well.

Does the Trek Marlin 5 have lockout suspension?

The Marlin 5 doesn't have a full lockout suspension. You do get a coil spring that has a pre-load adjuster though.

[Here are some ideas for when you really want to push yourself! 😉 ]

Related Posts:

• Best Budget Mountain Bike: Entry-Level & Mid-Range MTBs
• Trek 820 Review - The Ultimate Bike For A New Rider?

Final Thoughts

If you're wanting performance on a budget, there are plenty of plus points from this 29er.

The aluminium frame and Shimano Tourney components give the Trek Marlin 5 something to shout about.

Let's not forget the hydraulic disc brakes, making them ideal for dirt roads or a commute in any weather conditions. Braking at all speeds shouldn't be an issue with disc brakes.

Overall I have positive things to say about this bicycle. All terrains, mountains, trails, or commutes, the Trek Marlin 5 can do them all!

One Bike to Rule Them All? Hybrid vs Mountain Bikes

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Trek Marlin 5 Review: Worth the Money?

• Latest Posts

• Trek Marlin 5 Review: Worth the Money? - September 8, 2022

From electric to fat-bikes and hybrids, Trek is an extremely versatile brand combining several different manufacturers.

In the Marlin 5 , Trek has created good quality, an entry level hardtail mountain bike that is ideal for children, everyday adventure seekers and those new to mountain biking (and need a real mountain bike).

It is a not a great bike to do any type of jumps or handle extreme terrain, however, but if you are looking for a thrilling trail experience on the gravel or trails (trail riders) and cross country trips that don’t involve too many TTF’s (Technical Trail Features), this bike could be very interesting for you!

Bottom Line Up Front:  The Trek Marlin 5 is an EXCELLENT all-rounder mountain bike. It’s an affordable base platform that doesn’t do too much, but with a clean base to add customizations and upgrades as you go. A great starter mountain bike. Check out the latest discounts and promos directly on Trek.com here .

Marlin 5 is a trail-worthy daily rider that's perfectly suited for everyday adventures, on and off the trail. A front suspension fork with 100mm of travel, 21 speeds, and mounts for a rack and kickstand make it an ideal choice for new trail riders or anyone looking for a comfortable, stable commuter with the ruggedness of a real mountain bike.

Table of Contents

Tips on Buying The Best Entry-Level Mountain Bike

I have made some good and bad bike choices and I didn’t actually start out as a mountain biker at all, but did miles of road cycling a day.

It was part of my life from a very young age. But the off-road experience became appealing once I started to travel and there were slightly more interesting trails available than the ones we have in Belgium.

Since this is a good entry-level bike (if not a GREAT bike), let me offer you some tips on what you need to keep an eye out for in buying your first or all-round mountain bike for trail adventures!

Avoid Flash And Start Simple

We are a very visually driven culture and it is so easy to fall into the flashy bike trap. It’s, of course, okay for a bike to look good, but make sure you prioritize the right things and tick some necessary technical details off the list first. More on that below.

Set Your Budget But Don’t Go Too Low

Entry-level bikes still need to adhere to proper safety standards and it is a mistake to think that since you are just going for simple rides, that 60 dollar bike from the supermarket will do. They always compensate in quality to get the price that low. The frame will usually be heavier and made from inferior steel.

The individual components will be of lesser quality as well and unless you plan on sticking to paved roads only, you will probably be replacing all of them within months, perhaps even weeks. For a good quality entry-level mountain bike, you will be looking at a minimum of around 400 USD but will still pay below 750 USD.

Think About Suspension

If you plan on embarking on slightly rougher terrain, the front suspension is important for comfort and a smooth ride as well as your bike’s health. Suspension forks vary depending on the model, but for a good entry-level hard tail with the above-mentioned price range, you should expect suspension travel from 80 to 120 mm (a relatively rigid hard fork).

If you are planning smooth rides rather than bumpy ones, it can be okay to forego the suspension and look for higher quality in other parts of the bike. Do keep an eye out for a rigid fork that is well made and relatively light, since weight and performance can be a problem with a cheaper fork.

Were you perhaps considering full suspension? For one, this would only be necessary for particularly rougher terrain, not for an entry-level bike, and you should also know that within this reasonable price range, manufacturers might cut corners in the quality of design elsewhere to compensate for the full suspension.

So you will have to double your budget to still get top quality in other areas. But again, for an entry-level mountain bike, it is not necessary in my opinion. Don’t let anyone convince you it is!

Don’t Underestimate The Value Of Frame And Wheel Size

Frame size matters greatly for your comfort levels, whether you are trail riding or just biking for commuter purposes. Always consult the size chart that accompanies the bike. That being said, do try the bike before buying or exchange it if it doesn’t quite fit well after buying online.

Nowadays, the 27.5 inch wheels are among the most popular in use. The 29” is popular with some, though it doesn’t fit every type of person. The biggest perk about 29” wheels is that they can increase grip and stability on some trails (grips less stable debris), but can be too heavy for some grips.

Also, note the knobs on the wheel itself, rougher terrain will benefit from from the more pronounced knobs while speeds will increase with a smoother design once on less aggressive trails. Think carefully what type of trails you will be hitting.

What About the Gear Shifters / Shift Levers?

A bike within this price range will often have a 21-speed drivetrain gears, which refers to a 7 Speed cassette and 3 chain-rings in the front.

A 20 speed or 2 x 10, 10-speed cassette with 2 chain rings, which generally improves performance due to producing less duplicate ratios. A lot of bikes will have just the one ring up front in order to simplify as well as take away some of the weight.

Key Features And Performance – Does The Trek Marlin 5 Qualify?

Key features.

The Trek Marlin 5 boasts an Alpha Silver Aluminum Frame with internally routed cables . It has a very sleek and modern design with the added bonus that the cables will not collect dirt or indeed get damaged. This feature is usually available on more expensive bikes only!

It offers SR Suntour XCE 28 Suspension Fork with 100 mm of travel suspension which makes it ideal for rougher terrain that doesn’t get too technically demanding and the Bontrager Arvada Saddle mounts ensures comfort even on longer cross country biking trails or even for commuter riders.

The Shimano Tourney 21 Speed Drivetrain is of high quality and most commonly used in this price range. If you prefer to convert the 3-chain ring in the front to a single one to compensate the weight, you can, but you will be needing a new single-ring crank.

With the Tektro HD-275 Hydraulic Disc Brakes you only need one finger to use the disc brakes (unlike mechanical disc brakes) which means you will be less likely to strain your hands on the way down (whether on hard surfaces or as off-road disc brakes). It also means that children or people with less strength in their hands will feel safe (fully in control of the brake situation) and comfortable on this bike with these brake levers.

Genuine Replacement Parts. Get your bike back on the trail with the brake parts you need.

The Bontrager XR2 27.5/29 x 2.2/2.0” Tires are of excellent quality for gravel and mountain roads but less so for muddy terrains. Consider more articulated tire knobs for this. Bontrager parts – in general – are an indicator of quality.

Legendary tire designer Frank Stacy provides another race-proven design with the XR2 Team Issue mountain bike tire. It's Tubeless Ready for fewer flats, and features a specifically-formulated compound for lightweight construction, improved cornering traction, and low rolling resistance.

The Wheel Sizes range from 27.5”- XS and S 29” to M, ML, L, XL, XXL. See the above part on wheel sizes to get an idea about which one could be best for you and always test before buying!

On Which Terrain Does The Trek Marlin 5 Perform Well?

As an entry level hardtail, it can handle rougher terrain but not one equipped with too many technical challenges. There are many different biking trails and tracks you can try out, just make sure you check the difficulty levels before embarking on your trip.

Suitable types of mountain biking

• Trail riding without excessive TTF’s . Trail riding is a beautiful introduction into the sport if you focus on multi-use paths (a great multipurpose bike), bridleways and other tracks that require no technical skills. The Marlin 5 is an awesome bike for that, with the appropriate riser bars, mounts and dropper post.
• Singletrack, doubletrack and bike parks : These cover many types of trails in one. Make sure to pay attention to the color coding since they determine the level you and your bike will need.
• Downhill (DH) : The excellent hydraulic brake system is very suitable for downhill rides and riders. But here too, pay attention to difficulty levels and do not push it to extremes, despite the high durable nature of the Trek 5.
• Cross Country (XC) : In some cases, cross country can be enjoyed if you forego the possible jumps. The bike it otherwise suited as a hardtail with 100mm front suspension and the corresponding mounts. Cross Country tracks range from fire roads (go for it!) to more technical singletracks.
• Your everyday commute : The high levels of comfort and stability of the Marlin 5 mean that you can even use this bike on your commutes as well!

Not suitable for

• Dirt jumping : The bike is not suited for jumps, even smaller ones.
• Free ride : This type of mountain-biking typically combines DH with dirt jumping and will need more complex and expensive models.
• MTB Touring : The sleek design and light aluminum frame is perfect for a thrilling ride, but less so for long distance when you need to drag a lot of stuff around since the bike is not fitted well for touring. You can however, if you like, fit the bike with some extra racks front and back. But too many adjustments (like racks) might compromise the quality in other areas.

Trek Marlin 5 Prices

With pricing between 500 and 600 USD , the Marlin 5 fits perfectly within the above-mentioned budget. You can order it online but your local dealer is likely to have this bike in stock. Go have a test ride!

