There are 3 distinct sets of marin frame numbers between 1986 and 2004
So. ( dates stated are purely to identify the groups not an exact cut off).
1st Group A ....These are 10 characters long. Consisting of 1 letter followed by 9 numbers. ( roughly pre 91)
Example M885540375
M = factory of origin
88 = year of construction
Rest of the number seems to have no relevance to anything and i assume its marins code for batch etc. There is no consistent indication of model, month or date so far
So the above bike is a Marvel built 1988 bike.
2nd Group B..... These are 9 characters long. Consisting of 1 letter, followed by 2 numbers, followed by 2 letters, followed by 4 numbers. (Roughly 91 to 93)
Example M21BE0069
M = factory of origin
2 = Model code
1 = year of construction
The rest is marins code and i can find no relevance or pattern to show anything else.
In this era, with 2 letters the hierarchy is...
1 = team marin 2 = pine mountain 3 = eldridge grade 4=bear valley etc.
So the above bike is a Marvel built, pine mountain, from 1991.......No sizing in this code.
3rd Group C. These are 9 characters long. Consisting of 1 letter, followed by 2 numbers, followed by 3 letters, followed by 3 numbers. ( roughly 93 on)
Example F13DAC016
F = factory of origin
1= model code
3 = year of construction
C = frame size
In this era the, with 3 letters the hierarchy is....
1 = team issue 2 = team marin 3= pine mountain 4= Eldridge etc.
So the above example is a Fairly built, team issue, 1993, size 17"
The sizing code as far as i can work out is ...a=14 b= 15.5 c= 17 d= 19 e=20.5
Things to remember.....
1.Titanium frames are not included in this system.
2.Early monostay team issues carry their own numbering system, normally starting TET.....
3.There are a few team issues with 2 letters at the start of the frame number.....its not many, but my theory is marin did this to NOT upset their numbering system.....this was done uptill the point the code changed to the " group c" system (when team issues got the " 1" as a model denominator). Marin could not give it a "1" in the "group b" system as this spot was taken by the team model.
4.This system relates, i believe, to steel frames only. I did not look at alloy frames, but it seems they carry a slightly different numbering system.
The original post in 2008, didn't take into account the change in the number of letters, which is key, although several posters did point out the change in lineup would effect the model number.
The system above seems to resolve many of the issues encountered on the original 2008 posts.
Imo, the serial number is much more indicative of the model rather than the physical attributes of the frame, as marin did have a habit of having differing model specs dependant on world territory. So looking at a catalogue from the uk, could lead to mistakes if the bike came from america or japan for instance.
I have not found any real evidence of frame sharing....ie an frame stamped with an identifying number of an Eldridge, having factory decals of a bear valley on it.....i believe, imho, this belief has sprung from misinterpretation of the model numbers and the fact that some groups of frames are basically the same.
Like i said i hope this helps.
