Similar Products Used: boxxer world cup, manitu dorado, rock shock psylo
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Submitted by
Kam
a Cross Country Rider
from L.A., Ca
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2003
Strengths: looks great easy to maintain plush reliable lockout available will last a long time provide excellent tracking with the 30mm stanchions
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
man, what a fork. my atom 80 has been beat to death and it still is an awesome fork. plush and reliable with great feel and it's quite adjustable and can take a beating...what more could ya ask for???
i hopped up my fork abit by adding a set of enduro seals/wipers ($20, realworldcycling.com) and a ecc (fancy name for marzocchi's lockout)kit. man, what an upgrade. it was about $80 from mtn. high cyclery and it's worth every penny. the fork actually locks out the rebound so when you lockout and start to climb, the fork slowly compresses and stays that way. i actually prefer this fork to my vanilla 1215 rlc set up at 80mm because of the way the fork compress at lockout.
lastly, it's the best fork i've ridden. it's coil/oil so it's supple enough for featherweights and it's beefy enough for you big guys. yea, it's abit heavy, but when you service it and notice only two plastic parts (two washers between the springs and topcaps) then you'll know why...it's built to last.
for those of you who need to service you fork, here are a few notes; 1. oil level (from the oil to the top of the crown/stanchion tube)=45mm if 120-180 lbs. and 40mm if 180 or over. 2. use 125/150 golden spectro, it's what's in the fork form the zoke factory, equivalent to 7.5wt. 3.if you get a ecc kit, the oil level should still be what you'd normally use. it's installed in the left (non-dampening side).
Similar Products Used: '02 vanilla 125 rlc, '02 duke race, '00 sid xc
Bike Setup: custom steel ss from peyto cycles, xtr-suffering combo, xt/xtr hydro discs, hugi 240/vxc wheels, time z pedals etc....
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Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from VA
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2003
Strengths: Absolutely bombproof.
Weaknesses: Heavy, but that's the price you pay for an oil shock with outstanding performance. No lockout for hammering climbs.
Bottom Line:
After over 3 years, probably over 3000 miles, and just one oil change, it still runs like its new. The travel is smooth with progressive resistance. It feels like it should with its oil bath/coil instead of that harsh feeling of air shocks. You may not want to but this shock because its three years old but I write this review for Marzocchi support. Go with oil/coil and a little extra weight for ultimate durability and performance.
Submitted by
Lloyd
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2002
Strengths: Laterally stiff, compression and dampening easily adjustable
Weaknesses: heavier than other forks
Bottom Line:
I bought this fork at the end of last year from Pricepoint.com after the guys at my LBS raved about how great Marzocci forks are. As a 200lb plus ride, I replaced the stock springs with the xtra-heavy springs and put in a heavier weight oil. It took me about 3 months to get the fork really dialed in, but not I love it. I don't quite get 80mm of travel (more like 71 or 72mm), but that's the result of the oil more than likely. It tracks like a dream due to its overall stiffness. It is heavy, but so am I, so who cares? Also, the compression preload knobs tend to back out as I downhill, so I just set them a little stiffer at the beginning of my ride - not a huge problem. Not a major performance improvement over the SID XC which I swapped over to my singlespeed, but it's definitely stiffer and seems like a bargain for $225. Great for clydesdales like me, but I would not recommend it for weight-weenies.
Bike Setup: 2000 Gunnar Rockhound frame; Race Face cranks and stem; XTR/Mavic 517 wheelset; Monkeylite riser; Genuine Gel saddle; Thomson post
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Submitted by
Phil
a Racer
from LA, CA
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2002
Strengths: They just make riding happier
Weaknesses: I take more dangerous lines and might eventually cross the line of safety.
Bottom Line:
As you can see by the products that I have used, I have climbed the ladder of suspension technology. Every fork on the list has been better than the next, and to think that I paid more for the Quad 21 r in 1997 than I did for this fork in 2002 is a crime! This fork makes my ride a little heavier, but the fun that is had is priceless. I am slamming into goatheads just to watch these beauties soak em up. I am still in the break in period and I cant wait to see how the ride in a few months. These puppies change your riding style and give you a ton more confidence. Eventually Im going to hurt myself, but I will be be my own fault im sure. This is suspension done right!
Similar Products Used: In order, Quad 21 R, Manitou Pro, Indy C, Mars CL, X Fly 80
Bike Setup: SUperlight
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Submitted by
John Poulsen
a Weekend Warrior
from Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2002
Strengths: Well built. 30mm stanchions. Looks great. These forks are very smooth. Easy to set up on pre-load and return rate. Easy to maintain.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
I'm a 220 lbs. Clydesdale. I've been on these for the last two years and have never regreted getting them. I rode on them for the first year with the stock med. springs without any problems of bottoming out. They just felt great out of the box(after dailing them in). I decided to try their heavy-duty(not the heaviest) springs with a heavier weight oil and have found them even better suited for my weight and riding. If you are looking for a set of forks that will deliver smooth predictable handling with very little flex feel, these are for you. I have bounced these forks over a lot of rocks, roots, and ruts with great confidence knowing how they will feel and that they can take the energy.
Bike Setup: a frame, two wheels, and my Marzocchi!
