Marin Nicasio+ 2025 – First Impressions & Long Review from a Budget Bike Nerd
Marin Nicasio+ 2025 – First Impressions & Long Review from a Budget Bike Nerd
A bit of background first.
I live in Paris, and most of my riding is a mix of commuting, weekend rides around Île-de-France, occasional bikepacking trips, and spending far too much time tinkering with bikes.
I’m definitely not a hardcore cyclist or racer, but I’ve spent years riding, modifying, restoring, and building bikes. Over the years I’ve owned bikes like the Kona Dew, Kona Rove AL, Surly Long Haul Trucker, and a heavily upgraded Triban RC500 (105 drivetrain, DT Swiss wheels, and Schwalbe G-One tires).
During my search for a new bike, I’ve also test ridden quite a few models, including the Canyon Endurace, Specialized Diverge AL, Van Rysel GRVL Sword, Genesis Croix de Fer 30, Marin Nicasio+, Marin Nicasio 2, Breezer Radar Expert, and Surly Straggler.
I’ve also built, restored, or converted more than a dozen steel bikes, from early 90s Scott and Peugeot 26” MTBs to late-90s Riverside bikes. So while I’m not an expert, I feel like I’ve developed a pretty good understanding of budget road bikes, touring bikes, steel frames, and adventure bikes.
Why I Ended Up Buying the Nicasio+
Originally, I went to my local bike shop, Jour de Vélo, intending to buy a Marin Four Corners 1.
In Europe, the Four Corners 1 and Nicasio+ are sold at roughly the same price, but on paper the Four Corners gets noticeably better components:
2x9 drivetrain (CUES or Sword depending on market)
TRP Spyre brakes
Better overall touring-oriented specification
Meanwhile, the Nicasio+ comes with:
1x9 Microshift Sword Black
Tektro Mira mechanical disc brakes
For me, the biggest difference was the brakes.
Unfortunately, the shop had already sold out of Four Corners stock. The owner let me test ride a size 58 Nicasio+ and a Breezer. Great guy, great shop philosophy, and exactly the kind of local bike shop I enjoy supporting.
Initially, I assumed the Nicasio+ used a higher-end tubing set than the Four Corners because Marin markets the Nicasio + as using “Steezy Double Butted” tubing while the Four Corners uses “Series 1 Custom Butted” tubing.
However, after emailing Marin technical support directly, they told me both frames essentially use the same steel.
Another reason I chose the Nicasio+ was sizing.
At 188 cm with an 88 cm inseam, Marin’s size finder places me between a 58 or 60 and an XL for 4c.
The Four Corners geometry is quite unconventional, and because it already comes with a very short stem, sizing up would be difficult to correct later.
I’ve previously owned XL Kona Dews that were simply too long for me and eventually caused lower back discomfort. After years of riding a Long Haul Trucker that handled like a cargo ship, I wanted something more agile and playful.
The Nicasio geometry felt like the safer choice.
I also already own a DT Swiss P1800 wheelset, so having the Nicasio+ come stock with 650B wheels made more sense than buying a Nicasio 2 and immediately replacing the wheelset.
Finally, I personally prefer the philosophy of the Nicasio+.
Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but once I’ve decided to ride a steel bike, I become less sensitive to performance numbers. A steel frame paired with a carbon fork, like the Nicasio 2, always feels like a compromise to me.
If my goal is maximum performance and minimum weight, I’d rather ride carbon or aluminum( than a 725 steel)
If I’m riding steel, I’m looking for character, durability, comfort, and simplicity.
The Negatives
I’ll start with the criticisms.
I understand this is a sub-€1100 steel bike, so I’m comparing it to bikes in the same category and price range. Think of this section as constructive feedback for @Marinbike rather than pure complaints.
Weight
My size 58 weighed over 13 kg without pedals.
I’m generally not obsessed with weight, and I understand this isn’t a race bike.
However, when a steel gravel bike exceeds 13 kg before pedals, weight inevitably becomes part of the discussion.
Most of the 26” chromoly ATB conversions I’ve built ended up comfortably below 13 kg. (Picture added)
My old Tange-tubed Scott Boulder and late-90s Riverside drop-bar conversions were both around 12 kg.
Even my Surly Long Haul Trucker in size 58, equipped with Deore 1x10 and a Brooks B17, was only slightly above 12 kg.
At over 13 kg, I honestly start asking myself whether I’d rather build another vintage ATB instead.
After swapping the saddle, seatpost, and crankset, I managed to get mine below 13 kg.
BB Drop
This is probably my biggest complaint!!!
The low bottom bracket makes the bike extremely approachable for beginners.
My girlfriend loves the fact that she can comfortably put both feet on the ground while seated.
I completely understand why Marin did it. The bike feels stable, confidence-inspiring, and easy to ride.
But I think they may have pushed it a little too far.
Pedal clearance feels surprisingly low.
