The Z.1 freeride series represents the pinnacle in long travel single crown design. The first Z.1, introduced in 1996, started the freeride movement by allowing riders to perform beyond their previous capabilities which were hampered by poorly performing products. The new Z.1 is made for riders who still love the up hill climbs as much as the downhill’s and allaround riding performance is the difference between a good ride and a great one. We feel that the new Z.1 freeride series unleashes performance demanded by today’s cutting edge riders.
Submitted by
dman3540
a Cross Country Rider
from SoCal, USA Date Reviewed: September 3, 2008
Favorite Trail:
The Buffalo! See GEOladders!
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
MTBR
Strengths:
super plush, lots of travel, took everything i could throw at it and more
Weaknesses:
ECC climb control was kinda wack in the sense that by locking out the travel in the lowest possible setting, the angle of the headtube was changed so dramatically that it actually made it harder to climb. I just climbed in full extention and it was all good!
Similar Products Used:
Manitou 2 (POS with the old skool elastomers, HA)
Rock Shox Psylo Race (that gold thing, it was cool)
More recently, the 03 model Marz Z1 FR SL, which i think was a little lighter, but im kinda the type of person that loves the latest and greatest so i upgraded to the 04. The color scheme worked better with my bike too, HA!
Bike Setup:
06 Heckler, Marz, full XTR
Bottom Line:
I loved this fork up until last month when the seals finally went on one of the legs. Im so bummed. Whats worse is i dont think Marz makes anything like this anymore, unless you go to a Q20 axle, which i think i want to stay away from. I loved the weight of this fork in relation to its travel. It was stiff as hell too! I rode this thing when i was a big fat turd at 360 and i raced this thing at 200 pounds too and it took everything and anything i could possibly throw at it. Even the unexpected drops where i would totally biff it. This thing loved to take a beating.
My only problem now that the seal is busted in the one leg..... do i send it in for repair, try to find another one, or switch to something a little lighter, maybe a Fox Float or something. I love the feeling of air forks.
If anyones got some advice they can throw my way, im all ears!!!
DTM
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Champ
a Weekend Warrior
from Escondido,CA,USA Date Reviewed: March 9, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Daley Ranch
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
This fork is great for bigger riders. I have tried spring loaded forks and loaded the stiffest springs, changed the oil wt. and nothing compares to the tuneability of this fork. It handles some freakish downhills incredibly well after initial adjustments are dialed it this fork is to good to describe.
Weaknesses:
Lack of tuning information from Answer Products.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Super Elite, Manitou Sherman, Manitou Magnum, Rock Shox Judy, Rock Shock Quad 21R
Bike Setup:
2005 Cannondale Prophet 4000, Monkey lite 2 riser bars, avid Juicy Sevens, XTR Cranks, Shifters, Derailleurs, Mavic Crossland XL wheels, Thompson elite post, crank bros mallet M pedals.
Bottom Line:
This fork is a must for the bigger guys tired of bottoming out with spring oil forks of similar travel lines. At 6'1" 230 and very athletically built, I wanted a fork that I could feel confident with - The freeride SL delivers.....
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Submitted by
Stevo
a
from Issaquah, WA Date Reviewed: August 1, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Smoke -n- Mirrors
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
very light for a Marzocchi, plenty of travel, price is right, looks cool
Weaknesses:
setting the positive and negative air pressure
Similar Products Used:
Manitou SXR, Marzocchi MX Comp ETA
Bike Setup:
Titus Loco-Moto with Fox shock
Bottom Line:
I see a number of the other reviewers are 200+ lbs. I'm a scrawny 160lbs (low body fat with muscle and charges up those hills). I've set the fork to the manufacturer's specs and it's too stiff. I've bled the air for a more plush ride and the fork doesn't expand back to full extension on the downhills. I dunno, maybe it works better for heavier riders. My Manitou and other Marzocchi are oil/spring and seem to work much better for lighter riders.
