The MX series blazes up the trails by delivering lightweight & durable performance in a wide range of trail conditions. The MX series fits the name because these forks are geared for maximum trail versatility delivering predictable steering control and superb damping quality under any conditions. This fork is perfect for those who desire aggressive XC style damping while retaining a feather weight feel.
Submitted by
krol
a Cross Country Rider
from Poland Date Reviewed: August 6, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$375.00
Strengths:
Reliability - never, not once had any problems in 3 years and 12k miles ETA - great uphill because it changes bike's geometry Price - compared to fox
Weaknesses:
Flex - have seen stiffer&lighter Weight - have seen lighter&stiffer
Similar Products Used:
Z1, MX COMP, DUKE, SKAREB(incredible flex)
Bike Setup:
King Kikapu XTR ChrisKing Hubs&Headset
Bottom Line:
Great for the price but a lot of flex. Wonder why, cause no other bomber performed like this. Thought it were the frame around headset but changing to fox helped. It tends to get better though, the faster you go. ETA is great - it would use a remote though - especialy during a race
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris C
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Date Reviewed: June 18, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Deer Creek Canyon
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
with bike
Strengths:
very soft yet hard to bottom out, adjustable, eta works well
Weaknesses:
little heavy, doesnt bottom out
Similar Products Used:
the unmoving fork on a walmart special
Bike Setup:
03 diamondback w/ xt discs and this fork
Bottom Line:
very good fork, great for xc and smaller drops, but i dont know haw it would hold up with biggger hits. I see this is common, but the dust line is about 30 mm from the top on the travel distance, so it is only going 90mm... for the price, not bad
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Don
a
from Jamul Date Reviewed: January 18, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$200.00
Strengths:
Adjustability and a rebound control that works. The ETA is great on smooth climbs. Air and coil setup for adjustable sag.
Weaknesses:
I can't get the full travel(105mm) out of it. I'm only getting 3.75 in. of travel with 30% sag. Not too good on fast rocky DH runs. I changed the oil to a lighter weight and did get about 1/8 in. more travel(now up to 3.75in.).
Similar Products Used:
On this bike(SID 100 & Manitou Xvert air)
Bike Setup:
Tracer XT
Bottom Line:
Cushy ride; ETA great on smooth steep climbs, but no good on anything with a bump. It is heavier than the XVERT Air. I can't get full travel no matter what sag air pressure. I emailed Marz. and they suggested a lighter oil. I did that and got 1/8 in. more travel. I emailed them back and no answer. I'm still short on travel. If I hadn't stripped out my Xvert's disc post, I'd put it back on. Nice color and looks and cheap! I'd pass if you are considering this fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brett
a Cross Country Rider
from The land down under Date Reviewed: October 7, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
beyond bikes
Strengths:
the lockout is awsome, without that you would have trouble going up the steep ones, the dampening is great, my old rock shox judys needed servicing after about every six weeks, i have had theese for six months and still as good as the day they arrived oh and they look pretty cool too
Weaknesses:
the dial to change the rebound fell off on mine, no big deal arnen't that great 4 doing jumps(found that out the hard way)
Similar Products Used:
rock shox judy sl u-turn
Bike Setup:
giant xtc3 05 model
Bottom Line:
great value. i have test ridden some fox floats, they were aswome but for the money these forx are the way to go. the dampening is really good and they feel pretty strong. for the cross country rider theese are perfect
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a
from Andalucia, Spain Date Reviewed: June 10, 2005
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Bothy Bikes, Aviemore, Scotland
Strengths:
Perfect XC/Freeridelite fork. Bombproof, maintenance free (used guiding everyday and I've serviced them (needlessly) only once...) Does everything you want it to and has stacks left
Similar Products Used:
Tried lots of Clients bikes, nothing comes close to the plushness of Marzocchi. Never had a problem on the trail with any Marzocchi fork, seen problems with most other brands...