Do these key features add up to the top tips for buying an entry-level mountain bike? In my opinion, it does. If you use this bike right and don’t push it into terrains where it is not built for, you will have a wonderful, budget, high-quality bike kids and adults alike can enjoy.

Trek Marlin 5 Q and A

Which aluminum frame size should i get.

Consult the sizing chart for the best bike size for your standover height and inseam. Make sure to try it out before completing the purchase.

Can the Trek Marlin 5 be equipped with a child seat?

Yes, a rear tire rack, as well as a child seat, can be equipped on the Trek Marlin 5 .

Is this bike suitable for tabletop jumps?

This is an entry level bike and is not suitable for any type of jumps. The wheels have been known to bend even when attempting a lower jump, so don’t try it.

Can I use tubeless tires with this bike?

Tubeless tires are not compatible with the Marlin 5’s wheels. But they do come with the robust and highly resistant Schrader Valve Tubes that rarely gets damaged.

Does the Trek Marlin have lockout suspension?

The Marlin 5 does not have a full lockout suspension, but it does have coil spring with a pre-load adjuster.

Trek Marlin 5 Alternatives

If you are looking for other quality hardtails in the same pricing category, the Vilano Ridge 2.0 Mountain Bike and the Tommaso 2018 Gran Sasso 29er are excellent options. The Vilano is an excellent entry-level option and the Tommaso will suit the entry-level as well as the intermediate rider. So, consider the last one if you are looking to grow as a mountain biker but don’t want to make a switch to another bike too fast.

Another option to consider is the closely similar Trek Marlin 6 which we’ve also reviewed .

Further Related Reading

Read more about:

• How to find the best Hardtail Mountain Bike
• How to find the best XC mountain bikes
• How to find the best dirt jump bikes
• How to find the best downhill mountain bike

Trek Marlin 5 Review: Conclusion

The Trek Marlin 5 s an excellent little all-rounder that provides fun for beginners, children, and everyday thrill-seekers looking for everday adventures on a great bike.

While not fit for more extreme off-road experiences and riders, the Marlin 5 is a great bike as a budget option, combining high quality trail worthy designs with some surprising design choices you will usually only find in more expensive models.

Do you need the perfect gift for your outdoorsy child or are you looking for a nice bike that handles the commute as well as a weekend outing? Then Marlin 5 is perfect for you.

Where to Buy the Trek Marlin 5?

There are a few places you can pick this baby up, but I’d recommend these awesome online retailers:

• Trek Online (Direct) : Where better than to go to the source? Trek has an excellent customer experience online, with free shipping and the ability to deal directly with THEIR support staff if you ever need to. Check out this listing here .

Next: Think About The Right Gear

When setting a budget for a mountain bike for everyday adventures, it is easy to forget you need more than just the bike itself. Keep some room for these items selected for your ride comfort as well as ride safety. This list does not include safety items for more hardcore trails such as knee and elbow pads.

• Biking shorts : Important for mobility, breathability, and comfort. For men, check out the Ezrun 3D Padded Shorts and for women the Cycorld shorts.
• Half finger mountain bike gloves : This way you are able to further tighten the grips without discomfort, especially Downhill. A great and cheap option is the GEARONIC TM Foam Padded MTB gloves.
• Short-sleeve jerseys : Make sure to wear breathable and comfortable shirts. For men, check out the sponeed cycling jersey and for women this fast-drying mountain bike jersey.
• Sunglasses : Aim for comfort, a strong grip, and protection, but also keep in mind that you shouldn’t go too dark. It will make it harder to see the nuances in the road. Fine examples are the Oakley Flax 2.0 XL and the 100% Speedcraft.
• Mountain biking shoes and socks : Make sure to keep an eye on the compatibility with the pedal (often Bontrager pedals or aluminum pedals vs plastic pedals), comfort, flexibility, and weight. If you are looking for quality examples, check out the Sidi SD15 Bike Shoes for men and for women, the Giro Empire VR90.
• Helmet : Safety first! Invest in a quality helmet. The Giro Montaro MIPS MTB Helmet is a quality example.
• Lights : If you are planning to get out at night, consider a robust, water-proof light for increased visibility. The Cygolite Dash Pro– 600 Lumen Bike Light is one of the best ones to get.
• Hydration pack : For longer as well as shorter rides, it can be a huge perk to have easy access to water. The CamelBak Skyline LR 10 has a 10 liter capacity with 3 liters reserve. It is also designed to move the weight down the back in order to prevent uncomfortable shifting. There are plenty more options available with more water storage, should you need it.
• Trail-side multi-tool : The Topeak Mini 20 Pro Mini Tool has 23 functions you may need at any time on the road. If your bike tires are not tubeless, which most budget bikes will not be, a mini-bike pump and patch kit can also be a lifesaver.
• Kickstand : This may sound basic for experienced riders, but if you use your bike for commuter purposes or in and around town, not having a kickstand can be a huge inconvenience. Some mountain bikes do not come standard with them, so be prepared to add (or upgrade) a kickstand if you need one.

1 thought on “Trek Marlin 5 Review: Worth the Money?”

I was looking to get a new bike to replace my Prague E-bike and after looking around the Trek Marlin 5 came up with excellent reviews. The bike was available for purchase at Holland’s bike shop in Coronado. I took it for a test ride and decided to go with it. I highly recommend this bike for commuting and nothing else.

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Review of Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2

Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 is an entry-level trail bike ideally suited for beginners and recreational riders who need a dependable hardtail to hit the trails or use for a daily commute.

It features Shimano Altus 2×8 components, hydraulic disc brakes, an 80-100mm travel fork, and comes in four stunning paint jobs. 

The Marlin 5 has been one of the best-selling mountain bikes in this price range for a good reason, and we expect the Gen 2 version to follow in its steps.

• Hydraulic disc brakes
• 100 mm of front travel
• Progressive wheel sizing
• Heavy coil fork

Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 Full List of Specs

Trek marlin 5 gen 2 full review.

If you’re considering buying your first mountain bike or treating yourself to a brand-new bicycle you’ll use as an everyday workhorse and commuter; the Marlin 5 Gen 2 is a solid choice.

The Trek Marlin 5 is an entry-level trail bike that has a lot to offer to trail lovers. If you want to figure out whether this bike is right for you, check out our detailed review below!

Quality Frame and Fork

The base of the Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 is the brand’s Alpha Silver aluminum frame with a sleek design and stable geometry, suitable for various rider needs. This frame features internal cable routing that protects your cables from the elements and adds to the bike’s clean look.

Marlin 5’s frame is available in eight sizes , so you’re guaranteed to find the perfect one for your height. The SR Suntour fork is basic but provides 100 mm (or 80mm on the XS) of travel to take the sting off light trails. This fork has a coil spring which makes it a bit heavy, but it comes with a preload function, which is a nice plus.

Precise Hydraulic Disc Brakes

The star of the show on the Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 is its Tektro hydraulic disc brakes . We are always pleasantly surprised to see them on bikes below $1,000, as hydraulic discs are a rare find in this price range.

Thanks to these hydraulic disc brakes, the Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 is a bike that performs well in all weather conditions.

Compared to all other types, hydraulic brakes output the most power and provide the most precision. Trek has even gone so far as to install short-reach levers on the smallest frames.

2.20″ Tires and Progressive Wheel Sizing

Depending on how tall you are and which frame size end up going for, your Trek Marlin 5 will come with either 26″, 27.5″, or 29″ wheels .

The XXS frame has 26″ wheels, the XS and S frames come with 27.5″ wheels, and all other sizes are 29ers. Progressive wheel sizing and a curved top tube on the smaller frames decrease the standover height of the bike and ensure a much better fit for all rider heights.

The rims on all sizes are Bontrager Connection. They’re double-walled and have 32 spokes, which means they’ll take plenty of abuse. The Bontrager XR2 2.2″ tires are not tubeless, but they will give you plenty of grip on the three different wheel diameters. The 27.5″ wheels have extra clearance for 2.4″ tires. 

Shimano Drivetrain

Another positive aspect of the Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 is that the entire drivetrain comprises Shimano parts. Sure, they are entry-level quality, but they offer more than enough performance and precision for the average beginner trail rider.

The Marlin 5 Gen 2 has 16 gears on a 2×8-speed drivetrain and comes with a complete Shimano Altus M315 drivetrain , which is one quality class higher than Tourney. This compares to the previous model’s more complex and heavier 3×7-speed drivetrain. 

The crankset is 36/22t with 160mm cranks on the XXS and 170mm on the other sizes. This crankset pairs with a 12-32t cassette. 

Dependable Bontrager Parts

Bontrager is Trek’s in-house brand that makes numerous parts and accessories. The Bontrager label on Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 can be seen on the saddle, seat post, handlebar, grips, and stem.

Trek makes all of these parts specifically for their bikes, which means they are 100% compatible and perform for a long time without any issues. However, one of this bike’s downsides is that the headset is not tapered , so you might have a harder time upgrading the fork if you ever decide to do that.

Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 Sizing Chart

• XXS — 4’5″ – 4’9″ / 135 – 145 cm
• XS — 4’9″ – 5’1″ / 145 – 155 cm
• S —  5’1″ – 5’5″ / 155 – 165 cm
• M —  5’5″ – 5’8″ / 165 – 173 cm
• M/L — 5’8″ – 5’11” / 173 – 180 cm
• L —  5’11” – 6’2″ / 180 – 188 cm
• XL —  6’2″ – 6’5″ / 188 – 195 cm
• 2XL — 6’5″ – 6’8″ / 195 – 203 cm

Who Is Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 Best Suited For?

