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Marzocchi
Bomber z.2 atom 80
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Submitted by
Spencer
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Came with used Fisher Sugar | | Strengths: | Plush, strong, good looking, simple, coils, never bottoms for me. In this area you have rooty and rootier. Chose to buy a used Fisher with this fork over a new marin with Axel Elite. Wouldn't you know a $350 four year old fork out performed a new $100 fork. | | Weaknesses: | If someone could write 105mm on it I would believe I had more travel and that ir was worth more. I don't believe they make this fork anymore. | | Similar Products Used: | My friend's Fox Vanillla may be slightly more awesome but only slightly. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Sugar 2, hydro disks, sram, isis crank, Fox Float, weak engine. | | Bottom Line: | I would recommend this fork to anyone. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PAWN
a Weekend Warrior
from Okinawa,Japan
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | fast singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$320.00 | | Strengths: | Its works well, is reliable and looks cool! Stiff fork, no flex. 80 mm version | | Weaknesses: | lockout doesn't work that well | | Similar Products Used: | Only modern shock I've owned, older Girvin, Noleen and generics before. | | Bike Setup: | Ibis Silk Ti with all the goodies | | Bottom Line: | This fork works well, was too plush when I first got it, upgraded springs for my weight. I have never had any problems with this fork it works extremely well, with the upgraded springs I never bottom it out either, I weigh 230 so I needed a tough fork and this is it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ethan
a Weekend Warrior
from Tel Aviv, Israel
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Carmel Mtn. | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Trail Head Cyclery | | Strengths: | Incredibly Durable. So low maintenance it's scary. Great performer, drinks up any obstacle and licks your face when you get home. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Thin Air. XT/XTR setup. Race Face BB, cranks, headset and seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | Been riding hard on it for over 3 years and there is no justification for switching. Probably the best front shock ever produced. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | T&T | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Muskoka Bicycle Pro Shop - Huntsville Ontario | | Strengths: | RELIABLE, plush, strong/flex free, look great | | Weaknesses: | not light (but don't ride like a light fork either) | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox, Manitou, Cannodale Lefty(garbage) | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Vertex with XT/XTR and Race Face throughout. | | Bottom Line: | Great Fork!!! I've been training and racing with this fork for 2 years. I have been doing some very long distance traing and racing, including 24 hours solo races.
In this type of racing, you see all kinds of bike problems. If it can go wrong, it will. I have never had a single problem with this fork. Not once have I questioned for one second, this fork's reliability.
There is nothing I would change about it. It is adjustable, but simple ... no unnecessary gadgets ... lock out etc.
I don't know if Marzocchi even make a version of this fork anymore, but if you get the chance to own one, don't hesitate. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Francis
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver Island
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | BC / Canada / Urban | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | The Realm | | Strengths: | It's a Marzocchi, Super Light Crown 85mm travel, Never bottoms | | Weaknesses: | The aluminum adjusters have a stight play after 2 years | | Similar Products Used: | Judy's = Suck, Marzocchi MXC = Great, Marzocchi EXR = Good, Marzocchi Jr.T = Good, Rst Gamma = Sucks, Sr Suntour Xc-Pro NS = Very great 5" freestyle fork! <- Current fork running = Awsome | | Bike Setup: | Norco XCS-1 2000= Enduro Bike, Norco VPS-1 1999 = Freestyle, Specialized Enduro Pro = Dad's bike (Xc)... | | Bottom Line: | The z.2 atom 80 (2000) is a great fork. You never have to adjust or clean, just ride it hard, I droped 3-5 feet and still no sign of bottom and at lowest preload also not gummy like some others! Super plush!
Buy it if you can find it! it is awsome for XC, or urban
It's practically a smaller Z.1! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Tokyo, Japan
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$225.00 | | Purchased At: | A Fellow Rider | | Strengths: | Plush, havent bottomed out yet.. but still trying | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | RST. P.O.S. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized HR, Ritch comp crankset,seatpost,headset, easton handlebars, Race face stem, XT every thing else | | Bottom Line: | Great fork ready to try the Z1 on my DH Bike!! | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Sunnyvale
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Skegg's or Wilder | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Great ride | | Weaknesses: | Weight, but it is worth it for the superior performance. | | Similar Products Used: | SID, Judy | | Bike Setup: | Intense Tracer, XTR, Chris King, Race Face... | | Bottom Line: | I love this fork. On top of that, Marzocchi has the greatest customer service. Had a problem with it (a creak) and they fixed it fast, under warranty. They even changed the oil and dialed it in. I give 5 chili's for the product and 5 chilis for the great customer service.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andreas Klauser
a Cross Country Rider
from Feldafing
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | hibike | | Strengths: | Erverything but | | Weaknesses: | perhaps weight if you want it ultralight | | Similar Products Used: | Everything noteworthy from RS, Manitou X-Vert super 01, Manitou SX Carbon | | Bike Setup: | Dekerf Generation '96 | | Bottom Line: | An update. Best fork, still going strong under 220 lbs and hard cc use (xtra heavy springs, w15 oil). Atom Race 01 identical function. If you stumble across it cheap, don't hesitate the fraction of a second. Forget lockout, eec and other gimicks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nona P. Amgine
a Cross Country Rider
from Cornwall, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Rebec and Kroes | | Strengths: | Strong, stiff, bombproof | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou, Rock Shox | | Bike Setup: | Kona Kula, XT components, Mavic X618 rims | | Bottom Line: | No gimmick crap from Marzocchi. While the other guys are putting 'twist this knob for more travel, twist that knob to clean your shorts' crap on their forks, Marzocchi creates forks that work. Period! When people pass Marzocchi forks on the trail they notice. Pass a Manitou or Rock Shox....Who Cares!
Simply the best. Accept no substitutes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Selby
a Cross Country Rider
from Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Wharfdale | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shack | | Strengths: | A super plush fork, and really rigid. Soaks up all the hits, big and small. Strong enough to run a eight inch rotor with no problems. Good Looking and well made. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shock Dukes + SIDs, Manitou Blacks, | | Bike Setup: | An old Marin Bear Valley Frame, XT components, Hayes Mechanical front disc, | | Bottom Line: | For $600NZ these forks were a great buy. I bought them second hand, but the shop had sold them to the original owner and maintained them while he had them. To boot all the seals, oil and bushings had been replaced. No breaking in was required! The shocks have given me more confidence to hit things harder knowing the Z2s will just soak it up. Great for cross country and any bigger hits you can find. If you find a pair of these forks don't hesitate to buy them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Connor
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO USA
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$199.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | Plush
stiffness
maintenance-free | | Weaknesses: | Would like stanchion boots
Steering geometry changed with travel increase from 63 mm to 80 mm, but easily compensated for and now transparent (old bike designed for limited travel forks). | | Similar Products Used: | 96 Judy with Risse, WB springs | | Bike Setup: | Trek 970 cromo | | Bottom Line: | A huge improvement over the Judy, even with aftermarket springs and cartridge. The Marzocchi is so much smoother my ride feels like a different bike. The external controls actually change the performance of the shock now! Plus, no more blown cartridges. The clearance price was unbeatable as well, and there appeared to be no difference between the 2000 and 2001 models save for color scheme; 2002 looks different with the ECC option. I am a fan of coil/oil maintenance as I would rather ride than service the old Judy. A great fork at a great price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bobby
a Weekend Warrior
from Baltimoe
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Loch Raven Reservoir | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$190.00 | | Purchased At: | E-bay | | Strengths: | Extremely plush. Good looks. Exclusive, not everyone knows what a Marzocchi is. | | Weaknesses: | Clicked when i first received it. Was told that a guidance bushing was the problem. Clicking has stopped. | | Similar Products Used: | P.O.S. RST | | Bike Setup: | KHS hartail w/ Avid Brakes, XT components and Mavic wheelset. | | Bottom Line: | You can get this fork brand new from pricepoint for $280, how can you loose. Marzocchi makes the best forks on earth. My next fork will be a single crown Shiver for $445 wholesale. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Fuller
a Cross Country Rider
from Stockport, UK
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Dolgellau Circuit | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Strengths: | Absolutely no stiction. No maintenance needed. Pretty light. | | Weaknesses: | Cryofit squeak. Windwave repaired and OK since. | | Similar Products Used: | Pace, Rock Shocks and Manitou. Wouldn't give any standing room compared to Marzocchi. | | Bike Setup: | Marin Alpine Trail. DDG rims/hums, XT gears, FSA Chainset and headset, Panaracer Trail Blaster 2.1s | | Bottom Line: | You would not believe the punishment I have put these forks through carrying my 190lbs through stuff ramblers break ankles on! Without them I could not have ridden half of what I have. 80mm bit short for the new bike setup so am retiring the Atoms for Marathon S 100's. Thanks Marzocchi for making proper bike suspension!
