Is the Marin Stinson okay for a touring and camping bike?
08-11-24, 10:54 PM
#1
Is the Marin Stinson okay for a touring and camping bike?
If it isn't is the Kentfield or other model of Marin? I rented the Stinson I and rode it on a rail trail, paved, but I don't know if that means I can tour with it or go camping? I think the tires would make for a comfortable ride. I'm new to most biking, so I don't know if I'm looking at the wrong bike, or wrongly suited. I mean you can ride anything but comfort over a lot of miles while not being the slowest bike on earth and one that can carry some gear, even if a day trip would be useful.
Thanks for any help.
Thanks for any help.
08-13-24, 02:09 PM
#2
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It looks like both of the options that you have your eye on are a 1x setup, which would greatly reduce your range of gearing options and make it exceptionally challenging when you add the weight of touring/camping supplies. The Stinson has the appearance of a "gravel cruiser" with a few mounting points for racks. Just because it has those mounts though, that doesn't mean you would really be able to use them effectively for your intended purpose. The Kentfield would be pretty much the same type of experience but on a slightly different frame. A hybrid isn't a bad choice for touring by any means, but you'll want something with a whole slew of deeper gearing options. Those limited gearing options with massive steps between each ratio would likely leave you hunting for the right gear, often going back and forth between two sprockets that leave you stuck with an uncomfortable cadence.
Your mileage may vary though.
Your mileage may vary though.
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08-13-24, 02:23 PM
#3
Newbie
If you like Marin what about the four corners 1? Under a grand, comes in a pretty blue. Loads of gears, lots of sizes. I have been tempted by it off and on myself!Marin 4 Corners
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08-13-24, 03:15 PM
#4
Senior Member
I think it depends on what exactly you mean by touring. I wouldn't get it for a fully self-sustained long trip. You want a real pack mule all steel frame with low gears for that. Going fast is not really part of the objective packed down in such a manner. For some lighter weight overnight or all-day trips a bike like the Stinson can work fine as long as you can carry all you need in a couple small bags attached to a rear rack and handlebars. For credit card touring where you rent a place and buy all your food every day it would do fine for a few days. Anything longer than a few days and you are into touring enough that you might as well get an all-steel frame bike that can carry everything except the kitchen sink.
The main thing is whatever you pick make sure it is comfortable and fits you properly which can often be difficult for new cyclists to know. Just because you can ride a bike for a few hours doesn't mean it really fits you and poor fit can even cause injury over extended time.
The main thing is whatever you pick make sure it is comfortable and fits you properly which can often be difficult for new cyclists to know. Just because you can ride a bike for a few hours doesn't mean it really fits you and poor fit can even cause injury over extended time.
08-13-24, 03:17 PM
#5
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If it isn't is the Kentfield or other model of Marin? I rented the Stinson I and rode it on a rail trail, paved, but I don't know if that means I can tour with it or go camping? I think the tires would make for a comfortable ride. I'm new to most biking, so I don't know if I'm looking at the wrong bike, or wrongly suited. I mean you can ride anything but comfort over a lot of miles while not being the slowest bike on earth and one that can carry some gear, even if a day trip would be useful.
Thanks for any help.
Thanks for any help.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
08-13-24, 10:12 PM
#6
It looks like both of the options that you have your eye on are a 1x setup, which would greatly reduce your range of gearing options and make it exceptionally challenging when you add the weight of touring/camping supplies. The Stinson has the appearance of a "gravel cruiser" with a few mounting points for racks. Just because it has those mounts though, that doesn't mean you would really be able to use them effectively for your intended purpose. The Kentfield would be pretty much the same type of experience but on a slightly different frame. A hybrid isn't a bad choice for touring by any means, but you'll want something with a whole slew of deeper gearing options. Those limited gearing options with massive steps between each ratio would likely leave you hunting for the right gear, often going back and forth between two sprockets that leave you stuck with an uncomfortable cadence.
Your mileage may vary though.
Your mileage may vary though.
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08-23-24, 04:42 AM
#8
First, I don't know anything about the bike in question, second, I don't know anything about you. But, I do know that the real question is: Is bike X a good bike for rider Y to tour on? There are so many aspects to what makes a good touring bike, and each rider is unique, plus tours differ, flat, hilly, wet, dry, airline connections, etc. that only you can answer that question. However, this is a great place to get opinions about bikes to help you make your decision.
Good luck!
Good luck!
08-24-24, 09:26 AM
#9
Senior Member
The Stinson has a very laid back seat angle like cruiser bikes, not a bike for efficient pedaling. Kentfield looks like a decent all purpose bike. If you’re leaning to low step frame and fatter tires the Larkspur would be my pick. More test rides!
Oh, wide spaced 7 speed 1X isn’t adequate gearing.
Oh, wide spaced 7 speed 1X isn’t adequate gearing.
Last edited by LeeG; 08-24-24 at 10:39 AM.
08-24-24, 05:42 PM
#10
Clark W. Griswold
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You can tour on anything but the Stinson is a pretty low end comfort type bike. If I wanted a similar bike maybe a little more practical for touring from Marin it would probably be this https://www.marinbikes.com/bikes/2024-larkspur-2. However I would probably look at something like the Four Corners 2 or something different entirely. If I wanted aluminum for some reason probably a DSX 1,2 or 3 and swap the bars to a Velo Orange Crazy Bar.
