The Rift Zone EL1 is basically Marin going “right, let’s keep the fun trail feel, but take the edge off the climbs.” With the Bosch SX motor it’s not one of those big, heavy eMTBs that feels like a motorbike—it’s lighter, more playful, and still feels like you’re actually riding a proper MTB, just with a bit of a tailwind when things point uphill.

On Forest of Dean trails, that’s actually a pretty sweet spot. You’d get:

• easy boosts up the punchy climbs without killing the flow
• still proper trail-bike handling on the descents
• less “bulk” than full-power eMTBs, so it doesn’t feel like a tank on tighter, rooty sections

The spec on the EL1 (Marzocchi fork/shock, Shimano CUES, TRP brakes) is basically “solid and sensible” rather than flashy—very much the kind of thing that would survive year-round muddy Forest of Dean laps without fuss.

So yeah, if you walked into Dean Forest Cycles asking for something that feels like a normal trail bike but helps you link more laps without getting cooked on climbs, this would probably be right in their wheelhouse.

SPECIFICATIONS

• FRAME

  All New Series 4 Alloy Lightweight E, 140mm MultiTrac Suspension, Integrated Battery/Charging Port, 148mm Rear Thru-Axle

• FRONT SUSPENSION

  Marzocchi Bomber Z1 150mm Travel, 29, 110x15 Kabolt Thru Axle, 44mm Offset

• REAR SUSPENSION

  Marzocchi Bomber Air Inline, Custom Tune, 210x55mm, 25xM8 Upper & Lower Mount

• RIM

  Marin Aluminum Double Wall, 29" Diameter, 32mm Inner Rim Width, Pinned Joint, Disc Specific, Tubeless Compatible

• HUB REAR

  Shimano FHTC500, 148x12 Thru Axle, Microspline, 32H, Centerlock

• HUB FRONT

  Shimano HB-TC500, 110x10 Thru Axle, 32H, Centerlock

• SPOKES

  14g Black Stainless Steel

• TIRES

  Front: Maxxis Minion DHF, 29x2.4" MAXXGRIP, Tubeless ready, EXO+, Rear: Maxxis Forecaster 29x2.4", Tubeless Ready MAXX TERRA EXO+

• DERAILLEUR REAR

  Shimano CUES RD-U6000 GS, 10-Speed

• DERAILLEUR FRONT

  -

• SHIFT LEVER

  Shimano CUES SL-U6000-10R, 10-Speed

• CRANKSET

  e*thirteen e*spec Plus, 160mm Length, 34T

• MOTOR

  Bosch Performance Line SX, 600W, 55Nm torque

• CHAIN

  Shimano LG500

• CASSETTE

  Shimano CS-LG300-10, 11-48T

• BRAKES FRONT

  TRP Slate EVO, 4-Piston Hydraulic Disc, Resin Pads, 203mm Rotor

• BRAKES REAR

  TRP Slate EVO, 4-Piston Hydraulic Disc, Resin Pads, 203mm Rotor

• BRAKE LEVERS

  TRP Slate EVO Hydraulic Lever, I-Spec EV Compatible

• HANDLEBAR

  Marin Mini-Riser, 6061 Double Butted Aluminum, 780mm Width, 28mm Rise, 5º Up, 9º Back

• STEM

  Marin 3D Forged Alloy, 35mm

• GRIPS

  Marin Grizzly Lock On

• HEADSET

  FSA Custom, Adjustable HTA Design

• SEATPOST

  TranzX, YSI34 QL, Plastic 1x Remote, Size S 150mm Travel, Size M and L 170mm Travel, Size XL 200mm Travel, 34.9mm

• SADDLE

  Marin Speed Concept

• PEDALS

  Marin MTB Plastic

• BATTERY

  Bosch CompactTube 400Wh Internal

• DISPLAY

  Bosch BRC3100 Systems Controller

• SWITCH

  Bosch BRC3300 Bluetooth Remote 22.2mm Clamp

• EXTRAS

  e*thirteen e*Spec Chainguide

• EXTRAS

  Bolt-On 12mm Thru-Axle, 174mm Length, 1.0 Thread Pitch, 16.5mm, Tapered Head, Bosch EB12.110.016; 2A Charger

• RANGE, CHARGING TIME

  15-55 miles (Based on Rider Weight, Terrain, Climate and Level of Assist Used), 6 Hours (estimated, under ideal conditions)

Specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice.

GEOMETRY

Geometry configuration

• Front/Rear Wheels: 29"/29"
• BB and Chainstay: n/a
• Headtube Angle: 0° Headset Cup

All lengths in millimeters

SUSPENSION SETUP

REAR SHOCK SETUP

Recommended Sag = 30%/19.5mm

Step 1: Set correct pressure in rear shock.

Step 2: Sit on the bike and cycle the suspension (*with correct riding gear).

Step 3: Reset O-ring and sit on the bike, DO NOT BOUNCE, carefully step off.

Step 4: Measure sag (from o-ring to seal of shock), If it does not match the bike’s recommended sag in millimeters repeat process.

Step 5: Adjust rebound setting to ensure proper control.

FORK SETUP

Marin recommends that all bikes front and rear suspension feel balanced 

Step 1: After rear sag is set follow the recommended pressure from the fork manufacturer.

Step 2: Bounce evenly up and down on the bike, cycling the suspension up and down to make sure both front and rear suspension feel balanced, if the front does not match the rear add or release pressure.

Step 3: Once the bike feels balanced adjust the rebound damping to ensure proper control.