2026 Trek Marlin Gen 3 vs 2026 Santa Cruz Highball
We can't match sizes for these two: one of them has no stack and reach for the sizes shown.
What changes on the Santa Cruz Highball
- Frame stack
- n/a
- One of the bikes has no number for this
- Frame reach
- n/a
- One of the bikes has no number for this
- Wheelbase
- n/a
- One of the bikes has no number for this
- Head angle
- n/a
- One of the bikes has no number for this
- Chainstays
- −7 mm
- Shorter: livelier
The two frames
We can't draw these frames yet. The Trek Marlin Gen 3 numbers we have for size XXS are missing the reach, stack, head angle, seat angle and wheelbase. The numbers below still compare.
Geometry side by side
| Measurement | Trek Marlin Gen 3 XXS | Santa Cruz Highball M | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | not listed | 440 | |
| Stack | not listed | 605 | |
| Head tube angle | not listed | 67° | |
| Seat tube angle | not listed | 73.5° | |
| Effective top tube | not listed | 619 | |
| Chainstay length | 433 | 426 | −7 mm |
| Wheelbase | not listed | 1145 | |
| BB drop | 38 | 60 | +22 mm |
| Standover | not listed | not listed | |
| Seat tube length | not listed | 430 | |
| Head tube length | not listed | 105 | |
| Stack-to-reach | not listed | not listed | |
| BB height | not listed | 313 |
Differences are the Santa Cruz Highball minus the Trek Marlin Gen 3. Full charts: 2026 Trek Marlin Gen 3, 2026 Santa Cruz Highball.
Where each sits in its class
Trek Marlin Gen 3Santa Cruz Highball
AggressivePositionUpright
CalmSteeringQuick
PlayfulBalancePlanted
Each bike is ranked against the other XC bikes on Quiver, on frame geometry alone. Not your hand position or ride feel.
What each ships with
The stock build of each bike's first listed trim. Parts that match are dimmed.
| Part | Trek Marlin Gen 34 Gen 3 | Santa Cruz Highball90 |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Trek Alpha Silver | Santa Cruz Highball |
| Fork | SR Suntour XCE 28 | RockShox Sid SL Select+ |
| Shifter | Shimano Acera M315 | SRAM 90 Eagle Transmission |
| Derailleur | Shimano CUES U2000 ESSA | SRAM 90 Eagle Transmission |
| Cassette | Shimano HG300 | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission |
| Chain | KMC Z8.3 | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission |
| Crankset | Prowheel Alloy | SRAM 90 Eagle DUB Transmission |
| Chainring | narrow-wide | SRAM 90 Eagle |
| Pedals | Nylon Platform | not listed |
| Wheelset | Bontrager Connection | DT Swiss + Raceface DT Swiss 370 / RaceFace AR Offset 27 |
| Tire | Bontrager Montrose | Maxxis Rekon Race |
| Rim | Bontrager Connection | Race Face AR Offset 27 |
| Brake | Tektro HD-M275 | SRAM DB 8 |
| Rotor | Tektro 6-bolt | SRAM HS2 |
| Handlebar | Bontrager Alloy | SRAM Atmos Flat Bar |
| Stem | Bontrager Comp | SRAM Atmos Stem |
| Grips | Trek Line Comp | SRAM Standard |
| Headset | Semi-integrated 1-1/8" | Cane Creek 50 IS Integrated Headset |
| Seatpost | Bontrager Alloy | Race Face Next |
| Saddle | Bontrager Verse Short | SDG Bel-Air V3 Lux-Alloy |
| Bottom bracket | not listed | SRAM DUB |
| Hub | not listed | DT Swiss 370 |
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