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Submitted by
dd
a Weekend Warrior
from ontario
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Bottom Line: | amazzing fork loved it but i didnt want to buy new seals for it so i got a nbew one | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesse Jesse's last name
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | shhhhh..... | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | don't remember. | | Strengths: | smooth, stiff, reliable, simple. | | Weaknesses: | Had to loosen all bolts and realign wheel after first use - oh well :). | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Headshock, AMP F4 BLT (junk) | | Bike Setup: | Titus Quasi Moto (strong, good), usual stuff. | | Bottom Line: | I just retired this fork after 3+ years of hammering. The finish on the stanction tubes was wearing off. It's too bad too because I fealt my bike was perfect as it was with this fork - the new Z1 is taller. It required about 3 oil seal changes over this time - none blown just PM. Oil every 8 months as well. If you are on a budget I'd recommend you pick one up used. Really sad to see mine go. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug Brummett
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything in Santa Cruz | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Good esthetics, easy adjustments, easy to rebuild and maintain, strong enough for free riding | | Weaknesses: | None that I have personally experienced | | Similar Products Used: | Tried just about every fork on the market as a mechanic on test rides. Personally have rode Z-2 BAM, Judy DH, and now own a Dirt Jumper. | | Bike Setup: | I used this fork with three different bikes thus far: SC Heckler, SC Chameleon, and an Uzzi SL | | Bottom Line: | Great fork. I traded my used Z-2s for it about 2.5 years ago. Guess I got a sweet deal, but they were too much travel for the other guy.
I have replaced the seals on the fork either 3 or 4 times. Never had them go out on me, just did it to keep the fork smooth. I have changed the oil every 4-8 months as well. After 2 years I replaced the bushings, but could have rode them longer as well. I can't say anything negative about working on these forks. Very easy to maintain.
And the ride...
I have enjoyed the ride on these plenty in the time I had them. Never gave me any issues when swapping from one frame to another. I can't say that I spend much time tinkering with the damping. I just ride. These forks have remained plush and stiff for years. Riding anything from dirt jumps to full DH and mostly XC between. I never had a failure or even a dissapointment.
After riding these for 2.5 years I turned around and still pulled over $100 back out of them on the used market. Buyer was happy and with Marzocchi employee purchase it paid for about half of my new fork. Sweet... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Efren
a Weekend Warrior
from San Juan, Manila, Philippines
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Streets of Makati | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$225.00 | | Strengths: | Biiiiiig travel for a single crown fork! Plush action and infinite adjustability. | | Weaknesses: | Some say the weight is a problem, but it doesn't bother me. | | Similar Products Used: | RST Mozo Pro, RST High 5, Marzocchi Jr. T, Cannondale Lefty, Cannondale Ultra, Rock Shox Psylo, Rock Shox SID, DNM UD Downhill Fork. Etc... Etc... (I'm lucky to have a lot of biker friends!) | | Bike Setup: | "Guess" (or so the sticker says) freeride / slalom hard tail.
Z1 fork.
SRAM 8 speed Plasma shifter and XTR rear mech.
Truvative Hussefelt DH cranks with ISIS drive bottom bracket.
Truvative Version 2 chainguide.
Azonic PDW handle bars.
Shimano Deore Disk Brakes (2002 Hydraulic)
XT Disk Compatible hubs.
Mavic 121 rims (they may be old but damn good!)
Some Taiwan rip-off of an Azonic Stem.
Chris King Headset.
Kore flat pedals.
Kujo DH 2.25 tires. | | Bottom Line: | Before anything else let me point out that I come from the Philippines! Where the exchange rate is roughly 50 Pesos to 1 US Dollar and the average salary here is about 10,000 bucks a month, the price of a Z1 here roughly costs around $175 to $225, depending on where you get it. So you do the math on the economics thingy!!!
