First look: New 2015 models from Marin

Marin continues to impress, releasing info about three 2015 models that continue the refined look of brand, including new Rift Zone and Indian Fire Trail 29ers and the all-purpose disc-brake Lombard.

First up is a new Rift Zone 29er, slotting into the trail bike category very nicely. There will be carbon and aluminum versions of this bike, with a 120mm fork mated to a 110mm rear end, a 69.5 head angle and 440mm chainstays. Sounds like a good time to me.

The suspension is a single pivot design called IsoTrac. A linkage drives the shock, and the swingarm forgoes a rear pivot, instead relying on flex engineered into the carbon swingarm. The aluminum model will work the same way, with the linkage adjusted to create less flex under full compression.

Expect the carbon bikes in September, aluminum in October.

The entire Marin hardtail line up is new as well. Most will have thru-axles, and the seat stay bridge has been removed, resulting in a 25 percent increase in compliance with only a 2 percent decrease in stiffness at the bottom bracket. This is the Indian Fire Trail, more info on the rest of the line-up will be revealed later.

The Lombard is a new adventure bike from Marin, combining elements of touring bikes and cyclocross bikes. Wide range gearing (11-36 cassette, 50-34 chainrings), 35mm multi-surface tires and BB7 disc brakes should let this dropbar bike tackle a huge variety of terrain. Black reflective decals, and rack and fender mounts are nice touches as well. Price should be right around $1,500.