The B-17 is going to be an awesome bike. I know because it's essentially a boosted Plus version of the [Hawk Hill](https://nsmb.com/articles/2017-marin-hawk-hill/) I tested for months both as a stock bike and to test other best value parts like X-Fusion's Manic dropper post, Race Face's Aeffect cranks and wheels and MAGURA's Trail Sport brakes.
The ride quality of their 'basic' suspension platform is impressive even out of the saddle climbing (with a basic shock with no lockout - a theme perhaps).
I'm more of a 29'er guy and if Marin sold frame-only the new Rift Zone 29'er, using the same suspension layout, would definitely be on my short list. Everything I need, nothing I don't, affordable price, great geometry and suspension kinematics. Awesome.
If there's a B-17 in your price point / build requirement I would not hesitate to recommend it based off my Hawk Hill experience.
July 31, 2017, 7:56 a.m. - Andrew Major
The B-17 is going to be an awesome bike. I know because it's essentially a boosted Plus version of the [Hawk Hill](https://nsmb.com/articles/2017-marin-hawk-hill/) I tested for months both as a stock bike and to test other best value parts like X-Fusion's Manic dropper post, Race Face's Aeffect cranks and wheels and MAGURA's Trail Sport brakes. The ride quality of their 'basic' suspension platform is impressive even out of the saddle climbing (with a basic shock with no lockout - a theme perhaps). I'm more of a 29'er guy and if Marin sold frame-only the new Rift Zone 29'er, using the same suspension layout, would definitely be on my short list. Everything I need, nothing I don't, affordable price, great geometry and suspension kinematics. Awesome. If there's a B-17 in your price point / build requirement I would not hesitate to recommend it based off my Hawk Hill experience.