Bottom line is, if your the type of guy who looks forward to seeing open manholes on the street to bunny-hop over, or ledges that lead to 4 foot drops on sidewalks and let's not forget staircases to ride down. Then this is your fork! It's the do-all-I-can-get-the-most-bang-for-my-buck-type-of-fork! The best mate for a freeride hardtail! Although there are a slew of new 5 incher forks out on the market. I still luv my Z1, we've been engaged for more than 3 years now. (Longer than some relationships I'd had...) | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lewis
a Downhiller
from Rugeley, Midlands, UK
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Cannock chase | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | a mate | | Strengths: | Coil sprung, oil damped, plush and smoove marzocchi action. | | Weaknesses: | The previous owner snapped the bam arch brace, and replaced it with a laser cut steel one which makes it 10 times stiffer horizontally than my mates 2002 z1 dropoff | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 Z1 Dropoff, 2001 Z1 MCR, 2000 Z3 BAM, RST 281 (a bit poopoo), Suntour dual crowns (very poopoo) | | Bike Setup: | Unbranded black hardtail frame, with D521, Planet X DMR and Shimano finishing kit. | | Bottom Line: | Cant knock 'em for 120 notes really. Mine have got Junior T seals and 10wt motocross oil as well as the steel arch. This fork has increased my confidence and speed on the trails tenfold. I tried a four foot drop the day i had them and they didnt even bottom out. Soooo smoove. If you're thinkin about gettin sum 2001 or 2002 Z1's then ask about first and see if u can pick sum pre-loved ones up for half the price. Great for every rider except perhaps the really weight conscious XC rider like me dad. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler
a Cross Country Rider
from Cambridge MA
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hunter to Pritchet (Moab) | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Youngs Bike Shop (EP deal) | | Strengths: | durable and predictable | | Weaknesses: | a bit heavy but theh goods outweight the bads by a mile | | Similar Products Used: | Manatou EFC, SID, Fatty | | Bike Setup: | CD Beast of the East | | Bottom Line: | I have worked in shops for years and rebult more shokes than I care to recall, and the thing I love the most about this fork is that I've had to change the oil 2x and the seals once, In almost 4 years! Top that. I ride a ton ahd have lived and ridden in MOab, Flaggstaff, and all over the East coast. Trips to NC, CO, CA, OR, and this fork rocks all over. I realize that there have been great forks out since then and they weight less, but I'd rather grow old next to a fork than have to get used to new ones. DUribility is king! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Bay City, MI
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | HUGE DROPS | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$168.00 | | Purchased At: | EBAY BABY! | | Strengths: | Everything. I love the fork, super plush, CANT BOTTOM IT OUT! Will take anything you can throw at it. I have done 6.5 foot drops to pavement (flat) landing on my nose on a hardtail and I couldnt even bottom it. I will swear on this fork for the rest of my life. Buy it, and buy it now. | | Weaknesses: | The only thing is that I cracked the crown, only because I had sold my friend a z.3, but when I bought the z.1, the sterrer wasnt long enough, and It wasnt removeable. So I traded my friend crowns, the the z.3 crown isnt meant for drops, so eventually it cracked. But other than that, there is NO WEAKNESSES!!! | | Similar Products Used: | 99 Z.3 Light, Manitou Magnum r, Some RST's... | | Bike Setup: | I hope it will be like this after xmas: Mongoose Pro dx 4.0 frame, sun rhynolite rear, xtr rear der with deore front, Race Face northshore xs cranks, LX shifters, titec bar & stem. | | Bottom Line: | The fork fricking rocks. Buy it, u will never need another fork. Mine has 130mm travel, and I couldnt ask for more. Its the best fork, in my opinion, ever produced. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from N. Van
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | super plush
the feel matches my rear perfectly (yeti dh4)
metal knobs which don't break | | Weaknesses: | I've got a QR20, laced to a rhynolite, and I can still feel quite a bit of flex in the fork, I also get a little "kink" sound every once in a while, usually when i first get on my bike and get over the fork. almost sounds like my headset is loose, but it's not.
maybe my bushings are just loose, which might explain the sloppy feeling steering.
also, you have to buy a seperate after-sale disc mount, which is WAY to expensive for what it is, I payed like $30CDN or something... | | Bottom Line: | I would buy it again...
