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Submitted by
J Shizzle
a Cross Country Rider
from Nor Cal
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Rockville baby! | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | friend gave it to me | | Strengths: | longevity, strength | | Weaknesses: | Fickle to adjust psi, pretty heavy | | Similar Products Used: | nothin' | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh M50 (USA Built)frame, bontrager race lite parts, mavic wheels, avid brakes, race face rings, shimano XT. | | Bottom Line: | Great low-end shock. My buddy tried to down hill w/ it and blew the seals. He gave it to me and I got new seals from Marzocchi free, rebuilt it w/ diagrams from the net, and rode if for three years XC problem/maintenance free! Can't beat that. But I finally blew another seal.. can't seem to find the free-seals deal like the old days. Is Marzocchi still cool like that? Anyone know what I should do? | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Forrest Aley
a Downhiller
from Paonia,CO,USA
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | ridge of doom | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came with the bike | | Strengths: | cant think of one | | Weaknesses: | to start it creaks like mad and scratches really easy,i've personaly not snaped it but talked to countless peaps who have i have bottomed it out so many times its scary anyway i just ordered a jr t hopefuly it will serfice. | | Similar Products Used: | jr. t , judy lol uh dunno | | Bike Setup: | kona stinky 01 with jr. t and fox vanilla 5 | | Bottom Line: | dont get one its to sketch unless your a beginner and just want to cruse | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy
a Weekend Warrior
from Athens
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | The Hub Bikes | | Strengths: | For 80mm of travel its pretty tough. Buttery smooth. nice and stiff. reliable | | Weaknesses: | air valves seized on me after 2 and a half years of use. stuff like that wears out though no biggie | | Similar Products Used: | rock shox judy tt. if that even compares | | Bike Setup: | really not that important but its an xc bike | | Bottom Line: | Ive dropped off a 5 foot berm with this fork and , quite frankly, was surprised it wasnt bleeding fork lube all over the place. Its been used agressivly in sub zero temps in the appalachians and has never been serviced other then the valve replacements. its been nothing but good to me. If you find one lightly used it'll probably be cheep by now so go for it. good for any (non racer) xc rider | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek
a
from Quesnel, BC Canada
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | McBike Shop | | Strengths: | Strong, all round good fork. Used for beginner DH and freeride. | | Weaknesses: | Can't think of any | | Similar Products Used: | RST 381, rock shox psylo | | Bike Setup: | 04 Norco Torrent, mavic 721 rims, xt rear derailler, truvativ cranks, bar, stem, pedals, and chainguide, etc..... | | Bottom Line: | Very good fork, real plush. Had no problems with it until 4 years later when it started leaking oil. Changed seals, internals and wipers and its good as new. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gip
a Weekend Warrior
from Auckland, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Fattucine | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | plush, strong, takes an absolute hiding and comes out smelling like roses. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | RS Judy XC | | Bike Setup: | Kona Kuku with XT all over, Sid Air rear shock. | | Bottom Line: | This is for a 2001 z5. The shock lasts. simple as that. I've been riding on it for 18 months, and in that time had some serious stacks, never cos of the shock. I've had a few hiccups landing front wheel first, and this shock has saved me every time. Front wheel has been absolutely ruined, frame has been snapped in half, fork still going strong. I'll definitely be putting it on my new frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Downhiller
from Calgary Canada
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Used | | Strengths: | This fork is quite strong and super plush for the amount of travel. It has done me well so far and havent had any problems with it so far.` | | Weaknesses: | This fork is super soft and bottoms out very easily. | | Bottom Line: | This a good fork that is very plush but bottoms out really easily. I have had it for a while and it hasn't caused me any trouble yet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
into riding
a
from castlegar , B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | bought used came with bike | | Strengths: | good strong shock. 5 inches of nice cushy suspension. Not recomended for bigger than 10 foot drops. | | Weaknesses: | havent seen any. Maybe not the best shocks for droping. | | Similar Products Used: | none first mountain bike | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Norco vps buzz stock. Well new pedals and some other stuff like that nothing bigg though.Bought used im 3 owner. | | Bottom Line: | well ive only been using em for 1 and a half days but ive allready done a 10 foot drop to dirt trany and man dident bottom em out was REALLY! close though. Im looking to get a bigger front shock because with the stuff im hiting these just dont cut it. I guess thats because they are ment for aggresive XC normal XC and Down hill but hey you could call drops and dirt jumps down hill. i Think though with me waying 135 punds i need stronger and bigger so hey get em if you just starting and arent gona go crazy like me and do 10 foot drops on firrst day of biking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John B.
a
from Geneva, Ohio, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | My secret trails that you'll never see! HAHAHA!! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came with bike. | | Strengths: | Strong, 130mm travel, Price, looks sweet and great performance. | | Weaknesses: | Flexes out a little when brakes are applied, but not bad and no lock out. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Psylo race 02', Rock Shox Duke SL 02' and Manitou Black Elite. | | Bike Setup: | Better then yours, HA HA HA!! (; | | Bottom Line: | I love this fork,
It's cheap, 130mm travel, disc and v-brake compatible, it looks awesome and with a couple seconds with an allen wrench you can go from road riding to freeriding!
I have landed 7' freerides with this fork, it has all ways felt secure and I plan on going bigger!
If your looking for a cheap fork that is pretty much good for anything you can throw at it, this is the fork for you.
5 Flamin'Chilis for this sweet'n sleek ride!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fred
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Bromont | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Plush... Good looking. | | Weaknesses: | scary crash horror stories, heavy, lack of adjustment, Hard to get contact marzocchi (Customer Care). | | Similar Products Used: | JUDY SL | | Bike Setup: | 01 Kona Caldera, AVID Disk, all XT. | | Bottom Line: | I've been quite satisfied with this fork so far but started to ride more aggressivly since last year and all the big crash horror storys scares me a lot.
I started small drops (3-4 feet) and bottom the fork all the time... I'm afraid everything snap broke someday and I break my face.
I'm trying to get more info on the Marzocchi replacement program but didn't have any luck so far... I've tried contacting Marzocchi Customer Care, Marzocchi USA, Norco Product (Canadian distributors of Marz products) and no reply yet...
If anyone have ANY details about how their replacement program works, please email me... I'd like to know what kind of discount they offer, how does the process works etc.
Thanks! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CrAzY rIdA
a
from dOwNtOwN n.C.
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came on Caldera | | Strengths: | None! | | Weaknesses: | took damn brake brosses like like u should be able to and took one run down damn trail and friggin seals and everythin popped up killed my $80 seasons past and not even one run dan walkin down creaks like u mumma went a$$ over teapot when it broke P.O.S. | | Similar Products Used: | Psylo Beauty and Puttin Shiver SC on FR bike in porrcess of buildin plucsh awsome buy one | | Bike Setup: | Nice a$$ caldera nothin is stock | | Bottom Line: | Sucks | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Burbidge
a Cross Country Rider
from Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | most | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came on stinky | | Strengths: | Cheap | | Weaknesses: | Snap in half and break your face | | Similar Products Used: | Bunches | | Bottom Line: | Mine snapped in half after a year's use. Got a nice concussion for my trouble. The forks worked well (except for the creaking) up until their destruction. Marz sent me a DJ3 which I've since traded for an MX with ETA (awesome cross fork). If I owned on and rode it hard I'd take advantage of the trade program that marzocchi's offerring so I could trust my rig again. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Recall
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Strengths: | If you have misused or abused your forks, or if you have landed improperly in the past, Marzocchi will upgrade your Z3, Z3.5 or Z5 forks to new model year 2003 DJI or DJIII forks at a discounted price, regardless of whether your forks show any signs of fatigue, damage, impacts, cracking, creaking, leaking, etc. Contact Marzocchi or see your nearest authorized Marzocchi retailer for additional information.
http://www.marzocchi.com/eng/spa/news/ridesmart.asp
| | Weaknesses: | Mine are creaking like crazy so I contacted Marz about their replacement program. DJ 3 on it's way. | | Bottom Line: | These forks have been good to me, but have pretty well been creaking after the first week of riding on them. I've seen so many break it's not funny. Very happy that Marz has dumped their cryofit for one piece lowers and have offer to replace them at a reduced cost.