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Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: July 1, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Dreamy Draw area ,1A
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Slippery Pig
Strengths:
Plush ride, and stiff stanchions. Endless travel With proper air pressure. Very light for the amount of performance, and 130mm of travel (the spring version is about a lb heavier).
Weaknesses:
ECC5 is tempermental and does not always lock out, but no chilli loss is deserved.
Similar Products Used:
Nothing of this callibur (2 rock shock judy's 1999, and 2001).
Bike Setup:
Giant VT1, full XT Hydraulic, Mavic 823's with Continental Vertical Tubeless tires, Thompson Stem and Seat post, and this amazing fork.
Bottom Line:
This fork is amazing, I go about 230, and have 32 lbs in the positive, and 150lbs in the negative chambers, and I use all but about 3/8ths" of the endless travel on my normal ride. I have bottomed out on a couple of occasions, but never felt it. Find a pressure that works for you and ride ride ride.
Others complain about the pump adapter , but remember that it is necissary to fit the 2 valves on the left, and the ECC5 switch on the right.
Buy this fork if
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
20tooth
a Weekend Warrior
from Halifax, NS, Canada Date Reviewed: May 14, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
Excellent travel, stiff, strong, etc.
Weaknesses:
Pretty heavy, no compression adjustment. Need the special pump adapter.
Similar Products Used:
2004 Mantiou Black platinum, 1997 Z2 bomber...
Bottom Line:
I found something out while adjusting my fork that I'm sure other people will enjoy knowing (it seems abvious when you read it):
When adjusting the air pressure with a fork pump and the special adapter, ensure that you cycle the fork a little (compress and release) while doing this adjustment.
I was initially trying to dial my fork in without cycling the fork while adjusting the pressure (the pressure in the fork can be as much as 50 psi lower than the reading!). I didn't get much of a change in the feel of the fork. Once I adjusted the pressure while cycling it, it was great.
I had a lot of top out since the fork was new, and the following pressure settings have eliminated it. I'm about 200 pounds and run about 27 psi for each positive chamber (left and right leg, dont forget about the right leg). Its low pressure but I like it plush and I'm not bottoming out. I'm running about 150 psi in the negative chamber, which is a little high but works very nicely and gets rid of the harsh top-out.
These new setting have changed this fork into an absolute machine on the trail. I would say the travel is better than the oil bath manitou I had before this, which was also excellent.
This problem may relate to the Fox pump I was using, but either way its still a good practice to do it the way I described.
Marzocchi forks have been very dependable for my over the last 7+ years. They're a little heavier but worth it, especially if you're into long rough epic rides as I am.
Now go adjust yours and go riding!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
peter Disbury
a Weekend Warrior
from Walnut Creek, CA, USA Date Reviewed: April 11, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Flume trail, Lake Tahoe
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
jenson usa
Strengths:
Stiff, highly adjustable with the positive/negative air chambers and ECC cartridge. Ultra smoooooooooooooth!!
Weaknesses:
Not enough of them out in the world to admire!
Similar Products Used:
MX Pro 120mm w/ETA good fork too, MX Comp 105mm w/ETA
Bike Setup:
Giant VT 1 w/ Manitou Swinger 3 way air shock, Truvativ Stylo Team crankset, Sram X9 drivetrain, Avid 7" discs front and rear, Thomson front and rear, Hope hubs on Mavic 819 rims, Continental 2.3 trail tyres and Answer pro taper 2" bar.
Bottom Line:
Superb fork with fantabulous amazing feel on the trail and compared to the Fox Talus RLC well..................what comparison (Marzocchi rules!!) The Fox, although considered a free ride hard trail fork is fine for the light weight weenies who complain about a miligram here and there. I need a reliable solid fork under my large frame that supports my 235 6ft 6in body. The Fox Vanilla is a good fork if you weigh around 120 lbs and stand around 5ft 3 but otherwise the fork is very disappointing for us clydesdale riders. Marzocchi is my number 1 choice and although the other competitors make good products well..................................yeah you know my answer.
