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The Marin is comparable to cycling clothes in summer: short/short. The shortest wheelbase in the field results from the short chainstays, which have a cut-out for the rear wheel on the seat tube. In combination with the ultra-short stem, this results in manoeuvrable to nervous riding behaviour, with the arms resting almost vertically downwards.
Marin Headlands 1: Low-profile tyres do not suit an all-rounder
This makes the bike neither particularly suitable for long distances, nor does it offer the necessary comfort or safety when riding on gravel and trails. The wheels with 32 spokes are stiff, but a little heavy for athletes. In addition, the low-profile tyres don't really suit an all-rounder. At a pressure of 4.5 bar they roll excellently, but comfort and grip are reduced at low pressures due to the thick sidewall.
The Marin Headlands 1 is way ahead in terms of bottle cages and bags. We counted an incredible 32 threaded eyelets, even though this bike is not intended for travelling, but rather as an alternative for racing bikes on bad roads. The riding position and gear ratios are still acceptable, and the inexpensive brake discs are less likely to come into contact with dirt and water. However, this makes them more difficult to judge and more prone to squeaking.
Mountain bike converts will be pleased as they will be familiar with both the position of the top link and the distance between their feet due to the longer crankshaft. This is more inefficient, but not uncomfortable for everyone. Paradoxically, the carbon frame's MTB geometry, according to the manufacturer, costs the off-road qualities needed for a multifunctional gravel bike. With a longer stem, however, you could imagine the Headlands as a training road bike for bumpy tracks.
More gravel bikes from the test
Marin Headlands 1 in detail
- Price: 2849 Euro >> available here
- Weight of complete wheel: 10.1 kilos
- Frame sizes: 49 / 52 / 54 / 56 / 58 / 60 cm (test size greased)
- Note: 2,6
Facilities of the Marin Headlands 1
- Brakes: Shimano GRX 812 (160/160 mm) | Grade: 2.0
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano GRX 812 (1 x 11; 40, 11-42 t.) | Grade: 3.5
- Tyres: Vee Tire Co G-Sport TR 700-44c (eff.: 44.5 mm) | Grade: 3.0
- Impellers: Marin (not tubeless ready)
- Impeller weights: 1938 / 2250 grams (front/rear)
Geometry of the gravel bike
- Seat/top/head tube: 495 / 545 / 149.9 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 592 / 368 millimetres / 1.609
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 652 / 524 millimetres / 1.244
- Wheelbase/caster: 1005 / 67.6 millimetres
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Fast and manoeuvrable on firm roads
- Minus: simplest brake discs, little off-road capability, stub stem