IMHO they should be recalling these forks and replacing them for free. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chewy wookie
a Weekend Warrior
from geelong, vic, australia
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | somewhere | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | some random | | Strengths: | THIS IS THE 01 Z.5 130mm COIL FORK. ive only used it for 4 months but its 2 yrs old now, nice feeling travel, 5 inches, havnt snapped. they go up down up down...... theyve survived some nasty crashes, front wheel into the back side of a double at highspeed etc | | Weaknesses: | creak worse than ur mummys bed, standered 9mm QR. flexxy, dont track well, dont feel very confidence inspiring at high speed over rough stuff (could just be me) | | Bike Setup: | 2001 stinky | | Bottom Line: | they havnt snapped yet like a lot ive heard about. ive done lots of 6 - 8 ft drops to tranny and 4ft to flat, and im a fair hack rider so there getting a ass whooping. they creak a absolute sh*te load but so does every other marz fork...
if ur a good rider i dont think ud have too many troubles wit these forks, as long as ur not doing any thing above 10ft drops and ur a smooth as hell rider they should be ok, maybe, if they dont come on yer bike then dont go near them but. a ride till u break it fork or sell it off quick b4 u wreck it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rajis Kataria
a Racer
from Santa Rosa
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Annadel, Santa Rosa, CA | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$240.00 | | Purchased At: | Local bike shop | | Strengths: | Great for climbs, reliable, low maintenance, not too expensive and looks great | | Weaknesses: | slightly heavy but can't complain considering the price I paid | | Similar Products Used: | Marchozzi XFly, RockShox Judy & SID | | Bike Setup: | Spot Single speed. SS rules :-) | | Bottom Line: | Great entry level air fork. Can't go wrong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Kolbasovsky
a Weekend Warrior
from Sudbury, Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | Very plush, long travel (I have 130mm coil, absorbes lots, but remains stiff when climbing.Very reliable no problems yet. Cheap. | | Weaknesses: | Flexs a LITTLE, but nothing too bad compared to other shocks. | | Similar Products Used: | RST 181, Marzocchi DJ3, Z1, Z3 | | Bike Setup: | 02' Norco Katmandu frame, raceface BB, azonic bars, cyclone crank, Sun Rims... | | Bottom Line: | Excellant, fork, but as with anything you have to look after it. Not the best for DH or extreme freerdiding, but a good all around fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Batavia, NY
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Hunters Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came With Bike | | Strengths: | Very plush, easy tunability (air), very active on small bumps, yet remains stiff on climbs. (I have a 2001 80mm Air) | | Weaknesses: | Could be a bit stiffer, dual air would be nice. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock shox Judy TT, Duke Race, Manitou FS, Insync Exceed 266. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Gary Fisher Big Sur - Kore clipless pedals, Avid Arch Rival brakes, just purchased a 2002 Marzocchi Marathon 100. | | Bottom Line: | Very nice cross counrty fork to start out on, but it is a bit heavy - if you are concerned with that. Personally, I am not. I have no problem trading wieght for superior performance. This for soaks up any cross - country trail you can throw at it, and even performs well in moderate downhill situations. Marzocchi has definatly won me over. Bottom line - get a Marzocchi. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Y
a Weekend Warrior
from Oak Harbor, WA
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Bicycles Northwest | | Strengths: | Well, looks decent, rides decent, smooth. | | Weaknesses: | Well, at first it started to leak oil a bit, then after about a 2 ft drop, a stream of oil gushed out from a seal.
Went to the local shop, and they thought the seal was blown or something. Come back a few days later and they show me a hairline fracture in the right stanchion near the crown. Damn. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Kona Stuff 6" Hayes hydraulic, WTB, Michelin, Thomson | | Bottom Line: | This fork is alright, although I would prefer a QR20 something or other. I got the fork replaced for free under warranty. I'm hoping to get a dual crown sometime.
Overall, a decent fork, maybe not that great for abusing.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Harlan Miller
a Racer
from Boise Idaho USA
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ummm? Downtown? | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$4365.00 | | Strengths: | ohhh this ones a killer. ive owned it for 3 years and it broke 2 years ago but it was cool. i had 68 mm of travel on that baby.. ROCK ON MARZOCCHI | | Weaknesses: | TOO DAMN GOOD. i miss it..... | | Similar Products Used: | ummmm some other crap like boxxers and super monsters, and other crappy stuff | | Bike Setup: | 2003 karpelie X.0 FULL and bigfoot 12" with maxxis rims and hayes dh hydros. my bike is crappy but ill get like a Pacific Shopko bike soon. only paid 8948 for my bike good deal huh. | | Bottom Line: | BEST SHOCK PERIOD. BETTER THAN MY SUPER MONSTER 14" or my BIGFOOT 12"
THIS SHOCK BEATS ALL
good PRICE
harlan | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jordan hynes
a Weekend Warrior
from prince george b.c canada
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | piderny | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | some dude | | Strengths: | very plush, does what it should | | Weaknesses: | alot of flex about as much as my old rock shox jett. | | Similar Products Used: | rock shox jett, judy tt, white bros | | Bike Setup: | gaint yukon | | Bottom Line: | for the price I paid i am happy with it. good for light freerideing and trail rideing. I don't push it to hard because I know I can bust it without to much trouble. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
zac
a Downhiller
from ACT Canberra Australia
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came with my bike | | Strengths: | good strong, stiff 4 inches of plush trave, low maitanance and good looking | | Weaknesses: | non so far
| | Similar Products Used: | SR-suntour - ( rubbish ) | | Bike Setup: | stock Avanti Hot dog
deore every thing, Alix MD 24 rims, Anser pro taper bars | | Bottom Line: | I have had this fork for about a year now and I love it, I'm the kind of person who likes to ride hard all day long, and not have to worry about braking things.
I like to do about 4 - 4.5 foot drops, the only thing is they need more travel than 4"
I have lots of friends who ride mozocchi's and they all love them , to me their the best allrounder out there at a good price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aklin
a Downhiller
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$20000.00 | | Purchased At: | shop | | Strengths: | Preload adjust.
Plush as hell.
Doesn't bottom harshly after some tooling. | | Weaknesses: | Creaky.
Disc tabs fall off.
Flex. | | Similar Products Used: | All of 'em except forx. | | Bike Setup: | Funbike, don't know why they spec'd this fork. | | Bottom Line: | Decent. Next time I'll make sure I get QR20, or a stiffer fork like fox or manitou.
Definate interest in the sherman lineup, but don't like the 1.5 "standard." I'll be a 1 1/8th man for a long time.
My disc tab fell off after about 7 months of use, this is my second warranty claim. I'm losing valuble riding time during summer and I'm not happy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Downhiller
from Here, on, earth like the other guy
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Travel - 130mm
Plush
Some adjustments | | Weaknesses: | Creaking, recently fixed by Marzo. warranty dept.
