Submitted by
Ecogeek
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada Date Reviewed: November 26, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$369.00
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
None.
Weaknesses:
A true lemon. All should have been recalled imo. Had three of these in hand at once. NOT one single feature was fully functional in all forks. At least one of them had a defect with each and every control or function. See main text below. ATA is 100% defective. Probably why Marz has dropped it completely from the 2010 line. IMO owners of Marz ATA forks should initiate a class action to get their money back.
Similar Products Used:
Various Marz and Rockshox.
Bike Setup:
Slayer SXC70
Bottom Line:
DO NOT BUY THIS FORK! Don't risk your life/mobility for this at any price: it doesn't work. Jenson USA have the best service of any etailer I've ever dealt with. Because of that, I was stupid enough to try this fork despite the wealth of -ve reviews of the '08 and '09 models.
First fork had a loose TST2 knob. No biggy, but I was worried enough, given the reputation, to try and get a perfect one in the hope there might be one out there that isn't defective in any way. Waited for the next one to arrive whilst hanging onto the first. 2nd one had already been back to Marz for work on the ATA which still leaked air and oil. Red dot under crown and ATA knob told the story. So one last try. 3rd fork had massive stiction and the rebound knob turned 6x360 instead of 8x360 on the other two. TST2 knob didn't stay in the fully open position. It too had been back to Marz already, again for work on the ATA, but it also still was far from right. All forks were NEW BTW. All steerers uncut. The fact that two had already been back to Marz means someone already noticed defects without needing to install. Marz serviced and they STILL have issues that you notice right out of the box.
Now having three 'identical' forks in my hands to compare, I noticed that the first one had about 1cm more travel than the other two. As it only had a questionable TST2 knob, versus multiple more serious issues with the others, I decided to keep the first one so I cut it and installed it. First ride the fork seemed ok. But when I went to go for a 2nd ride, I noticed the fork would feel locked out even with the TST2 fully open. After pushing it into the travel, it would seem to return to normal, until the bike was left alone again. I watched it and when left alone, it would v slowly extend the extra 1cm over a couple of minutes and stay there. Weirdest thing I ever saw.
Fork then started topping out at random, regardless of rebound setting, so I decided to return it. As I took it off the bike, I noticed that ATA had also sprung a leak from the top! But the topping out had once again apparently gone away.
I MEAN HOLY SHEEET!
3 forks. 100% defective ATA. 100% inconsitent TST2. 33% defective rebound. 66% leak oil. 33% leak air. 33% inconsistent travel. 33% huge stiction. 66% had paint chips (minor but just saying), 66% had alreayd been back to Marz for repair!
That's really shocking if you think about it cos it suggests that even the Marz techs can't make this thing work right. Esp as the two that had been back were the two that were so bad I didn't even consider keeping them.
Tried to email MArz. But to even get so I could email and ask a Q, I had to enter all my personal info so they and their 'associates' could spam me forever. Then they never replied anyway!!! SCAM.
So the fork is going back and I've ordered a Rockshox Lyrik instead.
High praise to Jenson USA for their exemplary service. In fact, maybe it was too good. If I wasn't so sure they would stand behind what they sell, I would never have wasted my time on this POS fork. I will end up down on the deal too, not just a LOT of wasted time, but from the return international shipping on this one and the fact that I'll have to kiss a good FSA alloy crown race and a star nut goodbye and order replacements (inc shipping).
I have been a loyal Marz customer for a decade BTW. Never had any probs. Gave them the benefit of the doubt on this one but the Suntour takeover and the move to Taiwan seem to me, based on my experience of the 55ATA - which shouldn't really be called a "fork" at all - it's just an ornament -, to have been a DISASTER.
No more Marz for me. I am insulted that it was possible to buy this fork at all. It is a total lemon imo and so I can't see why people are selling something that is patently not fit for purpose. Might as well pay $400 for a potato, stuff it in your steer-tube and 'ride' that. Will be precisely equally as useful as the 55ATA - ie USELESS!
