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Trek Marlin vs. Roscoe vs. X-Caliber vs. Procaliber: Which One Should You Buy?

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Trek’s hardtail mountain bike lineup consists of Marlin, Roscoe, X-Caliber, and Procaliber . Below, I will explain their differences and advise you on which one to buy.

KEY TAKEAWAY

• Marlin s are good beginner mountain bikes for most people and those who want to try mountain biking. Browse Trek Marlin bikes here.
• Roscoe s are the best choice if you are looking for an affordable bike for technical trails, thanks to their long suspension travel. Browse Trek Roscoe bikes here.
• X-Caliber s are simple yet great cross-country mountain bikes for good money. Browse Trek X-Caliber bikes here.
• Procaliber s are a carbon version of X-Calibers with IsoSpeed for increased riding comfort. Prepare to pay more for them. Browse Trek Procalibers bikes here.

Keep reading for more information on the differences between them and much more.

Trek Marlin, Roscoe, X-Caliber vs. Procaliber

Here’s a closer look at these hardtail MTB families and their main features.

Frame & Geometry

Trek Marlin, Roscoe, X-Caliber, and Procaliber bikes are available in multiple sizes and frame materials. The entry-level bikes are made of aluminum, while the higher-end ones are made from carbon.

The Marlin, X-Caliber, and Procaliber could be classified as cross-country mountain bikes. That’s because of their XC geometry and shorter travel.

Roscoe bikes have trail geometry and longer suspension travel. So, what is the difference between these two geometries?

XC bikes have steeper head tube angles and shorter chainstays for speed and efficiency on smooth terrain and climbing.

Trail bikes have slacker head tube angles and longer chainstays for stability and control on technical terrain.

I recommend using the bikeinsights.com tool to compare the geometries.

Wheels and Tires

Wheels and tires are among the main differences between Marlin, Roscoe, X-Calibers, and Procalibers.

All use 27.5″ or 29″ wheels. The wheel size depends mainly on the bike size, as smaller bikes come with 27.5″ wheels.

Cross-country bikes also usually have narrower tires than trail bikes. In this case, the difference is 2.4 inches vs. 2.6 inches.

Wider tires have more volume, so they are more comfortable, absorb larger bumps better, and have better traction. On the other hand, they have higher rolling resistance.

Marlins, X-Calibers, and Procalibers have suspension travel of only 100mm, with even shorter travel for smaller sizes. This limited suspension travel is not as forgiving.

On the other hand, Roscoes have a longer suspension travel of 140mm, which is ideal for trails as it can absorb larger bumps, jumps, or drops and allows for confident riding.

The quality of the suspension forks compared to the competition depends on the specific model. Fortunately, most Trek hardtail mountain bikes have a tapered head tube, so you can upgrade the fork later.

Marlins are the most affordable, while Procalibers are the most expensive due to their carbon frames and IsoSpeed.

There’s an unwritten rule that says the better the frame, the worse the components, and vice versa. This is because a better frame makes up a larger part of the price, leaving less room for components.

Compared to other bike brands, Trek is generally considered more expensive, but they offer attention to detail, a worldwide sales network, and a lifetime warranty in exchange.

However, it ultimately depends on the specific model and price range. Some bikes may be more capable than their competitors.

The Procaliber bikes feature an IsoSpeed decoupler , which absorbs shock and vibrations, making the ride smoother and more comfortable.

All bikes from these families (unlike Co-op DRTs , for example) have at least partially integrated cable routing, which improves their overall appearance.

They are also compatible with fenders and racks, thanks to the additional mounting points for fenders and racks.

And lastly, they use lock-on grips that are easier to install.

Trek Marlin Bikes Compared

The following table compares all Trek Marlins. For more info, check out the Trek Marlins comparison .

Trek Roscoe Bikes Compared

The following table compares all Trek Roscoe bikes. For more info, check out the Trek Roscoe comparison .

Trek X-Caliber and Procaliber Bikes Compared

The following table compares all Trek X-Caliber and Procaliber bikes. For more info, check out the Trek X-Caliber and Procaliber comparison .

Should you buy Trek Marlin, Roscoe, X-Caliber, or Procaliber?

It depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here are some things to consider:

• The Marlin is the most affordable option if you’re on a tight budget.
• Roscoe’s longer suspension travel is better if you want a bike that can handle bigger bumps and jumps.
• The X-Caliber is a good option if you want to balance affordability and performance .
• And if you’re a serious rider looking for top-of-the-line-like performance for a reasonable price , the Procaliber is the way to go.

Trek Hardtail Mountain Bikes FAQ

Trek mountain bike frames are made in Asia (mainly in Taiwan and China). Then, they are shipped to Wisconsin, where they are painted and assembled. However, the design and R&D center is still in Wisconsin, US. ( Source )

Project One is Trek’s program for customizing bikes. You can choose specific color options and some components to match your liking and preference.

Some models have women-specific options. However, in recent years, Trek has addressed women’s sizing by listing more bike sizes (e.g., size 44), with the smaller sizes being more suitable for women.

Trek offers a lifetime frame warranty. However, it’s only valid for the first owner. The second (and subsequent) owners have a shorter, 3-year warranty. You can read the Trek warranty page for more info.

IsoSpeed is Trek’s technology for absorbing vibrations from the frame and seatpost that would otherwise be transferred to your body. Learn more about IsoSpeed .

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Which Trek mountain bike is right for you?

• Benjamin Haworth
• October 3, 2017

Get to know your Remedy from your Fuel

We have a look over the 2018 range of Trek mountain bikes to see who suits what in a range featuring the Fuel EX, Remedy, Marlin and Powerfly models.

>>> All our recent Trek mountain bike reviews

Getting to grips with 2018 Trek mountain bikes

If you pop over to Trek’s website and click on ‘mountain bikes’ more than 120 bikes appear in front of you. It’s rather daunting. Choice is good but can be bewildering. So we’ve boiled Trek’s MTB range down to the basics to get you started.

>>> Trek road bikes: which model is right for you?

What type of bike do you want?

We think it’s best to split the whole range into three categories and then go from there: hardtail , full suspension and electric .

What type of riding will you be doing?

Once you’ve chosen one of the three categories you can refine it to the type of riding you want to do: cross-country, trail or downhill.

With those two category types chosen you’ll be left with a much smaller pool of Trek models to consider.

We’re going to assume that you already know the type of mountain bike you want. We’re not going to go into any debates or theorising (hardtail vs full suspension, 27.5 vs 29 , Plus vs Fat etc etc).

Trek hardtails

There are five hardtail models in Trek’s range: Marlin, X-Caliber, Roscoe, Procaliber and Stache.

Trek use their own proprietary frame materials. Their aluminium stuff is called Alpha. Their carbon stuff is called OCLV.

Some of their high end hardtails have the ‘IsoSpeed Decoupler’ configuration where the seat tube is designed to flex for compliance.

The Trek Marlin is an entry level cross-country focussed hardtail ranging from £370 up to £550. Thee are four models in total (the Marlin 4, 5, 6 and 7). The frame is Trek’s ‘Silver Alpha’ aluminium.

The Trek X-Caliber cross-country range starts from £650 and tops out at £1,150. The frame is Trek’s ‘Gold Alpha’ aluminium. The frames have internal routing for stealth dropper seatposts. The components are of a higher quality than the Marlins.

The Trek Roscoe range of Plus-tyred trail hardtails running from £800 to £ 1,250. The frame has internal routing for dropper posts and is made from Trek’s ‘Alpha Gold’ aluminium.

The £1,300 to £6,500(!) Trek Procaliber cross-country race bike range can look a a bit confusing; there are aluminium Procalibers, OCLV carbon Procalibers and Super Light OCLV Procalibers. Although the frame material varies the intent of Procalibers is the same: xc racing. The geometry remains the same. All Procalibers have the ‘IsoSpeed Decoupler’ feature of deliberate flex.

The Trek Stache bikes are rather unique in that they are 29er Plus bikes. They roll on some seriously large rubber! Monster trucking hardtails. Price: £1,300 to £3,500.

Trek full suspension bikes

There are five Trek full susser types: Fuel EX, Remedy, Top Fuel, Slash and Session.

All Trek full sus bikes use a version of the ‘ABP’ suspension design. ABP stands for Active Braking Pivot. The rear wheel axle is also the rear pivot. The idea is to prevent the suspension from locking up during rear braking.

