Submitted by
GloryKid
a Downhiller
from Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia Date Reviewed: February 18, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Tramways
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Blackmans Bicycles
Strengths:
Smooth, buttery, and plush when set up right.
Weaknesses:
Hard to set up correctly.
ATA wind down
Makes bad noises due to play in first inch or two of travel.
Similar Products Used:
none.
Bike Setup:
Stock 2007 Giant Glory 0 Freeride
Bottom Line:
I got this fork, and rode it for a month or two without noticing any problems, until i realised the travel had been winding down every run, losing almost the full adjustable travel per downhill run.. very annoying. It also was making a horrible noise, due to the mentioned play. Despite this, the fork felt great, smooth and buttery as long as you're deaf and dont mind winding the travel back up every run.
So I sent the forks to Marzocchi. Got them back, no wind down, still had the noise. They ride well, but the noise is incredibly annoying.
I would reccomend the fork, but be prepared to send it away unless it's aftermarket. OEM you will have problems.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
benronpro
a Downhiller
from Australia Date Reviewed: February 10, 2009
Favorite Trail:
S/W WA
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
A plush fork when tuned in right.
Weaknesses:
SHOCKING Marzocchi service in Australia.
Leaking air from ATA valve.
Wind/down of ATA adjuster.
Weak compression knob on lower leg(snaps off while adjusting).
Leaking stanchion seals(oil/air).
Adaptor is needed for the two different air valves.
Excessive play in thru-axle.
Incorrect settings/adjustments provided by Marzocchi.
Unavailability of parts.
Well I never thought so much could go wrong with a set of forks,but looking at other peoples comments I guess it can.
When these forks have actually been performing as their maker intended,they're a decent plush,progressive fork.The rest of the time they're a pain in the ass.
Having a useless Marzocchi service centre in Australia does not help the problem.
As they stand right now these forks are not worth owning...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
steveo1
a Downhiller
from samoens , haute Savoie, France Date Reviewed: July 18, 2008
Favorite Trail:
northern alps
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
bike shop in samoens
Strengths:
looks great, neat q/r axle
Weaknesses:
no where near specified travel, slack bushes and seals, compression dials fall off, useless user manuals, ata wind down, collapsing cartridges
Similar Products Used:
rock shox domain
Bike Setup:
marin quake - which is great!!
Bottom Line:
These forks are terrible. Straight out of the box the left leg seals were incredibly slack and they never achieved anything like the 180mm travel stated, possibly 130mm max. compression dials seem to have a habit of falling off and setting them up according to the manual results in a pretty much solid fork. After several emails to Marzocchi they said that 'after much testing' they've realised you should run no air in the non ata side cartridge (why is it there exactly?) the forks have now collapsed no matter how much air's pumped in, and are useless after just a handful of rides. Might I suggest to Marzocchi they try 'much testing' before they release the forks.
Useless
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ralphie
a Weekend Warrior
from Yakima Date Reviewed: December 30, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Umm...
Weaknesses:
ATA winddwn, air chamber leakage, knobs falling off. Slow factory response.
Similar Products Used:
FOX Van, RS
Bike Setup:
Titus Supermoto
Bottom Line:
Ive had this fork for 13 months. For the first 3 months I did really ride it much, since there was snow on the streets. Then I rode only mild XC. Later I finally got it out in long travel setting (about 10 days in Whistler over the summer). I discovered the dreaded wind-down. I had a Marz rep take it apart at crankworx and basically retighten things, to no effect. Of course, by now there were so many problems with the forks that the factory turn around was many weeks, so instead of losing half my summer, I made due with freaking zip ties to try to keep that wind down from turning. Of course, the fork was still losing air, so I never gained ANY confidence on it on the jumps and drops because I just didnt know when I was going to bottom out on a puny 2 footer. So I finally send in the fork in Sept, and get it back 3-4 weeks later. Now the ATA is super hard to turn (is that all the brilliant engineers could think of as a fix??!!). It doesnt turn, however it still loses air. Whats work is that after a night ride a few weeks ago, I notice the right side knob fell off. Ive never even adjusted the right side knob, and it falls off. Very disappointed. And guess what, its more than a year since I bought it...we'll see if Marz will fix it for real this time. Ive never rated a product less than 3 stars before, but I just have to on this one. 2 stars only because there is still potential there, despite the fact that the fork has basicaly been non-functional for 13 months.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Hof
a
from Little Rock, AR Date Reviewed: December 30, 2007
Favorite Trail:
poison spider, syllamo, womble
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
competitive cyclist
Strengths:
gorgeous, super plush, super adjustable, can easily go from trail riding to taking big hits
Weaknesses:
ATA knob can be difficult to turn, confusing initial compression settings
Similar Products Used:
talas, lyric, boxxer
Bike Setup:
medium intense 6.6, fox 5.0 coil over, formula biancos, i-nine enduros
Bottom Line:
I love this fork. This fork helped me build the exact bike I was looking for...I can dial it down and have a killer time on great local trails and not bat an eye taking it to Sedona or racing in local downhill events. It is pricey, but good luck finding another fork adjustable from 5.5 to 7 inches.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a
from Munich Date Reviewed: December 11, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Evil Eye Geisskopf
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Bikemailorder.de
Strengths:
I would've tested this fork longer before reviewing, but this fork is so amazing, so it had to be now.
