66 series classifi ed as an extreme single
crown FR fork, suitable for large/ safe
drops, jumps & gaps. Don’t case,
overjump or pile drive this product.
Submitted by
ian
a Downhiller
from Grants Pass, Or., US
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2007
Strengths: This is an AWESOME fork!! Great adjustments for any type of riding. I've hit some big drops to flat and have never bottomed this fork out! It's fairly light and a single crown. I love this fork.
Submitted by
Chris Weingartz
a Weekend Warrior
from Houghton, MI
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2007
Strengths: This fork is durable, has adjustable travel (by moving spacers) and is tunable if you know what you are doing.
Weaknesses: Does not come with enough oil, air assist is a stupid way to add preload.
Bottom Line:
This is a good mid-level freeride fork that is very tuneable if you know what you are doing. In order for the rebound damping to work correctly, the oil level needs to be raised as it is low from the factory. The weight of the oil needs to be correct for the riders weight as well. For preload adjustment to set sag, it is better to use spacers above the spring rather than air pressure. Air pressure affects the progressiveness too much and makes the fork feel harsh. This fork basically has the same style internals as a early 90's motocross bike and can be tuned similarly. If the rider knows how to set up suspension properly, this is a great fork.
Submitted by
Carlos
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, Fl, USA
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2007
Strengths: stiff and absorbs practically anything you can throw are it or under it. Sanctions and crown are stout and the stance you'll have on the bike is awesome. I haven't kept any adjustments i've tried along the way but stock is still plush enough. I've done some nice drops and only used about 4 inches out of the 6 of travel.
Weaknesses: a little heavy but hey, its made to last.
Bottom Line:
Worth every penny i paid. A little heavy but its okay for any type of riding. Just ride more to make up for the weight. Strong.
Favorite Trail: anything you can ride fast and smooth, up and down, high and low.
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$399.00
Purchased At: ebay
Similar Products Used: Marz. Z1, Dirt Jumper 1/2/3, Manitou Splice
Bike Setup: 03 Giant AC, Hayes Hydros F/R, 2.5 f/r, singletrack rims, Marz 20mm hub front, chris king hub rear.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Seraph
a Downhiller
from Mill Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2006
Strengths: Stiff, plush, never had to adjust it. One of the best, least expensive forks I've ever ridden.
Weaknesses: Not too many so far. Maybe they should come stock with a fender, though, instead of making the customer buy one seperately. Also one of the 4mm alloy allen screws that clamps the axle stripped out. They should probably make these out of steel in the future.
Bottom Line:
Great fork for the money, solid construction, Good looks. SO far I haven't had to adjust it at all, it just has a bit of a break-in period.
Similar Products Used: '05 Marzocchi 66RC, '03 Marzocchi Z.1 MCR QR20+, '02 Marzocchi Super T Pro QR20+.
Bike Setup: '06 Specialized Enduro SX Trail 1, Chris King hubs on FR 6.1D rims, Saint cranks, X.O micro carbon derailleur/shifter, XTR cassette, Hayes Mag hydros, WTB Prowler tires, Chris King headset, Selle Italia SLR saddle, Easton Flatboy pedals.
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Submitted by
Mike Hudson
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix Az
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2006
Strengths: plush, stiff.
Weaknesses: long periods of high speed constant abuse seem to take it's toll.
Bottom Line:
write this as an update. my riding has progressed significantly over my first review, and i've become very comfortable on the bike. as such, trail speeds have greatly increased. Fork has been taking constant abuse on South Mountain, very rocky... every run is an onslought of continuous rocky pounding, with some small drops thrown in for good measure.
I've had no complaints up until yesterday when the valving blew up and the fork started spewing oil like an erupting volcano. Fork is enroute to Marzocchi now. My opinion is, for a beginer, or, moderatly agressive rider, the fork will be a champion... or if your trails have smoothness to them with drops thrown in... like a playground or jump park. I believe Marzocchi makes the more refined rc2x fork for folks who are riding a more constantly abusive terrain.