Like any other bicycle, the Trek Marlin 5 will not be a good buy for everyone. It is an entry-level machine mainly intended for beginner riders and those who do not take cycling too seriously.

Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 should be shortlisted by beginner riders who are looking for their first mountain bike to commute or explore the dirt roads in their area.

If riding a bike is a weekend activity or a mode of transportation for you, then Marlin 5 will meet and exceed your expectations. You’ll be able to cover thousands of miles on it without any upgrades and explore farther than before.

However, if your idea of cycling is to hit trails as hard as possible and test your skills and limits, then you should save a bit more money and invest in a bike with slightly better components.

Is Marlin 5 Gen 2 a Good Buy?

The value for money you get out of this bike leads us to conclude that the Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 is an excellent buy . For around $700, you get a high-grade aluminum frame that’s light, rigid, and durable (it’s even found on some  more expensive Trek bikes).

The drivetrain is entry-level, but the brakes are powered by hydraulics which is the best setup you can get right now.

For this amount of money, it’s a bargain. Therefore, if you’re the type of rider we’ve described, the Marlin 5 Gen 2 is a purchase that will put a long-lasting smile on your face if you go forward with it.

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Sam Millers

6 thoughts on “ review of trek marlin 5 gen 2 ”.

Thank you BIKEXCHANGE for helping me to make up my mind in purchasing the Marlin 5!

You’re welcome, Gwen! We’re happy we could help! Have fun with your new bike!

Great review. One question .. is this the old 5 or new 5 model? The new Marlin 5 design as I understand it being the old 5 plus aspects of Marlin 6 bike & otherwise that’s led to discontinuance of the Marlin 6 and only selling a Marlin 5 & 7 model going forward?

Much appreciated!

I am still riding my 2017 Marlin 6 its been too Hell and back. I live in the woods near Downtown Nashville 32 Thousand miles all pavement. riding in Hurricanes and Polor Vortex. Just got new breaks and Maxxis Hook Worm tires.I do circules around Gravel bikes.

Thinking about buying one of these and as an entry level rider seems like the best choice.

thanks for the review! it has made my mind up

The trek marlin 5 is a great bike. Bought for my wife, i sneak in rides. It isnt too heavy, the bigger 29″ tires are fun to feel a little bit higher off the ground. The braking system is fantastic and was a selling point for me.

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• Marlin 5 Gen 2

Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2

Marlin 5 is a trail-worthy daily rider that's perfectly suited for everyday adventures, on and off the trail. A suspension fork, 2x8 drivetrain, and mounts for a rack and kickstand make it an ideal choice for new trail riders or anyone looking for a comfortable, stable commuter with the ruggedness of a real mountain bike. It's right for you if... You're new to the trail, and you're looking for a real mountain bike that doubles as a commuter—and you want it all at an exceptional value. The tech you get A lightweight aluminum frame with internal routing to protect your cables and add to the bike's sleek look, 2x8 drivetrain, a wide range of gearing so you always have the right gear for your terrain, powerful hydraulic disc brakes, and a terrain-smoothing suspension fork with a lockout. The final word Marlin 5 is a great ride for all your adventures. But it's also versatile, and Marlin 5 is a popular ride on college campuses, because the rack and kickstand mounts make it easy to accessorize and haul a load. Why you'll love it - It's a real mountain bike that's also perfectly suited to daily commutes, rides around campus, or just getting from A to B on any surface - Smaller frame sizes (XXS, XS, and S) have short-reach brake levers that make it easier and more comfortable for riders with smaller hands to brake confidently - Marlin models in XXS through S frame sizes have a curved top tube and a lower standover height that makes it easier for smaller riders to mount and dismount - Rack and kickstand mounts make it easy to accessorize, so your mountain bike can double as a rugged commuter - Like every model in the Marlin family, it's backed by Trek's lifetime warranty Wheel size: - Size XX-Small: 26-inch - Sizes X-Small – Small: 27.5-inch - Sizes Medium – XX-Large: 29-inch

Will my bike have a curved top tube?

Smaller frames (XXS-S) have a top tube that dips down as it approaches the seat tube. This design makes for a lower standover height, which is good for shorter riders because it allows them to straddle their bike more easily. The larger frames (M and up) have a straight top tube because taller riders with longer legs typically don’t have the same issues with standover height.

Due to supply-chain issues, Specs are subject to change without notice.

* Subject to change without notice.

Part Numbers

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• Rider Notes

2021 Trek Marlin 5

A 27.5″ / 29″ aluminum frame hardtail crosscountry bike with mid-range components. Compare the full range

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Based on frame geometry and build specs.

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

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Compare the full Marlin model range

This cheap mountain bike is the perfect gateway drug to your next (trail riding) addiction.

Wide range of gears with 2x9 drivetrain

Wheels and tires aren’t tubeless-ready

Read Review

Jun 2019 · Alan Muldoon

The first of two 29er to make it into the sub 500 category, the Trek Marlin 6 certainly didn't behave like a fish out of water.

Top-rate frame quality, available in seven sizes Independent Shimano shifters

Cable and chain rattle. Rear tyre is too skinny

Last updated February 18 Not listed for 427 days

Review Of Trek Marlin 5: Budget-Friendly MTB for Beginners

T rek Marlin 5 is a phenomenal, trail-ready 29er that costs little and gets the job done on different types of surfaces, including paved and unpaved roads.

Beginner riders are often faced with a tough dilemma — purchase a versatile and comfortable city bike to commute or a real MTB to have fun and embark on off-road adventures.

With Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 , you can do both. This 29er has the ruggedness of a true trail-blazer but has the ability to double as an everyday workhorse to take on short urban commutes.

One of Marlin 5’s biggest advantages is the low price. This bike costs just $720 , which puts it in the budget category. Still, there’s a lot to be excited about even with such an attractive price.

Trek Marlin 5 Quick Overview

Marlin 5 main features, is trek marlin 5 the right choice for you, verdict: worth the money (or not), trek marlin 5 (2022).

Marlin 5 is characterized by an excellent off-road-ready aluminum frame, cushy front suspension, burly wheels and tires, hydraulic disc brakes and a lot more.

It’s one of the best-valued models from the Marlin series, offering multiple improvements compared to the lower-priced Marlin 4. Some of these are better brakes, better hubs, and a better bottom bracket.

It’s an entry-level bicycle, most suitable for beginner riders who plan to do a little bit of everything and too much of nothing.

• Frame : Alpha Silver Aluminum
• Fork: SR Suntour XCT 30, 100 mm
• Front Derailleur: Shimano Altus M315
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Altus M310
• Brakes: Tektro hydraulic disc, 160/160mm rotors
• Rims: Bontrager Connection, double-wall
• Tire Size: 27.5″ / 29″ x 2.20″
• Weight: 13.97 kg / 30.81 lbs

See All Specs on Marlin 5 Product Page

If you have a budget of $740 to spend on your next trail bike, Marlin 5 is pretty much the most you can get in this category.

Trek is known for bikes that have good value to money, so this Marlin series model has some worthy components and does not make too many compromises.

Lightweight Alpha Silver Aluminum Frame

Trek Marlin 5 has the same Alpha Silver Aluminum frame seen on all bikes from this lineup. It is characterized by a versatile head tube angle of 69.5 degrees. That’s a good compromise between steep and slack geometry. That means this bike will perform well in most conditions, including climbing, descending, and cornering.

Light, durable, and comfortable Alpha Silver Aluminum frame is Marlin 5’s biggest selling point, seen on other more expensive bikes from Trek’s MTB lineup.

All cables are internally routed which makes them last longer and improves the overall appearance of the bike. Riders can add a rear rack and a rear kickstand, which would make Marlin 5 ready for daily commutes as well.

You can get Marlin 5 in four modern and attractive colors: Lithium Grey, Radioactive Red, Volt to Miami green fade, and Azure. They’re beautiful!

Springy SR Suntour Fork

Marlin 5 is equipped with a low-ranked SR Suntour XCT 30 fork with a coil spring. This fork is quite heavy but beginner riders without too much off-road experience will like it because it provides plenty of comfort.

When it comes to adjustability, just the preload function is available, so you can dial the fork to your liking and ensure a more comfortable ride and better responsiveness.

It’s important to note that the XS frame size comes with 80 mm of travel, whereas all other frame sizes have 100 mm of travel in the fork.

Best Feature: Hydraulic Disc Brakes

The feature that will make all Marlin 5 owners happy is the hydraulic disc brakes . This is the biggest improvement compared to the cheaper Marlin 4 which comes with mechanical disc brakes.

Hydraulic disc brakes present a major increase in stopping power and precision . They require less strength input from your fingers but offer more braking power output.

Trek has gone a step further and equipped the smaller frame sizes with short-reach brake levers to accommodate short riders with smaller hands.

Delicate Shimano Derailleurs

The main points of improvement on Trek Marlin 5 are its derailleurs. Compared to the previous releases, Marlin 5 has Shimano Altus components

Depending on how you take care of them, they might last you for years and miles to come. However, if you’re not careful and you shift under tension or you fall off your bike and smash them, they might give you some headaches.

Still, that’s not something an average rider planning to take Marlin 5 out on weekend adventures and weekday commutes should worry about. Plus, updating to higher-value Altus, Acera, or Alivio groupsets is not a big investment.

