Marin just unveiled the 2019 Four Corners Eilte. With clearance for 2.1″ tires, a 9-44T wide-range cassette, four water bottle mounts, and room for a mammoth frame bag, it certainly looks interesting…
Marin debuted its Four Corners base models last fall and just unveiled the premium-level “Utilitour” model, which makes it an early model year 2019 release. The Four Corners Elite builds upon the base Four Corners model with a premium paint job and high end components with highlights such as a wide-range e*Thirteen 9-44T cassette, SRAM’s Apex hydraulic disc brakes, and a WTB KOM i25 tubeless wheelset wrapped in WTB Resolute 42mm tires.
- Highlights
- Angles (LG): 715° Head tube, 72.5° Seat tube
- Stack/Reach (LG): 646.3mm/412.6mm
- BB Drop/Chainstay: 60mm/435mm
- Bottom Bracket: 68mm Threaded (NOT CONFIRMED)
- Hub specs: 142x12mm rear / 100x15mm front
- Seatpost Diameter: 27.2mm
- Max tire size: 29 x 2.1″ / 27.5 x 2.1″
- Price: $2499
As with the other models, according to Marin, the Four Corners Elite geometry is based on biometric fit data with five frame sizes to properly fit riders between 4’ 11” – 6’ 4”, each in either 650B or 700C wheels based on sizing proportions. The Four Corners Elite features a Series 3 double butted and formed CrMo frame with 142 x 12mm thru-axle dropouts and a butted CrMo, 15mm thru-axle fork.
According to Marin, the Four Corners Elite is designed to handle fully-loaded touring, with up to four bottle mounts, rack and fender eyelets, lowrider fork mounts, and tire clearance up to 2.1”. Unfortunately, with the Elite model, Marin didn’t carry over the bottle cages on the fork, but otherwise, it looks like they ticked a lot of boxes. Find pics and specs below…
A few observations about the build kit. Overall, it looks pretty solid. The only component I am overly skeptical of is the crankset. It appears to be a non-direct mount, which means the minimum chainring would be 36 or 38T, but the exact specs are unclear at this time. Otherwise, I am particularly impressed with the choice of 25mm inner width KOM rims, which will pair well with 2-2.1″ tires, as well as the use if the eThirteen 9-44T wide range cassette.
- Frame Series 3 Double Butted and Formed CrMo
- Size-Specific Wheels XS, S = 650B / M, L, XL = 700C
- Features Fender/Rack Mounts, 142x12mm Thru-Axle Dropouts, Chainstay Disc Mount
- Frame Butted CrMo, Fender and Rack Eyelets, 15mm Thru-Axle, Post-Mount Disc
- Rimms WTB KOM i25, 25mm Inner, Tubeless Compatible
- Rear Hub Forged Aluminum Alloy, 142x12mm, SRAM XD Driver, 6-Bolt Disc, 32H
- Front Hub Forged Aluminum Alloy, 100x15mm, 6-Bolt Disc, 32H
- Spokes 14g Black Stainless Steel
- Tires WTB Resolute, 650B/700Cx42, Folding Bead, Tubeless Compatible
- Rear Derailleur SRAM Apex 1 11-Speed
- Shifter SRAM Apex 1 1×11 Speed
- Crankset FSA Gossamer Pro, Megatooth 38T Chainring, BB386EVO Alloy Spindle
- Chain KMCX11
- Cassette e*thirteen TRS 11-Speed, 9-44T
- Brakes SRAM Apex 1 Hydraulic Disc, 160mm Rotor
- Handlebar Marin Butted Alloy, Compact 12° Flared Drop, Flat Top
- Stem Marin 3D Forged Alloy
- Grip tape Marin Silicone Gel Tape
- Headset FSA Orbit CE, Sealed Cartridge Bearings
- Marin ALloy Marin Alloy
- Saddle WTB Volt Race 142 Custom
- Pedals Trekking Platform
- Extras Bolt-on Thru-axles F&R
The bike details are yet to appear on Marin’s website, so stay tuned for more details and find the geometry chart below. Note that the bike shown in these photos is an XL. The 2019 Marin Four Corners Elite will be available Summer 2018.
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