Weaknesses: Haven't had a Z1 that didn't leak - this one puked oil all over my front disc brake and pads - lemme tell ya, fork oil + disc brakes makes for a hairy ride.
Bottom Line:
Good fork for lighter use (BC xc, drops to 5 foot with 200 lb rider) But, just like my last z1, leaks through the seals. And I can bottom it easily even with the "heavy" springs
Similar Products Used: 4-inch '98 Z1 on my (now-stolen) hardtail
Bike Setup: '98 FSR ground control pro, '99 rear linkages to accomidate disc brake
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Submitted by
richard
a Weekend Warrior
from england
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2002
Strengths: marzocchi need i say more
Weaknesses: disc mounts
Bottom Line:
fantastic fork for use on slightly older frames cos of lower travel.adjustable. BUT has anyone got the white z1 alloys(like me) with double disc mounts (one on each side of forks) because they are not i.s standard are they. they are formula standard 49mm apart. so u have to make your own disc adapter cos they dont exist hardly anywhere.
Similar Products Used: other bombers on mates bikes.all very nice
Bike Setup: white planetx xt hope mini duel stuff
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Submitted by
Al Hounos
a Weekend Warrior
from Knoxvegas, TN
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2002
Strengths: Plush, stiff, low maintence, very adjustable
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
basically what everybody else says weight shouldnt matter if you use this fork as intended-freeride, hucking, urban, and overall fun riding. looking forward to putting it on my new haro x1 or khs rigid one.
These forks absolutely rock. They do all I ask from them plus more, thier limits are well outside my own. I am using medium springs, and shouldn't be as I wiegh 220lb. They still cope, and have never bottomed out. As for flex, this is something I have not encountered. If they are set up properly they do not bob. If you need these forks then weight should not an issue, and if it is they aren't THAT heavy. If you can find them on the second hand market make sure you get them, if you have to buy them new then they are still worth every cent.
Similar Products Used: Z-3 LT, also sweet. Manitou X-Vert, not as plush or stiff. Crappy older Rock Shox, no comparison.
Bike Setup: I have these on two of my bikes: Bontrager B29 cruiser frame, Mostly Bontrager bits with ACS r hub and XT front, XT brake/avid SD 3 lever. Marin Mt. Vision Pro, Full XTR, Easton MG 60, Kore peds, LX/Mustang wheels.
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Submitted by
ryan
from uk
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2001
Strengths: sweetest travel plenty of it too inspires confidence
Weaknesses: but sometimes too much
Bottom Line:
i wont ride any other make of fork any more they have minor faults like weight but who cares??
it just makes riding better, i ride much more tricky stuff now than i used to, it gives you the confidence to buil your skills and try things you would have clenched your buttocks at before
Strengths: This fork is indestructable. I believe that I will break a few bikes before I break this thing.
Weaknesses: Some say it is flexy. It is kinda flexy. But why does that matter? I am confident that I will never break this fork. And I hope to be doing 8 to 10' drops (cement to cement) within the next couple of months.
Bottom Line:
I have really enjoyed this fork. I ride slalom and am planning on racing for the first time this year. I also do some freeriding as well. When I first bought this fork I had talked to some veteran slalom and DH racers. They all said that they use Marzocchi for slalom and freeriding, and a boxxer for DH. After riding this fork for about 6 mths I definately agree with them about Marzocchi.
No matter how much I have done to this fork, it is only asking for more. Waiting till its rider gets better and trys bigger jumps and sicker drops. I know I will not break this fork. And that is all that matters. I definately recommend buying this fork. One thing, there is no such thing as a 99' Z1 alloy, but there is a 98' Z1 alloy. Check the Marzocchi web site and you will see.
Similar Products Used: Besides other Marzocchi forks there is nothing similar to its plushness and strenght
Bike Setup: K2 Animal, Z1 Alloy, RF, MRP, XT, Kore, King, Thompson, etc.
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Submitted by
Robert S
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle,WA
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2000
Strengths: Plush city. Adjuster knobs actually do something.
Weaknesses: A little twisto-flexo heavy(but that's what a long travel spring fork is)
Bottom Line:
Super tunable plush fork. Might be a little tall for the type of riding I'm used to. Does bob a lot on the climbs and standing sprints. It also isn't the stiffest fork I've ever ridden. Would be nice if the legs were a little beefier to match the amount of travel. (Put the fork legs in your car bike carrier clamps and turn your handlebars a bit and you'll see what I mean.