(My 1997 Z2 BAMS are still going strong on a friends bike) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from coeur d'alene
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Cave | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | Plush, No flex, Rebound setting, Easy to maintain, Differenct spring available according to your weight, will save your behind. | | Weaknesses: | Bobs a little. | | Similar Products Used: | Rockshox Jett (NO comparison here) | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher hardtail-XL, Tru vativ team stylo cranks, raceface bb, easton ea70 bars, avid ti v-brakes, selle italia flite, lx shifters, xt ders., Dave's speed-dream wheels, cane creek s5 headset. | | Bottom Line: | This is an update. Rode the fork for a year now on the stock springs. Time for a little maintainance while changing the headset. Replaced the stock springs with the heavy set (I weigh 200--6'3") and drained and flushed the oil. Service went without a hitch. Now, I can run 4 less turns on the pre-load dial and have the same sag. I'm getting an even more compliant ride in the first part of the travel and the fork can take bigger hits without packing in. Rebound control was definitely refreshed with the new oil. No slop at all is present in the pilot bushings; no oil leakage either; no dents in the sliders. It's like riding a new fork all over again.
These things are super durable, easy to maintain when it's needed, rock solid and plush at the same time.
Best thing I ever did for my bike.
I just hope the Atom Race is the same when I go to put one on a new bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris B
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond,VA
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Pocahontas state park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$265.00 | | Purchased At: | from larry at http://www.mtnhighcyclery.com | | Strengths: | This fork is nice and stiff- it tracks very well in turns. It is also VERY PLUSH! The quality is excellent. The adjustment knobs work very well- allowing you to dial it in just right. The 30mm stantions are strong. The "M" arch seems to do just fine. | | Weaknesses: | The only thing I didn't like was strictly cosmetic. The decals are covered by a plastic protector cover- great! so I peeled them off and the decals look fine. At the bottom of the fork is the decal that says "Z2 Atom Race" so I went to peel of the protective plastic BUT Yikes! it was only a cheapo sticker! so thats my only problem. big deal. | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 Judy SL, canondale fatty, fatty sl air | | Bike Setup: | I ride a 2000 Schwinn Rocket 88 - Stage 1. A really fun Full suspension XC rig. SRAM 9.0 complete drive train and Half-pipe shifters, XT v-brakes, Chris King hs, xtr hubs,sun 0 Degree XC rims, Titec Big Al stem paired with a Titec Flat Tracker(great cockpit!), Brooks B-17 saddle, Cane Creek AD-12 - nice once you dial it in. A really nice ride all day bike. | | Bottom Line: | This shock is great! The 30mm stantions are tons stiffer than my old Judy SL. Like with most upgrades you really notice improvement over your old stuff. This fork just steers better and tracks well over everything I have thrown at it. The fork is VERY PLUSH. It has a very short break in period which was nice ,you could actually feel the fork getting better on the first few rides. Just take it down some steps and hit the trails. I am really impressed with Marzocchi. You should get this fork if you want to upgrade to something because your riding is getting to much for your old shock. I think its just a bit heavy but it by far makes up for it with performance. I would recommend it to all types of riders. The quality is top notch. The adjustment knobs are nice cnc alum. and when you turn them Stay with me RockSHOX- you can feel the difference. very easy to dial in. Like they say- set it and forget it.
Go buy one you will love it!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a
from Ann Arbor, Mi, USA
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$240.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Smooth like butta, wow. Little upkeep required, unlike air forks and much more durable. | | Weaknesses: | None yet, though I have not used this fork very long. | | Similar Products Used: | Manit. Black, junk in my mind | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Mt.Tam, all XT, Sun Rhyno Lite rims, Thompson stem and seatpost, and Easton bar. The bike a little heavy (29lbs, its an XL) but it is almost indestructable. | | Bottom Line: | This fork is sweet and buying an older model of the Z2 is a great idea right now. They are much cheaper (duh..) but they have not changed over the years. They still weigh a heavy but durable 4.0 lbs and have the same internals. Just as smooth as ever, coil/oil goodness. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hakan
a
from NYC
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Stock on bike | | Strengths: | Stiff, very nice and plush damping but never bottoms out | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Mozo, FAtty SL (total crap) | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Vertex, Race Face cranks,seatpost,handlebars,XTR f/r der.,XT shifters, SRAM brakes, Mars Atom 80, King headset | | Bottom Line: | Aweseome shocks!! Needs very little service and the ride is plush but never bottoms out. I'm 200 lbls but still use the standard springs and I have not been able to bottom out so far despite some extreme riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geoff King
a Weekend Warrior
from Dunedin, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Skipper's pack track, NZ | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Second hand | | Strengths: | Stiff, strong, and thoroughly absorbent | | Weaknesses: | None detected to date | | Similar Products Used: | 95 Rock Shox Mag 21, 96 Judy SL, 98 Judy XC | | Bike Setup: | 96 Chromo Hardtail with Scott riser bars, Kore stem, XT 8 speed shifters, XT/LX drivetrain, Hayes/Huegi front hub on Campag K2 rim, XT rear hub on Ritchey OCR rim, XTR rear V brake, Avid mechanical disc front, Cane Creek Thudbuster post and WTB SSTK saddle, Specialized cranks, Time ATAC pedals...pretty much a custom bike! | | Bottom Line: | I love this fork. As a recreational rider on a limited budget I thought long and hard before buying it (the Judy XC was still functioning, but I've always been a believer in quality and when the chance arose to buy a Bomber second hand from a rider I know and trust, I did some research.) I'm glad I took the advice of numerous Bomber riders - together with the Avid disc, this is the best upgrade I've ever made to my bike. It eats rocks, swallows roots and now that I've got the rebound dialled, it glides over stutter bumps like they're not even there. And it makes my bike look sooo good...
It's not light - but given the confidence that riding with it inspires, who cares?
It's not cheap - but given its superior quality and longer maintenance intervals, why worry?
It is, in my view, well worth every cent, and has, without any exaggeration, raised my riding enjoyment to another level. Buy it if you're not concerned about every gram of weight on your bike and want a beautifully manufactured, superbly functional work of engineering art. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Lo
a Cross Country Rider
from Suisun City, CA. USA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Rock Garden | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikesmart | | Strengths: | Tough,stiff,very plush,easy to set up,looks sweet (Black and Polish). Easy to maintain. Great customer service and support. | | Weaknesses: | What weakness? | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou 2, Manitou Mach 5, Judy XC, Marzocchi Superfly Z2. | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlite, Fox RC w/lock out, Raceface cranks splined 8spd. XTR shifter/lever 8spd. XTR front and rear derailuer, XTR v-brakes, Chris King headset & Hubs, Mavic 517 rims, WTB Ti 98 saddle, Thomson stem and seatpost, Salsa Ti skewers, Monkeylite lo-riser handle bar, Oury grips, IRC mythos 2.1 F/R, Shimano HG 91 chain, 747 clipless pedals, Cateye Enduro2 computer. | | Bottom Line: | Best shocks I've own so far that I bought a 01 Atom Race for my Litespeed Obed. Now two of my riding buddies are riding Marzocchi Atom 80's, and love the shocks too! They were a little bit concerned about the weight of the shocks but are now bombing down the hills like me with that ultra plush ride and the control. There is no better cross country fork that can match up with the Atom 80. I have over 1200 miles on the shocks and have not had a problem. Just get on it and RIDE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
celly
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bow Cycle | | Strengths: | As with all coil/oil Bombers, it's very plush and very stiff. | | Weaknesses: | None really. The weight thing has never bothered me. | | Similar Products Used: | '97 Z2, '98 Atom Bomb | | Bike Setup: | '00 Rocky Mountain Instinct, tricked out. | | Bottom Line: | As with all Bombers, these things are super plush and very stiff. I've pondered going to other fork manufacturers through the years, but why? Bombers are set them and foget them, and the Atom 80 is no exception. Definitely the best Bomber I've ever owned, but I do have a '01 Atom Race on the way for my hardtail. ;-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Silver Spring
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Stiff, supple, adjustable ride. High manufacturing quality. | | Weaknesses: | Subject to the third law of thermodynamics (though the decals seem to be holding up pretty well after one week.) | | Similar Products Used: | Rigid forks; '96 Judy w/63mm Englund; '98 Judy (sliders) w/85mm Englund. | | Bike Setup: | ’98 M2 Stumpjumper, ’98 USE seatpost, some expensive rotating mass (w/2.1 full knobbies.) Fork setup per Marzocchi specs (check their site for the 2000 manual.) | | Bottom Line: | Background:
I've ridden Englunds for five years and always liked the ride and the factory service (both very good) but lately I’ve noticed the Judys clunk a lot (loose bushings) and wander a little in the rough stuff. After the last piston scratch on one of the Englund cartridges I figured: 1) $100 to fix the old Judy (again); or 2) $200 to lose all the air shock maintenance and gain a stiffer fork.
Two days of web research (my thanks to Reviews & Passion on MTBR), two days of FedEx, and two nights of fiddling followed by: 3 hours of riding, ~20,000 rocks, several ramps, and many (fallen) trees.