Flex | | Similar Products Used: | Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Jr. T, Boxxer, DJ1, DJ2, Super T, White Bros., Rock Shox Psylo, Judy, Manitou X-vert. | | Bike Setup: | Hardtail bike that likes to drop off of things, and ride skinny bridges. | | Bottom Line: | A good fork. Mine started to creak, sent in for warranty and a week later I had it back with a new crown, stanctions and steer tube. Not to mention oil and seals. Paid $25 (Cdn) for the oil/seals.
Good job Marzocchi, you've done me well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christopher Mosel
a Downhiller
from AUSTRIA, Vienna
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | XC or Downhill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Looks great, looks really great, outstanding design,
smooth and plush, good travel, sucks up everything, is a real european quality.(forget Rock Shox and Manitou)
and dont forget the great design : )
| | Weaknesses: | it takes long to find the right air preasure. no pump included. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Duke, Manitou Black Elite, | | Bike Setup: | KTM Race Force(4ever KTM), XT, KTM Rigid 7005, Weight: 11.8kg, Magura HS 33,Cane Creek Thudbuster, and a great Marzocchi Bomber Z5 air; | | Bottom Line: | Great Stuff | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Here, On, Earth
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Plush, preload adjustment. | | Weaknesses: | Flexy as hell - comes with the regular QR territory, I guess, will be getting QR20 when I can afford it.
Dangerous - So many breakages. I've seen Z3's, Z4's, and Z5's snap like they were little twigs at the stanctions.
M-Arch sucks.
Clicky like hell, all the time.
Shimmies like a wet cat under braking.
Like a wet noodle through the corners.
Horrible tracking through corners, unless lots of rider weight is on the front end, which, again, makes it dangerous. | | Similar Products Used: | Z1 shortly, Z3 QR20, Manitou X-Vert, Various Rock Shox. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 .243 Racing 4130 Cro-moly, Avid Disc front and rear, Axiom Big Drop cro-moly cranks, Alex Supra Sigma (E) rear, Vuelta X-cal front, Titec Berzerker DH, and of course the good old Z5 that came stock (WHY GOD, WHY?) on my Kona Scab. | | Bottom Line: | A decent fork. Plush almost to the extent of a Z1, not quite.
Needs much improvment. Wobbly when braking, flex is kind of frightening through corners, all sorts of strange clicks.
What's up with this clicking Marz? I know at least 10 people who have the same stupid clicking BS problem that I have.
The M-arch sucks Marzocchi, get rid of it. We're all sick of it, and we want our old bolt on back. Leave the M-Arch for the Cross Country forks. Give us bolt on crowns back. Go back to Easton Stanctions, and cro-moly steer tubes.
Overall, I'd say buy the fork if you can get it for less than $250 CDN. The plushness is worth it, especially if you just want a little taste of what a Marz fork feels like. Don't buy one if you ride at the level of a Z1. It is _NOT_ a Z1.
If you can, do yourself a favour and find a good old 2000 Z1 QR20. If you're lucky, and you find a Z1 Dual, buy it instantly, don't hesitate. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trevor
a
from Great Falls
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | www.jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | -A fork
-burly
-cheap
-went up and down
| | Weaknesses: | -Tire clerance
-broke under poor cucumstances
| | Bike Setup: | Kona scab,mammoth rims, HS33, Tioga DH tires, Dumpster refurb cranks | | Bottom Line: | This was my first suspension fork and I just wish I used it more. The day I broke it was the first time I'd really ever had it super jucy, man I was just starting to dig it. Then disaster.I was really pissed at how it broke, my chain sliped off and it threw me over the bars, actually twisting the M-arch and snapping off my dropout. The cool part is that under that much force my wheel shoulda broken. But it dident!
Go SUN RIMS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Toby Brayley
a Cross Country Rider
from Fareham England
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | queen Elizabeth/southdowns | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Action Bikes | | Strengths: | Aamzing , price, strentgh looks and feel the cheapest oil bathed fork thats ne good, lasts for ages feels gr8 and adds to the ride feel. Adjustabliltys good as well. | | Weaknesses: | Doesnt come with the fork pump so that u can adjust it , it costs around £25 but should come with the forks. | | Similar Products Used: | excel 535s {!!!!!!!} | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4500 ,xt , lx, deore, Hope monos on d521 cds lots of other extras | | Bottom Line: | Gr8 forks for the XC jey boy lightish cheap and have excellent performance , for the price they are supureb forks that live up to the marrazochi name tag , every one i know luvs them | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, AB, CANADA!
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Fish Creek Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | The Cyclepath | | Strengths: | This fork is the best fork you will ever use. It not only has plenty of travel but can be adjusted to your exact preferences! I am amazed at how much this shock smoothes out the ride, it absorbes every bump! What's more? It looks super cool on your bike! | | Weaknesses: | You have to buy an air pump for $40CAN to adjust it. This pump should come with the fork as it is required for its use! Other than that, NONE! | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Magnum and Comp Six, RockShox Judy TT and Judy C | | Bike Setup: | Giant ATX 860, Deore cranks, THE front and rear fenders | | Bottom Line: | This shock is absolutely amazing, BUY IT. Or better yet, get it with your bike like I did!! Great value, great quality, great all round! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Owen Eades
a Downhiller
from England
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the 'chimney' | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$145.00 | | Purchased At: | www.chainreactioncycles.com | | Strengths: | The strength! No movement through bushings unlike psylos! 100mm (upgraded) of super plush bomber coil travel! Because these are the budget bombers they are heavier but that means they are stronger! The BAM powerwrap m-arch is amazing and makes a very stiff ride! I have taking these on very technical tight DH courses and never bottomened them out! | | Weaknesses: | Originally 80mm air (lack or travel for what i want to do duel racing) Slight air leakage! expensive seals! | | Similar Products Used: | Rockshox psylo xc/sl/race | | Bike Setup: | Cuda Ghetto duel frame, Z5 coil 100mm, magura hs33's, deore r mech, cranks planetx chainring, chaincage, ging chain tensioner, d521's on deore hubs. etc.... | | Bottom Line: | Amazing! Oh and they can be increased to 130mm of travel all you need is to buy the pumping rods for the z1's and then get the travel increase kit! One of me m8s has done this and they work amazingly! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
keith
a Downhiller
from canada
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | gericks sports experts | | Strengths: | EVERYTHING MINE IS A 2001 130MM QR20 IT CAME WITH A BOLT ON ARCH WITCH IS THE BEST PART THE M ARCHES SUCK ASS RUNS A FULL5" NOTHIGN ELSE TO SAY IT KICKS | | Weaknesses: | BRAKE PINS NOT REMOVABLE BUT THATS GOOD BECASUE IF YOUR RUNING RIM BRAKES YOU WANNA MAKE SHURE THEY STAY IN | | Bike Setup: | 2001 VPS DROP WITH SOON TO HAVE 2000JRT AND A REAR TRAIL PIMP RIM HAS BLACK SPIRE CHAIN GUIDE SUNN LAUNCH PAD SEAT FRONT *" HAYES HYDRO 8" ROTARS PRETTY MUCH A DOWNHILL PIMPED OUT VPS DROP | | Bottom Line: | ITS THE BEST SINGLE CROWN FREERIDE FORK IV EVER RIDDEN GOOD FOR dh DOESNT FLEX AT ALL THROUGH RUTS ITS A DREAM FORK FOR YOUR MONEYS WORTH ONLY I GOT RIPED ON MINE | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fr3 rider
a Downhiller
from australia
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | glidder forest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | strong,
stiff,
5.5" travel,
fits big tyres,
good looking,
disc and V comp,
gets girls:-) | | Weaknesses: | every one wants to ride ya bike | | Similar Products Used: | psylo XC, psylo SL, Z1 drop, Boxxers, shivers, all Judys
and a rst 381se | | Bike Setup: | Giant AC1, XTR every thing, hayes hydro, race face, intence tyres | | Bottom Line: | Great fork, I've tried most of the competition and this beats them all in performance and value | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jordan Szauer
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria B.C.