suits my bike perfectly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john charles
a
from phoenix,az
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | national | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | lombardis sports | | Strengths: | bombproof works like a motorcycle fork change the oil once a year good as new! chew's up everthing on the trail. | | Weaknesses: | I could complain about the weight like everyone else but the
performance is soooo worth it! | | Similar Products Used: | rock shox-manitou-rst | | Bike Setup: | GT i drive 1000 race face full xtr | | Bottom Line: | if you want top quality & the best suspension fork money can
buy this is it! so you have to eat ramen every day for a couple of months to save up for it but once you get it on your bike & see how awesome the performance is you'll relize
that ramen did'nt taste that bad after all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lem
a Downhiller
from UK
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Longmoor DH Course | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Terrain | | Strengths: | It makes you feel invincible! It is sooo stupidly plush! Looks the bomb in yellow on my purple Kona! BAM brace looks so much more hardcore than the 2001 Marzocchis! | | Weaknesses: | I heard them creaking, on further inspection the stanchion bolts were loose. Check these regularly, you'll be fine. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Kona Lavadome, D521 CD's, DMR V8's etc. | | Bottom Line: | This fork is THE BEST BUY ONE. I got £200 off mine which was pretty cool. They make lumps feel like they are not there, and are amazing for jumping and duel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J to the K
a Downhiller
from B-ham, Washington
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any NSX | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | why doesen't mtbr list "freerider" in the option above? | | Strengths: | This fork is the bomb. It makes mmy hardtail feel like an F/S!! This is because it is plush, smooth, has five five five inches of travel, adjustable in so many ways, meaty, looks smooth in the polished version. In my opinion the 99's are better than the 2000s due to the brake arch,- which is stiffer, replaceable and all machinened out. | | Weaknesses: | yeah yeah i'll complain about the 'weight' too - but this is the minimmun mass your gonna EVER get out of a durable five inch travel fork, you winers. Plus four pounds is equal to that burrito you ate before the ride. Due to the long travel my Z-1 is getting a little loose in the bushings. They probably need to be replaced about now. Sucks that marrzzochi still doesent understand that fork boots save your fork from the mud and other nasty things. The gold ano stanction tubes are oh so pretty, but they can get F@$ked up by the elements real fast. Earlier this year I was ridin this cement wall and lost my balence - the bike fell on the wall and scratched my stanctions. I was pissed to the point of yelling obscentities at polite canadian riders... - boots would of prevented all of this. Now one side leaks oil. I have been riding with the fork in this condition for quite a while and after polishing down the scratch and oil change, it rides better than any fork I have yet to feel - except for other zokes, of course! | | Similar Products Used: | marzzochi Jr-T, Z-2 atom bomb, Rock sh@T Judy XC, SL, DH, manitou sx-r | | Bike Setup: | kona chute, z1 bam, DH wheels, riser bars/stem, XT | | Bottom Line: | drops, jumps, urban, xc, dh, freeride.... this fork does it all. Even after a year of riding all of that, its still smooth! I give this utinsel FIVE BADLY LIT JOINTS | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith F.
a Weekend Warrior
from Coutenay, BC Canada
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Two shieks & a dog | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Blacks Cycle | | Strengths: | Very plush
Very adjustable | | Weaknesses: | Flexy | | Similar Products Used: | Z1 Qr 20, 00 Boxxer | | Bike Setup: | Raven 4000, Z1 Bam, Grimica system 8 discs, XT & Hugi hubs, Ryno Light rims, 900 cranks and BB( hollow & splined)Race Face post, Maxxis front, Rokko rear. | | Bottom Line: | Comes with springs that are a little soft. For regular riding, fantastic. For higher speed they are flexy. You can change springs, oil weights, compression and rebound adjustments. Recommended for everone but high speed downhillers. For less flex get the QR 20. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken Mayes
a Downhiller
from Clinton, Ut, USA
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Devo DH (deer valley ut) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | gobs of travel, well built, tons of adjustability, good looks, disc brake mount | | Weaknesses: | I won't mention flex-single crown, 5"? What do you expect? | | Similar Products Used: | Most of the manitou and rockshox crap | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher hartail frame, Hayes 8" discs, zoke 5", Azonic parts | | Bottom Line: | This fork takes all the hits that I give it. I flat-landed a jump from 8' up, right down on the front forks, and it didn't even lose oil. I weigh about 150lb, so you figure it out. I repeatedly take this off of 4-5ft drops, and this fork makes my ride feel like it has 5" in the back (it's a hardtail) congrats to Zoke for making a killer fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stu Miller
a Weekend Warrior
from Littleton, CO
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Low maintenance
5 inch travel
Smooth on stutters or drops
| | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | White Bros SC90
Manitou EFC | | Bike Setup: | Titus Quazi Moto w/Fax Air Vanilla
Mix of SRAM, Shimano, Raceface & Bontrager | | Bottom Line: | Just completed 1st replacement of wipers & seals. I was getting significant oil build up on the stancion tubes on every ride. I was amazed at how simple the fork is when completely apart. The oil was disgustingly black from contamination but I never would have known until I opened it up.
Replacing the seals is a nerve racking task only because they are in there realy tight. Marzocchi has a tool to help but you end up prying out the seals either way. I was able to get replacement seals & wippers at a pricey $9 each from my LBS. I didn't want to spend $18 on 16oz of Marzocchi extra virgin 7.5 weight shock oil. I replaced the oil with $9 per liter Bel Ray 7.0 weight motorcycle shock oil from the local Honda dealer. Works great!