-Adjustability is insanely good Rebound, Compression, Bottom-Out, you name it. -Damping is superb, you ride up a staircase, over 3 large boulders, it feels like you're riding on a motorway -ATA is a nice feature -weight is brilliant -stiff
Weaknesses:
-i hate having to turn the ATA, it needs quite a lot of force -the stupid warning stickers suck because they're hard to get off
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi 66 RV, Drop Off IV, Dirt Jumper 3, All Mountain 4
Bottom Line:
This is a wicked fork. BUY IT
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Theodore Jump
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX, USA Date Reviewed: November 9, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Dirt (too many to pick)
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
Hammerhead bikes
Strengths:
plush, stiff, adjustable, burly
Weaknesses:
ata wind-down
Similar Products Used:
fox 36, some other zokes
Bike Setup:
Titus Quasi Moto, 6" rear travel (horst-link style), marz roco tst r rear shock, '07 66 sl1 ata at 170mm
Bottom Line:
The fork rocks the bees knees.
I'd buy it again, same model year.
I made the choice of buying it even though I knew about the various technical issues out there, the most consistent being ATA wind-down, for which there are a variety of solutions. Some of which come from Marzocchi.
Getting the air pressure settings right per-individual takes some time of playing and tweaking, but well worth it.
The forks I was looking at when I got this was the RS Totem, Lyrik, the Marz All Mountain 1 SL, and the Magura Wotan. The Wotan *almost* won out, but in the end I went with the 66 for two reasons...
1. I have a better feel for the Marz stuff and know nobody with time on the Magura, and I could not test ride the Magura (although a wonderfully timely in depth review is on the forum). I felt better risking my money with the 66 and the known issues than the Wotan and the unknowns.
2. I wanted a fork that *could* be a 7" travel fork, to max out the capability of my bike (which was in fact designed to take up to a 7" travel fork).
Value rated -1 for ata-wind-down and high cost, but I have a hard time imaging a better situation.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kim
a Downhiller
from Salt Lake City, UT, USA Date Reviewed: October 25, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Right amount of travel, and the nice Marzocchi squish. Adjustability, this is a strength, but because it can take some tweaking and know how some may consider that a problem.
Weaknesses:
nothing until now
Similar Products Used:
Marz 2006 66 RC2X, 888 RC2X
Bike Setup:
Nomad
Bottom Line:
If the first few rides are any indication of how this fork going to work, then I would have to say excellent.
I changed to the 2007 66 SL 1 ATA from a 2006 66 RC2X. The 66 RC2X is an amazing fork and does everything I could ask of it (well almost - no travel adjust). The 66 RC2X was the first single crown fork I have had on a big bike, so I was a little leery, but part way down the first ride on the fork I no longer had any worries. After coming from the 888 RC2X on my previous bike I can say that for my riding, average Joe North Shore Freerider / All Mountain, the 66 is no compromise in performance.