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain ETSX
Bottom Line:
I ride the 105, perhaps would like more travel, but rarely bottom out on the technical XC terrain I ride day in day out... If you want a fork to ride and not spend your life fettling, then Marzocchi is the one and the MX Pro is the ideal do-everything-and-then-some aggresive XC fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a Racer
from Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: April 20, 2005
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
This is for the 105mm fork. Very smooth motion and the air adjustability is great (especially for a light rider like me). Haven't played much with the rebound. The ETA is handy and still gives you 30mm of travel. Soaks up a lot of nasty bumps.
For the money it is a very good shock. It is a great upgrade for most bikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Garrett Wiebusch
a Cross Country Rider
from Edgewood WA USA Date Reviewed: February 3, 2005
Favorite Trail:
wiebs6@comcast.net
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Great fork i love the eta and the air preload the fork is very reliable great value
Weaknesses:
the rebound nob fell off but if you find it like i did you can still use the nob
Similar Products Used:
juty TT
Bike Setup:
Specialized hardroack comp with hayes nines mavic rims wtb tires shamano drivetrain
Bottom Line:
great fork for a great value
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DEMO_SLUG
a Weekend Warrior
from SAN JOSE Date Reviewed: January 24, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$275.00
Purchased At:
www.Jensonusa.com
Strengths:
good looks.
Weaknesses:
too much travel for an XC fork. too flexy for long travel XC. dampening too weak for 120mm. poor factory support. I got the 120mm, I don't like the fork. this fork might be OK for XC use, but it can not keep up on a long travel XC bike.
Similar Products Used:
forks that I have owned: RS mag 21, manitou EFC, RS judy DH(1996), girvin, judy XC, manitou six, Mx pro, Sherman firefly 150mm.
Bike Setup:
2001 marin rock springs. it replaced a 2001 judy XC 100. I also tried it out on my 2004 titus supermoto.
Bottom Line:
You do not get something for nothing. it is under $300 with the looks of a $500 dollar marathon. all you are getting is the looks. a marathon is a much better ride.
I sent the fork to marz to get it looked at. they thought it was fine.
don't get me wrong, the fork is OK. If I didn't ride every weekend, If I didn't like to ride fast, If I didn't like to stand and sprint. If I didn't ride over roots and rocks.
this fork is fine for your girl friend's bike.
value rating is a 1 because I had to buy another fork to get the performance I wanted. overall rating is a 1 because it is a entry level fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
scott
a Weekend Warrior
from chandler Date Reviewed: November 17, 2004
Favorite Trail:
holbert
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$280.00
Purchased At:
Cactus Bike- the best bike store ever! Go Fish!
Strengths:
Stiffness, Solid Feel, ETA
Weaknesses:
None found so far
Similar Products Used:
Older manitou, SID
Bike Setup:
Trey Y33- 04 xt, avid mech discs, ryno lite wheels
Bottom Line:
I think the only better fork out there is the Fox. But you have to pay double to get it. This fork impressed me from the first ride. I wish it had some sort of anti-bob feature that was automatic, but the ETA works great. It's definitely a cool feature and makes more sense than u-turn. This is my second bike with Marzocchi and i don't think you can go wrong with them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Robbinsville, NJ, USA Date Reviewed: November 15, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Hartshorne
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
Reliable, easy set up and dial in.
Similar Products Used:
psylo xc
Bike Setup:
2001 Marin East Peak, Cane Creek Cloud Nine Rear shock. All Xt components. Thompson stem and seatpost. Avid Mech. disk brakes, Mavic 219 rims, IRC Trail Bear tires
Bottom Line:
Great Fork at a great price. I'm not a weight-weenie. I want strong reliable components that don't break after every ride. (1,000 + single track miles a year). This is a simple no frills problem free fork. I set the rebound and air pressure (42psi) 180lb. Haven't touched it since. Smooths out the roots and rocks of north jersey and takes up to 3' drop-ins without bottoming out. This fork does what Marzocchi says it will do.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Sunnyvale, CA, USA Date Reviewed: October 11, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Brail Trail
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Stiff, ETA, Easy setup, Looks good
Weaknesses:
Heavy, Damping adjustment range is on the light side.