First impressions:
No heavier than the old Judy (steel steerer and bolt-on triple clamp.)
Manufacturing quality excellent inside and out (I opened it up to check the oil level.)
Very compliant on small stuff; effortlessly absorbs big hits.
Very stiff over log ramps and descending through baby heads.
Subjective reflections:
This fork is a little bit better in all respects than my old Judy/Englund setup. However, when all the little differences are taken into account together, it is much superior. It feels solid on sketchy trails and inspires confidence where the Judy would just make you hope for the best. It affects the entire feel of my Stumpjumper - now it flows over obstacles like a wave rather than just bouncing from rock to rock.
Bottom line:
Excellent fork. Great Price. Very happy.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dick Hurtz
a Cross Country Rider
from CA.
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | none | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | ridgid,super smooth,Pimpin looks (the red ones are sweet) | | Weaknesses: | None so far. Some say it's a little heavy but I'm not a weight weenie. I'm a clyde (6'2" 210lbs) I like my equipment to be able to take the abuse that I inflict. The Atom 80 just smiles and says "is that all you got bytch?" | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou SXR | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper XT,Thomson,Easton,etc.... | | Bottom Line: | My friend bought the same fork last year for about $300. It was a little too rich for my blood back then. Now it's about $100 dollars cheaper.
Overall this fork rocks. I would recommend it to any rider, especially the clydes. Five chilis all around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Khris Emory Emory
a Weekend Warrior
from Cincy, Ohio, U.S.
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Huston woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$199.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | There is a lot of adusting that one can do, it really looks cool, and The price. | | Weaknesses: | I weight 230 pounds and when I lean foward it sinks way down. | | Similar Products Used: | Mountou | | Bike Setup: | Trek 6000 with LX all around. | | Bottom Line: | I have riden it for about a week know and have seen no problem other than the drop when I lean forward. I found it at pricepoint for only 199 dollars so I had to buy it. I have not heard the noise others have said they heard. Is it an air shock? I thought it was oil. I see no air valve on mine. It is the 2000 atom 80 Bomber | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JOHN MILLER
a Cross Country Rider
from MONTGOMERY VILLAGE MD (mont county)
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | senica/watkins mill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Hudson Trail Outfitters | | Strengths: | strong, stiff, bomb proof, looks kewl | | Weaknesses: | bent a valve the first time I put more air in. | | Similar Products Used: | SID, judy xc, Manitou x vert, Manitou x vert dubble crown | | Bike Setup: | fisher MT TAM, xt-xtr, xt disc brakes, raceface next LP, thud buster seat post.....mostly a stock FISHER MT TAM DISC | | Bottom Line: | I am a hard rider and I am extra hard on my equipment. This is the only fork that I have owned that I have not broke, blown, wrecked, bent, or destroyed and it has much more riding time then any other fork I have ever owned.
Some people complain about the weight but I will sacrifice the extra few grams for the reliability that I need what I lack in skill my bike has to absorb in extra impacts. This fork is just what I needed to be able to do extra triathlons. I have won the past 2 triathlons my university has put on with this fork. It has not let me down yet.
This is a great fork. But it only gets 4 chili peppers because of the bent valve that I had to replace after one use.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TODD
a Cross Country Rider
from RALEIGH, NC
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | LOVE THEM ALL | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Adjustability, stiffness. | | Weaknesses: | The weight, but just by a little bit. | | Bottom Line: | The fork works great. I had the creaking problem that was described by earlier posts, but Marzocchi repaired it. After riding it for about a month it started again, and this time they are replacing it. I can't say enough about this company, or the fork. It simply works well.
Hey, what size panties does somone who weighs only 58 kg (128lbs) wear? :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mateis
a Weekend Warrior
from holland
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$315.00 | | Purchased At: | b2b | | Strengths: | damping for sure, it would be hard to find a more sophisticated damping system (it's also very adjustable -from very harsh and unactive to full dh-sensitivity. it's very active on the small stuff, it is hard to bottom out for me, but i only weigh 58 kg (i know you won't understand kg's but the time is just right if not past for all you americans to get used to it). you don't really notice it working. | | Weaknesses: | when you step on your mates bike that lacks a marzo, you will feel uncomfortable
i could use a fork with a little more travel, but i can't blame the fork for that.
| | Similar Products Used: | p-bone, mozo pro, jet s, sx lt, judy xc, all not in the same class as the marzo | | Bike Setup: | voodoo reynolds853 16", marzo, ritchey, kore, lots of coda from my old cdale (which was way to harsh), old xt and, hail to the king baby, sachs powergrip, yeah | | Bottom Line: | after a long bedding-in period you will get smooth suspension. for me, the medium spring is good, but i am way light. when you are into serious funbiking the amount of travel may not be sufficient, and i can know, but if you are 'just making lots of km's' things won't get better than this old classic. if you want a stiffer fork, go with rond, they also make veeery reliable products | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C Taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from Randolph
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Waywayonda Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikeland in Chatham | | Strengths: | versatility- the shock can take a lot of abuse, very little maintenance, and still deliver smooth riding. I have yet to open it up, until putting it on the new Ellsworth this week. | | Weaknesses: | The paint chipped after two years, many crashes, a year with a 14 year old, and now its second frame. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou SX and Sid Race...negative air,positive air......Air. | | Bike Setup: | the latest...Ellsworth Truth, Race Face Next LP Crank, Chris King hubs w Mavic 517s, Shimano XT 8spd (stripped off 6 year old hardtail Kona), Kooka Stem, some old bar from the garage, Thompson seatpost, King Headset, Selle Italia Tri-matic saddle, LX V-brakes (yes, they still work), tires | | Bottom Line: | After scratching my head and wondering what to put on the front of my sweet new Ellsworth frame, it was a ride with the wife where I rode my son's bike (my old Kona) that make me the decision. I have barely maintained this shock in the 2 years I have owned it, and it is smooth as silk. I tried to kill it one day at Mtn Creek and I couldn't. For $75 I had it powder coated black and now we're ready for more adventures, sans maintenance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Janiszewski
a Cross Country Rider
from Gainesville, Florida, U.S.
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky quary | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | merilcycles.com | | Strengths: | Plush travel that absorbs the small stuff and takes the big hits | | Weaknesses: | Adjuster on the bottom of the fork fell off after a month. Not bad though just gaot a new for 10$. Works perfectly now. | | Bike Setup: | Cheap Sports Authority Mongoose that I've built up. Clipless pedals, seat, fork , headset | | Bottom Line: | The Marzocchi Atom Sport Air is a great, well priced fork for the intermediate rider. It's very smooth and the biggest hit its taken is 7 feet. It still functioned properly after that hit. Great XC fork but must take a chilli away for the external adjuster falling out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Califa del Sur
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The long and winding kind | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | OEM | | Strengths: | What, are youi kidding?!? Soaks up big hits, smooths out the chatter, looks like it should be on display at MOCA (that's the Museum of Contemporary Art for anyone outside SoCal) | | Weaknesses: | What, are you kidding?!? Absolutely none - ignore all the weight-whiners... | | Similar Products Used: | A bunch of RockShox... | | Bike Setup: | RM Blizzard, Zoke Z.2 Atom 80 Sport, XT brakes/shifters/drivetrain, Thomson stem, King headset, RaceFace ISIS Turbine crankset/BB, Salsa post, WTB saddle, Salsa carbon booster, WTB Laser XC wheelset | | Bottom Line: | Every good thing I hear about Marzocchi in general and this shock in particular is absolutely true. This shock has saved my bacon more times than I can count, soaking up stuff that would've tossed me ODB with my old Rox. Keeps my course straight and true, which is all I ask. Stunning good looks to boot...
Get the heavy-duty springs, adjust the oil as needed, and you will be good to go. Forget air shocks - those are for racers with a highly-paid wrench to maintain it for them. Why fiddle with air pressure when you could be riding instead?
And please, forget about the so-called weight penalty. Unless you weigh under 150 pounds in wet-with-sweat lycra, your kidding yourself if you think another 100 grams is going to keep you from making that grunt that keeps you from sleeping at night...Want to save weight? Skip the pizza for a month!