I'll ride this fork until it dies and then some more. Then I'll buy another Marzocchi because the others are toys in comparison. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
leo
a Downhiller
from austria
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Kaprun - dh world cup course + Tree Cime - a great freeride course around Lago Di Garda... | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$270.00 | | Purchased At: | Marzocchi - Milano italy | | Strengths: | well, this is my 3 bomber. So I think that I can say - the best freeride fork ever made...
| | Weaknesses: | For you bross here in the usa, well maybe the service, but in europe - no problem!!!
I need a seal - takes like 4 days to get one from the factory...
but weaknesses - no!
| | Similar Products Used: | bomber Z1 CR, rock shox judy100, X-fly bombers,
and my favorite - the monster T !!! | | Bike Setup: | Sintesi bazooka /the freeride version/, hayes, XTR,
Dee-max, marzocchi Boss rear damper, 99 - 5" bomber... | | Bottom Line: | ...well, I must say, that this fork seems to be even better than the CR model /I don't need the compresion damping that much!!!/
The fork is not a DH or CC fork!!!
The best use is the freeride!
well bross!!! - to write something about the fork...
Its not easy! - Every biker has it's own opinion!
To me the bomber is the best fork ever made!!!
The 99' Z1 model is seems to be better in fast down hills, than the 00' CR model.
I never had a problem with my bomber.
But that dosn't mean, that you don't need to maintain it!!!
Well, all you need to do is to change the oil and clean the fork.
I would also recomend to put some oil on the titan-nitride legs before every ride. But you really don't have to!!!
As I said at the beginning - this fork is a great fork for freeriding!
The fork si plush and active /very active!!!/ - it saved my butt several times - as it will save your asss too!!!
Well, if you can live with the funky "clunk" sound, that the fork makes under compression - go for it!!!
...oh, and one more thing ! - this fork looks will look great on your bike!
oh yeah!!!!
see ya.
and ride hard!!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Team Monkey
a Weekend Warrior
from Diamond Springs CA
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Diamond Dam | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Jason's | | Strengths: | Springs&Oil the only way to go, super plush travel | | Weaknesses: | No boots(that fork leg gets knicked by a rock you've got an oil leak), slightly heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Xvert,Judy XL | | Bike Setup: | Intense Uzzi SL,RaceFace,Hope disc, pure trail!!! | | Bottom Line: | A great fork for crazy trail riding. Sucks up the big hits, yet its smooth on the small stuff. If you want a solid fork for aggressive riding and don't like bashing your knees as with dual crown forks then this is your best bet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek Pietz
a Downhiller
from Fresno, CA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | 007 @ Bass Lake, CA | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Steven's Bicycles, Fresno, CA | | Strengths: | This fork shines in almost every way. When used for cross country/ freeriding, it was able to handle anything I could throw at it. When it really comes down to what is important in a fork, it's ability to absorb bumps, it is an excellent product. Few people admit it but weight is really not that big a deal. Especially if you want durability. The thing I like best is the adjustability. You can change the preload and damping externally,plus it is a snap to adjust oil weight and oil height. I run 15wt oil with the level raised 7mm. It really works well like that. | | Weaknesses: | I have done some DH racing on it and it is not quite up to the demands of serious racing. 5 inches, no matter how plush, just isn't enough for real racing. | | Similar Products Used: | Xvert-R, z1 dropoff | | Bike Setup: | DBR X-10 with formula discs. | | Bottom Line: | For what it is intended to do this fork really performs well. For racing you will be better off with a double crown fork with more travel. Weight is nothing more than something for people to complain about instead of riding. I have yet to have any maintence issues and i don't expect to. My OEM fork makes a clicking noise when compressed that is caused by the springs hitting the inside of the stanction tubes, my friends aftemarket one does not do this. I have not explanation. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a Weekend Warrior
from BC
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | super plush
smooth as silk
adjustable much
lots of travel
light as heck for 5"
makes front end nice and high for no back pain | | Weaknesses: | makes a slight creaking noise under braking. Maybe it needs some grease under the bolts.
