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Is flat bar gravel the best big trend in adventure cycling? Marin seem to think so, adding two all-new flat bar DSX models to their gravel line-up… Or is it just a rigid MTB? Better still, a hybrid?
Let’s get straight to it; with a head angle of 69.5 (yeww), this thing is slack. There’s two models, the DSX 1 (RRP £895) in an off-white/grey and DSX 2 (RRP £1,095) in mud brown. We’re looking at aluminium frames, carbon forks and 1X 11 or 12-speed set ups, WTB Riddler 45mm tyres, and of course dropper post routing. Are you interested?
The DSX 1 is the cheaper of the two models, with 1×11 gearing and TRP brakes
Marin has positioned the all-new DSX models as a mountain biker’s gravel choice, based on their Gestalt X drop bar patform, and with a slack geometry, big tyre clearance and dropper capability combined with a 1x drivetrain and flat bars making it, well, pretty much a mountain bike. Knock it back a few years, and it probably wouldn’t look too out of place, especially with a brown paint job.
Marin aren’t the first large bike brand to release flat bar options of their gravel bikes this year, with Specialized’s Diverge Evo causing a bit of a stir earlier in the season.
The DSX gravel bikes are touted as ‘the mountain biker’s gravel bike’ by Marin
We’re pretty stoked to try out one of these soon, and see just how much fun it can be. At a really reasonable price point, we think this could have many more applications than simply gravel riding.
Stay tuned for the review soon! Check out the full specs here.
Last modified: 17th September 2020
