Submitted by
gino ribeiro
a Downhiller
from newcastle,uk Date Reviewed: May 13, 2009
Favorite Trail:
hamsterly
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
ebay.co.uk
Strengths:
these forks are amazing never bottomed them out and they are so plush
Weaknesses:
a little heavy
Similar Products Used:
fox 40s boxxer
Bike Setup:
giant faith 06 with 888
Bottom Line:
great forks
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gfbitter
a Downhiller
from Davis, CA, U.S. Date Reviewed: July 9, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$290.00
Purchased At:
pinkbike.com
Strengths:
Very responsive, can take big hits, almost impossible to bottom out! Great rebound adjust, stable.
Weaknesses:
A little heavy
Similar Products Used:
Fox 40, Drop offs triple clamp
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Bullit
Bottom Line:
Get this fork if you like big drops, huge jumps, and little problems.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Grant
a Downhiller
from Castro Valley,Ca Date Reviewed: March 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
North Star
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Strengths:
Stiff, Plush, looks great.
Weaknesses:
Alittle on the heavy side but who cares.
Similar Products Used:
Super T, Jr T, Fox 36 Van, SL enduro fork, 888RC2X, Shiver
Bike Setup:
06 IH 7point 888RC with flat crowns, Roco RC, Saint brakes.
Bottom Line:
For the price you can find 888RC's used and new for right now, they are a must buy. The plushest for I have ever riddin besides my old Shiver. Stiffness + loads of stictioin free travel, it cant get much better.
I run little or no compression and the fork feels amazing.
If you are on the edge of buying this fork, do yourself a favor and do it! You wont regret it!
Ps. The flat crowns made a huge difference, I went from a 7" Super T to this fork with flat crowns Im able to get the same AC messaurements.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sattana 82
a
from romania Date Reviewed: July 31, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
wheelworld
Strengths:
looks,strength,adjustability..etc.
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
drop off triple
Bike Setup:
kona stinky with 888rc
Bottom Line:
i had a marzocchi drop off triple on my kona stinky..it was a good fork..but when i put the 888rc on the bike i realised what difference it was...HUGE!..and i only paid 450 usd for it..
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
skylar
a Downhiller
from So Cal USA Date Reviewed: February 1, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Ted williams or Meddow Brook
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
ebay New
Strengths:
Easy to adjust. not much matinance involved. increadible rebound and super plush. I wish i had the stem.
Weaknesses:
cant think of any
Similar Products Used:
boxxer, stance, DNM, Junior T, Super T, 66rc, VAN, and some dj forks
Bike Setup:
downhill
Bottom Line:
Its like butter on the dh and hardly ever bottoms out. greatest fork out there not to heavy or expensive. verry strong. I strongly recomend this fork for freeride/downhillers
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Curt MacNeill
a Downhiller
from Jackson Hole, Wy Date Reviewed: October 7, 2006
Favorite Trail:
A-line
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Strengths:
Everything
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Fox 40, Boxxers
Bike Setup:
Demo 8
Bottom Line:
This fork rules. There is no better fork for the money. Very easy to adjust. Virtually can't be bottomed out because of the HCV cartidge. I overshot a 40 foot table up in BC this summer, missed the tranny completely, landed on my front wheel entirely, still didn't bottom the thing out. Need I say more........
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Riley Takayama
a Downhiller
from Kalaheo, HI Date Reviewed: September 28, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
Very plush and responsive on the small stuff as well as the big hits.
Weaknesses:
Front brake cable routing. The clip for the front brake cable is on the back of the left fork leg. With this routing, the cable rubbed against the stanchion tube. I re-routed the cable in front of the fork and secured it with zip ties. It's a quick fix. The integrated stem is a little long for my liking (65 mm). A stem of your choice can be installed because the integrated stem can be unbolted. Just make your decision before you cut the steerer because the integrated stem has a very short stack height.