Basically, when the correct air pressure and setup is applied the 66 ATA, right out of the box, provides that nice Marz buttery squish. Add to that the ability to tailor how the fork ramps up toward the end of stroke, and the usual rebound and compression adjustments, this fork does it all and is under 6 lbs. Then consider you can further adjust the fork travel between 140mm and 180mm and you can say this fork no competition.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ryan
a
from australia -- melbourne Date Reviewed: October 14, 2007
Favorite Trail:
all trails
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
lots of adj,stiff and plush
Weaknesses:
some have the ata wind down mine does not have this prob,also you just need a cassette lockin tool,undo the ata top cap,and use a stronger spring,this has been very successful in stopping the auto wind down prob and only cost approx 3 dollars
first off these retail in australia at all bike shops for 1400-1520 dollars,these forks do take a good 10-20hrs of riding to be broken in as such,until you have done that getting them tuned perfect aint gunna happen with much success,if they feel sticky and are not exposing all of the stantion just lube with dry teflon lube wipe excess and ride ride ride til they good,then play with pressures,to start i needed 120 bottom out 80 ata and bout 5 in the rc2,once it is well and trully broken in then you can play with reb,comp and preload,air settings etc,once dialled in these forks are gr8,will handle as much freeride az i can throw at em and are nice in plush,thumbs up,no regrets
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Simmonds
a Weekend Warrior
from Preston Date Reviewed: September 24, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Innerliethen
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$395.00
Purchased At:
Merlin cycles
Strengths:
Strong, stiff, light, looks awesome
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Fox 36 Talas, Rockshox Totem
Bike Setup:
Transition Preston fr with 07 66 sl1 ata, hayes hfx-mag brakes, hope pro 2 hubs with mavic 321 rims, raceface bits
Bottom Line:
These forks are a bit confusing to set up and get all the air figure in the 3 air chambers all right for you weight but once thats dont you will never look back, there amazing forks and so plush, there much plusher than my Fox 36s i had and some rockshox totems i tried on a demo bike.
i have only had them for a week but im so happy with them i had to write a review now.
the only slight problem is when i got them out of the box and was setting them up i had to use the internet to look at how to get the air pressures write in each air chamber are there are 3 air chambers and the ATA one is hidden and if you don't know about it you wouldn't find it, but once i had found some air pressures on the internet for my weight (which by the way is much less than what marzocchi say you should put in) they where great once i had done that.
i am 140lbs so according to marzocchi i should have 103psi in the ata, 134psi in the bottom out and about 30psi in the positive air. but i have put in around 85psi in the ATA, 105psi in the bottom out and 5psi in the positive air and they are really nice and plush, i do admit i like my forks relatively soft and i only weigh 140lb so thats why i have slightly lower air pressures.
all in all there amazing and the ATA travel adjust is really great ( alot better than fox's TALAS system)
the only problem i do have is the ATA air valve lets alot of its air out when you take the shock pump of it unless you spin it really fast so it doesn't have enough time to let the air out (which is what i have to do, but it isn't much of a problem)
im giving them 5 for value as i got them in the sale for £395 (£600 is the RRP) but even if i had paid £600 they would still be worth it
and a 5 overall as they are truly amazing forks compared to its competitors.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rachid
a Weekend Warrior
from Ottawa, Canada Date Reviewed: September 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
North Van
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Stiff (1.5 off a Glory Freeride), light, complements my IH 7point well. Adjustable, no issues so far.
Weaknesses:
lost the top cap jumping at a local bmx track
Bike Setup:
Ironhorse 7 point frame, sram x-9 drivetrain, saint crank, hayes stroker hydros, tuned swinger 6 way rear, Headley hubs laced to a single track in the back and a wtb rim in front, ODI lock-on, Cane Creek double X headset and a FSA gravity cockpit.
Bottom Line:
It works, i ride it cross country from time to time when i want a workout and a change from my XC bike, freeride takes jumps and hits really well and its saved me a few times on Quebec Cup DH runs, it works and it adapts well, lets me pedal my bike up and down trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Corstian Devos
a Cross Country Rider
from Phhiladelphia Date Reviewed: July 25, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Any trail is a good trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Sonic
Strengths:
It works!!! Its light!!! It has a great range of travel!!
Weaknesses:
Long travel leads to some ticks and hicks in the shock over time. Non-performance hindering but on days when the forest is silent and you are "Zen" the tick-tick or shee-shee out of your fork can be irritating.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Judy XC, with heavy duty springs. 7 years, 6 frames 1 shock.
Bike Setup:
Stock 2007 Giant Glory Freeride except for peddles SH PD-M540, seat Fizik Atlas, and replaced stock 2.5 Kenda tires with WTB Tyrannoraptor back (Yes I have a few of these old tires around) and Conti Double Fighter front.
Bottom Line:
I love these forks. I am a big guy, 6' 3", 250 lbs, the LBS set these up perfectly for me as per company specs (thank you Skip!!). I have had no problems in 6 months and I ride hard. These things deal with about 290 lbs of man and bike without complaint or malfunction.
I have to say I would have been hard pressed to buy these at MSRP. They came stock on the Glory Freeride. On the other hand with the performance they have shown so far they might be worth what the other folks paid. For me, having them as a stock part of the makes these a great value and they're performance makes them great as well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CWC
a
from Hong Kong Date Reviewed: June 26, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Strengths:
140-180mm travel, light weight, plush and smooth and cool outlook
Weaknesses:
nothing, except the menu is so sucks!!!!!!!