Fuel EX, Remedy and Top Fuel bikes also have RE:aktiv rear shock damping. This damping design claims to ‘know’ which forces are coming from the pedals/rider and which forces are coming from the trail, and it reacts accordingly.

The Trek Fuel EX 130mm travel, full sus, all-rounder, trail bikes come as either 29er or as 27.5 Plus. They can be run with either wheel size but are initially purchased with one or the other. Starting from £1,800 for aluminium versions they top out at £6,500 for the top end carbon version.

>>> Trek Fuel EX Plus 9.8 27.5 (2017) review

The Trek Remedy is the 150mm travel trail-cum-enduro bike. Prices range from £2,300 to £6,000. There are aluminium Remedy models and carbon fibre Remedy models. For 2018 they are all 27.5in wheel.

The Trek Top Fuel bikes are full suspension XC race machines. 100mm of travel at either end. Begins with the aluminium Top Fuel 8 for £2,400 and goes up to the £7,800 carbon Top Fuel 9.9 RSL.

>>> Trek Top Fuel 9 (2017) review

2018 Trek Slash

The 160mm travel enduro racing Trek Slash range is all 29in wheels and carbon only for 2018. It’s a bold move by Trek but one that makes the Slash arguably the most defined model in their range.

>>> Trek Slash 9.9 29 RSL (2017) review

The Trek Session is the downhill bike. Aluminium or carbon. And now available as a frameset as a 29er with 190mm of travel. Complete build Sessions are all 27.5in wheel and deliver 210mm of rear travel.

Trek electric mountain bikes

There are three electric mountain bike types: Powerfly, Powerfly FS and Powerfly LT Plus.

The Trek Powerfly hardtails start at £2,300 and go up to £3,300. Aluminium frames with 100mm travel forks up front. The motors come from Bosch. There is also a £4,200 Powerfly Plus with 2.8in tyres.

On the Trek Powerfly FS bikes the ‘FS’ stands for Full Suspension, 130mm of suspension to be precise. The Powerfly FS bikes are aimed at cross-country riding with a bit of rougher stuff every now and then. All but the entry level £3,500 Powerfly 5 FS come with Plus tyres.

Trek Powerfly Launch in Verbier, Switzerland

The Trek Powerfly LT Plus models have more travel (150mm) and fatter tyres (2.8in Plus tyres). These e-bikes are up for a bit more aggro riding and technical trails. Prices: £4,200 to £5,250.

>> Trek Powerfly 9 LT (2018) first ride

Trek Women’s mountain bikes

Even as stalwarts of the whole Women’s Specific Design thang, Trek (along with most other bike brands) are now seemingly moving away from design theories that assume that women’s body proportions are different to men’s.

Bikes fit humans, not genders. Rider height is the only thing you should really be factoring in when choosing a bike. It really is only saddles that need to be a bit different to men’s.

It’s fine to opt for a supposedly ‘men’s’ Trek model if it fits your height. Get the saddle swapped out for a ladies saddle at time of purchase. Sorted.

Having said that, if you want a Women’s bike because you prefer the different colourway and decals, fair enough.

• Trek Skye – entry level cross-country hardtails
• Trek X-Caliber Women’s –  lighter and fancier cross-country hardtails
• Trek Roscoe Women’s – Plus tyred trail hardtail
• Trek Procaliber Women’s – XC racing hardtail
• Trek Fuel EX Women’s – 130mm travel full suspension all-rounder
• Trek Remedy Women’s – 150mm trail/enduro full susser
• Trek Powerfly Women’s – entry level e-bike hardtail
• Top Fuel Women’s – XC racing 100mm travel full suspension

Race Shop Limited models

You may spot some Trek mountain bikes with ‘Race Shop Limited’ (or ‘RSL’) in their model name. These are essentially super high spec models. Often limited edition. And sometimes with slightly tweaked designs (a bit more travel, slacker geometry etc etc).

Mark Webber’s Top Fuel Project One

Trek’s Project One

This is Trek’s custom paint and decals option. Yep, if you have the funds and are prepared to wait a bit for your bike, then you can get a Trek in pretty much any colour scheme you want.

Be warned: you can waste hours (days!) tinklering away with the online Project One dream bike builder.

It’s only available on a few mountain bike models: Top Fuel, Fuel EX and Procaliber.