Similar Products Used:
Fox 40R
Bike Setup:
King Fisher 2
Bottom Line:
Excellent fork for downhill and freeriding. It's a touch better than the Fox 40 in all areas. You will not be disappointed with these forks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jordan
a Downhiller
from pleasanton, ca Date Reviewed: August 29, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
very plush, you can pick them up '05 model for a lot cheaper now, external compression/rebound adjustment, internal preload adjustment...
Weaknesses:
i bought mine when they first came out, and it was a bit pricey.
Similar Products Used:
boxxer
Bike Setup:
vp free, full siant...
Bottom Line:
this fork has definantly lived up to the hype that i heard before purchasing. it has always been great, but something didn't feel right, until i opened up the fork and set the preload a bit higher...the fork came alive, and i've left it alone ever since. just got back from a week in B.C. and the fork really shined! i've had no problems, and would buy the fork again any day.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sam Lavin
a Weekend Warrior
from Wilton Conn. Date Reviewed: July 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
anywhere with matt
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint....where else....
Strengths:
looks insane...HUGE beefy..ness..great adjustability..perfect feel..travel...just about everything
Weaknesses:
very very high ride height...seems hard to manual...no biggy...besides that nuthin..
Similar Products Used:
drop off triple...no comparison...
Bike Setup:
2006 Kona Stinky..DHX with manitou coil...sic camo riser..odi rogue grips..IRC tubes
Bottom Line:
get if ur downhilling definitly.. or just love to go downtown and huck..dont buy it if ur a weight nazi..and dont buy it if u like going uphill...other than that...insane shock.. just switched it off from my stock drop off.. no comparison..just insane.. bottomless travel...cant wait to take it downhilling...chrome decals look sick..seems like it would be easy enough to install.. integ. stem makes stuff alot easier.gets u up of the trail...makes this cool sound... sorta like vooot voot when it compresses....haha..just buy it... youll see.. and at 700 bucks at price point.. its a steal..to bad i took one of the last ones...yall are missin out..givin it five flamers cuz its the best shock iv ever ridden.. SAM
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Johnson
a Downhiller
from Earth Date Reviewed: June 4, 2006
Favorite Trail:
A-Line
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
From Marzocchi, awsome plushness, stiff as he!!
Weaknesses:
little heavy but w.e. pricy
Similar Products Used:
too many
Bike Setup:
05 demo 9, gustave brakes, odi grips
Bottom Line:
works like a charm, get it(if you can afford it) does everything you expect it to and more. super plush but ramps up perfectally, im 170 and it diddent bottom on a 12 footer that was flatter than i would have liked.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
devin
a Downhiller
from calgart ablerta canada Date Reviewed: April 23, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
constantly demands attention, if the seals arnt contaminated oil spews from the adjustment knob, if oil doesnt spew out from there it finds a spot,
Similar Products Used:
all the other products ive used like boxxers and fox 40's have been good
Bike Setup:
norco team dh
Bottom Line:
this for blows, i have had it for 2 weeks and it has allready taken me to the shop on 4 seperate occasions, its a piece of garbage, the engineers at marzocchi must get some pretty good dope cause whoever desinged this fork is a retard
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joanna Dixon
a Weekend Warrior
from Gaolice Date Reviewed: April 14, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$699.00
Purchased At:
n/a
Strengths:
Fork sounds nice when it squishes.
Weaknesses:
Breaks easy.
Bike Setup:
Mongoose.
Bottom Line:
Mine broke after about a year. Thing is supposed to be a for freeride, but it just breaks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jean Vermaas
a Downhiller
from Ssouth Africa Date Reviewed: April 1, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Signal Hill
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$660.00
Purchased At:
Through a supplier
Strengths:
It doesn't bottom out, super plush it looks great and i have it in white even better, easy to use basically fit and forget
Weaknesses:
a bit tall
Similar Products Used:
Manitou stance kingpin, rock shox judy, jnr T
Bike Setup:
Morewood Izimu, swinger 6way, 888RC, Race face cranks, truvativ guide, DX 32 rims, Ringle hubs Hayes HFX 9
Bottom Line:
This fork is amazing it soaks up everything I've thrown atit so far with out even the slightest knock, If your serious about DH then ride a Marzocchi,
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Plummer
a Downhiller
from Thousand Oaks, California Date Reviewed: March 23, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Tunnel Trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$630.00
Purchased At:
Employee Purchase
Strengths:
Super Plush Big Hit fork, Love the chrome decals and the beefy stantions.