Similar Products Used:
Fox TALAS 36 RC2, Fox TALAS 32 RLC
Bike Setup:
Giant Reign
Bottom Line:
It's the best fork before I tried, light weight, plush and smooth. You don't believe it's air fork. It's suitable for All Mountain and freeride.
I tried this fork first time, it's so sucks, because I followed menu setting to set up my fork. After that I used my experience to set up this fork, it's great! The feeling is better than Fox TALAS RC2. Trouble free until this time.
Go to the MtbR Forum section, All problems will fix.
Here is some reference Rider weight: 155lbs PAR (bottom left): 100 PSI Top left chamber: 60 PSI Top RIGHT chamber: 0 PSI
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
austin otto
a Downhiller
from eagle river, ak Date Reviewed: May 30, 2007
Favorite Trail:
super g at tamarack
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$720.00
Purchased At:
pedal shop
Strengths:
FOLLOW UP REVIEW!!
Bottom Line:
I got this thing back from from marzocchi several days ago got it set up perfectly and now there are no problems, and i didnt think i would say it, but like others... i'm gonna have to say that it was worth all that trouble. i spend all the time that my fork was gone on a borrowed kona stab with an 888 rc2x. this thing blows it out of the water, way lighter, but just as adjustable, its got ata, and it seriously eats the small bumps, and big hits just as good or better than the 888! seriously, i would much rather race on this than anything else because it only has 20mm less travel than a boxxer wc or 888 or travis, but it performes just as good and, you drop so much weight, and have all the advantages of single crown!
it is the best dh and freeriding fork.... ever.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC Date Reviewed: May 28, 2007
Nomad - built up for strength and with some consideration to weight reduction, now at about 37-38 lbs. Still have DHX-C, and will soome have Roco Air or Manitou Evolver ISX-6 for testing.
Bottom Line:
The fork now does what it should have from the start. All issues aside, this fork delivers the goods.
I am in Vancouver, BC, so I have the good fortune of having a local Marzocchi service centre and having auguably the best guy in the business working on my fork (Thx Naz).
The auto ATA wind down is fixed, it no longer reduces the travel. I have had two hard rides on the fork with no issues.
The sweetspot for the setup of the fork is seemingly getting larger. I can add a little more pressure to firm up the fork and reduce break dive and yet maintain almost all the small bump squish. The fork is not perfect but with the ease of adding or dropping a little air the fork can easily be tuned for a trail ride, a technical shore ride, or a day a Whistler.
Happy riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Richard Fronterhouse
a
from Pilot Point, TX Date Reviewed: May 2, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
This is the Holy Grail of all Forks!!!!!!!!!!!
Weaknesses:
I had to send it back and wait a month before it's transformation.
Bottom Line:
Update. Once the ATA cart was fixed, I hate to say it, it was worth the aggrevation of the initial problems. Marz warrantied as promised. Fork sticker should read made in Italy fixed in California.
Listen to the guy from NYC, I'm running 140 over 90. If you're running below 100 in the bottom left side, pack it up and send it back to Marz cuz the ATA cart is not working correctly.
4 on overall was for the headache in the beginning.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Austin
a Downhiller
from Alaska Date Reviewed: April 28, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$720.00
Purchased At:
Pedal Shop < these guys rule
Strengths:
it is stiff, plush, adjustable, and light.
Weaknesses:
many manufacturing problems. if you order one there is a good chance it will either have a crappy ata knob or the top cap will leak air. either way you will be very unhappy like lots of people.
Similar Products Used:
66vf, travis single, 888, many others
Bike Setup:
06 sx trail, stock and this 66 sl
Bottom Line:
*Too many problems, wait till next year when the kinks are worked out.
-Ok, i read all the good and bad rewiews for this fork just like you are right now.