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | skull trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | stock on my bike | | Strengths: | they are stiff and good amount of travel
can fit a big tire too! | | Weaknesses: | nothing yet | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 2001 brodie fury sun rims tioga tire axiom seat bomber z5 | | Bottom Line: | these forks are awsome, they are proboly the best for your money! I was told they are better than the rst delta hl they are triple crown and have 5 inches. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mojombo
a Weekend Warrior
from La Verne, CA
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$209.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Inexpensive. Rock solid. Adjustable (air). | | Weaknesses: | None that I can tell! | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the 100mm travel air model. Marzocchi are the kings of front suspension. I laugh at Rock Shox and Manitou. I bought the Z.5 because I was on a budget but still wanted an excellent fork. This bad boy performed like a champ. Sure, you have to buy the little air pump to pump up the fork legs but that's a small price to pay for the adjustability of an air fork. You just dial in the pressure for your weight and preload and forget about it. This fork is a masterpiece. My bike with this fork was stolen and I'm now building up a new one. This time around it's the 2002 Marzocchi MXC-ECC for $269 bucks. Buy a Marzocchi. You will not be dissapointed. 5 flaming poops for an outstanding product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kUHAr
a Cross Country Rider
from Zagreb, Croatia
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$220.00 | | Strengths: | Very good value/price, quality built. | | Weaknesses: | Gets soft after REAL riding (one year), every 6 months oil change -preferablly, but will do each year (gets REAL soft) | | Similar Products Used: | RS Jett, Marzocchi Bombez Z3 flylight | | Bike Setup: | front: LX back: LX (univega alpina 550 but custom setup). | | Bottom Line: | If you cant buy Z1 or any PSYLO this WILL DO!
(its great, really good) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dom Man
a Weekend Warrior
from Suffield, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | metacomet | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Gravity Warehouse | | Strengths: | It is a great fork for XC, small drops, and just messing around. I strongly recommend it for someone looking for an entry level fork. I constantly hammer on this fork and it has never given me any trouble. | | Weaknesses: | Some adjustability wouldn't hurt, but im not complaning. Once you have your fork dialed in to your specifications, adjustments are useless. | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi z1 mcr | | Bike Setup: | Kona Scrap. Stock Parts. KONA BIKES RULE!!! | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent fork for someone with about $250 looking for a great all around fork. I strongly reccommend it to that kind of person. I have not held back on anything yet, over the fork and it hasn't given me a bit of trouble.
KONA MOUNTAIN BIKES RULE!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Ottawa
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | multiple | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$203.00 | | Purchased At: | Rebec and Kroes | | Strengths: | Very inexpensive and a pretty good riding fork. | | Weaknesses: | lack of adjustability, stiffness and travel | | Bike Setup: | Brodie Electro 2001 | | Bottom Line: | this a cheap fork for the money. If you are ever in a shop, and you like free-ride and you are deciding between a rock shox fork of equal or slighlty higher price, I would strongly suggest this fork. It is fairly stiff and sucks up anything you throw at it. It is set about perfect for me, i've read some reviews of people finding it too plush when they first get it, but i only wegh 120 pounds (i'm 13), so it was great. I only bottomed it once off a 5 footer onto uphill with a downhill approach (stupid me) but other than that it jsut keeps going like the energizer bunny (E2) anyways, I really like my fork, but i might upgrade for more travel as i grow and become heavier. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dennisd
a Cross Country Rider
from Cornwall, Ontario
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Brockville Back Country | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Bicycle World | | Strengths: | Excellent performance, rugged, lot's of travel (100mm), relatively hassle free adjustment with a standard floor pump. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, no fork boots | | Similar Products Used: | Lots of Rock Shox stuff, which I also like. | | Bike Setup: | Forks came equipped with my Specialized Enduro | | Bottom Line: | An excellent fork. Marzocchi just knows what they're doing. Riding XC trails with the Bomber inspires a lot of confidence and allows you to go for drops and long descents at speed without you having to wonder if your fork is going to blow apart or not.
This fork is great for the XC rider who might want to try something different, something not Rock Shox or Manitou. I would have appreciated fork boots on them however, as the trails around here get pretty muddy in the Fall and early Spring. I bought some Lizard Skins so no problem.
These forks balance out the rear suspension on my Specialized extremely well, and can take some pretty big hits without complaint. They are a little on the heavy side and are not intended for weight nazis or racer types. And if weight really is that much of an issue, well then you can always drain your bank account for a SID.
An excellent suspension fork exceeding my expectations. Ideal for the xc trailrider who wants decent, low maintenance performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anders Brauten-Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from London
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any!!! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Evans | | Strengths: | Looks great and performs very well. Easy to maintain. Easy to adjust air pressure. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any yet! | | Similar Products Used: | Kona P2(very good rigid fork) | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Kona Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Performs as well as it looks! Brilliant all round fork.Great value for money. Beats the hell out of other forks in the same price range. Travel could have been 100mm but never mind! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
NOFXER
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakville,Ontario CANADA
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | cyclepath | | Strengths: | STiff, plush, smooth | | Weaknesses: | no adjustable damping | | Similar Products Used: | RST capa,JETTS, JUDY's | | Bike Setup: | TREK 4300 | | Bottom Line: | Very sweet fork, best deal for the money. Great on trek 4300 frame. Thats why i give it 5 flamin'chilies | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jadyn
a Downhiller
from Ashland, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lowers | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | cycle sport | | Strengths: | 5" of travel...i guess. Looks cool | | Weaknesses: | -Not stiff AT ALL! The thing flexes around like a rubber band.