Five fiery habaneros for a great product! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John K
a
from Thousand Oaks, CA USA
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | So Cal, Santa Monica Mtns | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$475.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Outlet | | Strengths: | It just works great. Set it and forget it. | | Weaknesses: | Maybe price, but what is peace of mind worth to you. A little on the heavy side. | | Similar Products Used: | RockShock | | Bike Setup: | DeKerf team SL steel. Marzocchi atom 80. Race face next LP crank. Shimano XT 9sp. drive train with GS attack shifters. Race face bars, Thompson stem, Rock shock suspension post, Selle Italia Flite seat. Shimano XT disc hubs laced to Mavic 317 rims with DT 14/15/14 spokes. | | Bottom Line: | These forks flex the least, the ride is comfortable. Easy to dial in. Set it forget it. They just keep working great. The plush ride is hard to beat. On the heavy side, but a strong fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Big Boy
a Cross Country Rider
from NYC
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Vietnam | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | Cool looks, super plush, strong strong strong, ease of maintenance, tackles bumps, rocks and logs with ease. Great customer service | | Weaknesses: | ???weight, but the quality is there big time! | | Similar Products Used: | RS...never again | | Bike Setup: | basically stock Gary Fisher (steel) with some tricked out areas | | Bottom Line: | Great shock. Easy to dial in whatever ride i want. Stiff and strong (I weight around 240 lbs and this fork doesn't twist or bend at all) I changed the springs to X-heavy dual rate and it was the greatest move. Definitely follow the recommendations for your weight. My riding performance has increased dramatically since changing to the zoke. As the 2000 model becomes older and older, the prices will be hard to beat. I can't imagine a better performing shock for the (curent) money. I have spoken to others who purchased the same shock, changed the spring and continually rave about it. Great shock, great price. Period. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Coeur d'Alene, ID
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Can set-up for plush or rock hard. Rebound adjustment actually works. Good range of adjustment. Stiff. Chrome arch looks cool. High build quality; the adjustment nuts are AL, not POS plastic like some others... Good details in manual on rebuilding, changing springs. Can still get one for cheap on the web. | | Weaknesses: | somewhat heavy. Bobs when climbing out of the saddle...so a lock-out would be nice on a MSRP $500 fork. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shock Jett SL | | Bike Setup: | Fork: the Red one, 2000 Model. | | Bottom Line: | Oil and springs: the only way to go. The RS Jett was a toy compared to this. Heavy compared to air but no pumping. Can tune the thing for your weight and style with different oil and spring combos; this gives greater possibility of adjustment than an air fork. This fork loves to descend. It makes my hartail livable on the severly rutted-out, very fast downhill sections I ride. It has saved my ass several times; it just soaked up the hit and kept me on line. It is better than I am. Unless you need ultimate light weight for racing or more travel, this fork is the hot ticket. Great value now on the 2000 models.
give a rated 5 but maybe really 4.5 flamers overall because I personally have a need for a lock-out and a little less weight. Very pleased with this purchase though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
freddy
a Cross Country Rider
from kamloops
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Milstream | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | -amazing ride
-super smooth
-keeps me from fatiguing
-super rigind, steers amazingly, no flex | | Weaknesses: | -little heavy | | Similar Products Used: | 99 SID ( flexy noodle ) | | Bike Setup: | 2001 kona pahoehoe with a 2000 atom 80 with all race face components | | Bottom Line: | I put this fork in a kona frame with all race face components because I wanted a durable set up, weight wasn't a priority. I totally hit the nail on the head. This fork is the sweetest part of my whole bike. This fork has made me a considerably better descender due to the confidence it instills. It is so smooth, it's alright for climbing but for rough terrain which I ride every day this fork is amazing. On rough race courses I can recover a lot fast on this fork than I could on my old SID just because this fork is so smooth it dosen't beat you up at all. I would say if you don't race a lot and hate fixing things this is the fork for you it's virtually mantinence free and has a wicked ride. Compared to any other xc fork out there I garauntee this fork will help out your technical riding the most. It also handles drop offs realy well too. I've hucked a couple 5 footers on this fork the landing stings a bit but not as bad as it would if I was still riding my old SID. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andreas Klauser
a Cross Country Rider
from Feldafing
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | hibike | | Strengths: | Function, Desing, Stiffness, Maintainance | | Weaknesses: | weight??? ridiculous | | Similar Products Used: | RS SID 98, Manitou SX Carbon, Manitou X-Vert Super 01, RS Judy 100, RS Judy SL 00, RS Judy XL, Bomber 98 | | Bike Setup: | Trek 9900 OCLV, tune wheels, XTR wirh SRAM GS Shorties | | Bottom Line: | Now I've tuned it in, with x-heavy dual rate coils (had the heavy ones in it before), 10 weight oil, optimum oil level (47mm free air over oil level, feels better than the recommended 42mm), self being 220 lbs. What can I say? This fork is perfect. Soft (oil/coil), at the same time in perfect control (super dampening). Stiff, perfect tracking; design/finish, a veritable dream. This is just it. The extra weight, forget it. When you take it apart for tuning, you SEE quality: all alum, no plastics.No one can get past this fork. It is another level of fork function. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AGENT GRPAE
a Cross Country Rider
from NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI 02852
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | ARCADIA BIG RIVER RYAN PARK | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | PRICEPOINT | | Strengths: | THAT PLUSH MARZOCCHI RIDE. PRICE IS EXCELLENT FOR QUALITY FORK. | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | RST381R ROCKSHOX JETT XC MARZOCCHI Z3QR20 | | Bike Setup: | GT PANTERA ALL XT AND A KILLER FRONT FORK | | Bottom Line: | THIS IS AN EXCELLENT FORK IT WILL MAKE YOU MORE AGRESSIVE IT FELT LIKE A BRANDNEW BIKE WITH THE FORK CHANGE. DONT BE AFRAID OF THE PRICE, IT IS SO WORTH IT. THIS TAKES REALLY BIG HITS AND NEVER COMPLAINS. ON DOWNHILLS YOU CAN PULL AWAY FROM THE REST, AND FEEL IN CONTROL AT SPEED. THROW ONE ON AND MAKE EVERYONE JEALOUS. UNLESS YOU MAKE YOUR LIVING RACING A LITTLE EXTRA WEIGHT ISNT GOING TO KILL YOU. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from chicago
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | looks great, plush....but not too squishy, soaks up the lumps and bumps | | Weaknesses: | nada | | Similar Products Used: | rock shock indy xc, and stock rigid fork | | Bike Setup: | built up c-dale killer v 900 frame | | Bottom Line: | I just built this bike up with some thomson stuff, xtr stuff, easton stuff, raceface stuff, paul stuff, ride on and avid stuff, time stuff, selle italia stuff, tioga stuff, proshift stuff, king stuff, and some marzocchi stuff. The only original stuff left is the frame and seat post clamp. For the price I could have gotten that Fisher sugar 3 I was drooling over. Boy, am I glad I built the frame up instead.
The marz fork was a killer deal, and is an even more killer ride...I never knew a fork could feel this good. Get one for 300 clams online before they run out!!! Get it with a matching King headset and you're pimpin'....not to mention riding on some of the best equipment out there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$225.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Strong, Plush, No Flex | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox | | Bike Setup: | Trek upgraded to XTR Drivetrain and brakes, Truvativ Stylo, and of course the Bomber. | | Bottom Line: | Got a great deal on a new OEM version of this to replace the stock Rock Shox that came with the bike. Incredible improvement no more flex, perfect tracking, I even stopped running off the trails :) Now I understand why I bought a bike with a shock in the first place. Word of advice if you plan on doing any off-road save up and get a good shock. If you ride mostly on the road save your money and get a rigid fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
neil
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Ringwood St. Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | -stiffness
-no slop
-smooth travel, plush
-all metal parts
-low maintenance
-IS disc brake mount | | Weaknesses: | -weight, go buy a SID if you like blowing seals | | Similar Products Used: | None even comes close | | Bike Setup: | RM Thin Air, Full XTR, RaceFace components, Full Avid Mechanical Discs, Amer. Classic Disk Hubs laced to Mavic Citrons | | Bottom Line: | This fork kicks ass. I ride aggressive and technical XC and this fork is perfect for that. Only 80mm of travel but it feels like alot more. The fork is stiff, just point and shoot. i like the fact that there are IS disc brake mounts. about friggin time, no more stupid adapters and worrying about compatibility. my avids just bolted on and i was riding. I race with this fork and finish top 10 regularly in Sport. It just goes to show that its the engine and not the bike that matters. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brendan smith
a Cross Country Rider
from norfolk mass usa
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | xc steeps with big hits and rocks | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | bike smat | | Strengths: | is super plush, strong, wicked good looking fork. is for a rider that will go for the big hits and bumpy rides. a true xc rider. | | Weaknesses: | could use some more travel. its so plush that it could use aother 10-20 mm. but its still n unbelievable fork. | | Similar Products Used: | all iv had was a crappy manitou. no comparison to the atom 80 | | Bike Setup: | trek hardtail frame with XT XTR parts. | | Bottom Line: | a great fork.... you cant beat a bomber that is a fact... its so plush you cant feel the bumps. i used ot get knocked around on the big hits with my old crappy fork ut with this its smoth sailing. after you adjust it to how stiff you want it.... you will ahve the ride of your life. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a
from Dartmouth, MA
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | bike pro | | Strengths: | its a bomber so it has that feel, and its a sweet fork if you dont break it!! THIS FORK SEPERATED AT THE LOWERS AND THE ARCH, THROWING ME OFF MY BIKE!!! I have sent it back to marzocchi to get it warrented hopefuly, but this is definatly a manufactuares defect! | | Weaknesses: | IT SNAPED!!! | | Similar Products Used: | every thing single crown | | Bottom Line: | IF YOU HEAR SOME NOISE OR FEEL SOME THING IS LOOSE WHERE THE ARCH AND THE CROWN MEET, SEND IT BACK RIGHT AWAY!!! if this hadnt hapened, i would give it 5 stars for both the value and the overall. But since it snaped, im going to have to give it 1 chilli for each, sorry. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andrew schaefer
a Cross Country Rider
from landisville pa usa
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | seven springs to hiddenvalley | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$379.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo. | | Strengths: | MAINTENCE... THERE IS NONE. Easy to open up and change springs. Takes the big hits very well, smooth'S out the little ones. Looks sharp, plus has a clearcoate pearle when in the sunlight, the red one does anyhow. Disc ready. | | Weaknesses: | WEIGHT, 3.7 -4lbs??? Dives when under hard front braking. although, I go 190lbs and ride aggresively, a heavy spring is the answer, and the atom 80 I got came with just medium springs. | | Similar Products Used: | Judy xc, manitou something rather, Future shock..? | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumper, marzocchi, mavic, xtr brakes, kore elite stem, answer alumilite dh bars. 99 Jeep limited metallic green paintjob. | | Bottom Line: | No flex, no bob, no hassle maint. Ive beat it, and beat it. Keeps performing great on the big hits and takes out the little ones, even with the wrong springs. I just ordered the HEAVY DUTY springs last night, (blue and red) cant wait to put em to the test. Despite the 4lbs, the extaordinary performance and maint. friendly zocchi, makes up for it in handling. I guess i could lose a pound to make up for the .7oz the shock has?? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bada_Bing
a Cross Country Rider
from Tx.