slight oil leakage | | Similar Products Used: | 98 Judy XL, T2 XC INDY's
Bomber z12345
manitou magnum, XvertR, spyder
| | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR, Deore, 636, 60mm stem, yeti, | | Bottom Line: | This is a sweet fork that soaks up a whole whack load of the trail. It has that nifty rebound adjuster, which is not really worth spending 400 canadian dollars over the drop off. It is a nice feature if you can get it on sale. The fork is super light at 3.9lbs w/easton. It is a bit flexy, I'd rather have a junior T with a bit faster rebound, but the z1 does the job. No need for a 4 inch conversion waste of money. Might as well just buy a z3 or even a judy Race if you want 4 inches. The left fork leg leaks a bit of oil out from the seal, but not a big problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darrell McMillan
a Racer
from Round Mountain, NV
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Thunder Mountain, Utah | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Plush, sturdy, light, steering precision, damping | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | 98 Judy SL, 98 RST Hi-5 (recalled), 99 RST Delta HL (replaced the recalled Hi-5) | | Bike Setup: | Haro DX2, Fox Float R, XTR Brakes & Levers, SRAM 9.0 Shifters & rear derailleur, STX-RC Cranks & Chainrings. | | Bottom Line: | This fork is awesome. It's great for cross country training, bombing downhills all day and freeriding. I've noticed some people dis'ing it due to it's weight. 4lbs for 5 inches of plush travel is not heavy! This fork replaced the 5.8lb RST Delta HL on my bike, so I lost almost 2lbs by switching. A SID XL is 3.7lbs. I haven't noticed any flex and it tracks straight as an arrow. I weigh 185. This fork has saved me from several big hit induced launches over the bars. Although this is my training bike, I will probably be using it in place of my race bike for a few select XC events this year. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Adams
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | All of 'em. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Beefy arch that can be replaced (You really shouldn't hav attacked that rut) oil/spring setup redefines the word plush. Adjustability ease and noticability. | | Weaknesses: | When it comes right down to it, the weight is the #1 downer on this fork. It does have the tendancy to make some odd clicking noises, but I can live with it for the ride I get. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox SID | | Bike Setup: | DBR XR-4 with XTR brakes/shifters, XT rear/LX front, Mavic222 rims with LX hubs, Fox Float RC, Specialized tires | | Bottom Line: | I put the Marzocchi on after I tired of the SID's front to rear flex. I love this fork on the rough stuff, but the fact that an aerospace engineering degree would help rebuilding it is kind of discouraging. Find a good mechanic and enjoy the benefits of the Marzocchi. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DR Ray
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bull Mtn/Jake Mtn | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | We're talking stoopid-plush; "Es muy macho"; Rock solid and seems bottomless; The name says it all...You will bomb down, up, and over everything. One tough mutha! | | Weaknesses: | Maybe the weight if you're XC weeny, but that is not what this fork is all about. Stop crying and go buy a SID. There may be some flex, but with a 4"+ travel single-crown some should be expected. This really does not bother me; it is just a little different. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou SXR, SID 100, Noleen mega-air, Bomber Flylight 100, Bomber Z2 atom bomb | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Heckler, XTR/Raceface drivetrain, Bomber Z1, Hayes brakes, Sun rims/Real hubs, Tioga factory XC tires | | Bottom Line: | If you are man(or woman, rather PC of me eh?) enough to step up to the plate then this is the fork for you. Its kinda like listening to old 'Sabbath records; Its burly, its heavy, maybe evil, but it will put a grin on yer face and you'll keep coming back for more. You will take the scariest of sections in stride and come out rubber down. It balances perfectly with the Heckler's rear suspension, and big airs are a snap. If you can snatch one of these up used you will not be let down. I hear that the 2000 models are not as plush, I have not tried one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave McCallum
a Weekend Warrior
from East Kilbride
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Thorntonhall | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | very plush 5" travel | | Weaknesses: | clicking on compression | | Similar Products Used: | rock shox judy xlc | | Bike Setup: | trek vrx frameset, very good combination | | Bottom Line: | A good freeride fork, handles most of my riding well, Bomber Z1 CR 2000 model very similar but the bams have a much softer feel giving them the feel they will take anything out that you throw at them. Very adjustable forks, easy to maintain. I basically thing the best investiment make in my mtb career. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Mormon/National Loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | 5" travel
Very Plush | | Weaknesses: | Little flexy
Technical uphills | | Similar Products Used: | Head shock, RS Judy | | Bike Setup: | C'dale F2000 XT/XTR/SRAM Grip shift
Hell bent Riser
Coda disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | I love this thing. Very plush. For me, a 235 pounder,
the shock is perfect with the heavy springs. Going up hill on technical terrain is alot tougher. Probably because I am used to a 70 mm fork. But, it is just something that I have to get used to.