-Not very strong-already broke the thing
-No dampening or preload adjustments | | Bike Setup: | '01 stinky, Z5, disc brakes, rhynos | | Bottom Line: | This fork is crap. I broke it within the first 6 months doing what they are supposed to be able to do. However, Marzocchi is good with warranty. They sent me a brand new Z5, but im gonna try to get a 2001 Jr. T for my bike. The Z5 just doesnt cut it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brett
a Cross Country Rider
from Tacoma, WA
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tapeworm | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Great fork for the money, takes big hits well, even at 6'0" 235 lbs. | | Weaknesses: | No lockout :-(, kinda sucks for log climbs out of the saddle. | | Similar Products Used: | RockShox Judy | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Eureke, Deore XT front, rear, BB, and brakes, Gripshift, Truvativ Cranks, Time Carbon Pedals, Campy Wheels | | Bottom Line: | This is a great fork....Period! You won't find a better fork for the price, or even twice or three times as much. Blows Rock Shox and Manitou out of the water. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Augusta, Ga
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Canal, Wine creek, Lick Fork Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Stock on Giant Ranier SE | | Strengths: | All of it | | Weaknesses: | Tends to shimmy when you break. Air leaks off to fast. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Giant Rainer SE, Upgraded rims and tires. | | Bottom Line: | This product rocks, I have yet to bottom it out. I have to keep having the pressure in the shocks checked and need to buy the pump for it. It tends to work better on different presures depending on the type of riding conditions. It is alot smoother than the spring shocks that come on other bikes. It is a great product and I would recommend it to anyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Some Guy
a Downhiller
from Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lava Flow | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shack | | Strengths: | Very plush. Handles big hits really well but would be no good for x-country. Good for jumping and downhill. | | Weaknesses: | Annoying that you can't take the brake pins out. | | Bike Setup: | Diamondback Jump Comp, Deore, Avid front disc | | Bottom Line: | Excellent fork thats not as much as other forks that perform just as well if not worse. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Hamden, CT USA
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | from a friend | | Strengths: | Italian craftsmanship, from the land of Ferrari's, half a century of motocross/supercross suspension design experience, oil bath lubrication, pretty stiff | | Weaknesses: | none for what u get 4 the money. you get a lot for around 100 dollars or a little more | | Similar Products Used: | All kinds of Rock Shox crap, Manitou junk | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Kona MokoMoko XTR 8 speed, Paul Components brakes/levers, Race Face cranks, Avid rollamajig | | Bottom Line: | A quality fork for the money. So much better than low end Rock Shox or Manitou models. Marzocchi has built suspension forks for motorcross/supercross riders for half a century. They know what they're doing. I've had this fork for 1 year and a half. It worked well for a $140 fork. After a lotta freeriding last year at Killington, VT and MT.snow it started laking oil from both legs. It wasn't a problem though cuz it was still under warranty. Riders who are on a budget who want a decent fork that's more superior design wise (open oil bath lubrication, large diameter stanchions and a stiffer crown) should get it. Cross country racers should look else where. This fork is over 4 pounds. A Rock Shox Sid SL or a Manitou Black fork are light enough for XC racers. Just don't plan on riding those forks day in day out. They require a lotta maintenance. Crazy insane Downhillers need a double crown fork with at least 6-10 inches of travel (like the new Shiver from Marzocchi or a Super T) or if your'e a fearless freerider who does 10 foot drops all day u should be on the same or at least a 5 inch Z1. Props 2 all u North Shore-esque riders. Especially Dangerous Dan. You people do utterly insane things with bicycles. Overall for the quality and performance at this dollar level: 4 chilis Rock Shox and Manitou get negative 5 chilis | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Swanson
a Downhiller
from Tigard, or, usa
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Powell Butte | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$255.00 | | Purchased At: | Great Comebacks | | Strengths: | Very stiff, very durable, very adjustable and quite light | | Weaknesses: | 5" conversion-I wish it could be done | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Judys, Manitou | | Bike Setup: | K2 Animal, splined crank, kujo DH 2.25, azonic stem, sun rims, discs | | Bottom Line: | I weigh 250 lbs at 6"2" and am used to trials, 20" dirt jumping and 13 years of racing of all sorts. I have had this fork for 1.5 years and haven't even rebuild it yet and it's lasted through 4 shimano un72 bb's bending, firex cranks bending and many sets of tires in miles alone. I love this fork for the price, now I'm on my way to get a z-1 drop off because I need the travel and then some day a shiver for the other bike. Buy this if you don't have extra cash and want a light, thoroughly strong fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from ~~~~~~~, BC
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything at whistler | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | The Cove | | Strengths: | Price, it's a marzocchi, it works great, ummm..........Everything! | | Weaknesses: | They flex a bit under hard braking and when riding long sets of stairs they feel...funny. It's not that they don't work but they flex funny or something. Not much of a big deal.
Also still gushes a little. And could be alittle stiffer at the top of the stroke. | | Similar Products Used: | None this good! | | Bike Setup: | CCM matrix, Shimano alivio drivetrain, Fox float rc, Race face cranks, head set, Azonic flats, etc. | | Bottom Line: | Awsome fork for the buck still. Takes what ever you throw at it: Cross country, downhil, dirt jumping, bridgse and drops, you name it. Works like a charm, havn't had to take it in and service it yet and gives us novice/begginer riders lots of confidence. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal Canada
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Biere En Bas | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | This fork is super plush and smooth
It's a tad lighter than the coil fork
It won't take 3 months of saving money to buy, and still gives great results.
It will absorb huge hits
| | Weaknesses: | very easy to scratch
Have to buy a $30 pump, simply a pain in the ass
Little bumps are not easily taken in by the fork | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Kona Stuuff, with 100mm air Z-5 bomber, shimano XT Disc front hub on Ryno Lite, Avid mechanical discs, Jones kevlar Tires. | | Bottom Line: | It's a Marzoochi...from the same country that makes Farrari's. The Z-5 fork is low cost and absolutely a must have. Marzoochi is simply the best fork maker around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Henningsen
a
from Albuquerque, NM
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Vicious, wooded single tracks | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Marzocchi online | | Strengths: | Smooth, doesn't wimp out on the big hits, just as effective on the small, rutty stuff. Travel to spare, easily adjustible if you shell out for a pump. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | CrapShox Judy | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Instinct, 19.5" | | Bottom Line: | Wow! No complaints so far. I regularly beat the crap out of this fork and it still loves me. I'm fairy big at 6'4", 195lbs., and there's no indication that the Z5 is at all afraid. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Spyder
a Downhiller
from Hastings, HB, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Strengths: | Thick, strong, plush, heap of travel, affordable | | Weaknesses: | nothing | | Similar Products Used: | Rock shock jetts | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Scott Octane D521, Marzocchi Z5, Scott AC-9 rear shock, Amoeba Downhill bars, Uno DH stem, Tioga headset, Panaracer Fire DH pro Tires | | Bottom Line: | Good overall forks for a good price | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Xtreme Ryder
a Downhiller
from New York
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Pros Only | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$139.00 | | Strengths: | Sweet travel at minimal price
Very little bob on Climbs
Strong with little to almost no flex
takes big and little hits(after break-in)
| | Weaknesses: | Cheesy Plastic top caps-hook it up with aluminum
pump not included | | Similar Products Used: | marzocchi Z4-CrapShox Judy XL, Judy XC, Jett XC | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakar Comp-marzocchi Z5 100mm-XT/LX components-Sun/rhyno lites w/XT disc hubs-tioga factory DH-time pedals-Kore freeide bars-Titec lil' al stem | | Bottom Line: | this fork is a big step from your average cross country shock..it's BETTER!! this brought my riding to a whole new level..going BIG! this fork has got the crap beatin' out of it straight from the box.Strong as hell and tough as nails.It soaks up a whole lot and when it matters.Seals are great even without boots they keep crap off the stanction tubes.It's a little heavy but i'll sacrafice weight for travel anyday! I got mine dirt cheap...you should too!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Versatility, quality | | Weaknesses: | air...inconvenient adjustability | | Bike Setup: | Giant Rainier SE | | Bottom Line: | The shock is great...It came on my Rainier as an air w/80mm travel but I recently upgraded to 100mm by buying the topout springs from bikeusa.com. If you don't like the air adjustability, stop being lazy and experiment with different weights of oil and oil height (do some learning!). Also, if you still don't like the air, convert to coil spring (again, see bikeusa.com for the required components). I've had nothing but ideal response from this shock once I lowered the oil wieght a bit & fiddled with the air pressure. I am thinking of converting to coil spring for the convenient adjustability and also to decrease the chance of blowing out a seal (which compressed air can do with a big enough hit at a high enough pressure).... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wes Dobson
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | pppth! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Beefy and tough. Adjustable if you're willing to further rape yourself and spend another $30 on Marzocchi's special pump. | | Weaknesses: | It's an air shock. The stiction is really really bad on this sucka'. Doesn't soak up a thing on the small stuff. This shock just doesn't move until I hit something big, and even then I don't like the way it moves. If the pressure is high, it tapers off way too fast, if the pressure is low, the taper is nice but then the rebound sucks. I just can't find a pressure setting that I'm happy with, and the stiction always seems to be there regardless of the pressure. | | Bottom Line: | This thing came on my Kona Cinder Cone. When I bought this bike, I also test rode a Trek bike that had a Judy on it. I actually liked the feel of the Judy a LOT more than the Z.5, but I liked the overall feel of the Kona more and I decided to go with it, especially with the many comments from others on this site that Marzocchis really need to be 'broken in.'