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Trek Roscoe and X-Caliber hardtails reviewed

• Lightweight Alpha Gold aluminum frame
• Shorter chainstays and Boost hub spacing
• Updated geometry and E2 tapered head tube for more confident handling
• Internal routing protects cables and accommodates dropper post upgrades
• RockShox Recon RL fork w/Solo Air and remote
• Bontrager sealed bearing alloy axle
• Boost hubs Bontrager XR2 Team Issue TLR tires
• Shimano SLX/XT 2x11 drivetrain
• Shimano M425 brakes

• 2x11 maintains better cadence and achieves better range for XC or epic rides
• Fast rolling tires
• Remote lockout helps fork that doesn't have best mid support
• Whole bike is optimized for XC and long rides
• The $1069 X-Caliber 8 is a deal
• Brake levers are huge
• Front tire is not confidence-inspiring
• Fork lacks mid-stroke support

• Plus tires provide extra traction and confidence
• Trail geometry and E2 tapered head tube
• RockShox Judy TK Solo Air fork
• SRAM NX 11-speed shifters, rear derailleur, and cranks
• Shimano M315 brakes

• Looks and feels like a $2500 bike, not $1200
• 1x11 drivetrain that works well
• Damped, infinite position dropper post with well-designed lever
• Dialed cockpit with wide bars, short stem
• Schwalbe tires at this price point is impressive
• Bike comes with pedals
• 318mm BB height is low and ready to carve
• Bike jumps with joy and corners with glee
• 71-degree seat tube angle too slack by modern standards
• Front tire would be so much better with a grippy Bontrager XR4 3.0
• Fork is upgrade ready
• 31.3-pound weight heavy for a hardtail
• Brake levers are huge like a motorcycle's by today's standards

Attachments

Some goofy geometry info listed, if indeed they're the same frame. No way that adding 2cm of travel to the fork will change the seat tube angle by more than 1 full degree - even on the smallest size frame.  

Effective STA would vary on both versions of this bike, contrary to what the website states.  

bachman1961

I'm not a strong enough enthusiast to know a lot about bikes and handling etc.... so I like a bit of the feedback to how the subtle differences can make almost the same bike one format versus the other. I'm most impressed with the specs and comments on these as compared to my trail oriented bikepacker or adventure bike, steel, 1x11, Recon, Schwalbe and coming in a shade over 30# at $1199 new, a few months ago.  

I'm thinking about the rear hub "boost" 9*141 ??? Where in the aftermarket can you buy a new rear wheel if it gets broken. Why go back to QR when thru Axel has come to stay.... sad.  

Was really tempted by the Roscoe 8...solid build for the price. Ended up stretching the budget a tad more and got Diamondback Release 1...I'm so glad I went full squish.  

I'm somewhere between XC and novice trail. I like long days out in the British country side but also like to dick around on the trails. Does the Rosco also work well on the road as well as the trail? I like the idea of having the dropper post and bigger tyres but suspect this combine with the 1x11 would make it really difficult on a long day out. What are you thoughts?  

Gordon, I've got the Roscoe 9 (which is available in the UK) as my do-it-all bike. It handles roads fine albeit not at the pace that a 2-by bike could due to gearing, but where it shines is on climbs with some proper granny gears that help your legs keep churning. The plus size tyres (2.8" rather than 3.0" mentioned in the article) also eliminate any concerns over drain grid gaps (the enemy of skinnier hybrid/roadie tyres) and roll over most things with ease. Speaking of roll over, given the plus size tyres, some will say that they roll like 29ers rather than 27.5, but all I can say is that I have not had one single bad ride or found fault with the bike at all so far.  

The Trek website lists the X-Caliber's BB as being lower than the Roscoe's. So the statement about trail hardtails being lower than their XC counterparts isn't correct in this case.  

Just found this on the Q&A portion of the X-Caliber on the Trek website: Can you swap wheels between 29 and 27.5 plus like on the roscoe models? What is the maximum tire witdh. Verified Reply - Luke @ Trek No, this is not recommended. The tires will not fit in the frames that already use 27.5" tires. The 29er X-caliber has less fork travel than the Roscoe which will make the bottom bracket height too low for ideal riding performance if the X-caliber were to use 27.5+ wheels. 2.4" tires are the maximum recommended tire width for both the 27.5 and 29er X-caliber bikes. So apparently, the X-Caliber and Roscoe frames are not the same frame.  

yes you can swap wheel sizes the boost 141 is the same as 148 but with quick release trek has wheel sets ready to go  

Ricardo_Torrado.