But i thought none of those problems could happen to me.. so i went ahead and shelled out hundreds of $ for a brand new fork. But if you are reading this right now and considering a 66 sl, be aware, all these defects could easily be on the shiny new fork you will order.
you know what, just don't get one. i just bought it and already have to send my new fork hundreds of miles away to get fixed before i even got to break it in. i can't believe these things have a $920 price tag and have so many freaking problems. man i have lost so much faith in marzocchi. this is seriously the most disappointing and depressing thing that has happened to me since i opened the box of my brand new 66 sl and saw the P.O.S red knob was already bent half off!!! i regret buying it so bad, i hope you don't have to be as pissed off and depressed as i am right now, sitting in this computer chair, not riding.
dont buy one, i know you want to ignore this because the fork has so many great features and is so light and bla bla bla, but i wish i had someone that told me not to buy one.
the only good thing i can say is that it will be very good after it gets back from Canada and i can go ride my bike again. When that time comes i will write a follow up review on the forks actuall performance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AS
a Downhiller
from NYC Date Reviewed: April 12, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Bay Ridge Bikes
Strengths:
This is a 2nd (follow up) review. I returned it to Marzocchi, got it back and have since done 5 hard rides. Now I can say it's and excellent working fork that is relatively light with plenty of adjustability and stiffness.
Weaknesses:
See below
Similar Products Used:
*****
Bike Setup:
Specialized SX trail
Bottom Line:
Here'e the scoop... There are THREE air chambers on this fork, two in the left leg and one in the right. The first chamber you must fill is the PAR chamber, located on the bottom of the left leg. It is covered by a black metal valve. **ALWAYS FILL THIS CHAMBER FIRST** You can use the recommended PSI on the sticker that is on your fork. If you are running anything less than 90psi in this chamber... (1)it's not enough. (2)you weigh less than 110 lbs. (3)your fork is not working properly so send it back.
The next chamber that needs to be filled is hidden under the ATA twist knob, located at the top of the left leg. Pull the knob off (it should pull straight off) and you'll see an air valve. Fill this up with the recommended PSI. Now try the fork and see how it feels in a 'parking lot' test.
There is one more valve on the top right leg. It is under the small twist cap found in the middle of your rebound knob. Unscrew this cap and you will see another air valve. This valve requires a Marzocchi valve adapter. Use it to fine tune your fork's sag. Most people put between 0-15 PSI.
Here's a reference point for you... Rider Weight: 210lbs PAR (bottom left): 145 PSI Top left chamber: 85 PSI Top RIGHT chamber: 5 PSI
Good Luck!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a
from Wodonga, Vic, Australia Date Reviewed: April 11, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
msude03
Strengths:
Single Crown = freedom Light weight. Cool colour, you either love it or you hate it. It's a Maz. Plush. Has that sweet squish sound
Weaknesses:
Can be fiddley to set up if you don't do your research and jump in blindly like some of the reviewers above
Similar Products Used:
The only other big fork I've got is a Sherman Slider Plus and the difference is night and day.
Bike Setup:
Bullit 05, 825 Mavic hoops, DT triple wires, Hope Pro II hubs, Juicy 7s with 8 inch rotors, 5th element rear (would love to try a FOX DHX air 5.0), SRAM 9.0 rear and XTR front. XT Hollotec Cranks with bash ring, Chris King head. Kenda Nav on the front and Maxxis Minion on the back, 2.5's. A seat and handle bar I hope................blah blah
Bottom Line:
This is a sweet fork. If you set the bike up as per Maz specs , give up now and go and ride your Grandmother's bike. If you do the research and find out how to set the dam thing up properly it will be love at first ride. Go the the Forum section, its all in there. I have no air in the right leg, about 60 or 70psi in the lower left leg and 30ish psi in the top left leg. Compression knob sits between two and four clicks, travel is wound right out and rebound is set to suit the trail.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Downhiller
from Salt Lake City, UT, USA Date Reviewed: April 3, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Anything pointed downhill
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
Speedgoat.com
Strengths:
Great looking fork, extremely stiff for a single crown, potential for an infinite amount of adjustability both in travel and performance.
Weaknesses:
Recommended air pressure stated on a sticker stuck to the fork and in the paper manual are way off. Adding the recommended air pressure for my weight in both the bottom and top of the ATA side renders the fork immobile. Adding the bare minimum for the lightest rider renders the fork immobile, basically turning it into a fully rigid 7" tall $900 show piece. On the right rebound side, adding the recommended air pressure for my weight renders the fork almost immobile. I'm not certain where Marzocchi came up with the figures in print on the product, instruction manual and online, but they are way off the mark. I weigh 190lbs without any gear and to get the fork to feel anything close to a Marzocchi of old, I have 10psi in the top and bottom out chambers and maybe 20psi in the rebound chamber. Next problem is the fork loses travel with each moderate hit....permanently. Basically the ATA knob rotates to shorter and shorter travel while riding. You have to reach down and manually turn the knob back to where you had it set previously or else it just gets lower and lower. As I've been desperately trying to dial in this fork for the past 2-3 weeks I actually tried the recommended air pressures for my weight in all 3 air chambers and rode off a small 2' drop. I've never had a fork compress so little and pop off the ground (rebound) so high and so violently. I'm honestly surprised both fork legs didn't blow up on me. The way this forks sits right now, it is just too dangerous to ride. You start out with 7" of travel and you have no idea how much travel you'll have on each successive impact.