Well, I've ridden 500 miles on this dude so far and I've tried plenty of different pressure settings, and I still think it's a pretty lame shock. My conclusion after riding this thing is that air shocks pretty much suck.
Gimme something with a spring and oil in it next time. One thing I do like about this shock is how burly and beefy it is. If somehow Marzocchi could combine that beefiness with the ability to actually absorb shocks it'd be decent. Maybe I'll spring for a Z.2 Atom next season, but I'll never use air again.
2 Chilis for value cause this $200 shock isn't worth $200.
2 Chilis overall becuase this shock sucks IMO. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
devin
a Racer
from calgary
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | big drops | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | baowcycle | | Strengths: | quick responding, oil bath system, and strong enough for a big hit
| | Weaknesses: | cant fit large tires due to m arch almost 0 adjustability.
needs tight coils for hard riding if their 4 inch | | Similar Products Used: | z3 judy. | | Bike Setup: | norco 125cc stock, 4 inch z5 | | Bottom Line: | there good as long as you put heavier springs in them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
EZ Weave
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Section 16, Templeton... | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Stiff, smooth, no noise, no plastic parts, cool M-arch | | Weaknesses: | Lack of adjustablity! | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi: Z1 MCR, Z3, Z5, Rockshox Judy Race, Rockshox Jett, Noleen, C-Dale Lefty, some crappy RSTs, Manitou X-Vert... | | Bike Setup: | Freeride hardtail: but I am getting a new bike and found this fork on Kona Stinky, Kona Roast, Kona Stuff, Diamondback Reactor, Diamondback XTS-2, etc... FREERIDE BIKES | | Bottom Line: | Even the lowly Z-5 blows any Rockshox Psylo or Manitou out of the water... These are the stiffest standard axle forks out there!
The spring rate tapers perfectly and is by far the best I have ever felt on a fork this cheap... all Marzocchis really.
I am always floored by the ride of these babies, no twisting, smooth (a little tight at first, but that is what you want, a fork needs to be broken in, this is a lesson Rockshox has not learned yet!), and reliable.
If you freeride or are just heavy and are looking at bikes, any with this fork will suit you fine. Not as cool as the Z-1 or Z-3, but an excellent fork none-the-less, I was very suprised. These forks are a perfect match for me! They feel good even in the "parking lot test", which basically means hopping curbs, riding and jumping down small stair cases, and manuals. I ride alot of BMX and love the way Marzocchis complement my riding style. NO JOKE. I only weigh 140 lbs and have had too many problems with Rockshox and am dissapointed in the easy contamination of X-Verts...
Don't believe the hype, believe what works. Marzocchi is the name you will see on the non-sponsered and sponsered big-hit, shore, urban, whatever, freeriding masses bikes. Just cause Lopes races Psylos, doesn't mean they are good, he gets paid to do that.
They work and outshine all others at any price. Trust me or not... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ivan
a Cross Country Rider
from Lethbridge
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | "The Muff" | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Came with the bike | | Strengths: | Light, sokes up everything, Italin Made, looks good, oil bath air shock | | Weaknesses: | nothing | | Similar Products Used: | Judy C | | Bike Setup: | Oryx 2500 frame, shimano deore and XT, shimano 9 speed, | | Bottom Line: | Awsome fork, sokes up everything and is light for us cross contry riders, it can handle drops but i havnt took it off anything above 3 feet yet... im trying a 5 for tommorows mission. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a
from Vermont
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | bought frrom friend | | Strengths: | works well sucks pretty big drops | | Weaknesses: | It sucks up the bumps but doesn't rebound. Lot of stiction.
| | Similar Products Used: | RS SID | | Bike Setup: | Marin, torco, XT, z5 | | Bottom Line: | Good fork but don't drop off of a roof or you'll blow it. Once its been rebuilt the stiction is unbearable so Ima get a z3 now. I Bought it off my friend cause I needed a fork until I got my z3. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin Cycles | | Strengths: | Looks awesome, Performs very well for the price. | | Weaknesses: | The disc brake mounts snapped off after a couple of months | | Bottom Line: | Very good for what I use them for - pavement and rocky trails. That is until one day I was riding along the pavement, pulled the front brake (a Grimeca mechanical) and the caliper broke clean off the fork leg and mangled the rotor with it. Apart from that the fork is great value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andy
a Cross Country Rider
from slovakia
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$190.00 | | Strengths: | design, air, open bath | | Weaknesses: | weight | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn moab | | Bottom Line: | it works good, sensitive, its cheap and good, it worth to buy it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
what goes up must come down
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | dont have one | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Bike addiction | | Strengths: | damn plush all 130mm
| | Weaknesses: | no rebound adjustments | | Similar Products Used: | jett t2's | | Bike Setup: | kona stinky 2001' | | Bottom Line: | they are good i have them on the softest wit virtually no preload i can only bottom them out goin off 9 stair
there awesome | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Racer
from Your Anus
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The Proccesor | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$270.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikeland | | Strengths: | Smooth travel, plush 105 mm of travel, better than a Manitou, way better than a Rock Shox. Sweet looks, stiff, "M" arch | | Weaknesses: | I couldn't afford the 130 mm model | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Jett, Judy, Manitou Magnum, Magnum R, SX | | Bike Setup: | Kona NuNu w/ Z.5 | | Bottom Line: | Awesome fork, real stiff, great looking nicer than a high end Judy, or SX, and this is a bottom-of-the-line Marzocchi! Great budget fork! I love this thing! Durable (its held up to what i put it through). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guillaume Brochu
a Weekend Warrior
from Quebec, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bromont and Mon-ste-anne | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Jh Lamontagne | | Strengths: | screamin look, 80mm of PLUSH travel, really strong and durable, do not need to be adjusted very often, scremin' value. | | Weaknesses: | Makes a bit of noise in the end of the travel (due to the open oil bath), easily scratchable, have to buy the f*ckin pump (30 more buks grrrrrr), complicated to adjust even if it doent require a lot of adjustement (you put the needed amount of PSI in the fork for your weight), you cant adjust it while you ride. | | Similar Products Used: | RS SID (harsh), RS quadra 5 (cheapie but working), RS Indy C ( same as the quadra), | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Giant ATX 860 ( http://www.giantbicycles.com/cn/bikes/030.000.000.asp?bikes=cataloguestep4&bikeid=9517 ) stock except for the Shimano 636 pedals and the thomson seatpost | | Bottom Line: | Best fork i ever owned, even tough it is limited on adjustability. Strong as hell, look cool as a '57 red Thunderbird, PLUSH PLUSH PLUSH travel, and it can't bottom out. Buy it , you cant get wrong with this, especially if you do a lot of trail/light freeride/XC.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
EMBOLA
a Weekend Warrior
from EARTH
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | goin' round the moon | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Strengths: | -LOOKS REALLY NICE
-NEVER BOTTOMS DOWN
-SMOOTH
-EUROPEAN MADE
-YOU CAN PUT A DISK BRAKE ON IT
-VERY STRONG
-SWOLLOWS EVERYTHING | | Weaknesses: | -YOU CAN SCRATCH IT WITH A CHEWING GUM
-IT IS DIFFICULT TO TAKE THE DUST OUT OF SOME PLACES(LIKE THE SEALS)
-YOU HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER 30$ FOR THE PUMP | | Similar Products Used: | ROCK SHOX INDY C (ON MY FRIENDS BIKE)
ROCK SHOX JUDY XC TESTED | | Bottom Line: | I LOVE THIS FORK. THE WEAKNESSES ARE VERY SMALL COMPARED TO ITS STRENGTHS. I HAVE NOT FACED PROBLEMS LIKE OIL OR AIR LEAKAGE AND NOTHING HAS BENDED. IT IS TRUE THAT IT SCRATCHES VERY EASILLY BUT WHO CARES???? WHAT REALLY BOTHERS ME IS THAT YOU HAVE TO PAY MORE TO GET THE PUMP. TO ADJUST IT I HAVE TO CROSS THE WHOLE CITY TO GET TO THE SHOP WHERE THE OWNER ADJUSTS IT FOR ME WITH HIS OWN PUMP.