Similar Products Used:
Fox Talus, Fox Float, Rock Shox SID, Rock Shocks Judy, Marzocchi Z1 Bomber 130mm, Manatou Skereb, Manatou X-vert, Rigid baby!
Bike Setup:
2003 19.5" Bianchi S.I.S.S.
Bottom Line:
I was amazed by the performance of this shock for the price I paid. Performed as well as my old Z1 Bomber with 130mm of travel. I set the shock up per the manual at 50psi and put the rebound at full slow. Took the shock out on it's first ride 41 miles and it felt like it was broken in by the end of the ride. It tracked well, let me climb like a billy goad with the ETA on, and float like a jelly fish on the downhills. I think this is a perfect cross country fork if your not a weight weenie. I was tempted by the skereb and SID for weight, but their flex and hard ride put me off. I am pleased with my decision and give Marzocchi a big thumbs up. I use this bike as a training tool and for me the weight wasn't a major consern. My single speed is 27lbs now, and the front is noticably heavier with this shock (was full rigid). 5 chilis for value, 4 for overall because it's not as light as the Fox Float.
Buy it if your into fast cross country riding. Skip it if your trying to build the lightest bike on the block.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Racer
from Ontario Date Reviewed: September 29, 2004
Favorite Trail:
short hills
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Strengths:
Awsome all round shock Love the ETA work mint no bob at all
Weaknesses:
the weight it is kinda heavy but what is an extra 8 ounces
Similar Products Used:
Physlo xc
Bike Setup:
race cross coutry
Bottom Line:
a all round good chock for its money it does what it is mad to do very soft ride and the ETA make the ride so much more easyer and i can go over stuff i could on dream about before and faster change time than u turn. mint all but weight but what is 8 ounces
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brett
a Cross Country Rider
from Newport Beach, CA Date Reviewed: September 29, 2004
Favorite Trail:
El Moro
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$369.00
Purchased At:
SuperGo
Strengths:
Paint
Weaknesses:
Crude compression damping technology causes spiking on fast and medium hits, poor customer service
Similar Products Used:
Headshok, 2005 Fox Talas RLC
Bike Setup:
2002 Cannondale Jekyll, push'd shock, ck hubs/819 tubless wheels, XT drive train, Avid mech w/fmj, Fox Talas
Bottom Line:
Thought this fork was great until I went to the Fox Talas. Of course the Fox was more expensive, but so much better that it's actually a better deal. I sold my zoke on eBay for a big discount. I've learned that it's better to buy what you want instead of being cheap and always looking a "good deal". This fork is about the third or forth component that I've re-replaced after figuring out that you get what you pay for.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Patrick
a
from Lawrence, KS 66049 Date Reviewed: August 18, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Clinton Lake
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$240.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Perfect for both cross-country, and can also easily handle some couple foot jumps with no problem. ETA is a great addition.
Weaknesses:
Too early to notice.
Similar Products Used:
MX Pro, Psylo
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth Joker XC, XTR,XT, Hayes discs,Easton carbon.
Bottom Line:
Can handle many different styles of riding so everything, this is sometimes a bargain.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada Date Reviewed: August 16, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Powderface (so far)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$175.00
Purchased At:
Bow Cycle Classifieds
Strengths:
Smooths out the trails I ride perfectly. Handles small drops (3'>) easily. The lock-out feature is OK but I don't notice a lot of bobbing on hard climbs unlocked anyway. Compared to the cheap fork that came with my bike the MX Pro ETA is a huge leap in ride and handling. Use it for what it's meant for and you won't be disappointed. Fishcreek, Calgary, Powderface and Moose Mountain Look out are the type of trails and downhill I would limit this fork to.
Weaknesses:
None yet! 195lbs and I have not bottomed out yet. Again, use it for it's intended purpose.
Similar Products Used:
Cheap Zokes Sport & 2004 Judy TT
Bike Setup:
Raleigh Night Hawk, drivetrain XT, hubs and most everything else Deore. So far a solid entry level bike. I ride with about 50lbs on the air side. I have not played with the rebound yet since everything seems smooth to me.