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeSmart | | Strengths: | Stiffness,design,looks | | Weaknesses: | some says the fork is a bit too heavy but I'm not a weight weenie | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou | | Bike Setup: | Klein | | Bottom Line: | I bought these forks to replace my manitou which the bushings failed on me. BikeSmart had the Zoke's for sale and I'm glad I made the right choice.
First the looks...I have the red colored forks and they are pimp factor on my bike went up 10 folds.
Performance-doesn't even compare to my previous fork,its in a class by itself. Its plush easy to adjust with the machined knobs(better than the plastic ones I'm used to.) Soaks up the bumps and ruts really nice.
Bottomline I would recommend these forks for people who value peformance and price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
guppy
a Weekend Warrior
from Indy
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | havent found it yet | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$289.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain High Cyclery | | Strengths: | Its a Bomber! Stiff, soaks up the bumps. Plush.
| | Weaknesses: | None except the knobs for the preload seem to back off a little during hard riding. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Pro, Judy | | Bike Setup: | Marin Eldridge Grade Pretty much stock except for the now excellent fork | | Bottom Line: | This fork is pretty awesome. Soaks up the bumps, at the same time is very stiff, letting me know exactly what my front wheel is doing all the time. The damping is excellent the fork never tries to throw me as a result of rebound. I let a friend get on my bike and his first comment was: "thats a shock, not a spring like mine" (rock shox indy). Over all I am very impressed by this fork, I have to wait to see what happens with the pre load knobs. Still worth 5 chilis even with the knob prob, still have to go with 4 for the value, other forks dont measure up in performance but they also cost half as much.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
celly
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Bow Cycle | | Strengths: | -plush!
-did I say, plush? | | Weaknesses: | -none noted | | Similar Products Used: | -'97 Z2, '99 Atom Bomb | | Bike Setup: | -Rocky Mountain Instinct
-XTR front and rear, shifters
-Race Face Next cranks and rings
-Thomson stem and post
-Hayes hydros, front and rear
-King Discos on Valiant rims
| | Bottom Line: | I'm now on my 3rd generation of Z2 and can't say enough about the Atom 80. As always. the Bomber is the Bomb. Predictable plushness and takes all the hits I need. 80mm is all I need for the type of riding I do. People who moan about them being too heavy can't appreciate the fork for what it's for...TAKING THE HITS! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek
a Cross Country Rider
from Athens, GA
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bear Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeSmart | | Strengths: | Hits waterbreaks like they're not even there. Smooth travel allows great turns in quick switchback setting. | | Weaknesses: | If I find any I'll let you know!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Jett, Marzocchi Air 100 | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakar Expert, Vanilla Float R, XT & XTR Combo Drive, Magura Hydraulic Rim Brakes, Sun RynoLite/Mammoth & XT/XTR Rims | | Bottom Line: | Took the bike up to Pisgah/Dupont N.C. this weekend for a first run on these babies. I must say I am impressed. The ability to hit just about anything thrown at this shock and be able to bounce right back is incredible!! I mainly bought these for X-County, but now that I've put these babies through the downhill test, I can say that downhillin' is no problem now either Even at $400+ this would be woth the upgrade, but @ $299.00 how can you pass it up?? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from Durban, South Africa
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Knysna Red Route | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$380.00 | | Purchased At: | Morningside Cycles Johannesburg | | Strengths: | Plush, adjustable, stiff. This fork tracks unbelievably well. I only weigh 150 lbs and ride mostly cross country races so getting a fork tuned to suit my riding is normally very tough. Not with this baby, just let the air out until it sags the recommended 8 mm or so, wind on some rebound damping and presto!. | | Weaknesses: | No lockout at this time, although I'm told one is on the way "real soon now". Its a little heavy compared to a SID but the performance gain more than pays that off in my book. By the way my bike including this guy weighs a shade over 22 lbs so the weight penalty realy is insignifficant. | | Similar Products Used: | RS SID XC - good fork but not as easy to adjust and not as plush
Marzocchi Z2 bomber 98 model - also rocks, but lacked travel | | Bike Setup: | KHS Alite 4000 - full XTR, Ringle seat post, Easton composite bars, Flite titanium saddle, Mavic 517's on XTR hubs. | | Bottom Line: | Cool fork. Its the first air / oil fork I've ridden that comes anywhere near the performance of my old coil/oil bomber, plus it has the extra travel. In tight single track its fast and accurate, with the added assurance that if an unexpected rock or root crops up, it'll soak it up in style. Very confidence inspiring. A lock out would be handy for those technical climbs, when the extra length of the fork can cause an involuntary wheelie if you're not used to it. I've had no problems with air leakage or seals weeping so far it has been totaly reliable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Venice, Florida
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali & The Myakahatchee Enviromental Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$429.00 | | Purchased At: | Nantahala Outdoor Center, NC | | Strengths: | PREFORMANCE !!
All the way around. Period.
| | Weaknesses: | Haven't found one yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Various Rock shox products | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR Comp; SID dual air rear shock, XT cranks w/ Race Face rings; XT drive train;shifters;& BB Avid single digit brakes; Mavic 222 rims w/ spec Dirt Master Team tires; Ritche seat post w/ specialized team sadle
Race Face high rise bars w/ ODI lock on grips
Teflon cables And Platform Pedals | | Bottom Line: | From Pisgah to Florida these shocks have rocked me!
Through Loose rock screaming decents; jumps; drops; creek crossings followed by Florida's sugar sand; mud; urban assults; and more; the bombers have lead the way without faulter. Period.
I'm a 205 pounder who's lack of finess is made up by the Bulldog approach to things (which basically means I pick a line and charge hard to get through it) The guys that I ride with are more Freestyle than cross country and these shocks have taken some abuse and I have NOT HAD ONE PROBLEM.
These shocks don't faulter and stay on line when landing (or braking) off camber; they smooth out the small things and suck up the big things; they'll keep you in shape when a lesser shock would've had you endoed, and for all practical purposes will make you appear to be a better rider.
They're very forgiving and increase the tolerances of your ride all the way around.
If you can't do it with these, you just can't do it.
I got a deal on my bike, and these things cost half as much as I paid for the thing, and I - don't - sweat - it - one bit!
They are bad to the bone and I only wish I had something as nice on the rear of my bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry Williams
a Weekend Warrior
from stoney creek
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | hardwood hills | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | very tuff with lot's of bounce never a let down! | | Weaknesses: | I think the retail price is a littel hight.but that's product demand . | | Similar Products Used: | sid rides like the z-2 but not as tough | | Bottom Line: | a great shock that will never let you down.probably the best up grade to my bike;it's made a big change to my bikeing skills. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DM
a
from NJ
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Purchased At: | Used on MTBR | | Strengths: | Very smooth, very tuneable , easy to maintain, really looks good | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Future shock, judy XC stock and with Speed Springs | | Bike Setup: | hard tail/XT | | Bottom Line: | I am 250 and am hard on my bike, this thing takes anything I throw at it without a problem. Marz springs are the only ones rated close to my weight and with the 10 wt oil this fork was built for me. changing anything on this fork is very easy. I love that there is no cartrige to blow out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from EAST COAST
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything w/ a lot o' rocks | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | kalomtb.com | | Strengths: | Plush (as you can be with 80mm)
Reliability
Hasn't broken
Adjustablity (turning knobs actually does something) | | Weaknesses: | Long travel kit not available - would be nice to be able to bump the travel up to 85, 90, or 100mm. I think 90 would be a good comprimise. | | Similar Products Used: | Many | | Bike Setup: | 853 hardtail, stubby stays and top tube, high bottom bracket, beefy wheels and big tires. Rise handlebars and medium length stem. | | Bottom Line: | Works well, and after 1 year of a hell of a lot of riding through all conditions I've yet to anything at all to it. Also, it hasn't broken. Which is something to be said considering the miles, my weight, and the amount of abuse this fork has taken.
