Description
The Marin Gestalt 2 — Tarmac, Trails, and Everything Beyond
The Marin Gestalt 2 is built for riders who refuse to stay on the road. It handles daily commutes, weekend adventures, loaded touring, and rough gravel tracks with equal confidence. Moreover, it does all of this at a price that undercuts many rival mid-range gravel bikes. This is Marin’s all-terrain workhorse — and it’s seriously well specified.
A Lightweight Frame With a Carbon Fork Upgrade
The Gestalt 2 centres on a Series 3 Beyond Road 6061 aluminium frame. This is a step up from the entry-level Gestalt, and the difference shows. The frame uses a tapered head tube and relieved bottom bracket shell for a stiffer, more responsive ride feel. Internal cable routing keeps the finish clean. Mudguard and rack mounts make it practical in all weathers. Flat-mount disc tabs and 142x12mm thru-axle dropouts complete a modern, confidence-inspiring setup.
The fork is a standout upgrade. Marin fits a full carbon fibre fork with a tapered steerer and 12mm thru-axle. Carbon forks reduce weight and absorb vibration at the front end. As a result, you feel less fatigue over long rides on mixed surfaces. Fender eyelets also carry over, so mudguard fitting stays straightforward.
Tyre clearance runs to 45mm. This means you can fit wider rubber for rougher terrain, or stick with the WTB Exposure 700×36 tyres that come as standard.
Shimano GRX — A Proper Gravel Groupset
The Gestalt 2 steps up to a Shimano GRX RX400 2×10-speed drivetrain. GRX is Shimano’s dedicated gravel groupset. It therefore brings ergonomics and gear ratios specifically designed for off-road and mixed-terrain riding. The Shimano GRX FC-RX600 crankset runs a 46/30T chainring combination. Paired with a Shimano 11-36T cassette, this gives you a wide, versatile gear range for everything from steep climbs to fast descents.
Braking comes from Shimano BR-RX400 hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors front and rear. Hydraulic discs deliver more power and better modulation than mechanical systems. Consequently, you get precise, reliable braking in all conditions — including wet British roads and muddy gravel paths.
Tubeless-Compatible Wheels Ready to Roll
The Gestalt 2 rolls on tubeless-compatible double-wall Marin aluminium rims, laced to forged alloy disc hubs with 32 spokes each. Going tubeless is a straightforward option. It reduces rolling resistance, lowers the risk of pinch flats, and allows you to run lower tyre pressures for better grip on loose surfaces. The wheels arrive fitted with WTB Exposure Comp 700×36 tyres and are ready to upgrade.
Cockpit, Fit, and Finishing Kit
The Marin compact 12° flared drop handlebar suits long days in the saddle. The flare encourages a more open shoulder position on rough terrain. Furthermore, it improves control on descents and gravel tracks. A Marin 3D forged alloy stem, perforated bar tape, and a 27.2mm alloy seatpost round out a clean, functional cockpit. The FSA No.42ACB headset uses sealed cartridge bearings for long-term reliability.
Who Is the Marin Gestalt 2 For?
The Marin Gestalt 2 gravel bike suits riders who want to step up from entry-level gravel bikes. It works especially well for cyclists exploring longer gravel routes and bikepacking adventures, commuters who want all-weather hydraulic braking and rack compatibility, riders upgrading from a mechanical groupset to Shimano GRX, and anyone who wants a carbon fork without paying a carbon frame price.