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Submitted by
aeneas
a Racer
from concord, nh Date Reviewed: February 15, 2005
Favorite Trail:
gas can loop
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$360.00
Purchased At:
jensonusa.com
Strengths:
stiffness, travel, weight, size, ecc5, doppio air
Weaknesses:
its a marzocchi, this insults me to even assosiate this company with this word
1999 k2 razorback team hardtail with full xtr and avid discs
Bottom Line:
great fork, i have yet to ride it, as my bike is in pieces right now, and will further review this in the spring, but from what i have seen and what i know about the fork, and marzocchi, its gonna be killer. great price for the value.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Osan AFB Korea Date Reviewed: November 29, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Bobs Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Jensonusa
Strengths:
Stiffnes and 32mm stanchion. Very Plush. ECC allows on the go adjustment. ETA is a nice feature also.
Weaknesses:
Need for adapter to put air in fork. Manual is very poor regarding recommended pressures. On second thought the manual is lacking all together. Very tall fork. What did I expect at 130mm.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shock, Manitou , Marzocchi
Bike Setup:
S/C Heckler w/ 5th element coil & Marzocchi FR SL. Sram X7/X9 shifter derailer, LX cranks w/ bashring, Avid mech. brakes. Set up for agressive trail ride
Bottom Line:
I never review a product I have not used less then 90 days. I installed it today and went for a ride. Very nice. I was impressed how well it wokred without being broken in.
I was looking for a end of the year deal and Jenson had The FR SL for 350. I am very pleased with the purchase.
This fork rocks. I am really impressed with the stiffness of the FR SL. I immediately felt confident with this fork on the front. I hit some rough down hills today and was aiming for the really rough sections. It blew my old Marzocchi MX pro away performance wise. WOW. For the dollar value outstanding.
The stiffest for I have ever ridden. I have owned two Psylos and a Mx pro. Also some older Manitous.
I even contemplated a 2005 Talas but I am happy with my decison. I have never spent more then 400$ for a fork and did not plan on it if it could be avoided. I ride alot and fairly hard but I am still very budget minded. The new technology is awesome but expensive. It always trickles down so I wait and see. This fork is vitually unchanged from last year and it had good reviews for 2003.
I am posting this review primarily to say if you were thinking about getting one do it. You will be able to find one on clearance for sure.
Thanks to all the individuals who post there reviews. I use these reviews. We the rider knows what works. I also was very greatful for all the set up info in the reviews. It made it a snap to get the fork set up. I will play with it for a while but it is pretty sweet right now.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric P
a Cross Country Rider
from Lakewood Date Reviewed: November 23, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Elk Meadows
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Classifieds MTBReview
Strengths:
Plush, stiff, never whimpers. Looks great
Weaknesses:
Why complain... I own one of the best suspension forks on the market.
Similar Products Used:
'03 Sherman Firefly, Fox Float 100, '02 Psylo
Bike Setup:
2003 Giant AC-1 with parts swapped to accomodate more of a cross-country riding style. XT hubs/Mavic 317 wheels. Mythos tires. Xpedo pedals. Avid 6" discs. Brought the weight down a lot.
Bottom Line:
I love the fork. It serves well as an all-day trail-riding fork, and it doesn't fail me when the going gets pretty rough. Love using the ECC for climbing... the geometry changes so much and keeps the front wheel on the ground. My only concern is the oil level. I think it came with too little oil in the system. When the bike has been sitting in the garage and I'm ready to go ride, I have to give it a few pumps to get oil flowing through the damping valves. Then likewise, if I have been riding over smooth terrain (anything that doesn't provoke at least half travel stroke) the oil settles and there is no damping until I hit some larger bumps and get it flowing again. I have never had that problem with any other fork, so I can only assume it's not "supposed to be that way." I have no clue how to add oil or what kind of oil to add, but I guess I can read the manual whenever I get around to it. Yeah, six months of riding and I haven't bothered yet. Other than that miniscule detail, I would say the fork will be around for along time. Holds air like an underground gas deposit, silent and dark until man comes along and taps it. What? I don't know.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Warrenton, VA, USA Date Reviewed: October 12, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$399.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Extremely stiff and strong. Adjustability. Looks the business. ECC knob is very useful once you get your + & - set up correctly. Takes bigger hits with aplomb. Climbs OK.