Beefy Bontrager Wheels and Tires

Last but not least, the beefy Bontrager wheels and tires are some of the first things you will notice on your Marlin 5. The 13.5″ and 15.5″ sized frames come with 27.5″ wheels, whereas all larger frames come with 29″ wheels.

The wheels are Bontrager Connection. They have 32 spokes, so they are quite strong, and they’re double-walled which means they can withstand some beating.

The Bontrager XR2 tires are 2.20″ wide on 27.5″ wheels. However, when it comes to 29″ wheels, the rear is narrower at 2.0″.

These wheels and tires are a bit heavier than ideal , but once you get them going, they’ll take you wherever you direct the handlebars.

Geometry & Sizing Table

We especially like it because it’s good at more than one thing.

Trek Marlin 5 is not strictly a trail-specific bike that would feel sluggish in all other settings. It’s equally efficient on both paved roads and dirt roads.

However, its wide tires, massive wheels, and capable hydraulic disc brakes still make it more suitable for riders who plan to spend more time in forests and on mountains than on smooth city streets.

Other Marlin Models

• Marlin 4 – MSRP $630 – Has a lightweight aluminum frame, 21 gears, 100 mm of front suspension, and strong mechanical disc brakes.
• Marlin 5 – MSRP $740 – Combines a light aluminum frame, plush SR Suntour suspension, entry-level Shimano drivetrain, and powerful hydraulic disc brakes in a good-looking trail package. Men and women-specific models available.
• Marlin 6 – MSRP $850 – This model is built with an Alpha Silver Aluminum frame, a 1×10 mid-range Shimano drivetrain, burly tires, and comes with 100 mm of front suspension travel with lockout. It’s available in men’s and women’s versions.
• Marlin 7 – MSRP $1,030 – Trek’s race-worthy model with an Alloy frame, superior RockShox front suspension, quality 1×10 drivetrain, Shimano components, and improved Shimano hydraulic disc brakes.

To the right buyer, Trek Marlin 5 is definitely worth the money . This is a lot of bike for just $740, specifically when it comes to the components. The hydraulic disc brakes increase the value of the bike, as well as the high-quality aluminum frame.

However, if you value every cent and you don’t intend to tackle steep hills or ride in wet weather, you can save and get Trek Marlin 4 with mechanical disc brakes and slightly lower-ranked hubs and bottom bracket.

Get Directly From TrekBikes.com

Or see best Trek bikes

• Alpha Silver Aluminum frame
• Powerful hydraulic disc brakes
• Good price-to-value ratio
• Attractive colors

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30 thoughts on “ review of trek marlin 5: budget-friendly mtb for beginners ”.

My wife and I just bought 2 29 inch Lithium Gray Marlin 5 Gen 2 bikes. So far so good other than a flat tire I experienced but that’s not Treks fault by any means. We like the weight and the smooth ride it has.

Trek 5 is my 1st Mountain Bike I have been riding it 3x a week Doing some hard bush trails. It really seems to handle all trails well. No one knows that my bike isnt really expensive . They all say “love your bike ” I just love my bike but will upgrade to a better Trek when I have obtained more skills. Thanks Natalie

Hi Natalie, Well as they say, a Trek is a Trek. The brand itself speaks for itself. It also depends on the kind of ride you do.

lol “my son doesn’t abuse his bike he just broke all of the most easily abused parts of it”

Hi Boknows, Sounds like a future athlete there 😉

Very helpfull!!! , thanks dude!

I am 15 and got my trek Marlin 5 a couple years ago. I have ridden some insane tracks on it and haven’t really had any issues. The only thing I’ve broken so far is the derailer hanger but apart from that nothing. I use it for riding on streets, dirt roads and mountain bike tracks of different difficulties including black diamond tracks. It is still working great and I would think of it as a good bike. I found that the seat post was originally at my good pedaling height when I got it at its lowest point but have now upgraded that to dropper.

Hi Jayden, Have you tried getting a regular maintenance check with your local bike shop? Regular maintenance check can help prolong the life of a bike 😉

I bought a 29″ blue Marlin 5 for my son’s 14th birthday 16 months ago and initially I really liked it. But, it’s been a flaming pile of broken parts since then. My son doesn’t abuse this bike (no downhill or big jumps) and mainly rides a few miles into town and occasional wheelies. Since new here’s the things that have broken on it: rear shifter cable, rear axle, right pedal stripped out of crank arm, left pedal stripped out of crank arm, rear axle again, right pedal stripped out of crank arm again and the chain broke (which pulled the rear rerailer into the spokes and ruined it). Our closest Trek dealer is an hour away so running to the bike store is a real issue but they have been pretty good about helping me out. I’m a metal fabricator and part time motocross bike mechanic so I have a good background in metals and how they should operate. I honestly feel Trek has build a cheap bicycle with metal parts using allows that aren’t appropriate and as thin as materials as possible to save weight at the cost of reliability. I just called Trek directly and we’ll see where that goes.

Hi Dough, Sorry to hear about your experience. It looks like your drivetrain and the whole groupset have issues. Usually these are the most abused parts of the bike and an upgrade to better parts will do better. However I am curious as to what they will tell you. Let me know about it. Cheers!

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2023 Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 Review

Are you searching for a new bike that can take care of your weekend bikepacking getaways, mountain rides and city commutes? 

The 2023 Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 is a highly rated mountain bike and a perfect choice for riders who want to explore the mountain trails.

Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 is one among the best entry-level series of trail bikes designed by bike mogul Trek. 

The Marlin 5 from the series comes with an Alpha Silver Aluminum frame, extended range gearing and fast-rolling 29er wheels on the larger frames and 27.5 on the smaller sizes.

This model has so far earned a lot of positive reviews among its users across different categories like value, quality parts, stability and performance etc.

In this article we will review the Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 in detail and discuss why it could be the right pick for you if you are looking for an affordable yet reliable mountain bike suitable for casual rides as well occasional adventures.

The 2023 Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 is one of Trek’s latest mid-level hardtail mountain bikes. 

It’s designed for riders who are looking for a more nimble, more competent, and durable ride to tackle everyday terrain. 

This review will provide an in-depth look at the bike’s components, design, and performance capabilities to help you decide if it’s the right bike for your needs .

The 2023 Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 is so much more than just an upgrade to the classic Trek Marlin family; it’s a bikepacking and gravel grinding tank. 

With its redesign for this year, the fully redesigned frame has been constructed from lightweight aluminum and equipped with Bontrager Connection wheels, SR Suntour XCT 30 fork and a Shimano Altus drivetrain to ensure smooth shifts on your off-road excursions.

Armed with a low-resistance Suntour lockout fork, you’ll also be able to customize your setup to suit your style of riding. 

It can confidently take on obstacles big or small thanks to its versatility across terrains. It’s even equipped with rack mounts for added convenience when bikepacking !

– Lightweight aluminum frame construction

– 29″ Wheelset

– SR Suntour XCM 30 with 100mm travel and lockout fork

– Shimano Altus drivetrain

– Rack Mounts for added convenience when bikepacking or commuting

– Versatile on Trails of all Types and Terrain Profiles

– Customizable Setup to Suit Your Riding Style

The Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 has an Alpha Silver alloy frame that weighs only 30.81 lbs, making it lightweight yet highly durable, so you can enjoy responsive handling with just the right amount of flex on challenging trails. 

The geometry also provides a low center of gravity for superior control when navigating uneven surfaces and tight turns.

The 2023 Marlin 5 comes equipped with Bontrager Connection 29er wheels on sizes M-XL, 27.5 on small, that feature double wall rims and Bontrager XR2 Comp tires – both offering greater stability and durability while still providing excellent grip on slick surfaces. 

The rims are tubeless compatible so you can easily liven up their performance without having to buy an extra set of tires or tubes.

Trek equipped the Gen2 with a Shimano Altus 2×8 speed drivetrain that offers top tier shifting performance while Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc brakes provide plenty of stopping power on steep descents or in unpredictable conditions. 

The 2×8 setup also makes it easy to maintain your gear ratio through variable terrain so that you can maximize your ride experience without worrying about changing gears too often. 

The Shimano M315, 36/22 crankset is paired to a reliable 12-32, 8 speed cassette.

Overall Performance

With its lightweight frame paired with high-end components, the Marlin 5 Gen 2 is one of the best value trail bikes on market today! 

It handles jumps, drops, roots and rocks superbly thanks to its low center of gravity combined with its suspension fork which absorbs shock disturbance very effectively while keeping your speed steady even over rough terrain.

Its 16-speed drivetrain makes tough inclines less intimidating while still being able to cruise along flat trails on top gear – giving you ultimate control over your journey! 

Thanks to its alloy frame and durable components that contribute greatly towards prolonged life span meaning you’ll have many years of thrilling adventures before needing an upgrade!

Order online and have it shipped to your local dealer for final assembly!!

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Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 episode 5: Release date and time, where to watch, and more

I n Episode 4 of Star Trek: Discovery season 5, titled Face the Strange , the Discovery crew finds themselves stuck in a time loop due to a time-distorting bug placed on the ship. This episode sees Captain Burnham and Commander Rayner, along with Stamets, navigate through various pivotal moments from the ship's past.

Thereafter, the time loop sends them through events such as the ship's battle with the AI Control, its journey through the wormhole to the 32nd century, and its initial construction. As they relive these moments, Burnham needs to convince her past self and the crew of her identity to garner their assistance in resolving the crisis.