Bottom Line:
Considering the price I paid and the fact the fork was barely used and a pump thrown in, I couldn't do much better. I like riding single track, a little air time and a few obstacles to tackle. This forks suits my needs perfectly. I am amazed at how smooth the trails are now which means I can ride a little harder than before and still have control. I've hit a few objects hard and I am suprised I am not flying over the bars. The forks have sucked it up. No monster drops and you'll enjoy this fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Orion
a Weekend Warrior
from CA Date Reviewed: August 6, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$280.00
Purchased At:
EBAY NIB
Strengths:
This fork is ultra plush, and the 1200 mm have allowed me to ride things I never would have been able to do before. The ETA is also pretty nice for long climbs and riding on the pavement
Weaknesses:
The compression damping is lacking a bit. To keep from bottoming out on big hits I have to pump it way too stiff for normal riding. Then again, it's not a big hit fork. The rebound damping went out soon after I got it, but Marzocchi warrantied it quickly
Bottom Line:
I would recommend this fork if oyu can get as killer a deal as I did
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dookie b
a Cross Country Rider
from 909er Date Reviewed: July 7, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
woodcrest bikes
Strengths:
strong, the dampening controls are great, looks, adjustability
Weaknesses:
the eta wont stay locked down, but i dont use it anyway
Similar Products Used:
lots and lots
Bike Setup:
03 nrs2 with xt bits, and this fork
Bottom Line:
the action is way smooth, but thats what i expect from marzocchi. even though its a 100mm fork i cant seem to bottom it out. give it up for superior compression dampning. i did bottom it out once on a 4ft drop when i placed the wheel into a small hole on the landing. i dont know what some are saying about the flex? there seems to me to be very little flex. i think its a great fork! definitly better than any rock shox or manitou. i havnt tried a fox yet, but i wonder how much better they could actually be than this fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brett
a Cross Country Rider
from Newport Beach, CA, USA Date Reviewed: June 24, 2004
Favorite Trail:
El Moro
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$369.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Smooth action, seems stiff to me even though others are saying not so much, value, quality materials. ETA is awesome!!!
Weaknesses:
Weight, but I knew that before I bought it. Plus it's the oil, Marzocchi had made (according to their site) the decision to use more oil even though it makes the fork weigh more. They feel the perfomance justifies the weight penalty. Plus the difference between this fork and the Fox Talas RLC is 115 grams - that's all that equates to 4.5 ounces of water; plus it's non rotating weight!
Customer service sorta sucks. I had problems with the Z1 SL, finally had to return it and to the MX-Pro. Probably better, as it's a better fit to my riding style. Further, the rebound cap fell off on my first ride, and the charged me for another one - pretty lame really.
I have the 120mm version, but I only get a little over 90mm. I read a message board about someone who was complaining about the same problem I have. Someone on the board reported that a factory in Italy was filling up the shocks with too much oil. I've been riding this fork for six months and never bothered to measure, but when I measured the line of dust on my sliders, it's about 90mm.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Headshok (currently auctioning on eBay, you wouldn't believe how many people want this thing!), Marzocchi Z1 SL (had to return as it would not stay locked down in a compressed position).
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Jekyll, XT everything, Avid mech discs, mavic 819/hope wheels, Pushed Fox float, zoke fork 120mm (or should be at least), ea70 low rise monkeybars, odi grips.
Bottom Line:
Really like this fork, I just wish it was working properly. I use the eta a lot, and I can't imagine a long climb without it. I think once the oil level is set properly, (and by the way it's specific to your weight, which makes me wonder if the oil would have been properly set regardless) I'm sure (knock on wood) it'll be grrreat! I guess I'd give it a 4.5 and round up...
