For their 30th anniversary, Marin launched the Pine Mountain 2 hardtail, a plus sized model that paid homage to the brand's past, but incorporated modern amenities. That mix proved to be so popular that Marin has attempted to distill the same formula into more affordable price points.

What elevates this build from similarly priced offerings from competitors is the attention to detail, like the token red components and grizzly bear accents throughout.

What elevates this build is the attention to detail, like the token red components and grizzly bear accents throughout (click to enlarge).​

Their new Pine Mountain 1 is tubeless ready 27.5+ CroMo hardtail that blends an aggressive trail geometry with a wide range 1x11 drivetrain, smartly spec'd value oriented components, and front suspension for $1299.

Last year the Pine Mountain was available in two trims. The suspension equipped Pine Mountain 2 and fully rigid Pine Mountain 1. For MY2017, they've introduced a third option that sits right in the middle.

Last year, the Pine Mountain was available in two trims. The suspension equipped Pine Mountain 2 and fully rigid Pine Mountain 1. Now, they've introduced a third option that sits in the middle (click to enlarge).​

For model year 2017, this bike will sit between the $2749 Pine Mountain 2, which uses Columbus Thron tubing, and the sub one thousand dollar full rigid Pine Mountain. For a more in depth overview of those models, please check out our Interbike coverage here.

Build it how you like it. The Pine Mountain line has a number of options for mounting bags, a dropper, you name it.

Build it how you like it. The Pine Mountain line has a number of options for mounting bags, a dropper, and more (click to enlarge).​

Aside from the obvious value and clean lines of the new Pine Mountain 1, what took me by surprise was Marin's use of the new 141x9mm hub standard. This was the first time I'd ever heard of this "standard." For the complete rundown on the how and why, Mtbr reached out to Marin mountain bike product manager Mathew Cipes to learn more.

While I hate new standards as much as the next rider, Cipes has some solid reasons why the this new 141x9mm rear end will improve the performance of new entry level and intermediate bikes in the near future.

Continue to page 2 for our interview with Marin mountain bike product manager Mathew Cipes »

Wide range 1x drivetrains are now affordable enough for even entry level models, so why do bikes still come equipped with QRs?

Wide range 1x drivetrains are now affordable enough for even entry level models, so why do bikes still come equipped with QRs? (click to enlarge)​

Mtbr: It's the year 2016, why are we still talking about quick releases?
Marin: Great question. At Marin Bikes we believe that no matter the how much money someone spends on a bike it should be awesome. So the real question is why are we not talking about QR's. It is a great way to create a bike that has both performance and value. We know that there has been some negative press in the world of QR's but in reality it is a good system: functional, cost effective, and proven. If Marin would have went with a through axle on this model the cost would not be as inspiring as it is now.

Mtbr: So why 141x9mm? How did we get to that number?
Marin: The 141mm measurement was driven by the 6mm increase obtained when we go from a 142mm hub to a 148mm boost hub. This is what gives boost equipped bikes their performance upgrades for 27.5+. It yields stiffer and stronger wheels (via a better spoke triangulation) as well as more tire clearance. If you add 6mm to a 135mm hub you come up with 141mm and the evolution of the open dropout boost standard was born.

141x9mm will allow manufacturers to bring the benefits of Boost to more affordable price points. That's a win.

141x9mm will allow manufacturers to bring the benefits of boost to more affordable price points (click to enlarge).​

Mtbr: So to recap, this is essentially the quick release version of boost hubs?
Marin: Correct - and this is a perfect lead in to the next question.

Mtbr: Would it be wrong if I took to calling it boost QR?
Marin: Not at all. Calling 141mm open dropout standard boost QR is basically calling the kettle black.

From an engineering perspective, there are a myriad of reasons to go boost. Check out our in depth explanation of the benefits here.

From an engineering perspective, there are a myriad of reasons to go boost. Check out our in depth explanation of the benefits here
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Mtbr: From your perspective as a frame manufacturer, what are the advantages of boost?
Marin: This to Marin is quite simple. The boost standard that has come about recently gives you two major benefits when creating a 27.5+ bike. It creates a stronger and stiffer wheel due to better triangulation of the spokes as ultimately less wheel dish and more even spoke tension, all of which will help the wheel be stiffer and take more abuse. Secondly, it also gives the chain and tire more clearance, preventing chain suck, a problem that would be quite wide spread on plus bikes if the chain line was not pushed out by 3mm.

Flexy wheels are no fun on any entry level mountain, especially 29ers and mid fatties.

Flexy wheels are no fun on any entry level mountain, especially 29ers and mid fatties (click to enlarge).​

Mtbr: There has also been a lot of talk about how making the hub shell wider will help create stiffer wheels, which is important for things like entry level 29ers. Have you done testing to compare the stiffness of a rear wheel with 141x9mm spacing to a wheel with a either 135/142 QR or thru axle hub?
Marin: Yes there has been a good amount of discussion on this topic. Marin has performed some stiffness measurements on a host of samples of wheels. Overall our studies have been in line with similar industry studies, you do see a 10-15 percent increase in wheel stiffness from a 142 hub to a 148 hub, and will see similar gains on 135 to 141mm hubs.

Mtbr: Do you think this standard will be adopted by the industry going forward?
Marin: I think that you will see other manufactures utilize this new "boost QR" as we see plus size tires trickle down to lower price points.

The new Boost QR standard will have the biggest impact on the sub $1,4000 market.

The new boost QR standard will have the biggest impact on the sub $1400 market (click to enlarge).​

Mtbr: For what price points or market segment do you feel this is most relevant for?
Marin: This is most relevant for sub-$1400 plus bikes and lower cost 29ers.

Mtbr: Last question. I know you're a bike manufacturer, but I'm going to ask anyway. Currently most non-boosts hubs can easily be converted between the 135/142 standard and QR/thru axle, do you think that will continue to be the case with boost hubs and 141x9mm?
Marin: Here at Marin we certainly hope so. Eli Whitney was onto something when he invented interchangeable parts and Marin feels like the bike industry in many cases makes changes to increase sales but in this case it is a cost effective evolution of standard that seems to be here for a while. I would hope the industry as a whole can let the un-standardization of standards become a thing of the past.

For info on the Pine Mountain line, visit www.marinbikes.com.