Weaknesses:
i guess you could say its heavy? but who cares.. slight topout if you dont have alot of rebound/compression. stock springs were too weak for me but again i guess thats not so much a weakness as configuration..
Similar Products Used:
Z1s, Fox 40rc2, manitou black (yuck), boxxer team
Bike Setup:
SC Bullit, 05 888rc, xt train, e-13drs, 06 dhx 5.0, hayes hfx mags, etc.
Bottom Line:
This is a great downhill fork. Super plush and it wont bottom out. The preload clips are sort of a pain but whatever.. once you get em set were you like it you dont need to tool around with em ever again. This thing is a monster and it'll absorb just about anything you give it. Huck away on this bad boy. Full Flaming Chilis even though is freakin expensive. You gotta pay for the topline stuff but i guess ive come to terms with that. make the guy behind the counter at your local lbs faint and have him order you one!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Unknown m
a Downhiller
from uk Date Reviewed: March 2, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Llangwyfan ! when it was there
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$730.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Look the Mutts Nuts , super slick , awsom for drops cornering ... make your bike a beast
Weaknesses:
maybe a little high (flat crowns for 50 quid will sort it) but ive changed from monsters so weights not an option
Similar Products Used:
mr T , monster T
Bike Setup:
santa cruz bullit Large ( snapped my medium ) mavic Dee max on hope bulbs , MRP, Raceface cranks , Time Freeride pedals Xt gears , Fox vanilla RC 888RC fork . Be alot better when i get my new frame :P
Bottom Line:
Top of the range fork , bit pricy but worth every penny ! will never let you down and uses all of its travel. Get off ya ass n buy um !:P
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Auburn Freerider
a Downhiller
from Auburn, Ca, 95603 Date Reviewed: February 20, 2006
This is the best fork you can put your money towards, don't get ripped off by the Fox 40, Buy these forks and you will not be disappointed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Downhiller
from Buellton, CA, U.S. Date Reviewed: February 11, 2006
Favorite Trail:
tunnel
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
from marzocchi
Strengths:
***Marzocchi 888 Works*** very smooth, not too heavy, optional drop crowns and direct mount stem
Weaknesses:
pathetically weak
Similar Products Used:
40rc2, junior T
Bike Setup:
Balfa 2step DH, Juicy Carbon, saint, stratos, marzocchi, sram x.o, chris king
Bottom Line:
This fork was an awsome fork, until it broke. I had been using it a little over 3 months when one day after a ride on my favorite trail, I was washing my bike when I noticed a huge crack on the bottom of my left fork leg. They said it was because I over-tightened my pinch bolts, but I had torqued them to what the book said. I don't know if every fork from Marzocchi is like this, but for 1300 dollars this is the last thing I expected.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mudd
a Downhiller
from Fallbrook, SoCal U.S.A. Date Reviewed: January 12, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Flightline
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
mtbr.com classifieds used
Strengths:
Beefy, tall, stiff, and 8" of pure travel pleasure. Super adjustablity. Rut? What rut?
Weaknesses:
What weakness? weight? If you think this is a heavy fork, then you ought not be riding it?
Similar Products Used:
Super-T, Junior-T, Monster-T
Bike Setup:
Large VP-Free, Fox DHX-5, RaceFace, Hayes, XT/XTR, 2.5" Nevegals, 521's, Thomson post, Azonic Love Seat.
