The Marin Gestalt Base Black 54 is an all-road/adventure bike engineered to bridge the gap between road cycling and gravel exploration. It's part of Marin’s Beyond Road category, designed for versatility, comfort, and performance across varied terrain. Whether you’re commuting through the city, navigating crushed limestone paths, or embarking on a weekend bikepacking trip, the Gestalt delivers a stable, dependable, and responsive ride.
🛠️ Technical Specifications
🧱 Frame & Geometry
Material: Series 2 6061 Aluminum Alloy
Geometry: Endurance-oriented with a long wheelbase and slack head tube angle
Features: Internal cable routing, forged dropouts, fender & rack mounts, flat-mount disc brakes
Tire Clearance: Up to 700x35c with fenders (or wider without)
🧩 Fork
Material: CrMo Steel
Type: Straight blade for direct steering feel
Mounts: Fender and low-rider rack compatible
Brakes: Flat-mount disc ready, optimized for 160mm rotors
⚙️ Drivetrain
Shifters: Shimano Claris STI (2x8 speed)
Front Derailleur: Shimano Claris
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Claris, long cage
Crankset: FSA Tempo Compact, 50/34T
Bottom Bracket: Sealed cartridge, square taper
Cassette: SunRace 11-32T, 8-speed
Chain: KMC Z8.3
This setup provides a total of 16 gears, making it suitable for both hilly and flat terrain. The compact double crankset paired with a wide-range cassette offers solid climbing capabilities.
🛞 Wheels & Tires
Rims: Marin Aluminum Double Wall, Disc Specific, 19mm internal width
Hubs: Forged alloy, 6-bolt disc, 32H
Tires: Vee Tire Co. Zilent, 700x35c, puncture-protected, reflective sidewalls
Tubeless Compatibility: Rims are tubeless-ready (tape & valves needed separately)
🛑 Brakes
Type: Mechanical Disc Brakes
Model: Tektro MD-C400
Rotors: 160mm front & rear, 6-bolt mount
These provide consistent braking power in all conditions and are easier to service than hydraulics.
🧍♂️ Rider Fit & Comfort
Handlebars: Marin Butted Alloy, Compact Drop, 12° Flare (for off-road control)
Stem: Marin 3D Forged Alloy, 31.8mm clamp
Seatpost: Marin Alloy, 27.2mm, micro-adjust
Saddle: Marin Beyond Road Concept saddle – shaped for long-ride comfort
The wide, flared drop bars increase control on gravel descents and provide ergonomic hand positions. The taller head tube and slack geometry offer a more upright and stable ride.
🔧 Customization Options
Mounts: Front & rear rack mounts, full fender mounts, 2 bottle cage mounts
Upgrades Possible: Tubeless tires, wider tires (up to ~40mm without fenders), drivetrain upgrades to 1x or 2x10