Me hice a la roscoe 8, y es destacada su respuesta en caminos difíciles y descensos pedregosos. La supensión es poderosa y la transmisión suave y fiable. La estética es impresionante, generando comentarios de los compañeros de ruta. El precio es mucho menor al de la competencia, y destaca en componentes frente a esta.  

Awesome review. I recently got a roscoe 7. I love it. For what it is meant for it is incredible. Great traction. Smooth ride. Fun bike. I love riding it in the snow. I am considering an x caliber 9 vs marlin 7 vs verv 3. I want it to be very fast, responsive and comfortable for mostly pavement and some light cc trail. It would replace my 2009 trek 6000 series mtb with 26x 2" wheels. It would also be used to pull a trek tag along. any suggestions? How does the xcaliber do on roots and rocks vs the marlin 7. I imagine the 29er xcaliber wheels will blow my 6000 series 26"wheels out of the water when it comes to overall speed? will the xcaliber be as nimble as my 6000 series or will it handle more like my roscoe 7? Will the xcaliber be as fast and responsive as a verv 3 on pavement?  

Estas seguro? Tengo una x caliber y el dato me sirve mucho para un futuro  

r1Gel1 said: Just found this on the Q&A portion of the X-Caliber on the Trek website: Can you swap wheels between 29 and 27.5 plus like on the roscoe models? What is the maximum tire witdh. Verified Reply - Luke @ Trek No, this is not recommended. The tires will not fit in the frames that already use 27.5" tires. The 29er X-caliber has less fork travel than the Roscoe which will make the bottom bracket height too low for ideal riding performance if the X-caliber were to use 27.5+ wheels. 2.4" tires are the maximum recommended tire width for both the 27.5 and 29er X-caliber bikes. So apparently, the X-Caliber and Roscoe frames are not the same frame. Click to expand...

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Trek Marlin vs Trek Roscoe, which Trek hardtail is right for you?

Comparing Trek's two latest hardtail mountain bikes

Katherine Moore

Choosing which bike to buy, whether it’s your very first mountain bike, an exciting upgrade or you’re looking to try something different, is always a task worth taking your time over.

While on the face of it, some bikes may seem similar, when you dig down into the bike’s geometry, frame design, suspension setup and specs, there are often key differences that go hand-in-hand with their intended use.

Take two of Trek’s most popular hardtail mountain bikes : the best-selling Marlin and the more aggressive Roscoe. On the face of it, they look very similar, but understanding the differences will help you work out which is best suited to you.

What type of riding are you doing?

Forget drool-worthy paintjobs, detailed geometry figures and component choices to start with – the most important thing to consider when choosing the best mountain bike for your needs is to align the type of bike with the style of riding that you’re likely to be doing.

Mountain biking is a broad church, after all, covering everything from multi-day cross-country stage races to four-minute downhill runs, and everything in between.

Bikes intended for these different mountain biking disciplines are designed accordingly; cross-country bikes are best for pedalling and downhill bikes are best for descending. Those in between, including downcountry bikes , trail bikes and enduro bikes , are typically built to balance pedalling efficiency and trail capability on a sliding scale between them.

The Trek Marlin is a beginner-focused hardtail that sits at the cross-country end of the mountain biking spectrum, with a 100mm short-travel suspension fork.

However, the third-generation Marlin has been updated with a number of features that make it both more trail-friendly and upgradeable.

Cleverly, the Marlin also boasts some additional mounts that make it a versatile choice beyond mountain biking, with the capability to fit a kickstand, pannier rack and bags. This enables it to double up as a rugged tourer or urban commuter for cycling to work .

With a greater level of suspension on offer (140mm on most models), more trail-focused geometry, mountain-bike specific frame features and larger tyres, the Trek Roscoe, on the other hand, is a dedicated trail hardtail built for more rugged terrain.

Both the Marlin and Roscoe are alloy hardtails, which helps to keep the prices towards the budget end of the spectrum. Expect to pay more for a lighter carbon fibre frame if you cast your eye at the Procaliber family, designed with fast-paced cross-country racing in mind.