Similar Products Used:
Older Z1's, '06 Z1 FR, '06 888RC, even a Marathon SL a few years ago.
Bike Setup:
2007 Nomad, Fox DHX Air, Hadley hubs/DT Swiss, Gravity Dropper remote post, SRAM XO/Shimano XT mix, Easton Monkey Lite DH carbon bars, Devo saddle, King Headset, Avid Juicy Seven's 180mm rotors.
Bottom Line:
Supposedly there is a fix for the ATA knob rotation problem. I am playing phone tag with Marzocchi to find out exactly what it is, but felt this needed to be posted as this is the fork most people are going to end up with outright, and apparently I'm not the only one experiencing these issues. I think this fork has a ton of potential, so much so that I have a brand new 888 SL ATA sitting on a spankin' new Yeti that I am scared to death to point downhill for fear of going from 8" of travel to nothing within 30 feet. I'm not certain where Marzocchi got the figures for the recommended air pressure? They cannot be at all accurate as they render the fork inoperable as suspension, this is the case for all 3 air chambers on the 66 and both air chambers on the 888. Although it is a huge inconvienence as I am now looking at unknown warranty time frames for potentially 2 brand new forks from the same manufacturer, I honestly hope that there is a simple fix for this fork. If not, Marzocchi needs to issue a recall and refund customers money as $900 is not chump change. Bottom line is this fork has been a huge disappointment so far. I've been using Marzocchi almost exclusively since Rock Shox took a dive in 1998. Last years Z1 SL was probably the best single crown fork I've ever owned, the new 66 SL 1 ATA should perform infinitely better, but all it's done is deliver frustration and a huge waste of time and energy. The low Chili rating is based on the fork as it stands as it is too dangerous to ride and just a hassle to simply own. Hopefully Marzocchi will redeem themselves and ultimately get both the 66 and 888 to perform like they both should, if so I'll give them a higher rating at that time.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
big mantis
a Downhiller
from maui hawaii kingdom of hawaii Date Reviewed: March 9, 2007
Favorite Trail:
fast with jumps
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
crater cycles maui
Strengths:
very tough, very adjustable, adjustable travel, very light, very capable in all situations, super stiff and strong, even for a huge freerider like myself
Weaknesses:
ata knob turns itself while riding, also if its not facing a certain direction it could gouge your frame down to the metal, like it did to my stinky. i tried to grind down the tabs so it wouldn't hit the frame and the tab broke off in the grinder. this problem of the thing turning and hitting the frame is lame if you like to x it up, and you will likely have to rig it to not turn somethow. maybe it won't hit your frame like it did mine... lots of adjustments means you will have to play with it a bit to get it right, and likely have to top it off with air before each ride. there's 3 different air chambers as well as comp. and reb. damping, and travel adjustment. if you don't like to tinker, stay away. i did the psi they said for my weight and it felt like totaly harsh, not plush at all. it took me 3 rides till i figured what felt good. i ended up finding that full pressure for your weight in the bottom is best. i'm running just over half the reccommended psi up top and it performs great while riding. it still doesn't feel plush like a 888, and when you're in the parking lot messing with it, it still feels like there's still some "stiction", but once you start to ride its got all the action and you can't bottom it out if you have the bottom tuned hard. i've been on it for less than 30 hours so maybe over time the top end will soften up, but it only feels bad when you're not actually riding, kind of wierd. on the hill its amazing...
Similar Products Used:
z1, super t, 888 dirt jumpr 1
Bike Setup:
i use this fork on my banshee morphine hardtail as well as kona stinky primo sick as hell on both!
