Marin bikes ?

[greenstiles]

Really stupid question, sold a lot of big name brands when in the trade, but never Marin...know about history of the big S and GF etc etc but never really knew how Marin started and who by ?

I even stayed opposite their place in San Anselmo when visiting to ride mt. Tam, really should have had a nosey but i didn't..........???

I've ridden a couple of other peoples but never got on with their sizing, so i guess that's why i never looked deeper into them, but now i'd like to know their story...

 

[biglev]

i dont know for sure but i though it was joe murrey in the early 80's say 84, before he did kona and voodoo. he raced in the locally and was a machineist and designer. I think marin was his local trails adn the norbas? but now he live in aAazona?

i may be wrong but that what a recall from the one magazine i read back in 88 before i bought my bear valley. don't take it as gospel but may be worth some research.

 

[Tazio]

People in Britain pronounce it wrongly. Beyond that I don't know much.

For some reason I always saw them as a big company compared to the likes of Kona so therefore not as cool.

 

[biglev]

found this:
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/joe-murray/13/a5a/b76

Joe Murray

Product deisgn and testing

Flagstaff, Arizona Area
Sporting Goods

Current

Designer, product testing, owner/builder at VooDoo Cycles, Shimano, Sendero Cycles

Previous

Kona Bicycles
, Marin Mountain BIkes
, Fisher Mountainbikes

Education

Graphic design, machine tool technology at College of Marin


Mountain bike racing professionally from 1980 to 1991. Still racing for fun and adventure.
Mountain bike riding for product testing for over 20 years, currently for Shimano. Also riding for fitness and connection to the sport. Goals are to further the Shimano and VooDoo brands through my expertise and continued efforts. Goals are also to gain experience through better management and business experience in my current work.
Specialties

Mountain bikes and cycling. Product management, development and testing OEM level.
Experience
Designer, product testing, owner/builder
VooDoo Cycles, Shimano, Sendero Cycles

1993 – Present (19 years) Flagstaff, Arizona

Mountain bike product testing for Shimano
Product design for VooDoo Cycles
Frame builder and company owner of Sendero Cycles.
Product testing for Tioga / OBC.
Various other paid and sample product testing.
Product designer, race team.
Kona Bicycles

Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Sports industry

1988 – 1992 (4 years)

Was hired on when the company began with owners Jacob Heilbron and Dan Gerhard. Designed the product line from 1988 until 1991. Racing full time professional until for Kona until1991.
Product designer, race team.
Marin Mountain BIkes

1985 – 1988 (3 years)

Started the company with Bob Buckley in 1986. Designed the product line and directed the race team.
Race team, shop mechanic, product testing and design.
Fisher Mountainbikes

1983 – 1985 (2 years)

Currently company name is Gary Fisher Bicycles

 

[Tazio]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that they were one of the longest independently run companies that had survived being grabbed by big business.

 

[mikee]

head honch was bob buckley ,at one time anyway

apparently he rode the 4700000 ft to the top of mount tam every morning