I'm curious to see if anyone else is having the same travel problem I have; post it up on this board or send me an email. By the way, I have my air preload at 52 psi, but a tech rep told me that was too high, which is why the external rebound knob didn't have much affect either way. I'm going to adjust my air preload down to 45 psi and see if that helps.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dallas
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle Date Reviewed: June 20, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$359.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
At 120mm its a very fun fork, lightweight. ETA is handy
Weaknesses:
IT FLEXES!!I probably shouldn't be doing this stuff anyway (on my XC bike), but a 3 foot, slighty less than smooth landing, and this fork flexes all over the place. I bought it for XC, but have since been riding harder, and I fear I may "outgrow" the stability that it offers. I'm sure it has everything to do with cutouts in the crown area.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Axel (the worst piece of crap ever) Marz. Dropoff Shermans (various) z150 sl
Bike Setup:
Giant frame, raceface stem, bar, and crank XT and SRAM X9, avid Mechs
Bottom Line:
This fork is great for XC, climbing, trails, etc. and can handle moderate (2-3 ft.) drops, but don't push it.BUY THE 100mm version! If you're riding requires 120mm of front travel, this fork is not solid enough.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Blake
a Cross Country Rider
from Alameda Date Reviewed: June 13, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Pine Mountain Fairfax Cali
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$340.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Very tunable. Price.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi Marathon S
Bike Setup:
SC superlight
Bottom Line:
I built my SC up myself and did a lot of research before I bought this fork. I could not justify in my right mind purchasing a Fox due to the pathetic price you pay to save a few grams. Since I'm not a racer I wanted the best fork for the money. I have used and abused this fork hard and I'm 190 lbs. Last weekend I rode Downieville.... I'm very glad I had this fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
KBA
a Cross Country Rider
from Tahoe Vista, CA, USA Date Reviewed: June 12, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$349.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Smooth supple travel, ETA is killer and so easy to switch on and off
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox Judy XC both stock and with TotalAir
Bottom Line:
As others have stated here, I've nearly doubled my speed in the choppy flats. This forks balance of spring rate and damping are excellent, right out of the box. I’ve ridden my favorite local trails in succession on the stock JudyXC, the Judy with Total Air (huge improvement), and then the Marz. The Marz so completely outclasses the other two setups it’s not even a fair comparison. True to Marzocchi’s word, they get smoother and more responsive with each ride as they break in. The real clincher though, is the ETA. I have the 120mm version, and with a flip of the lever and quick pounce I have a 90mm hill climber and tech section fork. Top the hill, flip the lever, and the bomber lives up to it’s name as I bomb across the flats and down the hills with a full 120mm of travel. For twice the price, the Fox 100x would have to do the peddling for me to be worth the money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Garrett
a Cross Country Rider
from Peterborough Date Reviewed: May 26, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Everything is smooth, and mistakes are easily corrected. The travel doesn't seem to have a bottom, and the fork is very responsive to big and small hits alike.
Weaknesses:
The fork clunks in the first stage of compression, making me think my headset is about to fall off. Talked to the Marzocchi rep and he said it was the spring inside hitting the fork wall, and said that this is normal. The fork works great so i guess i have to believe him. It shure is anoying as hell though.
Bike Setup:
2003 devinci arrowhead, sram 7.0 drive train , avid 5.0 disc in the front
Bottom Line:
I give this fork a 4/5 only because of the anoying knocking feeling / sound that it makes. Other than this the fork has worked great and at least doubled my speed and confidence when riding the choppy stuff. I'd recommend it to anyone, but please email me if you've have this knock. I'm dying to figure out a way to shut it up.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a
from Somerset Date Reviewed: May 22, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$240.00
Strengths:
For the price this fork is amazing! everypart of it is a strength. the 120mm of travel the lockout is sweet although i never use it this thing is seriously great
Weaknesses:
none
Bottom Line:
This fork is the sweetest fork ive ever riden. ive been riding it for a couple months now so its starting to wear in and feel perfect. it preforms flawlessly. on the trail it soaks up everything and ive taken it off some honest 4 foot drops and ive never even bottomed it out. im light at about 140lbs and i like to pump it up to about 50lbs of pressure which is higher than is recomended for my weight but i like it that way so i can hit some of the bigger drops and jumps. bottom line if your in the market to buy a new fork this thing is the way to go hands down it is a great all around fork. obviously though if your hucking off 10 footers all day long then this isnt for you but like i said this thing can take more abuse than i thought it would.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a
from Charlotte, NC Date Reviewed: April 26, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
new in box, never opened, on ebay
Strengths:
external rebound control, cool lockout mechanism (eta), good feel
Weaknesses:
some flex, rebound control knob on the bottom fell off after a couple rides, but its not a problem if you have anything metal to turn it with.
