Marin Mountain Bikes Inc. launches the Tam. After a 15-year hiatus, the cross-country category is back with a vengeance. The TAM is our unique take on long-distance XC riding, and three models will be available at launch – the value-packed TAM 1, the Goldilocks-spec TAM 2, and the uncompromising TAM XR. It’s our love letter to cross-country. It’s a supreme performer for riders who want to go fast, go far, and have a blast doing so. The TAM is here for a good time and a long time.
Marin Tam Quick Hits
- Series 4 Aluminum Frame
- 29″ Wheels
- 120mm Isotrac Flexstay suspension
- 65 degree headtube angle / 76 degree seat tube angle / 435mm Chainstays
- Two bottle and accessory mounts in the front triangle
- Internal cable routing
- 73mm BSA bottom bracket
- UDH Compatible
The new Aluminum XC Platform is available in three build kits:
Tam XR
- Shimano Deore Di2 Drivetrain
- Fox Performance Elite Suspension
- US $5,499/ CAN $6,699 / £4,299 / €5,199
Fox’s no-compromise Performance Elite 34 SL fork (130mm) with GRIP X damper pairs with a custom-tuned Float SL shock – they work in perfect harmony to keep you ripping. Shimano’s wireless Deore Di2 drivetrain delivers lightning-fast gear changes at the push of a button – shift like the future arrived early. WTB’s lightweight KOM Light i30 rims laced to feathery X7 hubs shave grams without sacrificing strength. PWN’s smooth Loam dropper and thumb-friendly Range Lever give a premium feel, while SRAM’s Motive Silver four-piston brakes boost confidence without the weight. Maxxis Rekon Race rubber hooks up for full-tilt missions. The TAM XR is our love letter to cross country.
Tam 2
- Shimano Deore Drivetrain
- Fox Performance Suspension
- TransX Dropper
- US $3,399 / CAN $3,999 / £2,599 / €3,099
Marin’s Goldilocks build. Fox’s race-ready 130mm travel 34 SL Performance GRIP damper fork pairs with a custom-tuned Float SL Performance shock, engineering the perfect front-to-rear balance for ride-long freshness. Shimano’s 12-speed wide-ranging 10-51t Deore drivetrain cruises or hammers climbs and matches four-piston brakes, scrubbing speed as they mean it. TranzX’s adjustable travel dropper dials in your perfect fit. Maxxis Rekon Race tires hook up hard without sapping energy on long backcountry transfers.
Tam 1
- Microshift Advent MX Drivetrain
- Fox Performance Suspension
- TranzX Dropper
- US $2,399 / CAN $2,999 / £1,899 / €2,299
high-performance XC at a price that makes sense. X-Fusion’s lightweight Rezza fork and shock are both dialed specifically for the TAM’s IsoTrac suspension platform. The range-topping Rezza RCP fork’s Finecut damper has rebound adjustment and a three-position threshold lever, adjustments mirrored on the RLX shock. MicroSHIFT’s all-new fast-shifting and weight-saving Advent MX 11-speed drivetrain has a wide 11-50t range. X-Fusion’s Manic LC dropper (150mm/170mm/200mm depending on frame size) provides a perfect fit. Tektro’s hydraulic HD-M535 disc brakes have confident stopping power, while Delium Fast dual compound tires balance rolling speed with trail grip.
Isotrac Flexstay Suspension
The flexstay design delivers more than just sublime performance – it’s also brilliantly simple. Fewer pivots reduce the need for chunky bearings, shedding weight where it matters. Maintenance headaches are minimized. The shock dampers are custom-tuned to match the flexstay’s unique characteristics and each model’s fork. The result? The shocks, forks, and frame are perfectly balanced and locked in.
Flexstay systems demand extra attention to detail – the dropouts are specially formed where the seat and chainstays meet. The leverage rate keeps it predictable and balanced. You know how the rear end is going to feel whether you’re popping lips, pumping turns, or hammering through the rough. Anti-squat sits at 124 percent at sag to reduce bob and bring the pace, keeping it light and nimble. Anti-rise stays neutral at just below 100 percent.
Find out more info at Marin Bikes.