The episode emphasizes emotional bonds and trust, with Rayner learning the importance of these qualities through their time-travel adventures. This installment serves both as a reflection on how far the characters, especially Burnham, have come and as a device to deepen the emotional connections among the crew. Now, the next episode of the show, Episode 5, will be released on April 25, 2024.

When will Star Trek: Discovery season 5 Episode 5 come out?

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 5, titled Mirrors , will be released on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 12 a.m. PT . Below is the release schedule for the episode across all time zones:

Where to watch Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 4?

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, episode 4 becomes available for streaming on Paramount Plus, the host for all series seasons. Viewers in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria can stream Seasons 2 and 3 on Pluto TV's Star Trek channel. In Canada, Bell Media's CTV Sci-Fi Channel airs the series, also available on SkyShowtime.

What can fans expect from Star Trek: Discovery season 5 episode 5?

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 Episode 5 is written by Carlos Cisco and Johanna Lee and follows closely on the events of Episode 4. Fans can expect Commander Michael Burnham to delve deeper into the mysterious trail linked to M'ak's spaceship, which could reveal significant developments.

Furthermore, the episode will also potentially resolve the fate of the dealer involved in the platinum poison plot from the previous episode. This episode marks the midpoint of the season, with five more episodes to follow, promising more twists and intense story arcs.

Additionally, the official synopsis of this finale season (5) reads as follows:

"Created by Bryan Fuller and Alex Kurtzman for CBS All Access, the story of "Star Trek: Discovery" begins roughly a decade before Captain Kirk's five-year mission -- as portrayed in the original "Star Trek" from the 1960s -- and a century before the events of "Star Trek: Enterprise."

It further states:

The series follows the crew of the USS Discovery as they encounter new worlds and civilizations, delving into familiar themes and expanding upon an incident that has been talked about within the franchise's universe, but never fully explored."

With episode 5 releasing, it'll be intriguing to witness how the season will shape as a series finale .

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Trek Marlin 5

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Size / XS, XXS, SM, MD, MD/LG, LG, XL, XXL

At a glance

Where to buy.

Specifications

• Frame aluminum frame
• Fork Size: XXS, SR Suntour XCM 30, coil spring, lockout, preload, 100mm QR, 100mm travel, 26'' wheel; Size: XS, SR Suntour XCT 30, coil spring, preload, hydraulic lockout, 42mm offset for 27.5'' wheel, 100mm QR, 80mm travel; Size: S, SR Suntour XCT 30, coil spring, preload, hydraulic lockout, 42mm offset for 27.5'' wheel, 100mm QR, 100mm travel; Size: M, ML, L, XL, XXL, SR Suntour XCT 30, coil spring, preload, hydraulic lockout, 46mm offset for 29'' wheel, 100mm QR, 100mm travel
• Hubs Formula DC-22, alloy, 6-bolt, Shimano 8/9/10 freehub, 135x5mm QR
• Wheels Size: XXS, Bontrager Connection, alloy, double-wall, 32-hole, 20mm width, schrader valve; Size: XS, S, Bontrager Connection, double-wall, 32-hole, 20 mm width, Schrader valve, Black; Size: M, ML, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager Connection, double-wall, 32-hole, 20 mm width, Schrader valve
• Wheel Size 29" 27.5"
• Tires Size: XXS, Bontrager XR2 Comp, wire bead, 30 tpi, 26x2.20''; Size: XS, S, Bontrager XR2 Comp, wire bead, 30 tpi, 27.5x2.20''; Size: M, ML, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager XR2 Comp, wire bead, 30 tpi, 29x2.20''
• Chain KMC Z8.3, 8 speed
• Crank Size: XXS, Prowheel TM-CY10, 36/22, 160mm length; Size: XS, S, M, Shimano M315, 36/22, 170mm length; Size: ML, L, XL, XXL, Shimano M315, 36/22, 175mm length
• Bottom Bracket Sealed cartridge, 73mm
• Front Derailleur Shimano Altus M315, 34.9mm clamp, top swing, dual pull
• Rear Derailleur Shimano Altus M310
• Shifters Shimano Altus M315, 8 speed
• Brakeset Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc
• Handlebar Size: XXS, XS, Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 5mm rise, 690mm width; Size: S, M, ML, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 5mm rise, 720mm width
• Saddle Bontrager Arvada, steel rails, 138mm width
• Seatpost Size: XXS, Bontrager alloy, 31.6mm, 12mm offset, 300mm length; Size: XS, S, M, Bontrager alloy, 31.6mm, 12mm offset, 330mm length; Size: ML, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager alloy, 31.6mm, 12mm offset, 400mm length
• Stem Size: XXS, Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 35mm length; Size: XS, Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 50mm length; Size: S, Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 60mm length; Size: M, Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 70mm length; Size: ML, L, Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 80mm length; Size: XL, XXL, Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 90mm length
• Grips Bontrager XR Endurance Comp, lock-on
• Headset Semi-integrated, 1-1/8''

Q: How much is a 2023 Trek Marlin 5?

A 2023 Trek Marlin 5 is typically priced around $719 USD when new. Be sure to shop around for the best price, and also look to the used market for a great deal.

Q: Where to buy a 2023 Trek Marlin 5?

The 2023 Trek Marlin 5 may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: What size wheels does the 2023 Trek Marlin 5 have?

The 2023 Trek Marlin 5 has 29" and 27.5" wheels.

Q: What size 2023 Trek Marlin 5 should I get?

No comments on this bike yet. Why not be the first?

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• 1 Description
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Description

The Moskva-5 (MOCKBA-5 in cyrillic writing) was produced by KMZ ( Krasnogorskii Mechanicheskii Zavod or Krasnogorsk Mechanical factory) in the 1950s. Earlier models of the Moskva were copies of the Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta C , but it makes more sense to call the Moskva-5 an adaptation. Unlike the Super Ikonta, its solid top plate has a built-in rangefinder and a dual-format viewfinder . The best thing about the Moskva-5 is the coupled rangefinder. A lever with rotating wedge-shaped prisms is fixed to the lens plate. Turning the lens to focus rotates the glass, thus adjusting the rangefinder: a very sophisticated device inherited from the Super Ikonta, with no mechanical linkage between the lens and the body. The two windows are 6.5 cm apart for accurate focusing. The separate viewfinder has a larger field of view, which helps composing the picture. As stated above, a sliding frame in the viewfinder selected on top of the camera can be set to 6×9 or 6×6.

The back of the camera showing the year of production (1958), two red windows for 6×6 and 6×9 numbering, the rangefinder window (left) and the separate viewfinder window (right). The symbol to the left of the serial number is the Krasnogorsk company logo.

Dual Format

Super Ikontas were made either for the 6×9 or 6×4.5 format. The Moskva-5 is a 6×6 and 6×9 camera. Since it has a fixed 105mm Industar lens, at 6×6 you have a mild tele at your disposal. To use the 6×6 size, you need to set the viewfinder to the square format. there is a lever to select the right window so you can see the numbering on the film back. The pressure plate does not need to be removed. The 6×9 red window is now blocked, so there's no room for confusion.

As a last step, the 6×6 mask has to be inserted. The camera locks right into its holes. Close the camera and you're ready to shoot.

The Moment 24c is a leaf shutter with speeds of B, 1 to 1/250s. To fire it, the film needs to be transported or the release button will be blocked, indicated by a red window on the top plate. The shutter isn't set by advancing the film; it has to be cocked at the lens by a lever. To take a picture, press the button on the left of the camera top. The button on the right is for unlocking the front plate when the camera is collapsed. Before folding the camera, you shouldn't forget to push down the lever with the polarised glass window.

• Moskva-2, -4 and -5 user manual at Butkus.org
• Tips for using the Moskva at Photosensitive
• Moskva 5 archived bulletin-board discussions, formerly at Robert Monaghan's Medium Format Photography Megasite (archived copy dated 8 May 2006, at Internet Archive )
• Locating light leaks in a Moskva 5 at Nelsonfoto forums (archived)
• Fixing light leaks (in french) at Dirapons'site
• Flickr image
• 6x9 rangefinder folding
• 6x6 rangefinder folding
• Soviet cameras
• Image by Dries van den Elzen
• Image by Siim Vahur

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Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 5 Review: The Crew Solves Two of the Series’ Biggest Mysteries

While on the hunt for Star Trek: Discovery Season 5's powerful alien technology, Captain Michael Burnham solves two decades-old franchise mysteries.

The following contains spoilers from Star Trek: Discovery, Season 5, Episode 5, "Mirrors."

One thing about Star Trek: Discovery fans is they are very observant. The big surprise in Season 5, Episode 5, "Mirrors," was slightly spoiled by the trailers, particularly when these eagle-eyed fans captured and examined screenshots. While the return of the ISS Enterprise after 58 years is a big deal, there is more that happens in the episode than solving an old mystery from Star Trek: The Original Series . However, the answer that Captain Michael Burnham and Cleveland Booker uncover is a great one, and fans finally get a long-awaited first look at a mysterious alien species.

After dealing with the Time-Bug in the previous episode , the crew of the USS Discovery tries to figure out where Moll and L'ak disappeared to. While the space criminals have been very capable villains (almost too capable), they're not doing very well in the race. "Mirrors" marks the first time that Moll and L'ak put their hands onto one of the pieces of the Progenitors' puzzle before the Discovery crew. Of course, they aren't able to hold onto it for long after L'ak suffered a serious injury. Still, for the first time, both Burnham and Booker talk to their rivals, approaching them with the kind of compassion that Starfleet is known for. However, they still have to accomplish their mission, and L'ak's determination to be there for Moll gets in the way of any common ground they could've found. Thanks to flashbacks, viewers finally learn why the two are so eager to find this treasure, and where L'ak is coming from.