OVERALL, I DONT THINK YOU CAN GET ANYTHING BETTER WITH THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY. OW AND DONT HEAR THOSE IDIOTS THAT TAKE AN XC FORK AND USE IT FOR DH AND THEN THEY COMPLAIN... ITS NATURAL FOR A FORK WITH 10CM OF RAVEL TO FACE PROBLEMS ON DH COURSES. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bjorni rakest
a Cross Country Rider
from bolivia
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | i like to suck penus | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | a bike place | | Strengths: | they are very atractive and intamit with my big shaft | | Weaknesses: | to frigit they dont want to do it with me | | Similar Products Used: | woman, dogs bum hole ,cats mouth | | Bike Setup: | big long one | | Bottom Line: | i like to do it with woulden poles | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ned ~~~~~~~~
a Weekend Warrior
from ~~~~~~~, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything on the north shore mountains. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | The Cove | | Strengths: | Never bottoms out, never feel harsh and hard, look better than my old rocksux jett, and just all around kick ass for the price I paid (especially seeing as I got the long travel version, 120mm of travel kicks!). | | Weaknesses: | Still gushing after 100's of hours of trail riding and the adjustability sucks.
Couldn't get them in the red color advertised on the website. | | Similar Products Used: | Rst 281r(Piec of junk) | | Bike Setup: | CCM Matrix(I know it's cheap but it was all I could afford), beafed up with race face bash gaurd/stem/riser bar/crank. Fox float r. SRAm 9.0 every thing. | | Bottom Line: | The adjustability sucks, it gushes, not really a big deal for a guy who just wants to get out there and bike. I highly recomend this fork to any amature who wants a great starter fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Cross Country Rider
from OHIO
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | vultures knob | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$240.00 | | Purchased At: | Dales bike shop | | Strengths: | PLUSH!!!!! weight, adjustability, | | Weaknesses: | NONE< ARE you kidding | | Similar Products Used: | rst, sid, judy xc head shock | | Bike Setup: | Gary fisher race face stem, bars, crank, ringle head set, hutchenson tires, thomson seatpost, sella seat, and more | | Bottom Line: | This fork rocks! not all that expensive, well worth the money. 100mm air and it is marzochhi what mor do you want | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JOHN
a Downhiller
from ALBERTA
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | DIRTY LITTLE SERCRET | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | BOW CYCLE | | Strengths: | GOOD TRAVIL (130mm)
PLUSH
GOOD FOR WHAT i USE IT FOR
| | Weaknesses: | NO GOOD FOR XC TO SOFT
NOT VERY AJUSTABLE
BOTTEMS OUT AT 8FT DROPS | | Similar Products Used: | SHIVER
BOXER
Z1
Z5 20
| | Bike Setup: | NORCO SASQUACH
LX | | Bottom Line: | GOOD FOR DROPS,LANCHES ETC
NOT GOOD FOR XC | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Hirschkorn
a Downhiller
from Canada
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Circus | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Cove Bike Shop | | Strengths: | -Stiff
-Good Travel
-Cheap | | Weaknesses: | Nothing Yet | | Similar Products Used: | Headshok | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale SV400 with z5 bombers,mavic 519 rims,hays hyddraulic, irc mudmad DH tires,race face shore cranks and splined BB, Race Face Stem and Handle Bars and Pig DH headset. | | Bottom Line: | This fork is a very good investment, it is a pain in the ass to get the reducer cups for the headtubes but once that is out of the way the bike performs excellent. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Downhiller
from Bromont
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Coupe du monde | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | DM cyclo sport | | Strengths: | 5 inches of travel stiff | | Weaknesses: | scraches real easy. | | Similar Products Used: | last years z4 | | Bike Setup: | Kona stinky with hayes hydraulic disc | | Bottom Line: | the fork is great and is very adjustable for any size rider and it soaks up the bumps so easily and can run a pretty wide tire | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Weekend Warrior
from Thessalon
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Killer loop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Duke of windsor | | Strengths: | They have tons of travel,good price and they dont flex like my old jett xc's | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | z4 and judy xc | | Bike Setup: | rocky mountain edge (stock) | | Bottom Line: | These are a great fork if you want to freeride and you dont have tons of cash. I would never go back to any less travel now that I've riden these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Nelson, B.C, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | palmonary | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Just about everything, Strong, plush. | | Weaknesses: | My springs are not strong enough. | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Z.1, Z.3, Z.4 Manitou X-vert, Sx Lt Rock shox Psylo | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Norco Sasquatch, Hayes mechanical Front disk, Truvativ hussefelt crankset, sun hill rod rims. | | Bottom Line: | Great fork for the price with an option of 3.5,4 or 5" of travel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
poojah
a Weekend Warrior
from australia
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | Strong as anything, plush, affordable and just an all round awesome fork. | | Weaknesses: | Takes ages to adjust (air version), and doesn't take small bumps very well. | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Jr. T, Z5 coil version, rigid chro-moly. | | Bike Setup: | '01 Giant ATX 860 with 80mm travel forks upgraded to 100mm. | | Bottom Line: | My first suspension fork has not disappointed me one bit, it's a truly awesome fork. I ride freeride and 'urban assault' with my bike, and this fork can take anything that I dish out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Patterson
a Downhiller
from Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Adrenaline | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Dm cyclo sports | | Strengths: | plush strong fork, grreat for freeriding | | Weaknesses: | a bit too soft but nothing a few adjustments can't fix | | Bike Setup: | 2001 kona stinky with hayes hydraulic disc | | Bottom Line: | this fork is great and will soak up pretty much any thing you put in it's way. with 130mm it can take it. it's more than i expected from a Z5. it is as strong and as plush as a Z1 drop off. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Paddon
a Weekend Warrior
from St.John's
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Pippy Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Freeride | | Strengths: | -super plush,
-good travel (100 mm)
-stff
-good dampning
-great price
-strong as hell
-it eats all rockshox (dont ever buy a rockshox unless its a boxxer) | | Weaknesses: | -none | | Similar Products Used: | Z.4, Z.3, Z.3 Long Travel, Z.2, Z.1, Manitou Magnum R | | Bike Setup: | Giant Iguana Se, Z.5 | | Bottom Line: | Great fork for the money, although it has no external adjustment, it can be done internaly.Can be put up to 5 inches of travel. Oh yeah, anyone who has spacers under their stem and doesn't like the taller position, cut the tube shorter and take some spacers out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shae Haefele
a Cross Country Rider
from Traralgon, Victoria
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Crinigan Rd Pines | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$244.00 | | Purchased At: | Spikes Bikes Traralgon | | Strengths: | The forks are very light, and have plush travel, even for the 80mm I have them set on. | | Weaknesses: | You have to by a shock pump, which adds to the already expensive forks. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Judy XC
Rock Shax Judy SL | | Bike Setup: | 1998 GT RTS, Full Shimano LX components. | | Bottom Line: | I would really recommend these forks. For a little bit more than the Rock Shox they are almost half as light. I really love the way that bombers don't have dust covers and makes them look unique. You should by these forks if you like cross country rides. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Harry Stephenson
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Gisburn Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Settle Cycles | | Strengths: | Nice Coulors
Strong
Cool lookin
Very sound set of forks! | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | Rockshox | | Bike Setup: | AHEAD | | Bottom Line: | Nice forks. Good quility for the price a must have!!!
