Quote (fender @ Aug 22 2021 11:53pm)
trek marlin 6? decent enough bike for sure, but don't just buy it online. find a shop that has its own "test track" (i don't know if that's a thing in canada, the larger shops here in germany mostly have that) and take it for a spin. there are plenty of similar bikes in that price segment so i'd say don't get too attached to a specific brand if you feel more comfortable on another one with a different frame - oh, and definitely get the 29" wheels on a hardtail.
all that said, "covid bike" or not, adjusting the brake levers, getting rid of the kickstand, and switching tyres is easily done in an hour, just do it and thank me later - especially since it seems like it's a while until you get your new one anyway, unfortunately.
i went into a bicycle store for the first time in a long while last week for some spare parts and seeing that inside test track stunned me tbh
never saw that before, i worked for two places during high school and saw a few more, all of them had the "try out in the parking lot" system
agreed on the bike from the picture, especially the brake levers are an ABOMINATION