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Continues To Put the USS Discovery in Classic Star Trek Situations

“mirrors” shows the crew rising to meet the challenge in classic star trek fashion, star trek: discovery's callum keith rennie shows a new side of starfleet.

From the lack of galaxy-ending stakes and major interpersonal drama among the crew, Season 5 is Stark Trek: Discovery at its most fun. This episode, in particular, is full of classic Star Trek moments, from forcing enemies to work together to sci-fi technobabble that provides a dramatic resolution to a major problem. The impetus for this race for the Progenitors' technology stems from Star Trek: The Next Generation's "The Chase (Season 6, Episode 20)," but there are major connections to all eras of Gene Roddenberry's universe throughout the season.

While they don't get a lot of screentime, the USS Discovery's crew under Commander Rayner's authority is an equally interesting part of the episode. The recently-demoted captain is hesitant to take full command of the ship in a crisis. In "Jinaal (Season 5, Episode 3)," he took command while Burnham and the away team were down on the surface of Trill. Yet, as far as he knew, their lives and that of the crew weren't in serious danger. His focus was on finding Moll and L'ak, and personally connecting with the crew in 20 words or less. That's not to say that the stoic commander was above some of the series' most emotional beats.

An early scene in the episode, where Captain Burnham tells her new Number One that she believes in him, was subtle but touching . After Rayner showed that he studied Earth customs and sayings, such as "breaking the ice," Burnham returns the favor and cites a historical epic from the Kellerun people. This comes into play when she's able to reference that story later on as a distress call for herself and Book. Instead of badgering the crew, Rayner uses his newfound personal connections (and a friendly offer of Kellerun Citrus Mash) to inspire the crew to solve the problem. This was as classic a Star Trek moment as any, and one longtime franchise fans will surely love.

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Reveals the Face of the Breen Imperium Through Moll and L'ak

Star trek fans have wondered what the breen looked like under their armor for decades, star trek: discovery's mary wiseman, wilson cruz and blu del barrio hype finale.

First introduced in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , the Breen Imperium was a galactic seat of power outside of Federation space who allied with the Dominion. The armored aliens look like something out of Star Wars , particularly their helmets, which were reminiscent of Princess Leia's Boussh disguise in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi . The Breen's appearance and who they really were was one of the most enduring mysteries in Star Trek canon. Even the Dominion didn't know what their Breen allies looked like under the armor. Star Trek: Discovery finally reveals the armor keeps their bodies in a translucent, almost liquid-like state. L'ak, as viewers have seen them, are what the Breen call their "other face."

Moll originally teamed up with L'ak to cheat the Imperium out of some faulty dilithium, a commodity that became scarce because of the Burn . They soon fell in love and when L'ak's uncle, the Primarch of the Sixth Fleet, found out, he ordered L'ak to kill Moll. He instead killed his uncle's guards, but spared the Primarch because, as L'ak said, "he raised me." This defiance earned him an "Erigah," a Breen bounty that is impossible to lift. He now hopes that bringing the Progenitors' technology to the Primarch will lift this death sentence.

Moll also bonded with her quasi-brother Cleveland Booker, though he's the fourth to use that name. Her father was the third Booker, which made him desperate to "save" Moll. Knowing that all she really wants is to live a quiet life, "Mirrors" could be the start of Moll and L'ak eventually joining forces with the USS Discovery crew. Captain Burnham is, after all, a big fan of second chances and redemption . If Season 5 is to have a big villainous threat, it will clearly be the Breen trying to collect on L'ak's Erigah, not two petty criminals.

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Reveals What Happened to the Mirror Universe Enterprise

The iss enterprise was introduced in star trek: the original series “mirror, mirror (season 2, episode 4)”, star trek: discovery actors doug jones & david ajala prepare for their last adventure.

"Mirrors" also reveals another, older Star Trek secret, specifically the ultimate fate of the ISS Enterprise, formerly under the command of Tiberius Kirk . Previously, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Crossover (Season 2, Episode 23)" revealed what happened to the Mirror Spock and the Terran Empire. He started the revolution that Kirk suggested and was successful in conquering the Terran Empire to usher in galactic peace. Unfortunately, an alliance of Klingons and Cardassians attacked their weakened forces and took over the galaxy -- or at least the sector containing the Cardassian and Bajoran territory. The fate of Spock himself and his flagship was left open for other storytellers to explore.

Star Trek: Discovery still leaves Spock's ultimate fate an open question, though it seems unlikely that he would have fled his universe. His ship, however, became a refugee vessel for Terran reformers who fled, either in the face of Klingon-Cardassian attacks or a resurgence of the Terran Empire's xenophobic and warlike ways . Their goal was to cross over to the Prime Universe, where they knew the universe they hoped to build already existed. Along with Doctor Cho, the Federation scientist who hid the clue, the Mirror version of Saru (who also became a revolutionary) came with them. This placed the crossover sometime in the Kelpien lifespan, but close enough for Doctor Cho to still be alive. The use of the ship at all is mostly fan service, but it doesn't take away from the story's importance.

In Star Trek: Disocovery Season 3, a holographic interrogator told Philippa Georgiou, the former Terran Empress, that there was a subatomic "chimeric strain on the Terran stem cell" which explained their "evil" natures. Georgiou doubted this, and the ISS Enterprise's refugees are more evidence that the Empress was right. The ideal of Star Trek is that anyone welcomed into this utopian society would discover the logic and practicality of Federation morality, and thus abandon their more outdated worldviews. It obviously worked on Dr. Cho, who hid the clue to the Progenitors' technology instead of using it like a Terran out to reshape an ordered universe in their vainglorious image .

Moll & L'ak Are Bigger Wildcards Than Starfleet's 'New' Enterprise

Star trek: discovery season 5 suggests the uss discovery is headed for a confrontation with the breen imperium, star trek: discovery's sonequa martin-green embarks on one final voyage.

Thanks to the crew of the USS Discovery, the Federation is now in possession of a 23rd Century Constitution-class Terran warship. That said, its value is likely little more than that of an ancient relic from the Terran dimension. If anything, the dilithium left in the ship's stores is worth more than the rest of the ship's parts put together. However, one piece of it -- a warp-capable Terran life-support and escape vessel called a warpod -- disappeared with Moll and L'ak inside of it. The Breen's fate is an open question, but Moll will certainly return for the final piece of the puzzle. She doesn't have to solve the clues; she just has to follow Booker.

This episode is the middle point of Star Trek: Discovery 's final season , and the crew are just two pieces away from the full clue device. The race against Moll and L'ak will probably end in three episodes at most, leaving two for a different, more difficult mission. Whether or not L'ak survives, the Erigah placed on his head means that the Breen and the USS Discovery are headed for conflict. It's looking more likely that Star Trek: Discovery is going to go out with a big space battle. Star Trek is a sci-fi action-adventure story, too, which makes episodes like these even more special.

Star Trek: Discovery examines the kinds of big questions that Star Trek is supposed to. A happy ending for some of the "good" Terrans is reminiscent of how Picard brought the Borg into the Federation . In this universe, the heroes don't defeat their enemies; they convince them to become their allies. As Commander Hugh Culber and

Sylvia Tilly discussed in the lounge at the end of "Mirrors," the characters of this universe are essentially going to meet God, and not that phony one on Sha'Ka Ree. The fights ahead will be fun, but the biggest challenge facing Star Trek: Discovery from this episode onwards is making the discovery of the Progenitors' "prize" as meaningful as it needs to be.

Star Trek: Discovery debuts new episodes Thursdays on Paramount+.

Star Trek: Discovery

• Moll and L'ak get overdue screentime to tell their side of the story.
• Commander Rayner begins to find his place as a true member of the USS Discovery crew.
• The fate of Mirror Saru and the other Terrans is good Star Trek storytelling.
• Moll and L'ak's escape feels convenient, continuing the 'cards-down' approach to their telling story.
• The use of the ISS Enterprise could reasonably be called 'fan service' because the ship itself means nothing to the characters.
• The choice to keep the sequences on the ISS Enterprise so dark might be visually unappealing to some viewers.

'Star Trek: Discovery' season 5 episode 5 'Mirrors' is a quality installment, but weighed down by another anchor of nostalgia

This entire episode was more than likely written for the sole reason that the sets from "Strange New Worlds" could be utilized.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Star Trek: Discovery" season 5, episode 5

The chase across the galaxy for the Progenitors MacGuffin continues, offering chances to insert stand-alone, episode-length adventures along the way. And this week's installment, entitled "Mirrors" features a brief and very random reminder that the Mirror Universe exists. 

And that alone would've made an genuinely enthralling episode, but...Alex Kurtzman et al could not resist the temptation for an utterly pointless and thoroughly unnecessary throwback to the USS Enterprise. Honestly, these people have a serious problem, they should seek help. 

To put all of this into context, the crew of the USS Discovery continue their pursuit of Malinne 'Moll' Ravel (Eve Harlow) and L'ak (Elias Toufexis) and that chase leads them to er...well, you know, a giant, space-time swirly orifice that fills the viewscreen. Apparently, it's some sort of wormhole that's spectacularly unstable because of the constant matter/anti-matter reactions that are taking place at the opening. It's actually more than a little reminiscent of the inside of the V'ger spacecraft from "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" and that's just fine. 