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Submitted by
PiroChu
a Cross Country Rider
from Bay Area (California, USA)
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2002
Strengths: Very plush, stiff, reliable, bomb-proof
Weaknesses: a bit heavy (still worth it per its performance gain)
Bottom Line:
After Manitou MARS C that barely lasted a few months, what a joy & pleasure it's been to ride on this Atom-80 fork! It's super plush to suck up any "hits" (within the "anything-goes cross-country" definition), and it's super stiff to provide such a steering control. I don't know how many times this fork got me out of sketchy situations & save my life. Just "point & shoot" (really!) and it does its job really well. I feel like this fork has helped my riding improve tremendously.
Sure, it's a bit on the heavier side (especially if you race). But, if you're a "anything-goes" XC rider, its performance outweighs this factor, and you just can't be happier.
Others said that 'you set your compression & rebound adjusters once, and never have to touch them'. It was true for my case for the left-side compression adjuster knob & the right-side rebound adjuster. But my right-side compression adjuster knob would initially turn after a bumpy section, and I'd have to quickly re-adjust it back to the right turn(s). Mine must have been a very rare 'flake'. In any case, it wasn't a big deal, but, I recently had my trusted-LBS replaced the 'ring'(?) underneath/with the adjuster knob to a slightly thicker one, and it hasn't moved since then - so happy!
Anyway, it's a great fork, and you won't regret it.
Similar Products Used: RockShox Judy, Manitou MARS C
Bike Setup: '99 FSRxc
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Submitted by
ed t
from Tallahassee
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2002
Strengths: Stiff, durable, compression & rebound perfection, and aesthetically beautiful
Weaknesses: kinda heavy, travel not 3 inches as claimed
Bottom Line:
Yeah its heavy, it doesn't get 3 inches of travel but so what! Its goes where you point it w/out complaint; plush, controlled travel; durable enough to survive a nuclear attack. Every once and while I get the urge to go to a lighter air shock but then I ride the Z2 and then I purge my mind of all such silly thoughts! Great bike for big guys. Maybe not great for racers, but hell, I'd race on my Z2.
Similar Products Used: Manitou SX-R, RST Mojo, Rock Shox something or other
Bike Setup: 1999 GT Psyclone (Reynolds 853) XT/SRAM mix
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Submitted by
Sindross
from Canada
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2002
Strengths: The fork is awesome. I really love it. Plush, stable, reiable, stiff. Its the same as a marathon S only 250g heavier and no lockout... Otherwise this fork kicks royal a$$
Weaknesses: The only 2 weeknesses i've got is my right leg leaks oil. I had had to change my seals (only 5 months old). And my springs are way to hard. Medium, i need soft. I'm only 145 pounds and the springs are 75$ Seals are 60$
Bottom Line:
I don't care if i had a default seal, i know this fork will performe at its best once its fixed. It'll be worth the extra money for the springs. Get this fork. Even if i had these 2 problems, this fork is soo good, i'm still giving it 5 on 5
Submitted by
Andrew Marcelliano
a Cross Country Rider
from Morristown, New Jersey, United States
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2002
Strengths: Very plush and just the right amount of travel. Strong and sturdy. Great looks and picks up everything I throw at it. Never get stiff of bottom out. Very smooth ride.These shocks are great for an ideal XC rider. Downhillers, sorry but these great shocks are not for you, you need more travel.
Bike Setup: KHS Alite 4000 with full XT and Z2 Atom 80's.
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Submitted by
Dan
from Canada
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2002
Strengths: -excellent seals -external adjusters work very well -works equally well on all types of bumps and terrain -looks great -i think it may actually be indestructable
Weaknesses: -it doesn't steer the bike for you
Bottom Line:
this fork is bullet proof, you can pound the s**t out of it in any type of riding conditions and it just begs for more. The adjustability is excellent too. It feels so plush in every situation and the travel progression is awsome. People who complain about the extra half pound of weight are just looking for excuses. if you're so concerned loose the extra 1/2 pound yourself. The fork isn't cheap but you get what you pay for. If your serious and want a fork that will never let you down, go for it!!
I bought this fork after my stock Rockshox Sid XC's bearing wore out and started making that clicking noise whenever I climb. I finally was fed up with it and went ahead and bought this Z2 Atom 80. Marzocchi is know for their bomb prove forks. This fork lived up to my every expectations. However, I was surprised at how much heavier this fork is compared to the sid when I first got it. But, trust me I will take the weight over having to put air in the fork after everyride as in the case with the sid.
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Peoria, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2002
Strengths: Latteral Stiffness Plush Adjustability
Weaknesses: Can't find any
Bottom Line:
This is the best shock I have had. Stiff as the X Vert R and more plush than the Z2 Atom Bomb. It seems to like the sand, has minimal wash out and absorbs the big and small bumps. It doesn't like the big drops, bottoms out when getting big air (4 feet or more). It is heavier that some XC forks but is well worth it. If you are a serious XC rider or racer, get this fork. If you like big big drops or North Shore riding, stay away.
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Superlite, Full XTR, Raceface cranks, Monkeylite low riser carbon bar, Thomson stem & post, Chris king hubs, Mavic 517 rims, IRC mythos, WTB Ti 98 saddle, Chris King headset, 747 pedals, THE fender
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Submitted by
ed
from gainesville, fl, us
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2001
Strengths: over-built, tech support
Weaknesses: creaky steerer, preload, mushy, cost
Bottom Line:
An expensive, unexceptional fork. Can't possibly believe that guys are paying $400 or more for these things. Came with super-soft springs so I had to cough up another $55 for the heavy springs & the old girl still sags like mad. Preload is simply nonexistent. Simply can't handle the abuse I embrace. Good forks for grandma, but not performance oriented. Wait til the price goes way down or get some mid-grade Rock Shanks.