Similar Products Used:
rock shox pilot xc (stock fork)
Bike Setup:
04 fisher tassajara with marzocchi mx pro
Bottom Line:
i'm a true believer in getting what you pay for. you get what you pay for here, so if you want to upgrade your bike to this, then go ahead, but i wouldn't do it if your bike is high end at all. overall, i like this fork, but i'm sure a fox would probably be better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tyler
a
from Bellingham Date Reviewed: April 25, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Bob's
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$370.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
Beautiful travel, predictability, 120mm!!! and adjustability.
Weaknesses:
a wee bit of flex...but does it really matter?... And the only thing that i've noticed so far is that the rebound control,,,doesn't really have that noticable difference at +/- ends...but i've only owned for 2 weeks, and i've heard it gets better with time. has to wear in...
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi 03' exr pro dual air 85mm
Bike Setup:
Kona Caldera, disc brakes, a bunch of other goodies and walmart tires.
Bottom Line:
This fork kicks ass, so much travel. i started out back in the day just like every other kid building jumps out of ply wood and 2x4s...then after a few jobs and some consulting with a wise friend, i got my first 'real' bike. so i rode galbraith,,,and built some of my own jumps...and was doing pretty big drops for 85mm of travel. THEN more work= more money= better fork= better riding!!! 120mm is a lot for the xc rider looking to do big drops. marzocchi kicks ass, their strong, look cool and don't brake. what else can you ask for? I highly suggest this fork to anyone and their mom.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Max The Cat
a Racer
from Germany Date Reviewed: April 21, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$325.00
Purchased At:
web
Strengths:
Stiff,quality in finishing,works excellent on rough terrains
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
Rock shox sid team,rock shox carbon,manitou elite
Bike Setup:
Gt Idrive full xt
Bottom Line:
I tested this forks against the best rock shox products and even a manitou elite. This is one of the best forks Marzocchi has made. I dare to say it works similar such a thoese prologic and intelligent forks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BN
a Cross Country Rider
from Arvada Date Reviewed: April 17, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Westside Cycling
Strengths:
Smooth stroke; air pre-load allows for a wide range of adjustability; external rebound adjustment works well; LOW PRICE! The ETA works as advertised; my front disc brake no longer squeals due to fork flex.
Weaknesses:
At just over 4 lbs it isn't lightweight but when you ride a few times every week most riders prefer quality travel and excellent durability over the weight a few ounces of water . . .
Similar Products Used:
Early generation Rock Shox, Manitou SX - Ti(if you enjoy fork maintenance and part replacement, this is an excellent fork), Marzocchi X-Fly 100 (still going strong after 3 years on my hardtail, with nothing but an oil change).
Bike Setup:
NRS2 with a few parts swapped due to personal preference.
Bottom Line:
The new Giant NRS2 came with a flexy, short-travel, harsh, oil-leaking Manitou Skareb that really seemed to throw the bike out of balance. After 300 teeth gritting miles and eventually some research, the MX Pro 105 w/ ETA seemed like the obvious upgrade. It was confirmed after talking to my local bike shop.
The ride quality between the Manitou and the Marzocchi was immediately apparent. Bumps were erased, steering precision increased enormously, and my confidence level went up. The stiffness, quality travel, and very low cost of this fork make it one of the best values in mountain biking. Adjusting the air-preload is easy and I've found that 28 - 32 psi is just about right for my 174 lbs.
The NRS now feels balanced front to back and by simply flipping the ETA lever I can stand and hammer with very little, if any, bob. The somewhat relaxed geometry has actually been an advantage during downhills and because the ETA function lowers the front end during steep climbs the extra length isn't noticed.