Weaknesses:
A bit hard to get the + and - air settings set correctly. I'm 200lbs even, and the suggested settings were absolutely terrible. Way too much preload w/ too little rebound caused loud, clunky top-outs under pretty much any circumstance. After several rides, I've found what I consider to be the right combination for me: 145 negative and 37 positive, with the ECC knob typically set on 3 or 4 (with 5 being fully extended & 1 being locked out). Takes a while to break in the seals (a bit sticky the first few rides). A little rough on the high frequency bumps.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Flick, Manitou Firefly.
Bike Setup:
'04 MC San Andreas XC, Z1 FR SL ECC, Vanilla RC shock, 8" avid front, 6" avid rear, Evolve cranks, Rhyno Lite rims, etc...
Bottom Line:
A very nice fork for the dough, once you get the settings figured out. Once you find your settings, it's all cake. Good stuff. Five for value, four overall.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chad
a Cross Country Rider
from Loveland, CO Date Reviewed: September 15, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Devil's Backbone/Hall Ranch
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$425.00
Purchased At:
mtbr.com
Strengths:
Stiff, sexy and plush. ECC5.Integrated fender option.
Weaknesses:
doppio air a little hard to set up...but that doesn't mean it doesn't work well.
I love this fork. It's good looking, works very well, tracks well and the adjustability is great. ECC is a great option (as is ETA) and I use it frequently. It's a truely on the fly option. It took some hours to break in the seals, but now they are smooth and silky. The dual air has been an experiment, but I like it for it's tuneability. It's hard to swap out coils but I can quickly change the air pressure if I want a diff setting.
I would highly recommend this fork and any other Marzocchi product, as they are top quality.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA Date Reviewed: August 13, 2004
Custom Ventana El Saltamontes, Romic rear, and everything else that you could think of to make this ride absolutely trick
Bottom Line:
From the first day I rode on this fork, it's been heavenly. I keep reading that the more you ride, the more plush it becomes. . . if this is true, well DAAAAMMMMNNNN! From roots, to rocks, to darn near everything; it just eats it all up and lets you focus on the trail. The lock-down truely changes the feel of the bike by changing the headtube angle and allows me to climb anything my mind will allow. Just a great product. . .keep it up 'Zoke!
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Submitted by
Kelly
a Weekend Warrior
from NY Date Reviewed: June 29, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Plattekill, Shindagin, Fell Mt.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
auction
Strengths:
Stiff, adjustable and it looks killer, easy to get to the ecc knob on the right side.
Weaknesses:
Just not as plush as a Marz. coil fork, and it has the linear-ness (lack of progressiveness) of a coil fork. Maybe I should have gotten a coil fork? Sits a bit high (axle to crown seems high).
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi coil fork - '02 Z1 with HSVC valved cartridges in both sides, and an old Girvin Chubby!
Bike Setup:
Currently on an XL Heckler w/5th coil, xt 8-sp shifters, avid mechanicals, xt disc hubs laced to F519's and Nokian 2.3's or heavy duty wheels w/Michelin 2.8's, 20/32/bash (RF is great), other light-ish stuff
Bottom Line:
This is the first air fork I've ever ridden, and I just have to say (again) that it is not as plush as a coil/oil fork. It is really nice, don't get me wrong. It is hella stiff - way stiffer than the '02 Z1, and that counts a lot 'cause I'm big at 225. But at speed over any rough stuff the air fork is simply not as plush as the coil, even if I pump up the negative to 150 +/- and leave the positive below 25 on both sides.. Since I tend to do a lot of rough speed riding, it counts. And the linear nature of the compression means that I tend to bottom the fork more than a coil fork, even if I've pumped the air up - the zip tie always seems to end up abutting the crown at the top of the stanchion. Jumping? It will top hard for me at anything over 2-3 feet if I land a bit nose-heavy, even pumped up to over 50 psi positive. But it is light and stiff. I like the fork pretty well, but it is not perfect, and it is still a bit pricey, so 4x4 today, which is still pretty good, just not perfect.