Mine was pretty pricy when I bought it (they first came out) but they're much cheaper now so I'll give it the highest rating in terms of value.
4 chilies overall due only to the fact that there's no kits available to hop up the travel.
The bottom line is if you want a fork that works well and is highly reliable and 80mm of travel is enough for you and your bike then you can't go wrong with this fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Saddle sore
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$425.00 | | Purchased At: | www.thebikeshop.com | | Strengths: | It's reliaable, bombproof design, easy adjustability and the bragging rights of having a Marzocchi. It performs better than all the rockshox, bombers and answers I have tried and owned. | | Weaknesses: | As always, it could loose a bit more weight, It is well over the claimed weight and it will add some mass to your bike. The "cryofit" arch is flexier than the old machined arch. My 98 Z2 BAM was stiffer: no brake pad rubbing under torque. | | Similar Products Used: | The quadra 21 My Hammer came with (ugg) the Indy SL I quickly replaced it with (light, stiffer and plusher) A buddys 97 judy SL, the 2000 judy SL on a testride, the 98 marzocchi Z2 bam I bought from Pricepoint in August (and had my bike stolen a week later) | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Rocky mountain Blizzard. atom 80 725 steel frame, mavic 221 rims, Cartridge bearing hubs, RaceFace LP cranks (not prodigy) Time Alium pedals, Geax Beaumont tires, Shimano XT STI Shift/brake levers, XT rear Der, XTR front (actually makes front shifting $100 better) Raceface Air alloy flat bar, prodigy stem, Specialized Anatomic saddle (womens Comp) | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is: like any bomber, it is nice and stiff and goes where it is pointed, unlike lesser forks, like a judy, which is more prone to flex and mess up your line. My Q21r and indy were just terrible for being wet noodles when it got rough and rooty. The Bomber hits them at the speed of light and doesen't complain at all. Good, thurough design. It actually encourages me to take a bad line :) It retails around here for around $7-800 dollars, which made me glad it came on my bike, which was $1700 (on sale) and came with what I told you, except the XTR Front D. and the pedals. Overall, the performance was as expected, since it was replacing my stolen Z2 BAM, my only quibble, is that the new Arch isn't nearly as Stiff as the CNC bolt on unit of years past, or looks nearly as cool. But it sure outperformed the old Z2, better springrates and damping adjustability. All in all, I am glad I spent the extra dough on the bike and got the bomber, it has this prestige to it, and it looks awesome, it begs to be tortured and needs nothing in return. It is my kind of fork. A 2000 judy is only half a step behind in performance, and are about half the price, and is a bit lighter. So, for the buck, it aint that good of a deal, but you do get an increase in quality. IE: NO PLASTIC PARTS and better reliability, considering how many times my buddy has gone through judy cartridges on his SL. This is a beat-snot-out-of-me XC fork. if you want more travel, get a long travel Z1. If you want to race, get a SID, if you want a fork you can trust and that outperforms the rest on all around performance, a Z2 Atom 80 is your utensil. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Rapid City Cycle | | Strengths: | super plush, very dependable, a work of art | | Weaknesses: | A little on the heavy side, some bobbing on the hills | | Similar Products Used: | Rock shox
| | Bike Setup: | 97 Norco Rampage, Mix of XT and XTR components. Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | If you are interested in riding and not repairing buy this fork! It is bomb proof.
Cross country trails are smoothed out, and I'm going alot faster with more control.
Friends are amazed at how fast I ride single track. No one keeps up. My secret... the fork! Shhhh don't tell.
Yeah it's abit more expensive, but the performance of this fork is worth every cent.
BUY IT!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Bolton
a
from Cornwall, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bing Bang, Bromont Quebec | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shop in Ottawa | | Strengths: | Stiff, plush, smooth, bombproof, shiny, red, chromium, dependable, outstanding, beautiful. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any! | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Palmer Stroker | | Bike Setup: | Kona Kula, Mavic X517 Rims, XT hubs, XT Components | | Bottom Line: | I rode the Stroker for 2 years. I rode it hard, and I rode it a lot! Honestly I liked the fork, but it was time for a change. I was going to buy a Sid XC for the weight savings, but my friend kept saying "get a Marzocchi, screw the weight savings, it doesn't weigh that much more" So I shopped around, read some reviews, and I got the Atom 80.
This fork is incredible! It is so plush, and provides me with so much more control. I rode trails I have ridden hundreds of times and didn't feel a thing. The fork doesn't deflect off rocks and roots like my old fork. It gives you more confidence. It also is a work of art. When you ride a trail, people will stare at this fork. I didn't really notice the extra weight.
You do need to have a nice smooth pedal stroke to keep this fork from bobbing while climbing. I have a good pedal stroke from road riding, so it wasn't much of a problem for me. If you do buy this fork, learn to pedal efficiently.
I don't have a lot of hours on this fork yet to determine whether this fork is maintenance friendly. I do however have a feeling I am not going to spend too much time fixing this fork.
The cost was also a big hit for me ($750 Canadian) but I do a lot of riding and this fork is worth every penny. Don't sell yourself short, buy a Marzocchi and you'll have the best. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from AZ
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Mormon/National | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Strengths: | travel quality is perfect
resists flex
stone reliable | | Weaknesses: | a little porky (I don't care)
mine does not deliver 80mm travel | | Similar Products Used: | Rigid :),Quadra 10(ugh),Mach 5,Judy,Manitou SX-R | | Bike Setup: | Titus Racer-X, good bits and pieces attached | | Bottom Line: | This fork is by far the highest quality perfomer I have had the pleasure of riding. The travel is as good as it gets and the fork just does not flex. Awesome performance!
My only whining point with this fork is that I get around 70mm of travel rather than 80mm as advertised. Yep, 10mm isn't much to complain about but hey, a product spec should be truthful. I have run into a couple of other folks who have the same experience with this fork and have had no luck getting it resolved by Marzocchi. I even tried running the fork with no preload and zero damping(mush boing mush boing) and the travel was the same.
If anyone knows how to resolve this minor issue, please fire off an email to me and I'll buy you a beer sometime. Thanks in advance.
For the record, I'm 6-2 and 185 lbs. I'm no expert racer but I am 10 years into this sport and pretty fast. Please save any emails about how I just need to "quit being a pu##y and do some big drops, dude".
Only 4 chilis until I get full travel.
Thanks for any help! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Special Sauce
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft Lauderdale FL
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Belleview, Ocala | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Direct from Marzocchi | | Strengths: | Laterally rigid, smooth, a piece of functional art. | | Weaknesses: | none yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou SX LT(Crap), Manitou Xvert, Judy Race and XC | | Bike Setup: | S-Works FSR XC, Atom 80, RaceFace Stem and Bar, Full XT, Avid Mag Brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Adjustment is easy: you can actually feel the difference only half a turn makes, Once it goes through initial break in you won't find a smoother fork, Absolutely beautiful craftmanship: puts all other brands to shame. Anyone who rides in cross country conditions would benefit from this fork, need more travel get a Z.1 CR. If your a bigger rider just order the firmer springs the fork is plenty stiff. The bottom line, if you buy an atom 80, that will be one less problem you'll have to worry about, the fork is worth every cent. Congrats Marzocchi! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Strong, smooth adn accurate | | Weaknesses: | Nada | | Similar Products Used: | X-fly, Z1 Bomber, | | Bike Setup: | Spot Singlespeed
Race face LP cranks
XT disc on front, XTR on back
Spotrear hub
Chris King Headset
Monkey lite bars | | Bottom Line: | Gotta love this fork. I use it on my Spot Singlespeed. Saoks up all the abuse on the climbs and great on the technical stuff, like roots and wash outs, steers great through just about any conditions. More than makes up teh weight difference to any other forks | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rockohaulic
a
from Palmdale, CA
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Coil and oil. | | Bottom Line: | OK, I have to post this because I swapped my Z2 Xfly for a TRUE Bomber - an Atom 80. Coil springs rule. A fork's primary job is to smooth the bumps, and NOTHING does it like a coil Marzocchi.
"Where the hell did all the bumps go?" After riding on air (Z2 Xfly), I forgot how smooth a coil Marzocchi is. EEEEEEhaaaa. This is sweet! Marzocchi coils rule. Period. The steering is more precise than my NSX. I mean this thing goes where you point it - and now!