BUT it is a fork that soaks up all the hits, and is easy to set up for whatever type of riding you're doing. Great long travel fork.
Submitted by
Neil Glick
a Cross Country Rider
from Derwood , Maryland
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2000
Strengths: Plush,Smooth,Adjustablity
Weaknesses: NONE
Bottom Line:
The best shock I have ever used. Plush yet smooth,and will roll over anything without leaving the ground. It has great adjustability.The only people who should not buy this fork are the people that are overly concerned about weight. Marzocchi Z1 has got to be one of the best forks ever made !!! I would recomend this fork to anyone.
Bike Setup: Schwinn Carbon, xtr,xt,Raceface,syncros Cane Creek AD-10, Mavic
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Submitted by
cary hunter
a Racer
from waterford, va
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2000
Strengths: good fork.
Weaknesses: maybe a little too good for some thinks.
Bottom Line:
A bit has change since my last review of this. I've raced about 5 or 6 times this year(with the Z1) and done very well in spite of it's weight. I could keep going with this but it has too much travel for racing. I've lost over 10 lbs since last year and figure I'll go for a lighter 80mm fork, too. I picked up a sid xc from jensonusa.com. 3lbs. We'll see how I do with that. I'll give the z1 fork a 4 as to not over-scew the rating. I've been pleased with it mostly.
Bike Setup: xt, 858's,mustang rims, and a can creek post.
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Submitted by
Paul Matsumuro
a Weekend Warrior
from Walpole, MA USA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2000
Strengths: Bomb-proof, plush, smooth as butter, sweet, Did I mention plush?
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
I first fell in love with Marzocchi when I put one on my hardtail. I still have that bike and fork. When I got my daulie, the very first upgrade I did to it was put on a Marzocchi. This fork improved the handling of the bike exponentialy. I have ridden over things on this bike that threw me with the previous fork. I don't care if people say the fork is heavy, I'm pushing clydesdale class anyway, so I need equipment that isn't afraid of a little abuse. I used to run the fork super soft, and have never bottomed it out. I now run it with a little slower compression, but I left the rebound all the way out. There is nothing that will ever make me buy another fork other than a Marzocchi. If you are an XC weight weenie, then don't buy this fork.
Similar Products Used: rock shock judy xc, manitou efc
Bike Setup: GT LTS
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Submitted by
dan
a Weekend Warrior
from colorado
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2000
Strengths: everything
Weaknesses: a bit heavy for xc weight weenies
Bottom Line:
this is the best fork available for the price. infinitely better than my friend's sid and the judy xc. The moto FR comes close, but not as plush or adjustable. this fork will work for almost all styles of riding, with the exception of downhill racing. top quality.
Submitted by
Woody
a Weekend Warrior
from Eugene, Oregon
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2000
Strengths: adjustability, affordability, stability, fair price, good looks
Weaknesses: a bit heavy, does it jiggle or is that my headset?
Bottom Line:
This fork is absolutely the best value there is! It would still be great at twice the price. It soaks up anything and has saved my ass on numerous occasions. It is also nice to be able to turn those knobs and actually feel a difference. I would not recommend this fork to cross-country types (too heavy), but it is perfect for REAL riding. If you have hair on your legs you'll love it!
Similar Products Used: many: Anti-gravity, Mag 20, Palmer Ti, Mars
Bike Setup: Heckler, Raceface, XTR
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Submitted by
Treky brignoni
a Weekend Warrior
from san juan
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2000
Strengths: Firm,good overall quality doesnt bottom out very plush and comfortable
Weaknesses: Too squishy and too forgiving when bought stock Bobs uphill noticeably
Bottom Line:
It feels very plush and comfortable but on speedy descents and very rocky, bumpy trails you need to be careful not to endo.Its forgiving and squishy quality makes the fork and front tire to cave in between medium and big size rocks getting you stuck in between, allowing your bike travelling momentum to override your fork due to its inability to prop off between the rocks fast enough. I'm in the process of changing the spring rates and possibly the oil viscocity to get a firmer ride. For a fork specifically designed for downhill riding it is too squishy and disappointing in performance.I am choosing to ride my Trek 7000 with a manitou Sx as I find it more reliable overall at race time. Will keep you posted on my results.Hope I can upgrade its performance as it feels of better quality than the manitou.