We’ll take a look at the specific features of the Marlin and Roscoe in turn. Key to weighing up which of these hardtails is best for you is deciding what you want to do with it, whether you’re looking to push yourself on challenging trails or are looking for something that’ll help you get about town just as easily as it takes on a local off-road loop.

Because the frame design is so key to how bikes feel to ride, geometry is a good place to start when comparing bikes. You can read BikeRadar’s full guide to mountain bike geometry for more; we’ll focus on the key numbers when comparing the Trek Marlin and Trek Roscoe here.

In terms of head tube angles, while the Marlin’s geometry, updated on the newest third-generation models, has recently been slackened to 66.5 degrees, the Roscoe hardtail is designed around an even slacker 65-degree angle.

Essentially, the slacker the head tube angle, the further forward the front wheel is placed in front of you, and the more capable the bike becomes over rougher terrain.

In combination with the greater level of suspension travel, the slacker head tube angle of the Roscoe means you have to shift your weight further forwards on the bike to weight the front wheel. This results in a more aggressive riding position compared to the more upright position of the Marlin.

Seat tube angles are similar across the Marlin and Roscoe, at 73.4 and 73.1 degrees respectively, steepened to enhance pedalling efficiency for flatter gradients, pedal ups and linking sections of trail.

Both the Roscoe and Marlin offer a wide range of frame sizes, including Trek’s extra size option sitting between medium and large. However, it’s the Marlin that can accommodate the widest range of riders, catering for teens as well as adults with the XXS option.

Another point of difference between these two hardtails is the handlebar width, with the Marlin using 690/720/750mm bars (dependent on frame size), while the Roscoe is fitted with wider 750/780mm handlebars, again for added control on steeper and trickier off-road descents.

With a cross-country-oriented design for efficient pedalling, the Marlin uses a short-travel 100mm fork.

For a more trail-ready ride, the new third-generation Marlin can accept a 120mm-travel fork on all frame sizes from XS up, if you fancy upgrading your ride as you gain confidence and start to tackle larger trail features.

With a hefty 140mm suspension on offer, the Roscoe is positioned firmly in the aggressive hardtail category, best suited for trail riding.

The budget Roscoe 6 is the only exception, retaining a shorter-travel 120mm fork.

Frame features

With a more moderate level of suspension, the Marlin can double up for urban duties as well as hitting the dirt, so Trek has added a number of frame features with the commuter in mind.

You’ll find a mount for a kickstand as well as pannier rack mounts, so you can kit out your Marlin to carry luggage, whether that’s using it as a commuter bike around town or on a longer bike touring adventure.

The updated, third-generation Marlin frame also boasts internal cable routing for a dropper post, should you wish to add one later down the line. A rubberised chainstay guard comes pre-fitted to all Marlin models, to protect the frame from chain slap and minimise any noise.

As a more dedicated dirt shredder, the Roscoe doesn’t include the same rack and kickstand mounts, streamlining the frame.

Instead, you’ll find an in-built down tube guard in addition to the chainstay protector, designed to take the impact of stones and other trail debris.

You’ll also find ISCG mounts around the bottom bracket on the Roscoe, allowing you to fit a chain guide or bash guard.

Wheels and tyres

While most of the Marlin and Roscoe models on offer use modern 29er wheels , they do vary by frame size to offer the best fit for shorter riders.

For the Marlin, size XXS uses 26in wheels, sizes XS and S both use 27.5in wheels (also known as 650b ), while the larger sizes use 29er wheels.

There are slightly fewer sizes on offer with the Roscoe, starting with XS, which uses 27.5in wheels. With the exception of the Roscoe 6, which is built with 27.5in wheels across all sizes, the rest of the Roscoe models and sizes use 29in wheels.

While we’re talking rolling stock, one of the main differences between the Marlin and Roscoe is the tyre clearance, hence the width of tyres they are fitted with.

The new Marlin can accommodate up to 2.4in-wide mountain bike tyres with 29in wheels, whereas the Roscoe is fitted with plus-size 2.6in rubber, also with 29in wheels, for added traction. This wider rubber is fairly typical of trail hardtails, yielding extra grip in lieu of rear suspension .