Down hill is great. I am getting over pretty big objects with ease. And is has, on more than a few occasions, saved me from soaring over the handlebars on steep terrain. Great fork. The 5" is not too much, but that is probably because of my weight, I get about 1" of nevative travel, leaving 4" of sheer plushness. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Weekend Warrior
from Upstate NY
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Song | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Single crown
Turning radius
weight over triple clamp
Performance
quick release | | Weaknesses: | a little flexy, not 6" of travel, mounting hayes brakes was a pain | | Similar Products Used: | Hanebrink LT8, Girvin Chubb, Xvert R, Bullet/Hanebrink DH-6, | | Bike Setup: | Was a GT STS with Hayes and some crap, will be a Lawill DH-6 with some crap | | Bottom Line: | A great fork...seriously. Don't diss the flex, it's a five inch single crown fork...the only competition is the Manitou and that's $1000... The quick release is so nice...I rode a Hanebrink LT-8 with 7" before this, and the 25 mm axle is a pain. You never appreciate it until it's gone. The performance is better than the Hanebrink. Maybe it was those big tubes, but the Zokes is just as plush. Also, this fork is just as stiff as the Hanebrink, and that suckers huge! If your looking for a serious freeride oriented fork, this is it. It's reliable, easy to maintain, works incredbly, and the single crown works well for tight singletrack. A great do everything fork. Five flaming piles for the best working fork i've ridden. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen Smith
a Downhiller
from Croton, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | World Cup and DSE | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | The Fork looks really nice and is also very light. Has a good range of adjustablity and tuning | | Weaknesses: | FLEXY! | | Similar Products Used: | MX-6
Super Star's
Avalanche Avalanche | | Bike Setup: | Bullit- DH setup | | Bottom Line: | The fork works really great though it is very flexy. If your under 110 lbs. the fork will be fine...I would recommend it. Though if your a little bit heavier or just ride hard trails you will feel it flex. You could also hear it creaking near the head set and watch the fork legs move an inch back and forth horizontily. The fork does have a lot of tuning abilites and is perfect for the cross-country rider or easy freerider. For downhilling though i would recommend an MX-6, Monster, or other heavy fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
c e
a Cross Country Rider
from berkeley
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | good coil travel, oil damping | | Weaknesses: | flexy | | Similar Products Used: | judt race | | Bike Setup: | hardtail freerider/xc race | | Bottom Line: | worth it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ROC SHOX
a Cross Country Rider
from Anartica
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Full ice dome | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Built to last | | Weaknesses: | Zokes are heavier than hell, leaks oil. | | Similar Products Used: | SID, XMO | | Bike Setup: | Zaskar, SID | | Bottom Line: | If you want heavy good looking forks get it. Otherwize get SID! LONG LIVE ROCKSHOX LONG LIVE ROCKSHOX LONG LIVE ROCKSHOX LONG LIVE ROCKSHOX LONG LIVE ROCKSHOX LONG LIVE ROCKSHOX | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Skippy
a Weekend Warrior
from Cario
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Adjustability
5" of plush travel
Reliability | | Weaknesses: | Flex on hard downhills | | Similar Products Used: | 98 Z-1, Judy XL, Manitou X-Vert | | Bike Setup: | Heckler, XTR, Raceface, Risse Jupiter-5 | | Bottom Line: | Excellent freeride fork. The flex is acceptable for weight savings and agility over a dual crown. I kept the 5" with stock (M) springs and I have no complaints ( I weight 190 lbs. I use the adjustabilty to my advantage to overcome various trail conditions. Inspires confidence and bails you out when you get too confident. Best fork for the $'s. All they need to do is make one with a real 20mm axle! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Al
a Weekend Warrior
from Garden Grove,CA
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Haven't found it yet | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Built like a rock. | | Weaknesses: | None that I've experienced | | Similar Products Used: | 98 Judy XL | | Bike Setup: | Mt.Cycle San Andreas, full XT, Chris king head set,
Mavic wheels w/ XT hubs and my Z1 BAM | | Bottom Line: | Worth every penny and more bang for your buck!
This thing is plush and yet takes the hits without
it blinkin an eye. I'm just afraid it makes me a
little too confident. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a weekend warrior
from Newark
Date Reviewed: November 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The 99 Z-1 BAM is the plushest fork I have ever ridden. I bought it with the 4 inch conversion kit, and it sucks up any bump that could come your way. It is way adjustable and beats the crap out of my other shocks(Judy XC, FSX, and Girvin Cross-link Elite). Go out and buy one. 5 chili's | | Overall Rating: |
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