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Submitted by
Champ
a Weekend Warrior
from Escondido,CA,USA Date Reviewed: March 27, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Sycamore Canyon
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Great Travel, love the 5 stage ecc, Great for a bigger rider, 245lbs, no problems at all....I love the pos/neg air, easy to set up after a few test rides....
Weaknesses:
none yet...(except the price =) Worth every penny....
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Super, with lock out. Manitou Magnum, Cannondale Headshock Ultra, Rock Shok Q21R (a long time ago =)
Bike Setup:
2002 Cannondale 900SL, XTR crankset,shifters,cassette,Mavic 317 with XT hubs,Fox FloatL.
Bottom Line:
After destroying the seals on my Headshock and constantly having to upgrade springs on the Manitou this Fork is the Real Deal, I definitely recommend this fork for aggressive riders and riders that are over 200lbs.....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Richard Griffin
a Weekend Warrior
from Forida Date Reviewed: February 21, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Reddick, Alafia,Bellveiw
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
It's a Marzocchi, it look's tough, 130mm of true plush travel.
Weaknesses:
It takes a little while to set up the + and - air that you put in the fork, besides that I have had no problems...
Bike Setup:
2003 Enduro w/xtr casette,xtr front and rear derailleur,marzocchi z1 fr sl,hope disc 8in rotor in front and 7in the back,thompson seat post,thompson stem, easton XC monkey bar,and mavic wheels...29 1/2 pounds all together...
Bottom Line:
I weight 225Lbs and after I read all the reviews on the 2003 Marzocchi Z1 FR SL, I felt assurance that this fork would be the right one for me.I have taken some serious drops and never even a sign of bottoming out.Lock it out at 30mm and go up any hill you want.What also is so awesome about this fork is that it is just as good for cross country riding because its very plush and sumple.U cant go wrong, especially since its weighing in at little under 4.5 Lbs a little more or less depending how much of the fork tube you cut off. Go buy one you will not be upset.Let out all of air in the fork, then collapse the fork all the way down put 47Lbs + on both sides and 145 Lbs - on the other side while your doing that you will see the fork start to rise up again. Again I weight 225Lbs and this method seemed to work very well for me. Good luck and have a great time with your Marzocchi, I know I am......
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Santa Cruz
a
from Indianapolis,IN,USA Date Reviewed: December 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:
National-AZ, BlkMtn-NC, all of Tuscon-AZ, SunPeaks-BC, Whistler-BC......the next trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Indy Cycle Specialist
Strengths:
Stiff, Adjustable, Plush.....just does what you would expect it too.
Weaknesses:
the middle adjustments of the "ECC-5" seem a little vague. I don't know what they are for just yet. the lock down(pos. #1) is nice. It locks the travel down to a stiff 50-60mm(est.) and position 5 is full active with little dampening, position 4 is the recommended all-round setting promising a little more dampening and seems correct. With more time I may understand #2 & #3 but so far I can't understand what they are for. It would be nice if they had different levels of lockdown instead of just one.
Similar Products Used:
the first z-2, '99 jr-t, '01 x-fly 100
Bike Setup:
SC Heckler, 5th Coil with wheels, brakes and shifters
Z1 air: 180lbs 40,40+ and 130-
Bottom Line:
Like all M's this one needs a little break in time to lose some of that initial stiction. It's also hard to find that ideal air pressure during the break in period.
I'll try to give an update once I get more saddle time but so far it has been everything I hoped it would be. Great Fork!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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