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But it's what they find inside that grinds gears. Since the Discovery is too big to squeeze through the constantly opening and closing orifice, Capt. Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Book (David Ajala) take a shuttle through only to find...the ISS Enterprise. Yes, indeed, last seen (and only seen, actually) in the epic "The Original Series" episode "Mirror, Mirror" (S02, E04).

While beaming back to the USS Enterprise during an ion storm, Kirk, McCoy, Scotty and Uhura materialize aboard a almost-identical Enterprise in a parallel universe. Here, the United Federation of Planets has been replaced by the Terran Empire and its inhabitants are violent and cruel. Their only hope is to artificially reproduce the effects of the storm to facilitate a return to their own universe. (" I mperial S pace S hip replaces the traditional " U nited S pace S hip.")

And while the idea of finding a derelict, 900-year-old starship from the latter half of the 23rd century is a great idea, in the name of the Great Prophet Zarquon, why-oh-why did it have to be the Enterprise? There are — at least — 10 other Constitution Class starships that could've been potentially chosen and thus still allowing the updated sets from "Strange New Worlds" to have been used. 

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The USS Cayuga (NCC-1557), USS Constellation (NCC-1017), USS Defiant (NCC-1764), USS Excalibur (NCC-1664), USS Exeter (NCC-1672), USS Hood (NCC-1703), USS Intrepid (NCC-1631), USS Lexington (NCC-1709), USS New Jersey (NCC-1975) and the USS Potemkin (NCC-1657). And those are just the ones that are canon. Another new vessel could just as easily have been introduced as it's not unknown for Nu-Trek to bring brand new ships to the line.

And of course Burnham makes reference to the fact that her brother, Spock, served on this ship, which is probably another reason why the Enterprise was forced upon the writers. And according to some extremely rushed exposition, most of the crew escaped the weird wibblywobbly wormhole and went on to lead peaceful and productive lives — we assume somewhere not too far away given how long ago it happened and the current location in deep space — in a somewhat Space Seed scenario. Another interesting throwaway remark from Burnham was, "Crossing between universes has been impossible for centuries now," which shuts down that potential story avenue rather abruptly. 

But let's also focus on why this episode could've been near-faultless if only someone could counsel Paramount showrunners on how to ween themselves off of nostalgia addiction. This week we get to see the whole Moll and L'ak backstory...and it's rather good and to add to that, Book and Moll confront the fact that they're distantly related. You know, because that makes things much more absurd orderly. (See how Burnham had to be related to Spock.)

The pacing of this episode, and with the exception of using the Enterprise, when any other Constitution Class starship could've worked — and served to expand the Mirror Universe a little bit — this is an enjoyable episode. It's a shame though that this is following the same cookie cutter seasonal storyline template by relying very much on a quest to follow while having standalone episode-long adventures to fill in the gaps, but hey, it can't be much worse than last season. So, there's that.

The fifth and final season of "Star Trek: Discovery" and every other episode of every "Star Trek" show — with the exception of "Star Trek: Prodigy" — currently streams exclusively on Paramount Plus in the US, while "Prodigy" has found a new home on Netflix.  

Internationally, the shows are available on  Paramount Plus  in Australia, Latin America, the UK and South Korea, as well as on Pluto TV in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland on the Pluto TV Sci-Fi channel. They also stream on  Paramount Plus  in Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In Canada, they air on Bell Media's CTV Sci-Fi Channel and stream on Crave.

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

When Scott's application to the NASA astronaut training program was turned down, he was naturally upset...as any 6-year-old boy would be. He chose instead to write as much as he possibly could about science, technology and space exploration. He graduated from The University of Coventry and received his training on Fleet Street in London. He still hopes to be the first journalist in space.

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CelebWatch: Shatner Gets “Weird” + Pine Goes To “Moscow” + Nimoy Wraps “Fringe” + Quinto On The “Margin”

| April 12, 2010 | By: Anthony Pascale 19 comments so far

Shatner pitches "Weird or What" in Cannes

We will find in May if William Shatner’s new sitcom Bleep My Dad Says gets picked up, but one Shatner show that is definitely going on the air is Weird or What , a new documentary series Shatner is co-producing an hosting. The show description press release make it sound a bit like Leonard Nimoy’s In Search Of :

in Weird or What? William Shatner will investigate and analyze all that is weird in the world, including everything from paranormal phenomena to weird and wonderful creatures, from medical oddities to mysterious disappearances, and bizarre natural disasters to mystical monster attacks.  

The show has been sold to Discovery Channel in the US and History Channel in Canada. Today Shatner is at the MIP TV convention in Cannes today selling  the show to the world. Variety reports that production company Cineflix has successfully sold the show to "nearly every territory". At the event Shatner described the show:

We’re looking at weird circumstances but we’re presenting them in a light-hearted, jaunty way. We’re not taking ourselves too seriously.

Chris Pine headed to Moscow as Jack Ryan

Last year Chris Pine, the new Kirk, was tapped as the new Jack Ryan, to head up another big Paramount franchise. New details have emerged on this next film based on the Tom Clancy character. Pajiba reports the following story synopsis for the next Jack Ryan film (now with the working title of "Moscow"):

The movie will pick up with the Jack Ryan not long after his stint in the Marines, before he’s joined the CIA, while he’s a Wall Street stock broker, an occupation that will play heavily into the script. In the Clancy novels, Jack Ryan was a successful financial analyst in Baltimore for Merrill Lynch. In the new movie, he will have transplanted to Moscow to continue his financial advising, not for Merill Lynch (which has been absorbed by Bank of America), but for a billionaire employer. It is that billionaire employer who eventually sets Jack Ryan up to take the fall for terrorist plot designed to collapse the U.S. economy. After that, Ryan must race against time to clear his name, reveal the terrorist plot, and save his wife, who has been taken hostage by the billionaire employer.

No word yet on when "Moscow" will go in front of cameras or be released, but probably following Pine’s work on the next Star Trek .

Nimoy’s last day as an actor? + honored as space inspiration

Spock Prime, Leonard Nimoy has recently stated he is ready to back into acting retirement. This would mean his last job as an actor would be reprising his role as William Bell in the season finale  JJ Abrams’ Fringe . And yesterday, Nimoy tweeted " Finishing work on Fringe today. Really good experience. The two parter will air in May." Today he tweeted that his back home. Speaking of Twitter, in just four days TheRealNimoy has picked up almost 33,000 followers.

But Mr. Nimoy is still out and about. On Thursday Leonard is being honored by the Space Foundation at the National Space Symposium in Colorado. Nimoy is being presented with the Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach award for being an inspiration to people around the world "to explore the wonders of science, space, and technology." And a reminder, next Friday the original Spock is headed to the Vulcan, Alberta, Canada (the official Star Trek capital of Canada) to unveil a bust of himself, and then he is off to the Calgary Entertainment Expo for the weekend.

Quinto on NYSE floor

Finally we come to the new Mr. Spock, Zachary Quinto. The actor is currently in New York  filling out his resume as a producer an actor in Margin Call , a film set in the world of the stock market. Last week Zach tweeted this pic of himself with his Before the Door production company partners.

While he has been in New York, Quinto has been a frequent Twitterer, sending gems like this one last Thursday:

the t-shirt i was wearing today smelled. so i bought a new t-shirt. now it smells. already. why you got to be so smelly t-shirts?

But no worries, Zach was cleaned up all nice by the next night…

Jeez, that photo of Nimoy is fierce! :D

I cant wait to see nimoy and the shat at vegas will miss them when their gone

Shats new show sounds fun–long as they dont make fun of believers cuz that could be bad n sad–

Like a jaunty “In Search Of…”

If I see one more word with quotes around it I’m going to “scream”.

Has Shatner seen Star Trek 11 yet?

How really cares. I don’t. maybe I did at one point. But I don’t now. Let it go. For crying….out….loud

“We’re not taking ourselves too seriously.”

In contrast to some of today’s Hollywood actor wannabees, Shatner can afford to not take himself too seriously. :)

Nimoy looks like an old, and very wise Spock on that photo. Acting retirement surely would be a waste of material…

#6 No, he’s busy having a life. :))

The two shows should be combined to form a show called “Weird Fringe”, and in the first show William Shatner could focus on mysteries of Mr.Spock’s bowl haircut.

Wow whats up with Quinto’s nerdball galsses….First we see a hobo Spock and now dork Spock.

ZQ’s follow up tweet is hilarious!

Nimoy always look cool…kinda badass…you wish Fringe would throw a evil Spock beard on him! Shat looks kinda pudgy…a jolly old type… I was really hoping Mr Nimoy would make it in the new MI movie as Paris…maybe a evil Paris with a beard!

Jack Ryan before Star Trek or after???

From everything I’ve seen of Ben Affleck, he’s pretty impressed with himself. Chris Pine will be 1000 times better than him.

Quinto needs a fashion adviser.

I think Quinto should do a music video as Bilbo Baggins

Alec Baldwin was a great Jack Ryan. Tough act to follow (and I’m a big Ford fan).

16. Yeah! xD lol

Quinto is always dressed stylish, cool and modern- I love it. Zach, just rub some patchouly on yourself and get back to work please!!!!!!!! And Bleep Jack Ryan!