Bottom Line:
i'm an agressive and destructive downhill freerider who's 6'9" and weighs about 230lb. with gear. i'm never taking it easy on the equipment. i never thought i would trust a single crown but i might sell my 888 after having this fork for 3 weeks, so I can have one on both of my bikes. it can handle the fastest meanest downhill we can find on maui as well as our gaps and burms with total dominance. with progressive bottoming out we don't need 8 inches anymore, 7" is fine and way more versatile that tripleclamp for style and tricks, and weight. travel adjust anywhere from 5.5" to 7" makes it the fork to have for everything from dirtjump to ballistic downhill. it costs bank, but not compared to the 888 which it basicly replaces. THIS IS THE CROWNING GLORY OF FREERIDE FORKS THIS YEAR. take it from robbie bourdon, who hucks the biggest drop in the whole nwd7 movie on this single crown.... its finicky but totally badass, like i said i might buy another!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Richard Fronterhouse
a Weekend Warrior
from Pilot Point, TX, USA Date Reviewed: March 3, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Womble, Anywhere in CO, NM
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
Buttery squish that Marz is known for.
Weaknesses:
Buttery squishy didn't even last one ride.
Similar Products Used:
RS Sid, Fox RL, RLC, Marz AM SL
Bike Setup:
'06 Enduro, Mavic SX, Fox DHX 5.0 Air, the rest is stock on the base Enduro.
Bottom Line:
I was looking for a fork with 6" and the Marz caught my eye with the 140-180mm adjustment. I'm looking to get my toes wet in some beg. dh racing this summer in CO and NM. I figured this would be perfect since I good slacken the head angle of my Enduro for dh and balance the geometry back to normal for xc riding in North Texas. I know the Enduro isn't a dh frame but I'm not going to drop a grand and a half for I frame that doesn't pedal well in my hood unless I really get into it.
The good. Messed around with air pressure at the house and thanks to some reviews here settled on 130 psi under, 100psi on top. Initially on the trail I was all smiles. Steers through technical descents amazingly, was gobbling up the biggish (1-2 foot drops, 3-4 foot jumps w/transition, it is North Texas not the North Shore) with the buttery smooth action that Marz is known for. The additional weight was barely noticed and it seemed to climb with out bobbing much at all.
The bad. Toward the middle of the loop and after the most rocky/tech sections I thought "the fork is already starting to break in" as it was soaking up the chatter much better. By the end it was getting too plush for my taste.
The ugly. Get back to the truck. You guessed it. The lower was at 85 psi and the top about 90 psi. Got home that evening it a supremely foul mood. Reset the air pressure. Rechecked in the morning, and had lost 30 lbs in the lower overnight just sitting. I was hoping it would magically fix itself I guess.
I have allowed myself a couple of days before getting on here to review so I have calmed down. I think this will be a good for once the kinks get worked out.
BUT, I think it's crap to send out a fr/dh product with an $850 price tag that can't make it through xc ride in North Texas.
This is the first time I dropped this much dough on a fork. Hell for a grand I got Pro Circuit to revalve and tune my moto bike front and bike.
Will update once fixed. Sorry Marz for the lack of chilis, but one ride $850?
Oh yeah, I was hoping the Italian review was a fluke and didn't see the 2-28 review before ordering.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AS
a Weekend Warrior
from NYC Date Reviewed: February 28, 2007
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Bay Ridge Bikes
Strengths:
-Looks great -Adjustable travel
Weaknesses:
Read review
Similar Products Used:
Fox TALAS 36
Bike Setup:
pimp
Bottom Line:
Like other reviewers pointed out, if you use the numbers listed on the sticker at the bottom of the 66 SL 1, the fork will feel as plush as a cinder block. I tried 100/180 psi... no movement, 10/60 psi... better but it topped and bottomed out. And then the air leaked from the bottom chamber. No matter what I tried, the fork rode like crap so I brought it to the shop.
It took 3 weeks for Zokes to get the fork back to me. The only explanation was that there was something wrong with the ATA... whatever that means. Still not sure what the correct air pressure should be for my weight.
I haven't put any new miles on it yet so look for a follow up review. Be wary of the problems I listed. I'd hate for you to spend $800 on this fork, only to have to send it back and be without a ride for a few weeks.
Good luck.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Derry Dasuki
a Cross Country Rider
from Trek Gunung Pinang Date Reviewed: December 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
trek gunung pinang
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
MHC
Strengths:
Stiff (and I mean really stiff..), unbelievably plush for air shock, tuneability
Weaknesses:
ATA adjuster self turning
Similar Products Used:
Various years of Fox Talas, RS XC and AM forks (Reba, Pike).
Bike Setup:
Nomad, DHX Air rear.