It wouldn't surprise me if the '09 is just a rebadge of the '08 *DOG*.
On the other hand, I've had four new Rockshox this year. (Built a bunch of bikes). One DOA. Exhanged fork and replacement was fine. SRAM have worked wonders at Rockshox. Same not true for Suntour and Marz. Stick to Manitou, Fox, Rockshox and DT Swiss if you don't want constant problems. And buy from Jenson if possible. Any product issues and they'll look after you.
The 55ATA wasted my time and turned a new-build of a great bike from fun and easy to a drawn-out, disappointing pain in the ass.
Marz stole a load of my time and some money too in the process they stole the reason I do MTB - FUN! THANKS MARZ and GOODBYE!
Obviously 1chili for value it too much - cos it's USELESS and so can't score anything for value as it's not fit for purpose.
Overall rating? Well, if it doesn't work and scores zero for value and Marz make you sign up and then fail to get back to you, then it's hard to rate even 1 chili overall. But one is the min score...
Bottom line. Don't even let one of these on your bike if someone pays YOU! It'll STILL be more trouble than it's worth imo.
And BTW, I didn't even detail all the problems (like stiff ATA controls, badly designed knobs, air leaks, oil leaks etc) just to keep this shorter. And remember I only LOOKED at two of the forks and rode one ONCE v gently. Imagine what would happen after a week of hard riding!.. It, and maybe you, would probably be in pieces.
People tried to warm me with their reviews. I didn't listen. I am trying to warn you too. Don't make the mistake I did of hoping. There is no hope for the 55ATA imo it's a disgrace to Marz and the whole MTB community. Companies that make products this bad that people trust their personal saftey to, should be shut down in any market imo.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
RIfreeDE
a Cross Country Rider
from Cave Creek, AZ Date Reviewed: June 5, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Scottsdale Preserve
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
www,jensonusa.com
Strengths:
Plush as plush can be. Good adjustability.
Weaknesses:
Lockout stopped working after 10 rides...I have 50 rides on this fork. Yes, it's the 2009 model.
Similar Products Used:
Anything and everything Fox
Bike Setup:
Intense 6.6...SLX, CCDB, XTR Mavic UST
Bottom Line:
Great fork with a lockout that is useless. This fork does have great adjustability but the lockout not functioning as designed makes me rate this fork very low.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CraptacularOne
a Weekend Warrior
from Hollywood FL Date Reviewed: January 31, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Washing Mashine
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
Bikes & Boards
Strengths:
Tons of adjustments to suit virtually any need the terrain calls for. Fork feels plush without feeling springy and can take some pretty big hits and keep the small bump compliance you want for comfort.
Weaknesses:
Haven't found any yet.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Domain 302, Rock Shox Revelation 409
Bike Setup:
08 Felt Redemption 3 all stock except for this fork.
Bottom Line:
Priced lower than similar forks with similar features, performs extremely well and feels very nimble. Get this fork if you like to do it all, from blazing down the trails to taking those larger drops this fork gives you the flexibility to set your bike up for whatever your flavor of the day calls for.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
prowlus
a Cross Country Rider
from London UK Date Reviewed: January 26, 2009
Favorite Trail:
New Forest hampshire
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$628.00
Purchased At:
Evans Cycles
Strengths:
Felt plusher and lighter than my 08 55rs . Plenty of toys to play with such as compression dampening and travel adjust
Weaknesses:
Can you believe this thing started having a fault with its TST2 controls fresh out of the box and just before I left my LBS ?
Bought this supposedly sweet fork for my Scott Ransom 40 from my LBS and just before I was about to thrash it at the local woodland, the manager of the LBS noticed that the TST2 controls were not working making the fork unable to lockout or adjust rebound!
This means sending it back to windwave and waiting for a new cartridge leaving me bikeless for the forseable month
Talk about bad QC. I hope this fork ain't just a repackage of last years troublesome ATA2 model . Was hoping this fork will give me hours of enjoyable riding like my original 55rs but having it fail before it left the LBS is a real negative .
Maybe I'll save up and get a Mag Wotan next time
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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