I wish I would have held back on my review of the Z2 Xfly. Every rumor you've heard about the excessive play between the Sliders and stanchions is true. Mine is in the shop
right now. Only 300 miles on it, and after a rough weekend at Big Bear on some seriously bumpy singletrack, I noticed the play. Felt like the headset was loose. NOT. Turns out the oil bath system is more of an oil splash system and they are actually having to fix the problem with a major redesign in 2001. They are moving the air spring and oil bath from the bottom to the top of the fork legs. Hmmmmmmmm.
Doesn't matter. Their coil spring full oil bath forks are absolutely bulletproof, work superior to air or coil fork, are stiffer than the CEO of Viagra, and look killer with the
Cryo fit "M" arch. Stop listening to all of us waxing poetic about these things and buy one and enjoy.
Marzocchi's are not heavier than the other forks. They are an engineering work of art and a quality masterpiece. The other forks are plastic, cheap pieces of crap that sacrifice quality, plushnes, reliability, and steering precision for the sake of lower weight numbers. A compromise is just that - A COMPROMISE!
Buy a Real Fork. Get a Bomber.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andreas G. KLAUSER
a Cross Country Rider
from Munich
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | hibike | | Strengths: | Performance, product Quality, design | | Weaknesses: | rather expensive | | Similar Products Used: | RS Judy SL 2000, Manitou SX Carbon | | Bike Setup: | Trek 9900 OCLV, Tune heavy duty wheels (Mavic 521 ceramic, 36DTcomp, XTR/GripShift 8.0, Magura 10th anniversary | | Bottom Line: | I just wanted to have it!! I put in the heavy coils. The two other forks I used before were o.k., too. The Mannitou suffered from from the one sided coil: when going under my weight (220 lbs, the rims moved to the side and touched the brake pads on the (right) coil side. Else,a good race fork. The Judy SL 2000 is much stiffer sidewise and just as comfortable as the Marzocchi; no difference in performance when you are going lazy. When going faster, things change dramatically: though I put a w15 oil in the Judy, the dampening of the Marzocchi is by far superior to that of the Judy. So, with the Judy you just have always a sort of "swim feel", you feel it work al the time, it is always moving. With the Marzocchi, you have the feeling of the fork not working very much at all, just going on a exceptionally smooth surface. The Judy always tells you that is is sorting all sorts of bumps out for you, is hyperactive. The Marzocchi just destroys the bumps, annihilates them without making any fuss about it, like a BMW. So the Marzocchi has much more potential. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from T.O. Canada
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Seaton / Whitevale | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | -Lateral Stiffness -plush
-It's a Bomber -Looks awesome
-Bombproof -SMELLS GREAT | | Weaknesses: | Hmm, let's see here, it's a bomber. So......NONE! | | Similar Products Used: | Most all Rock Shox
Most all Manitou | | Bike Setup: | '99 Trek 8000 tricked-up with WAY better stuff than stock | | Bottom Line: | Crazy fork! Plush, bombproof, and they look awesome, I'm goin' out to buy one of these babies REALLY soon! Downside, they're pricy! But I think that all is made-up for in preformance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aric
a Cross Country Rider
from New Hudson, MI
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Norris Watershed - Knoxville, TN | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Laterally stiff, great looks, adjustability, light weight for a hydracoil, bulletproof...so far | | Weaknesses: | Heavier than an air shock, no boots | | Similar Products Used: | Girvin Vector w/ Noleen NR-2 | | Bike Setup: | DEAN Scout, Atom 80, Sram 9.0SL, King/Bontrager wheels, Ritchey, etc. | | Bottom Line: | I reluctantly went to a "standard" type fork after riding for 5+ years on my Girvin, which I loved for it's lack of stiction and lateral rigidity.
I have to say that the Atom 80 is possibly MORE rigid than the Girvin, and the plush travel is a dream.
A bit of stiction when new, but it's breaking in nicely.
I hope the seals hold without boots...maybe Marzocchi know's something about seals that manitou and some of the other guys don't. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | my entire state | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Reliability, quality of travel, overall quality, zero mainance, laterally stiff, | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou crap | | Bike Setup: | Dean Jester, XT/XTR | | Bottom Line: | The best fork on the planet!, dont get a exploding judy or white brothers that dosent come with oil. Get the best- a bomber! raced montezumas revenge and it dident even twitch. tons of miles so far and not a squeek of complaint.
A little heavy means they actually put parts in it that keep it working correctally.
It can handle everything you throw at it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Ault
a Cross Country Rider
from Bloomington, IN, USA
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Plushness, Lateral Stiffness, Responsiveness on both roots & dropoffs | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Rockshox Indy XC that came on my bike | | Bike Setup: | '98 Gary Fisher HKEK, added fork, Rockshox seatpost, Performance Topo clipless petals, & Avid SD 2.0 brakes | | Bottom Line: | This fork has given me a great deal more confidence--which translates into speed! It soaks up small stutter bumps and large drops equally well; I've yet to get it to bottom out. I never realized how sorry my old fork was until I rode this one. The added tracking is simply awesome. The price is high, but I got my on sale from pricepoint.com and had my LBS install it--total cost was under $300! If you want bombproof, look no further. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jez Doncaster
a Weekend Warrior
from Manchester
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | stiffness, plushness, looks, their ability to soak up what ever is thrown at them and isolate the bars from from any jarring, gone are the days of clicky wrists. price £260 | | Weaknesses: | that they made me sick about my previous fork. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou (manf*ckyou) shaun palmer replica | | Bike Setup: | Orange Evo O2 (2), hope C2 | | Bottom Line: | Great value for money, as i run a disc i asked their customer service by e-mail whether i could remove the brake bosses they got back to me immediately, the answers yes but order the replacement bossless bolts first as they (the bosses) are structurally important. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from Dartmouth MA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | damping rebound range, compresion range, soaks bumps of any size like nothing | | Weaknesses: | none(all you people who think this fork is to heavy can go down the hill on your headtube, thanks to your incredibly weak SIDs!) | | Similar Products Used: | every thing-Manitu, Rockshox... | | Bike Setup: | Kona, race face, titec | | Bottom Line: | every thing you could want in a fork. Holds up to the abuse great! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Rodriguez
a Cross Country Rider
from Forest Knolls, Ca
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | my back yard | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | excellent travel, very stiff laterally | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | many | | Bike Setup: | marin hardtail | | Bottom Line: | wow. this fork is just awesome. very stiff laterally, to the point where I could tell that there was more flex of my rear triangle then the fork. the thing soaks up big and little bumbs like nothing, and with an excellent range of rebound adjustment it never gets bouncy. i got in a really bad wreck 6 months ago (tried to take a 3ft drop going way to fast, plowed the front end, washed out the back, went over the bars, compound fracture, 2 surgeries, 2 plates, 9 screws) needless to say ive been a bit timid since i got clearance to ride again a month ago. after throwin on this fork and a stem change my confidence is returning very quickly, i have faith in the front end, and soon Ill be faster than I ever was. Thanks Marzocchi. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlottesville Virginia
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | very stiff, plush, nice adjustability and looks fantastic | | Weaknesses: | rebound kind of hard to screw when its all the way in but that doesnt matter. | | Similar Products Used: | '97 manitou sx, '99 manitou sx | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8000 xt, lx, Icon | | Bottom Line: | one word, FANTASTIC. This fork blows away all the others that ive tried without a doubt. ok a little story- theres this really rooty section on this trail that my old fork would bounce all over but on the Atom 80 i honestly did not feel one thing, it floated over all the obsticles that i threw at it. The 80mm is perfect for a hardtail and zooms over rocks, roots ditches, and small animals without hesitation. it also is one of the nicest looking forks ive seen, mine is red with the polished arch. if you are looking for a great fork and have some cash to spend, look no further. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles Coker
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | City Park, anything more technical | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | it works | | Weaknesses: | you don't have to work on it | | Similar Products Used: | everything
Z2 Xfly, Z2BAM, atom bomb, Z1, SID 100, WHite Bros SC90, XC3, UL92, UL72, etc.. (all of which I have owned) | | Bike Setup: | custom Racerx | | Bottom Line: | well, it's not the amount of travel that's important, it's the quality of travel that really matters
face it
NOTHING works better than a coil sprung bomber
NOTHING, PERIOD, END OF DISCUSSION
get one, now, ride your bike hard for a year, don't even have to touch the shock, a year from now change the oil
or better yet, sell it and get the 2001 80mm coil sprung bomber (whatever it will be)
Bombers rule
sing it with me :)
Charles Coker
Hammerhead Bikes
http://lonestar.texas.net/~ccoker
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
newob
a Weekend Warrior
from Lewisville, TX
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | solid construction
easy adjustment
plush ride
| | Weaknesses: | a little on the heavy side. | | Similar Products Used: | RST 260 | | Bike Setup: | Raliegh M60 | | Bottom Line: | This fork rules. Just got it all installed today, went out for a ride and it was like riding a whole new bike. The fork I did have sucked and the z2 atom 80 just plain rules. When you take a hard hit with this thing that you are used to taking with another fork you then realize how good this fork really is.