Bottom Line:
Floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee! Gives you the ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound! Sucks up everything in it's path! The best FR match-up for the VP-Free and Fox DHX-5, hands down!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Downhiller
from Ewa Beach, HI, USA Date Reviewed: January 10, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1150.00
Purchased At:
Shaka Bikes and Boards, Kapolei, HI
Strengths:
Range of adjustments, Internals, Lack of need to perform maintenance
Weaknesses:
Stock crown height
Similar Products Used:
Monster T, Manitou Sherman, Rockshoxx
Bike Setup:
'05 BigHit, 888RC, VanillaRC
Bottom Line:
BEST FORK AROUND! There is nothing else that needs to be said. It soaks up every little bumb and eats up large drops just as well. My only complaint is the stock crown height, but I have gotten used to it. If you do not mind spending the money this is the fork to have.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Julio
a Downhiller
from netherlands Date Reviewed: January 9, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
tomsbikes
Strengths:
The fork is very smooth and got a lot of travel i can do evrything with it,i do a 5 foot drop and they eats the drop like its nothing.i go to bikeparks and do the downhills and my fork is working perfect.
Weaknesses:
no weakness
Similar Products Used:
fox 40Rc2,Stratos S8,boxxer,dorado,
Bike Setup:
ghost fs dh,hayes hfx9,e-thirteen,maxxis high rollers etc.
Bottom Line:
This fork is the king of dh forks,the fox 40Rc2 comes not even close to this fork,buy this fork and it makes you happy.It will cost a lot,but if you got the money for it go for it,I giv it 5 chillis for its preformence and 5 chillis for overall rating,
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben C
a Weekend Warrior
from north van BC canada Date Reviewed: December 24, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Neds
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
came with my bike
Strengths:
its amazing super plush but wont bottom out first part of the fork is soft then gets stiffer
Weaknesses:
ummm none that i can think of
Similar Products Used:
66vf
Bike Setup:
05 vps team dh 88rc dhx 5.0 chris king headset GOLD hadley hubs GOLD alexrims E13 kenda nevgal tires race face diabolous cranks sram XO derailer its got everything
Bottom Line:
buy this fork its amazing its climbs well it can handle pretty much anything its aweosome for racing its light other than the fox 40 there is no other better fork
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ted
a Downhiller
from Connecticut Date Reviewed: November 23, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Mtn Creek, Plattekill
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$740.00
Purchased At:
employee purchase
Strengths:
Feel, this fork has the best feel of anything you will ever ride.
Weaknesses:
A little heavy, a lb heavier than other forks like the boxxer.
Similar Products Used:
Boxxer, Dorado, Super T
Bike Setup:
05 Turner DHR, 888, gustavs, 729, minion ect.
Bottom Line:
The best feeling fork you will ever ride, you sacrifice a little in weight because of the quality of the internals. Dont worry about the height of the crowns, if you get it youll get used to the ride height. Also this would be a follow up to an earlier review- you dont need to worry about the "clicking" the rebound/ compression is fine- just something i thought as a problem before i actually knew anything about bikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Barracuda Fugazzi
a Downhiller
from Vernon Date Reviewed: October 28, 2005
Favorite Trail:
ROCKSTAR/WorldCup DH
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1050.00
Purchased At:
REVOLUTION CYCLE EDMONTON
Strengths:
This fork Rips no end to it 200 mm of travel and i use it to soak anything in my way with the Risse Flat crowns (I highly recommend) perfect combo unstopable. Looks killer rides killer price is awesome integrated stem is cool plus you can run oversize.To bad the guys who sold me it never told me that oil needs to be topped up right out of the box i bottomed it out once since than and that was overshooting my landing on worldcup dh course in the step up section where i pedalled my hardest to hit that overshooting my landing to flat. Like i said i feel indestructable. Man whoever has a weight issue with this fork is a gram saver cuz they are not heavy at all!! Buy single crowns or switch to an air fork i just cant beleive what ppl complain about.