Cornering requires attention, and I honestly struggle to imagine riding technical gravel with this much BB drop.
For commuting and bikepacking it’s perfectly fine.
For rough gravel riding, less so.
Crankset
Why does Marin spec a 175 mm crank on sizes as small as 54? (168-175cm rider)
And why pair it with such a low BB?
The stock FSA crank is:
175 mm
42T
120 BCD
The crank alone weighed around 800 g on my scale.
It honestly feels more like Marin fulfilling an OEM contract than making the best choice for riders.
I replaced mine with a aliexpress 170 mm / 40T crankset, and pedal clearance still isn’t great.
Warning:⚠️** The pedals can strike the curb when transitioning from a bike lane to a sidewalk if the curb is even moderately high**.
Lack of Technical Information
This one really annoys me.
Marin provides very little technical detail on their website:
Tire clearance
Actual bike weight
Handlebar reach
Wheel specifications
Tubeless compatibility
When I bought mine, the website even listed incorrect drivetrain specifications.
I wish Marin would take notes from Canyon here.
Detailed technical information helps enthusiasts understand the bike and plan future upgrades.
The Positives
Bar Tape
Surprisingly good.
Comfortable, premium feeling, and not something I expected on a bike at this price.
edited: but the shifter position was set too low, so I had to remove the tape and redo the wrapping myself.
Tires
The WTB Horizons aren’t fancy, but they make perfect sense.
Most people buying a Nicasio+ will use it primarily for:
commuting
leisure riding
light touring
A fast-rolling slick tire is honestly the right choice.
If I need more aggressive tires for touring or gravel, I can always upgrade later.
As a stock tire for a utility bike, the Horizons are excellent.
Pedals
The included nylon platform pedals are actually very good.
Wide.
Comfortable.
Around 330 g.
Exactly what I’d want on a commuter.
Compressionless Housing
Jagwire compressionless brake housing.
This is a genuinely nice touch and makes a noticeable difference on mechanical disc brakes.
Bottom Bracket Area
Despite using a square taper bottom bracket, the frame feels surprisingly stiff around the BB shell.
Noticeably stiffer than my old Kona Rove AL.
No crank flex and no side-to-side movement under load.
Neutral Observations
Frame Feel
Compared with my Tange-tubed MTBs and Surly LHT, the frame feels stiffer.
Not harsh.
Just more responsive.
It’s playful and agile, which is exactly what I wanted.
The paint quality is excellent too.
Although I have to admit the 2026 Four Corners colors look even better.
Ride Feel
The best way I can describe it is that it feels like a modernized 26” ATB.
That’s probably why I like it so much.
Yes, it’s heavy.
But once rolling, the weight doesn’t bother me nearly as much as I expected.
At 188 cm with an 88 cm inseam, I chose a size 58 and don’t regret it.
The reach is slightly long but comfortable.
Compared to my old XL Triban RC500 with a 100 mm stem, the Nicasio feels slightly more aggressive.
The front end is also a little lower than the Van Rysel GRVL AF Sword I tested.
I may eventually switch to a Ritchey VentureMax or ErgoMax handlebar.
Brakes
The Tektro Mira brakes are adequate for commuting.
Rear-wheel lockup is easy enough on pavement.
But honestly…
Why not just spec TRP Spyres from the factory?
I’ve already ordered TRP HY/RDs.
Yes, they’re heavier.
But on a 13 kg steel bike, I’d rather have better braking.
Drivetrain
I actually like the Sword Black drivetrain.
In some ways I prefer it to the clutch-equipped Sword setup because shifting feels lighter and smoother.
Interestingly, many websites claim the rear derailleur has a clutch, while others say it doesn’t.
I wish Marin would clarify this.
Coming from Shimano road systems, I needed some time to adapt to Microshift’s pull ratio.
That said, setup and adjustment are significantly easier than Shimano Alivio or Deore systems.
Microshift’s documentation is also excellent.
Personally, I think a simple 9-speed drivetrain fits this bike’s personality perfectly.
It’s a utility bike.
Simple is good.
Wheels
Thirty-two spokes is perfectly reasonable for a utility bike.
My only complaint is, once again, the lack of information.
Many owners on forums and Facebook groups report successfully running the stock wheels tubeless.
If that’s true, Marin should simply state it on the product page.
Final Verdict
If your priority is outright performance, bikes like the Triban RC520, Van Rysel EDR AF, are objectively faster, lighter, and more efficient. (And cheaper)
Ironically, they’re also the bikes I got bored of the fastest.
The Nicasio+ is not a performance bike.
What it is:
fun
practical
versatile
comfortable
full of character
If you’re looking for a steel all-road bike for commuting, light touring, bikepacking, and everyday riding, and you’re not overly concerned about weight, it’s a bike that’s easy to enjoy.
To me, it’s basically a modern ATB disguised as a gravel bike.
And that’s exactly why I bought it.