Take the $300 you save over buying a Fox and put it toward a nice lightweight wheelset (where any weight matters the most). Any product that makes you a better rider, is durable, and costs relatively little gets 5 chilis in both categories!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cory Elgin
a Cross Country Rider
from Eugene, Or USA Date Reviewed: April 7, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Where the dirt is
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$359.00
Purchased At:
Pauls
Strengths:
The travel on this thing is so much smoother and the lock out so much better than what I replace
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
Rock shock, Manitou
Bike Setup:
03' Specilized Stumpjumper
Bottom Line:
After reading the reviews on the Manitou Skareb Comp and fearing for my life after such reading I decided to make an upgrade. The Shock seems to be working great so far and for a 215lb'er works pretty good, now I just want to get a full suspension frame to go with it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan S.
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT USA Date Reviewed: March 28, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Anything but pavement
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
Like other reviewers I have yet to bottom this fork out, even at 195lbs. As a long time Marzocchi fan, thier coil forks have always been undersprung for my weight, so the right air side makes a world of difference and allows the rider to make the fork as stiff or springy as they want while not sacrificing much of the plushness Marzocchi's are famous for.
Weaknesses:
Heavy riders will find that this fork flexes. Primarily due to the 2 large holes drilled in the crown (similar to the 2002 Marathons). I've only ridden this fork a total of 9 rides and the lockout is starting to fade and their is a wierd metallic sound that has developed in the coil (left) side. It still performs well, despite the lockout failure, just a bit annoying.
Similar Products Used:
2002 Marathon, 2002 Dirt Jumper 1, 2003 Z1 FR (currently on my 2004 Heckler).
Bike Setup:
2004 Ellsworth Truth XL w/Fox AVA
Bottom Line:
Compared to the Marathon it is a cost effective fork that performs just as well. I am basing this off of my experience with the dual air 2002 Marathons. The air side allows for a lot of flexibility and keeps the consumer from purchasing costly replacement springs to get the right amount of stiffness. Add to that, the coil element makes it a nice feeling fork. I would say that if you are heavier than I am, you might want a beefier fork as this model does flex quite a bit under heavy braking. If it weren't for the fadding lockout and new sound, I would have given it a 5 out of 5 Chilis.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Wm. L.
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison, WI US Date Reviewed: March 14, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$359.00
Purchased At:
store
Strengths:
Performance and great price. The air & coil construction make the perfect personality - plush, easily tuned and the ride seems almost bottomless. ETA is the superior way to go for varied trail riding. This 120 mm fork and my rear suspension setup allow me to swallow a tremendous amount of stuff, and a quick easy front and back flip of levers give the bike a superior combo for climbing (incl out of seat), tight places, slow going. It is stiffer with better damping than the Duke and Psylos of friends and lighter too.
Weaknesses:
None, but I want to warn those new to the brand that they need to break in before you make final judgements.
Similar Products Used:
Amp (own), RockShox (own) Manitou (tested) & Fox (tested).
Bike Setup:
Specialized Enduro
Bottom Line:
I've had the 120mm model for 5 months, and it seems as reliable as my other Bomber, and Bombers seem more reliable and serviceable than all the brands among my friends and associates. The Fox models I tried were indeed fine, but they made no sense when you put ETA, price and the lack of Marzocchi problems in the decision making process.
Add up the performance and weight for the 120 length, factor in the price and you need a 6 Flamin Chili rating option. A true shut up and buy it product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sandy Crack
a Weekend Warrior
from East Anglia, U.K. Date Reviewed: February 7, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Thetford Black Route
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Moons cycles, Newmarket
Strengths:
Ajustability, well made, excellent feedback from trail, light and they look good too!
Weaknesses:
They take a while to bed in and with the supplied oil I can only just get the right amount of damping.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi MXC 2002:- Excellent forks for the price, simple but effective.