Bottom Line:
You won't believe on how plush this fork for an air slider until you ride it. It soak chatter and bumps as if there's none and absorbs hucks and jumps with no slight flex (at least for my fly weight) It can be tuned whatever you like with air in RC2, SFA/ATA, and PAR chambers, almost indefinitely. The only gripe for me is teh ATA knob turn by itself towards less travel when hitting bumps. It can be easily fixed though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bobby Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz Date Reviewed: December 17, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Sweetest fork ever
Weaknesses:
None whatsoever. They problems with the original 66 Light's are al fixed
Bottom Line:
If you got money, buy it. Its really plush and smooth - like butter
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jesse Hill
a
from San Jose, Ca USA Date Reviewed: November 26, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Similar Products Used:
alot
Bottom Line:
the guy below me is right the new ata ait found in the am sl1 and 66 ata and 888 ata actually feel like a coil.
as for the air setting just always have at least 30 more psi in the bottom than the top and youll be set.
read my review of the am sl1 if you want more.
my review is more for the ata system in general so my flaming chillis dont apply to this fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC Date Reviewed: November 17, 2006
Favorite Trail:
the Shore
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Right amount of travel, and the nice Marzocchi squish. Adjustability, this is a strength, but because it can take some tweaking and know how some may consider that a problem.
Weaknesses:
Had to wait a couple of weeks to get it, pricy
Similar Products Used:
Marz: 2006 66 RC2X, 888 RC2X. 2001-2004 Jr. T/Super T. Manitou: Slider +, Breakout + Rock Shox, 2006 Boxxer Race, 2005 Boxxer Ride
Bike Setup:
Med Nomad, X9 drivetrain, Juicy 7s, DHX-C & DHX/A
Bottom Line:
If the first few rides are any indication of how this fork going to work, then I would have to say excellent.
I changed/upgraded to the 2007 66 SL 1 ATA from a 2006 66 RC2X. The 66 RC2X is an amazing fork and does everything I could ask of it (well almost - no travel adjust). The 66 RC2X was the first single crown fork I have had on a big bike, so I was a little leery, but part way down the first ride on the fork I no longer had any worries. After coming from the 888 RC2X on my previous bike I can say that for my riding, average Joe North Shore Freerider / All Mountain, the 66 is no compromise in performance.
The change to the 66 ATA from the RC2X was not really required, but the chance to play with a new toy and tweak out my new bike a little more, who could pass that up, so out goes the 66 RC2X and in with the 66 ATA.
I would like to comment on the previous reviewer who slammed the fork because of a post mount and the need for an adapter. Even if the fork had the older mounts like the 2006 888's you would need an adapter to run 6" or 8" rotors. With the post mount most brakes will require no adapter for 6" rotor, but you will require and adapter for 8". Woo hoo, if you can afford to purchase this fork the adapter should not be an issue. The second point regarding air pressure is somewhat valid. The total lack of info available regarding setup on this new fork is very poor, and not well written. If the suggested Marz air pressure is used the fork is way to harsh, and "board like". Some info has now been put on the Marz UK site and some trial and error type setup is available on the MTBR forums.
Basically, when the correct air pressure and setup is applied the 66 ATA, right out of the box, provides that nice Marz buttery squish. Add to that the ability to tailor how the fork ramps up toward the end of stroke, and the usual rebound and compression adjustments, this fork does it all and is under 6 lbs. Then consider you can further adjust the fork travel between 140mm and 180mm and you can say this fork no competition.
The competition. I have been on a couple of the Boxxer forks and currently have a Pike on my trail bike, they all feel nice, but for a big hit fork they don't cut it. The Totem and Lyric are promising, but I think RS still has some work to do in order to really compete with the Marz. I didn't consider the Fox 160mm forks because that extra 10 or 20mm of travel from the Marz is enough to sway me. That and the few parking lot tests I have done on the Fox Talas and Van did not impress me. I have heard good things on the 2007 Fox, now if only they could have 180mm travel. I also did not really consider the Travis 180, but only due to having no travel adjustment. I know a few people riding this an have only praise for how good it feels, especially coming from the SPV type Manitou's.
I will post and update once I get more time on the fork, but for now, yee hah.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Specy 74
a Downhiller
from Genoa, Italy Date Reviewed: October 19, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Finale Ligure
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$850.00
Strengths:
weight, performance
Weaknesses:
postmount just for 6' rotors, you need an adaptor (not so cheap here in italy)
Similar Products Used:
66 '05, 888 rc2x, shiver dc
Bike Setup:
specy bighit expert
Bottom Line:
terrible, after few kilometers, it start to leak air from the bottom out air chamber...i'm not sure about the pressure reported in the manual, it's to high for me...with 117 psi, the fork was like a peace of wood...you need less pressure (1/3)... I've sended it back to marzocchy factory...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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