Moskva-Class Cruisers

Separate design teams often attempt to meet a set of ship specifications with completely different, although equally valid, strategies. To fulfill the requirements issued in April 2169 for the successor (NX-223) to the Daedalus class, which was introduced at the end of the Romulan War, Prosser & Ankopitch proposed a ship with an extremely large, spherical command hull attached to a nearly vestigial engineering hull. The proposal from the Mikoyan-Tupolev-Dassault Bureau used a long narrow command hull with a minimal frontal silhouette counterbalanced by an equally long engineering hull.

The engineers at Tezuka-Republic decided that the division of ship's functions between a command/crew hull and an engineering hull was arbitrary and unnecessarily restricted design options. Therefore, rather than gathering all the specified facilities in a single hull, their design TR-223A spread them across two hulls, as in Daedalus , and segregated the SSWR-IV-C warp core to a "bustle" at the extreme aft end of the secondary hull. This bustle could be separated easily and quickly from the rest of the engineering hull in the event of a warp core breach. The now-unpowered warp nacelles would then be shed. In this way, the demands of safety would be met without warp dynamics being degraded either by an excessively large frontal silhouette or by longitudinal warp field imbalance.

Although the Ship Specifications Review Board praised Tezuka-Republic for its creative solution to the problem of admittedly contradictory requirements for extreme safety and improved warp performance, they were forced to disqualify design TR-223A for not precisely meeting contract specifications. Therefore, in October 2171, construction contract NX-223 for Starfleet's new cruiser was awarded to Prosser & Ankopitch for what would become the Wasp class .

However, almost no one was happy with the new Wasp ships. Even before the contract was awarded, voices within Starfleet and within industry had strongly criticized the specifications of April 2169. These critics charged that they would lead to a mediocre, albeit safe, fighting ship. Two separate classes were needed, not a single class that was neither a proper explorer nor a proper warship. When Wasp was finally launched in 2173, her performance during precommisioning trials clearly showed that the critics had been correct. Although the performance problems were related in part to the continuing unavailability of the more powerful Tezuka-Republic Hiryu ("Flying Dragon") mark III warp nacelles, Wasp was obviously not the ship Starfleet had hoped for.

In a second attempt to obtain a reliable and capable warship, new specifications (NX-374) were issued in September 2175, little more than a year after USS  Wasp had entered service. Adding to this sense of urgency were intelligence reports suggesting that the Romulans had either developed or otherwise acquired matter/antimatter (M/AM) reactors. This time the specifications put less emphasis upon safety. The original requirement for completely separate command and engineering hulls was eliminated; instead, any hull configuration was allowed as long as the warp core could be quickly separated from the rest of the ship. Furthermore, requirements for speed, acceleration, and maneuverability both under impulse power and under warp power were increased, as were performance levels for target acquisition, tracking, and servicing.

These new specifications were a clear, albeit belated, admission that the critics had been correct all along: one class could not be expected to serve as both an explorer and a main battleship. In fact, starship technology was not considered sufficiently mature for a single ship to adequately fulfill both mission profiles until 2245, when the Constitution -class heavy cruiser was launched. (The controversy continues even today in the wake of the problems of the Galaxy -class explorer.)

Luckily, the designers and engineers at Tezuka-Republic had not been idle since their disappointing loss of the Wasp contract in 2171. Instead, they had spent their time refining design TR-223A so that their new entry (TR-374A) was markedly superior to what had been submitted 5 years earlier. In particular, the new SSWR-V warp reactor allowed the bustle to be made smaller, lighter, and even more easily separable. Therefore, it was hardly surprising when in November 2176 Tezuka-Republic was awarded the production contract over designs from Shimata-Dominquez, Prosser & Ankopitch, Mikoyan-Tupolev Dassault, Monarch R&U, and Thornycroft/Ebisu for what was to become the Moskva class.

However, engineering prowess may not have been the only factor in Tezuka-Republic's winning of the contract. There were accusations that the delay in delivery of the Hiryu warp engines was an attempt by Tezuka-Republic to prevent Wasp from reaching her designed performance levels. While no conclusive incriminating evidence has come to light, the delivery of the long-awaited engines shortly before the scheduled launch of Moskva in December 2177 is certainly suspicious. Tezuka-Republic maintains that if their submission of 2169 had been selected, its performance would also have not have met design specifications without the Hiryu engines. However, critics charge that TR-223A was not as reliant as Wasp on the type of engine used. Furthermore, once the Wasp contract was awarded, and even after Wasp was launched, Tezuka-Republic certainly made no efforts to accelerate delivery of Hiryu.

These controversies were soon rendered moot as the new Moskva class was recognized as a significant advance in starship design. The most important new feature was Moskva's discoid primary hull. Earlier designs had chosen a spherical primary hull for reasons of economy. Simple geometric relationships dictate that a spherical hull has the smallest surface area for a given volume. Therefore, construction costs are lower and shields are more efficient. Furthermore, institutional inertia had led nearly all exploratory cruisers originating until that time from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the United States Astronautics Agency, the United Earth Space Probe Agency, and its successor organizations to have spherical hulls.

The designers of USS  Moskva employed a biconvex disc for several reasons. Their initial motive was to increase hull volume while minimizing both frontal and lateral silhouettes. A warship with large frontal and lateral silhouettes would be at a greater disadvantage in most tactical situations than would be a ship with an increased superior silhouette. However, the discoid hull allowed the traditional radial layout of command hulls to be retained.

More important than these tactical advantages were functional advantages. As was shown with the Wasp class, warp field geometry would have been awkward if a spherical hull with its relatively large frontal area had been used. The discoid hull was also found to channel warp field flow across its upper surface towards the bussard ram scoops of the warp nacelles. This channeling effect improved field efficiency at all power levels and speeds. As the understanding of warp field mechanics was refined, the trend towards saucer-shaped primary hulls would be intensified in later Starfleet vessels.

In most respects, the Moskva class continued design and engineering trends established in the Comet and Daedalus classes introduced at the end of the Romulan War. As in these classes, ship functions were clearly divided between a command/crew hull and an engineering/propulsion hull. The bridge was returned to its customary position atop the command hull and the shuttlecraft bay was again placed in the secondary hull. The fusion reactor was centered along the longitudinal axis of the ship, and impulse thrust ports exited immediately in front of the warp bustle detachment seam.

Weaponry was the then-standard mix of fusion-warhead missiles and lasers. New to this class was an early type of ultraphased pulse laser cannon, two of which were mounted in the chin of the primary hull. Although the on-target energy output of this new weapon approached that of early phasers, its power requirement was higher and its range was substantially less. However, subsequent refinements lead to steady improvement and, ultimately, to the development of true phasers in 2202. Although Moskva -class ships were the first to be fitted with phasers in 2204, lasers were still carried by the Moskva class and later classes until the 2220s. Finally, warp capability was supplied by the long-awaited Hiryu mark III drive units.

The first ship of the new class, USS  Moskva (NCC-374), entered service with Starfleet in April 2179. An additional 30 ships (NCC-375 to NCC-404) joined the fleet through 2183. Moskva -class ships gained immediate popularity with officers and crews. First, total laser firepower was increased some 75% over that in the preceding Wasp class. Second, because the ship's mass was more equally distributed along the longitudinal axis than in the Wasp class, Moskva was significantly more maneuverable at both sublight and warp speeds. Finally, the more warp-dynamic design allowed greater cruising and maximum speeds.

The Moskva class had an outstanding safety record. No ships were lost because of mechanical failures. However, an incident occurred aboard USS  Johannesburg in 2186 when a faulty nacelle flow monitor falsely indicated a runaway positive feedback power loop within the plasma flow governor. Believing that a catastrophic warp core explosion was imminent, Chief Engineer Roberta Bocharnikov ordered the warp nacelles and warp bustle to be separated. Although unnecessary, these maneuvers were successful in causing the separated warp core to initiate its automatic shut-down routine. The warp core, nacelles, and the rest of the ship were towed to Starbase 13, where they were successfully re-mated. Despite her supreme embarrassment, Bocharnikov oversaw the reassembly and relaunching of Johannesburg and retained her position as chief engineer.

Although most ships of the Moskva class had left front-line service by 2215, some continued to serve as auxiliaries and training vessels until the 2240s. After retirement from active duty, Moskva -class ships were used as testbeds for many emerging technologies owing to the similarities of their layouts to those of succeeding classes. USS  Moskva was the site of the first successful ship-to-surface transport of a Human being in 2206, and USS  Gato was the first ship to fire photon torpedoes in 2214. In addition, Taurus -class tugs, which entered service in 2182, and Sanford -class repair tenders, which entered service in 2185, were derived from the Moskva class and used the same primary hull and warp drive assembly.

The Moskva -class cruiser USS  Aurora (NCC-377), a participant of the Battle of Eohippus IV, is on display at the Starfleet Museum.

Standard displacement: 67,750 t

Crew complement: 160 (27 officers + 133 crew) Weapons: 8 Type VI laser turrets (8 × 1 mounts), 2 Type VII laser cannons (fixed mounts), 2 missile launchers with 36 Spartak missiles Embarked craft: 4 medium cargo/personnel shuttlecraft, 2 light personnel shuttlecraft, 5 fighter/scouts Warp drive: SSWR-V-A spherical cavity M/AM reactor with 2 Hiryu III nacelles Velocity: wf 4.0, cruise; wf 5.0, supercruise; wf 5.2, maximum Units commissioned: 31