Bike Setup:
Marin Rock Springs 2004
Bottom Line:
Having used Marzocchi forks before I knew these would take a while to bed in. Like the other reviewers have said, the extra travel just seems to go on for ever and I've yet to bottom them out. They look so good with the V brake bosses removed too!. ETA works wonders uphill and they are so easy to maintain. Basically they insipre confidence and I feel in control. I have a few very minor niggles...(hence 4 out of 5) 1) The air pressure the manual recommends always seem to be double that of which I set my forks to. Is it me???(70Kg) 2) I've got the rebound damping at max and it's just about right for me, they should supply with thicker oil. 3) Err, can't think of any more... BUY THESE NOW!
Overall, these are ideal for xc/single track riding, but I'm not sure how they would cope with heavy freeriding ( they look a little thin)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Harvo
a Cross Country Rider
from TN Date Reviewed: December 23, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Sumac Creek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$320.00
Purchased At:
LBS ER Bikes
Strengths:
Very stiff (in a good way)... Not noodly. Good travel. Never bottoms.
Weaknesses:
Not so smooth during break in... but as one forum member said... Some forks require break in... some forks just break.
Similar Products Used:
Judy XC, SID XC
Bike Setup:
SC Superlight
Bottom Line:
The fork went on it's first ride a couple of days ago. I immediately noticed the extra travel over my old fork. The fork never felt bad climbing, even without turning the ETA lever. It was bottomless on the downhills, and steering felt precise. I could tell the biggest difference on jumps and hops. My bike felt much livelier with this fork. The takeoffs and landings were much easier and more controlled. I thought I was compromising by choosing this fork over a FOX due to price.... But I have changed my mind. No compromise here. I love the fork. I'll post more after more riding.
By the way... the new aluminum ETA lever seems bullet proof, and the ETA works just as it's supposed to.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bjorndoggie Cruiser
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento CA, USofA Date Reviewed: December 19, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Forresthill Divide Loop
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
American River Bicycles
Strengths:
Very stiff, ETA.
Weaknesses:
It's are plush but not as plush as I expected. My LBS guys say it will break in.
Similar Products Used:
RS Jett, Judy and SID.
Bike Setup:
'03 Stumpy FSR Frame hung with all the good sh!t.
Bottom Line:
I'm thinking of divorcing my wife I love this fork so much. My ride feels like a completely different bike (a much better one). The fork is way more stiff and plush than my SID especially for a fat, I mean, husky rider such as myself. It is a little taller so I have slightly more bottom bracket clearence. The steering isn't as twitchy 'cause the head tube angle is a little slacker but it feels like it steers better because it's stiffer. I don't know why anybody would want to use a straight lockout on a 4 inch (or greater) fork after trying the ETA. It is simpley the best and to my mind most obvious way to get up a hill efficiently. I have only had a chance to ride it twice so I will repost if necessary after more time on it. Be courteous to hikers and equestrians and keep the trails open!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
The Grinder
a Cross Country Rider
from Torphins, Scotland, UK Date Reviewed: December 19, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Glen Tilt
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
£260 from ChainReactionCycles.com
Strengths:
They seem to be robust and more importantly, they perform well.
Weaknesses:
slightly heavier than alternatives, but lets face it, I'm 190Lbs and these are about 4 lbs. A half pound saving on forks does not mean that much to a large 'ish rider.
Similar Products Used:
Various, my most recent was RS Duke SLs, i did not enjoy those at all.
Bike Setup:
Tracer with good stuff draped on it.
Bottom Line:
I bought these as a replacement for Duke SLs which were becoming increasingly, sticky and poor performing despite regular maintenance. These were my foray into Marzocchi forks. I toyed with the idea of Fox forks but the cost was too much for me, plus I wanted the ETA type of mechanism. The Pro ETAs have delivered straight from the box, the ETA works a treat with the new improved ETA lever, the crown has been drilled out by Marz, the disc tabs were fine and needed no facing. They go BOING in the controlled manner you would hope for and expect. The rebound control works. They do seem like a tall fork which is fine for downhilling and a low fork with the ETA engaged for climbing. All in all, I'm happy with these and people tell me these get better with more use. Good times.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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