Weaknesses:
Ok on weakness im going to blame the idiots who sold me the fork for never saying anything about having to add oil or adding the oil in themselves especially since they installed it!!! I can feel the stiction its not buttery like Avalanche i will work on seeing what i can do for that. The shims on some of the integrated stems are out of wack and was told this was common by some of the mechanics at several shops.
Similar Products Used:
Boxxer,Avalanche on buddies bike, his Magura Big Ego feels like Avalanche if they kept on making them, Dorado nice but need to service alot
Bike Setup:
2004 Ellsworth Dare,Romic rear works well RaceFace Diabolus (cranks bars seatpost), Dangerboy stem Woodman pedals i love them already just replaced easton flatboys Magura Gustavs best brakes ever, Atomlab DHR atomlab hub rim not bad, Mavic 321 dansed with Hadley Hub best rim ever good hub Ruffians for grips and .243 seat comfy
Bottom Line:
with my set up i had to play with the feel in getting the height right for me which meant Risse flat crowns... the regular crowns way to high especially with the 200 mm of travel version> Compression and rebound work perfect knobs look pimp in gold The little feel of stiction does not bother me because bottom line the forks works like a hot damn and i can only say is they inspired confidence in stuff i would have never even thought of doing before this when i rode my boxxer Man it changed the way i looked at riding right off the bat anyhow i have them to where i love them easy to adjust i have had no issues of brakage or any troubles at all and for those who have im sorry that you had a shady pair cuz i love them the klank noise fill up your oil ppl if anything ever happened to them like getting hit by a plane to destroy them i would go out and buy another pair especially since mine are 04 s and i heard nothing but great stuff about the 05s and 06s guess what our friend Cedric is riding i give 5 chillis cuz they have dealt with their issues on everything i mentioned
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Simon Lee
a Downhiller
from Seoul, Korea Date Reviewed: September 25, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Namhansansung
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$999.00
Purchased At:
Beyondbikes
Strengths:
This is for '05 888. It's stiff as heck yet smoothe as butter.It takes little bit of playing around to find the sweet spot but fairly easy to adjust. All black tubes and stanchions are sexy. This fork tracks well and inspires heaps of confidence. The fork looks heavy but it's surprisigly light.
Weaknesses:
Crowns are bit high for precision cornering but on the other hand,it's great for bombing down the steepest slope with bed of rocks. I'll just tick to the stock crown. It's a fair trade off. I like it.
Similar Products Used:
'04 888, Boxxer World-Cup, Jr. Ts,
Bike Setup:
Bullit with: Fox DHX 5.0, 888, Saint crank, RaceFace bar and stem, Mavic 729 laced to Saint hubs. Magura Fr brakes and so on...
Bottom Line:
This is a lot of fork for the most. Just put it on and forget it. The last thing I worry about on my bike when bombing down the hill is my fork. It's simply an awsome fork. Only thing that comes close to this fork and its performance might be the Fox RC2. Fox it butter smoothe..
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Veno
a Downhiller
from Croatia Date Reviewed: September 19, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Strengths:
Feels strong and inspires confidence, plush and hard at the same time. Great fork , does all the things it is supposed to do!
Weaknesses:
Nothing major, little high but you get used to it!
Similar Products Used:
dorado , boxxer ,maybe avalanche but I wouldn't go that far
Bike Setup:
Norco Shore 2005 race face diabolus ,sram x-7 , fox 5.0 and so on...
Bottom Line:
Simply great
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mats
a Downhiller
from sweden Date Reviewed: August 6, 2005
Favorite Trail:
le Pleney, morzine france
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
chainreactioncycles, online
Strengths:
Works well, sucks up anything, smmoth, easy maintenance
Weaknesses:
-
Similar Products Used:
2002 Shiver
Bike Setup:
Demo 9 frame
Bottom Line:
I like it, easy to set up and service yourself (IMPORTANT). I have never had the chance too ride a fork (or any other suspension system) with works internals tuned by a professional so I do not know how big a difference it would be. But for me the fit and forget feeling of this fork is awesome, it does it’s job. I am tall and ride a medium demo9 so the forks height is not a problem, it is just right.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Simon
a Downhiller
from Seoul, Korea Date Reviewed: July 13, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$998.00
Purchased At:
Beyondbikes
Strengths:
It's stiff and very smoothe.