Again this fork rules. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scot
a Racer
from Westchester, N.Y.
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Canaan, West Virginia | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Zoke Reliability | | Weaknesses: | None except for price | | Similar Products Used: | 98 Zoke Z2 ATOM BOMB
99 zoke Z2 BAM | | Bike Setup: | 99 Intense Tracer | | Bottom Line: | Ridden and raced on the previous two Zoke Z2 products and was extremely pleased about there proven performance and reliability. As far as the 2000 Z2 model vs. previous model performance is there a diference? The answer is absolutely yes...this model is definitely more laterally stiffer which allows the bike to track better under extreme disc braking. Thank god the guys at Zoke finally used there heads and have there OEM shocks equipped with heavy springs vs. the medium one's which usually set you back before you even tried the product. The only flaw I found with this was there misrepresentation of the accurate weight of the product. The only reason I upgraded to this model was to save weight. Note the 99 Z2 Bam weights 4.1 lbs. vs the 2000 Z2 Atom 80 which weighed 3.7 lbs. Otherwise you will find a superior product that dominates the front suspension market. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Stiffness, Plushness, build, simplicity, asthetics, tracking | | Weaknesses: | A little on the expensive side. Kinda heavey but would gives a *%!#. | | Similar Products Used: | 99 Sid SL, Judy XC, Manitou SXTI | | Bike Setup: | 99 Procaliber | | Bottom Line: | Every other brand of forks suck! This fork is by far the plushest, stiffest,best built fork I've ever seen. It does everything a good fork should an more. This fork is in a different league compared to others. It is kind of sad they rarely come spec'd out on new bikes more often. Yes, they are a little heavier than a piece of *%!% unreliable, flimsy SID. If you are buying a new bike, trade out the piece of crap Rock Shocks/Manitou that comes on it and get a Marzocchi. If you are worried about the weight, you are a moron. Buy this fork and you will be pleased. Over and out | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joey boyle
a Racer
from athens oH usa
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | wildcat hollow, porcupine rim | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | This fork eats bumps like a motor scooter and tracks super well and is stiffer than a wedding dick. | | Weaknesses: | Had trouble getting full travel out of the box. After talking with Marzocchi's awesome customer service and getting the right set of springs and playing with oil levels it is great. | | Similar Products Used: | rock shox sid xc, atom bomb 98 , judy sl 96 | | Bike Setup: | xc | | Bottom Line: | the bottom line is that I weigh a hair over 200 and the sid I owned was a little flexy and I got tired of petering around with the air once a week. Marzocchi's fork is just the kind to get on the bike and kick ass. quick tip, If you weigh 200 get the x-heavy spring, I don't know what they think about when they make the weight recomendations on those things? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a Weekend Warrior
from daly city, ca
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Needs minimal maintenance
Travel is buttery smooth
Tracks really well | | Weaknesses: | I guess I have to say it's heavier than your "typical" xc fork | | Similar Products Used: | 98 Z2Bam
97 Manitou SX
Quadra 21
| | Bike Setup: | Zaskar
RaceFace/XTR/King/USE XCR post/Fire XC's | | Bottom Line: | The best fork that I've used. Travel seems smoother and more controlled than my 98 Z2 Bam. If this fork is as bombproof as my old Z2, I probably won't be buying another fork for a while. 80mm of travel is just right for the type of riding I do (singletrack, fireroad, road). I don't do any "extreme" type riding and am more of a finesse rider. I'd recommend this fork to someone who wants a quality, plush, low-maintenance fork who doesn't mind paying a little extra for a product that he/she knows will perform heads and shoulders above its competition. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hunn
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Plush, Stiff and Easily adjusted with controllable dampening and rebound | | Weaknesses: | Not the lightest fork.Dampening at slow setting is suicidially slow(Endo down staircases) | | Similar Products Used: | Headshok Fatty D,Judy SL,Judy XC | | Bike Setup: | Orange Evo 2,CrossmaX,xt components. | | Bottom Line: | If you like plush forks, hate air shocks and don't mind 0.5lbs over other"standard"cross-country forks, this is a great buy.
Don't buy if: you want a bike under 20lbs
Ride like Shaun Palmer(at 80mm!!??)
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adrian
a Cross-Country Rider
from Dublin
Date Reviewed: December 7, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Wicklow way | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Stiff
Plush
Good construction
Looks awesome | | Weaknesses: |
A little heavy I suppose, but I don't care | | Similar Products Used: |
Rock Shox Jett
Pace
Manitou | | Bike Setup: |
Trek 6000 | | Bottom Line: | Marzocchi are the best forks available (apart frome Pace maybe). These forks allow you to ride the bumby bits fast with confidence due to superb plushness, stiffness and tracking. They also look as good as they ride (mine are polished and blue). The whole Marzocchi range is also much cheaper than last year (over here anyway), I got mine for 250 sterling. If cross country is your thing buy these, if you don't like the extra little bit of wieght get the Z2 X-fly. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dante
a Cross-Country Rider
from East Bay, CA
Date Reviewed: November 28, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Rockville | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Tracks the ground really well
Firm plush ride
Makes me want to go faster | | Weaknesses: |
One of the stickers wasn't centered | | Similar Products Used: |
Rock Shox Judy XC Xl
Maintou SX | | Bike Setup: |
Santa Cruz Heckler | | Bottom Line: | I'm no racer or DH'er but I ride XC in the day and at night, fire roads and single track. I was always hesitant with my Judy's because they didn't track well and seemed like they bounced too much. When I would hit a rock or root straight on they would rebound causing a couple of end overs. My new Z2 Atom 80's do all the right things in all the right places. Over rocks, roots, drop offs, turns, and everywhere else. My front tire now feels like a better front tire that tracks well. They inspire confidence in my riding. Awesome! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KT
a Cross-Country Rider
from Thousand Oaks
Date Reviewed: November 20, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Super Plush
Stiffness
Smooth | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Similar Products Used: |
Manitou SX-Ti
Judy 100
Judy
SID | | Bike Setup: |
Rocky Mountain Element TO w/ Manitou SX-Ti | | Bottom Line: | Just to clarify, I bought the 99 version that is a Z-2 Bam with Atom Bomb lowers. The travel is still 80 mm and you get the benefit of the polished legs. I never would have believed what a difference a real fork can make for the overall riding pleasure. This fork is very different than any other that I have tried. Big hits, little hits, medium hits, it doesn't matter. This fork instantly made me a better rider.KT | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith Evans
a Cross-Country Rider
from Glastonbury, CT
Date Reviewed: October 24, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Mott Hill | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Looks
Durability
Plush | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Similar Products Used: |
RS SID
RS Judy
Z1 Alloy | | Bike Setup: |
Rocky Mountain Element
Marz Z2 Atom 80 | | Bottom Line: | This shock is by far the best I have used. It effortlessly handles all of the big hits as easily as the small stuff. The ease of adjustability allows you to dial in your shock on the trail. This shock is about as maintenance free as they come. No more having to pump your shock up every ride or worry about losing air on the ride. Point and shoot and this thing does the rest. The shock will instill the confidence that will make anyone a better rider. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pimp Daddy Mifsud
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: October 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Ancaster/Dundas | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
Looks
Boltless crown and arch
the Power M arch is awesome | | Weaknesses: |
maybe the weight but who cares you are gonna have a sweeeeet fork | | Similar Products Used: |
EVERYTHING | | Bike Setup: |
Norco Team 853 with superfly fork, 517 rims, XT XTR components | | Bottom Line: | After Having alot of problems with my Marzocchi Superfly {leaking air and blown seals}I decided to get a different fork. This fork totally kicks ass. I tried the fork out at the Toronto Sporting Goods show and it was beautiful. The fork is very sleek and smooth with no bolts on the arch and crown. The air in the superfly was nice but nothing is as good as coil and oil. I don't know the price of the fork but I assume it's around 500 bucks. The conclusion go buy this fork when it comes out That's all I have to say about that | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Hammond
a Weekend Warrior
from Kincardine, On
Date Reviewed: October 13, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
Its a Bomber!!, that just about says it all. | | Weaknesses: |
It is a Bomber, so it weighs a little more than average, but the durability and performance make up for the weight disadvantage | | Similar Products Used: |
Rock shox judy, 99 z.3 light | | Bike Setup: |
going to buy it and put it on a fisher mt. tam instead of the mars c fork | | Bottom Line: | This is the sweetest looking for i have ever seen in my life, and the fact that it is a Bomber makes it that much better. Thank you marzocchi for making a shock worthy of my future speedster. Only problem is i need about 2500 canadian for the bike the way i want it. O well! maybe ill win a lottery | | Overall Rating: |
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