Since I hope to race eventually, and will continue riding trails that are essentially rock gardens from start to finish, I will move to a fork designed with a damping system more suitable to the conditions.
Submitted by
mike hudson
a Weekend Warrior
from phoenix az
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2006
Strengths: rebound adjustment is simple and has great effect. compression adjustment makes a little difference. stiffness, and plush ride.
Weaknesses: any air assist seems to make the fork stiff. compression adjustment makes a little difference. noise the fork makes when top'd out (lift-off)
Bottom Line:
I’ve been riding aggressive xc and ‘all mountain’ on xc hardtail race bikes for over 20 years, learned to ride in the forests of eastern Canada, so, likely I could be classified as a technical rider, and am new to free-ride equipment... weigh 160lbs. Having a desk job and getting handy to 40years old has caused me to abandon my "beat you up" hardtail race bike love. Riding steep, rocky, technical trails of South Mountain, this fork has yet to let me down. Felt a bit like a pogo stick first time out, but, with rebound and compression adjustments the fork is a bump eating body saver. I run with no air assist in either chamber. Most of the downhill’s I ride involve seat down, hang out over the rear tire, and feather the brakes as you continually "drop or leap" off rock ledges in the 8"-36" range, and make attempts at steep/tight/rocky switch backs. Near continuous steering, line picking, and prayers to not flip over the bars are required. This fork has steered over some pretty impressive ruts, loose stones, soaked up holes/drops that should have sent me over the bars, and on the few occasions where I've been able to let the bike run, the high speed dampening is spot on. So far I've utilized 5.5" of the 6.6" travel offered. On top of it all, I think the fork is pretty. Smiles. Since it came on the bike I'm unsure how to value it. And, since it does everything I ask, routinely suprises me with what it’ll roll/steer over, allows me to continually stretch my riding envelope and fear factor, and since I cannot imagine needing/wanting/paying for another fork, I'll give it 5 of 5 chilies.
Similar Products Used: Nothing similar, only forks ever ridden were XC Sid's, and XC Manitous... parking lot tested a 176mm rock-shox boxxer ride...
Bike Setup: Stock 2006 Rocky Mountain Switch 16.5" frame...
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Kyle
a Downhiller
from Canada
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2006
Strengths: stiff for a single crown, lighter than a double crown
Weaknesses: only one spring weight available, compression adjustment doesn't seem to do much, not as plush as an RC
Bottom Line:
This fork has been a disappointment and my least favourite part of my set-up this year. There are several ‘adjustments’ but I still can’t get the thing to feel right. On top of this there is only one spring weight available so if you are lighter or heavier than recommended for a regular spring the tune-ability is further limited. I would definitely recommend the RC2X if you are looking at choosing between the two. If setting up your suspension is important to you this is not the fork.
Similar Products Used: marzochi drop off, fox vanilla
Bike Setup: 2005 norco downhill team bike
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Submitted by
el guapo
a Downhiller
from p-land
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2006
Strengths: stiff, white, can be converted to 130mm travel just by switching a spacer (at least mine could).
Weaknesses: springs too soft and cante get firmer ones, the compession damping sucks, rebound needs to have 15wt oil to work well enought for bigger hits, air pressure makes it ride harsh
Bottom Line:
Got this fork after being told that the RC2X was over rated and the VF2 with all of the revisions they did, feels just the the 05 RC. dead fricken wrong. The VF2 Damping is still junk no matter how marzocchi rebadges it or claims its better. The springs are too soft for anyone at or over 200lbs, and they dont make a firmer one. And if you bump up the Air assist, the fork gets really harsh on the small bumps. I had to put 15wt oil in the rebound side to get it to do anything worth while, and i still am trying to figure out how to tune the compression side. It seems that with the damping in the VF2 you can't have your cake and eat it too. All in all i am not terribly happy with this fork. I spose it would be good for all mountain use, but for aggressive FR use i wouldnt recommend it to much of anyone. I really wish that i would have gotten the RC2X or a TALAS 36.
On the plus side it is nice to be able to run it at 5" of travel, despite what marzocchi says.