Weaknesses:
It's little on the heavy side
Similar Products Used:
Jr.T, Shiver, Boxxer Worldcup
Bike Setup:
two wheels
Bottom Line:
This fork in made with quality in mind. It was little too stiff in the beginnig but now it's buttery but it steps up when the terrain demands. Rocks, ruts, and roots are no problem, it'll just level them. Stock crown is bit high but I got used to it so it's alright now. All black finish with chrome emblems look nice. This shock makes a world of difference between jr-T. Day and night.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tyler Gilsdorf
a Downhiller
from Sammamish, WA, USA Date Reviewed: July 4, 2005
Favorite Trail:
A-line and Dirt Merchant
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
This fork is "THE BEST" fork I have ever felt as far as damping, miles ahead of everything else. The size of the fork is confidence inspiring, a boxxer is a toothpick compared to this thing. Looks amazing, black with chrome logos is so awesome. Integrated Stem is a nice feature to have.
Weaknesses:
A bit sluggish, very bad at pedalling, but you can go twice as fast through rocky and technical sections so it more than makes up for its small bobbing effect.
2004 Ironhorse SGS team, 888RC, Fifth Element Shock, Truvativ Cranks, Demolition Pedals, XT/XTR, etc.
Bottom Line:
This fork is the best fork i have ever used for freeride and downhilling! I switched this fork for my 2004 boxxer team, which was still a nice fork, and it woke this bike up. Now my bike is a rock eating machine, anything that was previously a worry was no more. I found myself charging rock sections and technical sections with more confidence and ease than ever before. It also soaks up big drops very well! 15 foot ladder drop, no problem, 25 foot step down, no problem, 30 foot road gap, no problem. Bottom line is that this is a confidence inspiring fork that will help you jump to the next level in your riding.......PEROID!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
The Trig
a Downhiller
from Manchester Date Reviewed: June 22, 2005
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Available for really cheap if you look. HSCV damping is constant, reliable and predictable. Strong. Look cool in Black. No maintenance required
Weaknesses:
Ride height is vey high. Compression damper adjuster only affects the last 1" of travel
Similar Products Used:
Loads of DH forks
Bike Setup:
7" travel versions with a super low rise crown set and a super low rise handle bar and stem to get front end as low as possible. Bike is a Yeti DH9
Bottom Line:
Awsome fork. The general lack of any compression damping in the middle of the fork stroke makes them very soggy - especially when pedalling. Only a tiny moan
I've still given them 5 cos they way better than the competition
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DocPaul
a Weekend Warrior
from Flagstaff, AZ, USA Date Reviewed: May 22, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Rimmy Jims
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
LBO
Strengths:
Plush, very stiff, nonlinear damping, on the fly compression and rebound adjustments.
Weaknesses:
Probably cost, but what do you expect for an 8" fork? This ain't a RockShox Pilot....
Similar Products Used:
Jr T, Stance, Boxxer
Bike Setup:
Kona Stinky Deelux, 888RC, Chris King headset; hopefully soon will add Synchros pedals (mmmmmmmmm) and Chris King rear hub.
Bottom Line:
I bought this fork, cuz the stock Jr T's 6.75" travel just didn't feel like a good match with the frame's rear travel. All the DH/FR mutants kept recommending the 888; so bite the bullet. The 888 really adds to the confidence this bike provides me; sweet in berms. Took a 6' drop to flat the other day; my clipless/no armor/3" travel/hardtail XC buddies I was hanging with were impressed that a)*anyone* could ever be so insane as to ever attempt a drop over 2'; b) that the 888RC only went through 5" of travel. Maybe I'll make converts yet, that life begins on a 40+ lb bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ted
a Downhiller
from Connecticut Date Reviewed: May 17, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Dominion
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$749.00
Purchased At:
Ep
Bottom Line:
Follow up review from my last one. I now love the fork. Its a valving problem that i have but doesnt effect races. I hadnt raced it when i wrote that review. I now have, I love the fork. Its great and smooth once you tune it to fit yourself.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Peter
a Downhiller
from England Date Reviewed: May 13, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Fort William
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Wades Cycles
Strengths:
Look v.sick in sleek black, plush, strong, not too heavy. Good tire clearance.
Weaknesses:
Emptying my wallet, dammit. Seriously, no real weaknesses, maybe a bit high ride height.
Similar Products Used:
03 junior t (very reliable), 05 Shiver DC (pretty nice, prefer 888's), various boxxers (nice feel, too unreliable)
Bike Setup:
04 Big Hit expert, atomlab, DMR cheiftans, Hope Big'un, Blackspire, Maxxis, XTR.
Bottom Line:
Sick forks, maybe consider getting the lower crowns though, think I will get them soon.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CovE RiDer
a Weekend Warrior
from SuNnY sIngApOre Date Reviewed: May 3, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
first and for most...this fork looks sleek,superb and indestructable...and after using it for nearly 3mths,it is smooth and the can take anything u can throw at it...kudos to marzocchi...worth every cents paid for it...cheers
Weaknesses:
just abit heavy....
Similar Products Used:
2002 rockshox boxxer(this fork is great onli that it doesnt match my current setup as it's travel is onli 170mm)
Bike Setup:
2005 Cove Peeler,Marzocchi 888RC fitted with 5th Element Shock,Hayes HFX-9HD,Raceface Diablous Cranks,Headset and Stem,ProTaper Handlebar,e.13 Chainguide,Aerial Industries Front Hub and SunRingle Abbah Rear Hub on Mavic 729 rims....
Bottom Line:
As the Cove 2005 catalog mentioned,the Cove Peeler dresses up nicely with the 888 and it sure does...on the overall i tink dat the 888RC is the perfect fork for those people who rides a mix of DH and Freeride over the weekends...Although i feel that the Boxxer(as it is lighter)suits more to those serious DH racers but not for those who loves to huck...But i'm also not saying that the 888 is not suitable for DH as Fabien Barel rode to victory last season...But for us people who wants a mix of both worlds,which is DH and Freeride,the 888 is the perfect choice....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kym anderson
a Downhiller
from australia Date Reviewed: April 11, 2005
Favorite Trail:
adelaid belair
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1395.00
Purchased At:
the penny farthing bike shop alice springs
Strengths:
smoother than boxxers, super wide tire clearence, very riged
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
rock shox boxxer race dnm usd 180
Bottom Line:
these forx are fully sic and can handle all you can throw at them. there perfect for race or freeride
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mitchel T
a Downhiller
from Calgary Canada Date Reviewed: April 7, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Gaps
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
The Bike Shop
Strengths:
Great performing fork right out the box. The first 2 inches of travel are SUPER PLUSH, then it stiffens up really quick for the last 2.5 inches of travel. Adjustments work really well...Not an issue like 04's. Stiff & light. 2 year warranty
Weaknesses:
Alittle expensive, but the performance more than makes up for it.
I would definetly puurchase this fork if you are a freerider or a DH racer. No issues out of the box, and when you buy it, it comes with an itegrated stem to lower the ride height. Worth the $$$ BUY IT!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jamie kay
a Downhiller
from London Date Reviewed: March 11, 2005
Favorite Trail:
pearl forest
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$770.00
Purchased At:
UK bikes online
Strengths:
Adjustible compression / rebound, looks top marks
Weaknesses:
maybe not hard enough ? but can be sorted
Similar Products Used:
05 monster T and JR
Bike Setup:
Santacruz V10 frame/ 5th element back coil and Trple 8 front
Bottom Line:
very very good fork, i would recommend to allmost any1, only use this fork with bikes designed for triple clamp. i have had no messing around, its takes 2 meter drops very well with about 2 inch to spare. possibly the price is a bit steep
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
El Chingon
a Downhiller
from St. George, UT Date Reviewed: January 28, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Porcupine
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Cannot Divulge
Strengths:
Fork is super stiff. Oil levels were spot on right out of the box. KY smooth travel. Adjuster knobs actually work for Rebound and compression. No need to put heavier springs in for heavier riders up to 240 lbs.