To drop or not to drop

A dropper post is a key component when it comes to tackling trail features and steeper off-road terrain. You’ll find a dropper post included on some, but not all Trek hardtail mountain bikes.

A standard seatpost saves on both cost and weight, so with the exception of the top-tier Marlin 8, the Marlin family isn’t specced with a dropper. The good news is that internal cable routing means you can easily add one later though – a popular option when it comes to upgrading a mountain bike .

All Roscoe models are equipped with a dropper post from the get-go, correlating to their design for rowdier off-road pursuits.

With five models on offer, starting from a budget-friendly £475 / €599 for the Marlin 4 up to £1,230 / €1,349 for the Marlin 8, the Trek Marlin makes for an accessible entry to mountain biking. Third-generation Marlin models start from £760 / €849 with the Marlin 6.

The Roscoe starts at £1,160 / €1,299 / $1,199.99 for the Roscoe 6, though bikes from the Roscoe 7 (£1,620 / €1,799 / $1,899) onwards feature the latest frame, with the range topping out at £2,550 / €2,799 / $2,799.99 for the Roscoe 9.

You can expect to find an improvement in component choice and performance as you increase the amount you spend. For example, the base-level Marlin 4 is kitted out with Tektro M280 mechanical disc brakes, whereas the top-spec Marlin 8 uses more powerful Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes.

It’s worth noting that Trek’s recent overhaul to the Marlin frame only applies to models 6, 7 and 8, whereas models 4 and 5 retain the previous frame design to help keep these entry-level options priced competitively.

Another good example of how the components differ between models is the wheel and tyre setup. The entry-level Roscoe 6 uses tubeless-ready rims but not tubeless-compatible tyres, the Roscoe 7 features both tubeless-compatible rims and tyres, though set up with tubes, and the top two Roscoe 8 and 9 models are set up tubeless from the get-go.

The quality and configuration of drivetrains change significantly as you move up through the models. All of the third-generation Marlin hardtails, and all Roscoe models, use modern 1x drivetrains , while the second-generation Marlin 4 and 5 use a triple chainring and double chainring respectively.

Trek Marlin vs Trek Roscoe, so which should you choose?

Despite initial appearances as fairly similar alloy hardtails, the Trek Marlin and Trek Roscoe are actually very different machines.

Choosing between them largely comes down to what sort of riding you’re planning, and whether you’d like to prioritise versatility or are seeking all-out trail capability.

Want something that’ll make for a great first mountain bike for teens and adults alike, with the added versatility to take you across town to work and back, as well as to the trailhead? The do-it-all Marlin is the smarter choice.

Looking for a ride that’ll level up to meet you as you progress over larger, steeper and techier trail features? Kitted out with a dropper post, progressive frame geometry, wide, grippy tyres and a beefy 140mm fork, the Roscoe is Trek’s dedicated trail option. There’s a reason it’s dubbed the ‘hardcore hardtail’.

Once you’ve worked out which sounds most like you, then you have a choice of four or five models, each with their own component options. Spending more as you work up through the models will give improved performance, as well as a lighter build, which will only help to widen your grin once you swing a leg over.

Can’t afford the top model from the outset? The good news is that both the Marlin and Roscoe have been designed to be upgrade-ready when the time comes.

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We'll take care of you. Period.

It's our mission to provide you with world-class hospitality every time you visit us online or in-store. We're always here to help you. It's the Trek way.

Professional Assembly

All bikes ordered online ship to your local Trek shop for professional assembly. Participating retailers will even deliver your new ride to your doorstep.

30 Day Unconditional Guarantee

If for any reason you aren't 100% happy with your trekbikes.com purchase, you can return it in like new condition within 30 days - no questions asked.

"I'm stoked"

"I think it's the best looking bike in it's price range, the fit works great for me, and the drivetrain is excellent."

"Ready to rumble"

"Has the chops to squeeze every last drop of fun from local park trails, plus the talent to conquer black diamond terrain on the weekends."

"Much more capable downhill than I would have ever imagined; then, when I finished a lap and turned around to pedal back up, I was pleasantly surprised by the comfort and efficiency of the Roscoe’s climbing position."

"5 out of 5"

"One of the best we've ever tried at this price. So fun and capable it makes boring trails interesting and difficult trails manageable. "

More options

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.

X-Caliber 9

(descending)

Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.