The Marauder
This is my take on the classic New England hardtail mountain bike. Available in Steel or Titanium. These are low slung, aggressive mountain bikes built for technically demanding singletrack. Rocks, roots, steep punchy climbs, brutal rock gardens, hair-raising descents. Taking its design cues from the terrain, a platform to match this demanding environment is embodied in the Marauder. The details of the Marauder are what define it as the quintessential 21st-century hardtail mountain bike. Many have left their mark on this icon. This is mine.
Steel Fit & Pricing
The Steel Fit Form contains a complete list of options and pricing. Download your copy here.
Design & Inspiration
With over 30 years of experience riding singletrack, the mountain bikes I build are born from the pure technical trail experience. The endless repetition of build, ride, refine, and back to the drawing board. Seeking a balance between form and function, the bikes I build are an extension of the rider and truly one with the trail.
Low slung, aggressive geometry with mindful modern touches like a long front center and short stays, radius seat tube, internal dropper routing, Singlespeed with an option for a 1x drivetrain; these are the details that set my designs apart from the pack.
The Details
- Made to Measure: Available in your choice of Steel or Titanium. Your bike is designed and built to your exacting measurements. We speak about your terrain, your riding style, and how you want to use your bicycle. All these notes in addition to your personal measurements and any fit information you’d like to provide from a professional fitter then get funneled into the design and fabrication of your next bicycle.
- 1x · Di2 · AXS · T-TYPE · FAT · SS: Every Marauder can be configured to run any combination of drivetrain you wish. Want to run 1x only? We can make it dedicated. The modern hardtail mountain bike runs a dedicated 1x drivetrain. Want to be able to run 2x but also want to try out a 1x set up? I can design your bike so things look clean in either mode. 3x? So long as the cranksets are still available! My own opinion? The 11-speed and 12-speed groups available today give you exactly what you need and don’t leave you wanting anything more. The elimination of the front derailleur simplifies the system. That 40t, 42t, 46t, or 50t cassette cogs in combination with a 30t or 32t thick/thin chainring is the business! However, this is just my opinion. If you want a 2x, let’s do it! Singlespeed? You got it…
- Tire Clearance: One attribute of early mountain bikes was the clear lack of tire clearance. Just when a new tire would come out, I always had to ask: “but will it fit?” Things moved quickly and especially now, tires and wheel options are ever-changing. Bigger and wider seems to be the trend. As an answer to this problem, all my mountain bikes leave 44HQ with the ability to run 2.4″ tires on a wide rim. If you want to run Plus-sized tires, let’s talk. We can do it and Plus has many interesting advantages such as lower tire pressure, increased traction, and increased confidence in tech. FAT? These are rare beasts but when it comes to custom fat, look no further.
- Geometry: My heart lies in the woods and I could only keep one bike it would be my hardtail mountain bike! So I’ve spent a good deal of time perfecting my mountain bike geometry which I’ve come to call “44WRD”. It’s truly my passion and I want a “mountain bike”. You know, the kind of bike that climbs as well as it descends. Is hungry for techy rock gardens, eats roots for breakfast, and washes it all down with a swoopy sweet descent. All angles are “sagged” measurements if a suspension fork is to be run. That rear end is short. 29″ wheels, room for 2.4″ tires and you want 16″ chainstay length? No problem. I build mountain bikes in the traditional sense of the word. If you want a trail shredder, look no further. Want a race-ready rig? I can build that too. But when it comes to shredding, these are Made to Shred™.
- Options: If you haven’t, click on the above “Fit Form”. It’s a direct download to a PDF which gives you a list of available options along with pricing. However, the most commonly chosen set of options are 44mm head tubes, PMW’s Wright dropouts (QR or 12mm TA), 1-2 pairs of bottle mounts, dedicated 1x drivetrain, full housing for derailleurs and brakes with a dropper option and radius seat tube (available for both 27.2 and 30.9mm seat posts / dropper posts).
- Signature Style: Do you just love that classic clean look of a diamond hardtail mountain bike? Well, this is where the Marauder takes center stage. It’s my answer to those looking for something that’s simple in form and balances function. Any axle configuration including 12×142, 12×148, 12×157, 12×197), and any tire/wheel size from 29×2.4″, 27.5 Plus up to 27.5×5″ FAT. I’ve packed all the modern touches into the Marauder and it will not disappoint.