Weaknesses:
No option for longer integrated stem, for us tall guys.
Similar Products Used:
2003 Boxxer Race, 2002 Shiver DC, 2003 Super T.
Bike Setup:
VP Free with 888RC, 5th Element.
Bottom Line:
So far so good. When I first got the fork, I went to a favorite drop spot to try and determine whether or not I would have to go with a heavier spring. I did several pedal kicks off a 5 ft. to flat drop, and no bottom out. I weigh 230lbs, and I haven't had to add oil or any of the other little tweaks that normally have to be done with a Zoke fork. I am very impressed with the compression damping. The fork tracks very well on the DH also, and soaks up the small bumps better than any fork I've tried. Some people complain about the tall AC height, but on a VP Free, it is perfect. I could see the virtues of running flat crowns on a slacker bike, but not on the VP Free.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ted
a Downhiller
from Connecticut Date Reviewed: January 17, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
EP
Strengths:
Adjustibility, 35 mm Stanctions, color
Weaknesses:
Not Reliable, I haven't has this thing for too long and allready its messing w/ me. You should all know what I mean when I tell you about the HAKLUNK sound. Well, this this has it. When mine showed up I was amazed. I thought what a fork. Now I just pull up to manual and get that feel that comes with a bike from toys are us. I just need something that I can rely on and I don't think I'll be racing this in the next season. I'm thinking about the Boxxer World Cup, looks sweet.
Similar Products Used:
Shiver, Dorado, Super T, Slider Plus, Boxxer Team, etc.
Bike Setup:
04 DHR, 321's (729's) romic, hayes mags, etc.
Bottom Line:
Not worth it. You know the reason that pro freeriders use it is cuz they have the mechanics to, I don't. I need something that I can ride and trust and worry about my time and not the stability of my fork. I just need to feel comfortable on my bike and w/ the Triple 8 I don't
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sheldon S
a Downhiller
from North Vancouver Date Reviewed: December 12, 2004
Favorite Trail:
A-Line, Dirt Merchant
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
Secret
Strengths:
very, very smooth. strong. Light compared to some other Dh/Fr forks. easy and fast to adjust on the spot.
this fork is amasing! very smooth and no sticky-ness like in the 04's. progression is amasing, it sucks up all of the little things and it takes the big hits when u want to. i would definately reccomend this for to anyone who likes the DH or Freeride. amasing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jan
a Downhiller
from freerider from germany Date Reviewed: November 28, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
schuh- sporthaus schindele
Strengths:
very stiff, best marzocchi like ajustable preload, reabound and compression, my one came with finest titan-springs, very light but stiff enough for big hucks, 8 inches of travel
Weaknesses:
the for is very long, but i like it because you'll get in all kind of bikes a very low headtube-angel really good for highspeed and drops
Similar Products Used:
manitou dorado, boxxer team...
Bike Setup:
kona stiny supreme (BEST BIKE EVER) diabolus, floating break, hayes, fox dhx 5.0, mtx-sunringle, syncross mallet pedals
Bottom Line:
this is the smothest fork ever!!! it's so smoth like a mx-fork even under the wight of your bike it is going down 1/4 inch = best grip ever. since i ride a 888rc on my rig i can handle most kind of stunds and jumps. it sucks every litle stone and big hit without getting sluggish. perfect dh-race and FREERIDE! fork
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$ 1149.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