www.mountainbikingworld.mustbehere.com | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Boros Gabor
a Cross Country Rider
from Hungary
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anyone | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Strengths: | well, the design
the european-made
the best seals
the smoothest
the plushest
the best...
the plush | | Weaknesses: | weight, but its not problem | | Similar Products Used: | 00 Judy Xc, rst , sx, and a 99 z2 | | Bike Setup: | schwinn adrenalin cro-mo, stx-rc, fsa, ritchey, and a bomber | | Bottom Line: | I think this is the best fork for this price, and its more adjustabler than anyone else, so go and buy it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BlaBla BlaBla
a Cross Country Rider
from Athens
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anyone! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$260.00 | | Strengths: | Strong
Nice smooth feeling
never bottoms
Nice looking
It's not american-made
Nice looking
Cheap
Has a disk-brake (how do they call it???) | | Weaknesses: | None
Just some weird sonds but i guess thats because it is brand new | | Similar Products Used: | just tested the rock sox indy c(is that similar?) | | Bike Setup: | Aluminioum hardtail Frame
Deore crankset, derailures,Shimano cassete+rear hub
kevlar tires
diskbrake in the front(in the future)
Enough?????? | | Bottom Line: | Its great
Just try one to feel that wonderfull buttery feeling
or just buy one!
You wont lose!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rock Ford
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | White Track | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$225.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Cheap, Strong and relatively light. I thought those three didn't come together. I thought wrong. | | Weaknesses: | None. Buy one. | | Similar Products Used: | 00 Z5, 00 Z3 100mm, 00 Z3 QR20, 99 Z3. Rock Shox Judy 100mm, Sid 100. | | Bike Setup: | 01 Kona Stuff, Avid, Race Face, Marzocchi, Tioga. Simple, yet effective. | | Bottom Line: | The best value of any fork out there. For the money you can't beat it. This is gonna put alot of pressure on the other guys to pull up thier shorts and come up with something ti rival this. Upgradeable to 130mm, weight at a measly 3.7lbs, you can't lose. With the bombproof Marzocchi name behind it, i'm recommending this to everyone i know. I've had four other Bombers and nothing touches this fork when i comes to value. Buy one, before they're gone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean Dorsey
a Downhiller
from LG California
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Strong ulta plush never bottomed out good for budget | | Weaknesses: | weight | | Similar Products Used: | judy 100 | | Bike Setup: | Specialized p3 modified | | Bottom Line: | You pay about $250 and get a top quality italian made fork that lets you do more than you thought possible. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T E
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | -Tough
-Great Looking
-Italian Made
-Awesome Rebound
-Plush
-Ultra Adjustable
-Good travel | | Weaknesses: | -Can be a little squeaky at times
| | Similar Products Used: | Ridden bikes w/ Suntours, RSTs, Z4s | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Elevation, LX + Deore Derailleurs, Sunrims CR18 + Maxxis MoFo, Deore shifters & brake levers, Altus brakes... | | Bottom Line: | Awesome shock | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trevor
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, California
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Strengths: | Very Adjustable, durable, plush, good seals, fast rebound | | Weaknesses: | It takes up energy on climbs alot | | Bottom Line: | Good shocks, just keep the shafts clean since it has no boot. It has a spring around the seal, so it is ok with dust. It is nice once you get it set up, likes to sag when you stand up, so don't as often as you can since it wastes energy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SJ
a
from Upstate NY
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | -TOUGH AS HELL!!!(it's a Marzocchi,what do you expect)
-Plush
-Good-looking
-Mega-adjustable!!
-Lighter than the Judy XC(that fork is good,but weighs a frickin' ton!!) | | Weaknesses: | -More expensive than the SX or Judy XC
-It's a pain in the ass to break out the shock pump every time you want to adjust the fork
-NOT MUCH ELSE!!Probably the best entry-level shock out there!HIGHLY recommended!! | | Similar Products Used: | SX,Judy XC | | Bottom Line: | Oh,yes..this fork is sweet.It's plush,really adjustable,very stiff and durable,and priced decently.And it's a MARZOCCHI!!I'm looking to buy this shock to upgrade my Rockhopper.
I really like this fork!!5 chilies!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pat bloomfield
a Downhiller
from duncan British columbia Canada
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | oh shi* | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | it has a good amount of travel | | Weaknesses: | not very smooth, ugly looking | | Similar Products Used: | z1 drop offs, z3 coil and oil | | Bottom Line: | your better off buying boxxers or z1 drop offs | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel Demale
a Weekend Warrior
from B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | full boar trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Funstuff bike store | | Strengths: | easy ajusting and cool colour | | Weaknesses: | a bit heavy | | Similar Products Used: | white brothers AT 3 | | Bike Setup: | norco charger | | Bottom Line: | I like them but I would rather get a coil fork for a nicer feel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel M
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal,Quebec,Canada
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Adrenaline at Bromont | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$67.00 | | Purchased At: | Used from friend | | Strengths: | Its an air fork, so its adjustable. Cheap. Other than that, nothing | | Weaknesses: | You get what you pay for. Heavy as hell for an air fork (4 lbs). Flexy (brake rubs rim when I ride out of the saddle). Crown cannot take abuse (Got loose from jumping, and leg popped throught top of it). Slow rebound at low pressure, and does not absorb anything at high pressure. Bottoms out like poo. Not enough travel for what I do. Only absorbs big hits, and not small ones, and when it does actually travel, it bottoms out. Leacky and greasier than a teanager's face. Pain in the arse to adjust. No disc mount. Also, its an air fork. | | Similar Products Used: | RS Jett T2, Manitou SX, Bomber Z1 | | Bike Setup: | Giant ATX 840, Alivio/Stx RC. I know it sucks, but I ride it hard, and have broken most thing on it. Hope to buy a new bike next year. | | Bottom Line: | Cheap in more ways than one. Don't buy this fork for freeeride, downhill, XC, trials, etc. Good thing Marzocchi is coming out with a coil Z5 with a boltless crown. New arch/ easton tubes should stiffen things up. But do not buy an Z5 '00 or earlier. It just plain sucks. Pay the extra $50 for a Judy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill S
a Racer
from Portland, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | City/Powell Butte | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Purchased At: | Great Comebacks | | Strengths: | Light, super strong, plush, won't bottom, doesn't have harsh top out | | Weaknesses: | Confusing to convert to 100mm travel | | Similar Products Used: | RockShox Judy (never again) Indy's (different league-lower) Manitou sx series, White Bros dh3 | | Bike Setup: | fs 5" travel rear, freeride set-up, discs | | Bottom Line: | This fork is every bit worth the money! It is really light, super strong-has stood up to stairs that twisted a pair of cranks and a un72 bb and never even bottoms out. Took a few times of it leaking air and then set it once and it's never leaked since. That's good because it was hard to get them set evenly and where I wanted them.
They are awesome on a cross country bike or a jumped but not abused f/s.
These would get ten chillis on value! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Putnam Valley, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Fahnestock State Park/Powerline Roads | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | 0 | | Strengths: | Tuneable Tuneable Tuneable!!!, Plush, