The Trek Marlin+ 8 is the top Marlin+ hardtail, and like the Marlin+ 6, Trek sells it in two versions at the same price: the original Marlin+ 8 and the Marlin+ 8 Gen 2, both $3,999.99 on Oct 28, 2026. This time the gap between them is bigger. The Gen 2 moves to Bosch’s stronger Performance Line motor and a larger battery and weighs almost the same. The original had far more sizes in stock. I haven’t ridden either version. The closest bike I’ve filmed is the Aventon Ramblas, a Class 1 mid drive hardtail, and I’ll compare them below. Everything here comes from Trek’s product pages, checked on Oct 28, 2026 and linked at the bottom.
Two Marlin+ 8s, one price
Both bikes use an aluminum hardtail frame with rack, fender and kickstand mounts, a 120mm RockShox Recon Silver RL air fork with lockout, 12 speed gearing, 203mm rotors, Bontrager Gunnison Pro XR tubeless-ready tires at 2.6 in, a TranzX dropper and a 300 lb total weight limit. Both are Class 1: pedal assist up to 20 mph, with no throttle listed.
The differences matter more here than on the Marlin+ 6:
- Motor. The original has Bosch’s Active Line Plus at 50 Nm. The Gen 2 has the Bosch Performance Line at 75 Nm.
- Battery. The original has a 400Wh CompactTube, and the Gen 2 has a 540Wh PowerTube.
- Drivetrain. The original uses Shimano Deore 12 speed with a 10 to 51 cassette. The Gen 2 uses SRAM Eagle 12 speed with a 10 to 50 cassette.
- Brakes. Both have 4-piston hydraulic brakes. The original uses Shimano (MT4100 levers, MT420 calipers), and the Gen 2 uses Tektro.
- Weight. Trek lists 48.26 lb for the original and 48.29 lb for the Gen 2, both in size M.
- Sizes and stock. The original comes in XS to XL. On Nov 3, 2026, Fury Red/Lithium Fade was in stock online in XS, L and XL, and Purple Flip to Black Fade wasn’t in stock online. The Gen 2 comes in S to XL, and three options were in stock online that day: Dark Star XL, Buff Beige S and Buff Beige XL.
On paper, the Gen 2 is the better bike for the same money: 50% more torque and 140Wh more battery at the same weight. The original is the one you can actually order in most sizes right now.
Motor and battery
The Performance Line on the Gen 2 is a full step up from the Active Line Plus, and it’s the main reason to choose the Gen 2. One feature blurb on the Gen 2 page still describes the Active Line Plus at 60 Nm, but its spec summary and parts list both say Performance Line, 75 Nm, so I’m going with those.
Trek doesn’t give a range figure for either bike. Both come with Bosch’s 2A charger and the Purion 200 display and remote. The original lists adaptive assist and PowerMore range extender compatibility. The Gen 2 page offers a 250Wh PowerMore extender.
Trail parts
Both versions use a RockShox fork, where the Marlin+ 6 uses SR Suntour. The 2.6 in Gunnison Pro XR tires come set up tubeless on the original. Trek lists sealant and tubeless valves in its parts list and weighs the bike that way. The Gen 2 has tubeless-ready rims and tires with valves listed. The original rolls on Bontrager Line TLR 30 rims, and the Gen 2 on Bontrager Kovee rims that are 23mm wide.
The dropper travels 150mm on the M and 170mm on the larger sizes. The original lists 100mm for XS and S. Trek doesn’t list a dropper for the Gen 2 in size S. Wheels are 27.5 in on the smallest sizes and 29 in on the rest.
How it compares
Against the Aventon Ramblas, which I filmed: the Ramblas is a Class 1 mid drive hardtail with a RockShox coil fork, SRAM Eagle 12 speed, 29 x 2.4 in tires and a dropper. Aventon now sells it as the Ramblas ADV and lists 100 Nm, a 708Wh battery and about 54 lb. On paper, the Ramblas has more torque and battery than either Marlin+ 8. The Marlin+ 8 is about 6 lb lighter and has an air fork, wider tires and Trek’s dealer network.
The Marlin+ 6 is $1,000 less. It’s a separate model with the Bosch Active Line Plus: Trek lists 50 Nm on the original Marlin+ 6 and 60 Nm on the Marlin+ 6 Gen 2. Both have a 400Wh battery, a 9 speed drivetrain and an SR Suntour fork. If you want a full-suspension Trek e-MTB, the Powerfly+ FS 4 Gen 4 is $4,499.99.
FAQ
Have I ridden the Marlin+ 8?
No, neither version. This page is based on Trek’s product pages, checked Oct 28, 2026.
What’s the difference between the Marlin+ 8 and Marlin+ 8 Gen 2?
The Gen 2 has a 75 Nm Bosch Performance Line motor and a 540Wh battery. The original has a 50 Nm Active Line Plus and a 400Wh battery. They cost the same and weigh nearly the same.
Does it have a throttle?
Trek doesn’t list one on either version. Both are Class 1, pedal assist to 20 mph.
Does it come tubeless?
The original is listed with sealant and tubeless valves, and Trek weighs it that way. The Gen 2 has tubeless-ready rims and tires with valves listed.
Can it carry a rack?
Yes. Both frames have rack, fender and kickstand mounts.
Pros and cons (from the specs and sources)
Pros: Gen 2 adds a 75 Nm Performance Line and a 540Wh battery at no extra cost or weight; RockShox air fork with lockout; 4-piston brakes with 203mm rotors; 12 speed gearing; 2.6 in tubeless-ready tires; dropper post; rack, fender and kickstand mounts.
Cons: the original’s 50 Nm and 400Wh are modest for $3,999.99; no range figure for either; no throttle; 300 lb total limit; Gen 2 stock online was down to one option on Oct 30, 2026.
Who it’s for
On paper, the Marlin+ 8 Gen 2 fits trail riders who want real climbing help on a hardtail, without the price and upkeep of rear suspension. The original makes sense if you need an XS or want a bike you can order now in your size, and you’re fine with a gentler motor.
Price
$3,999.99 on trekbikes.com as of Oct 28, 2026. The Marlin+ 8 Gen 2 was also $3,999.99.
“The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.” Psalm 104:18 (ESV)
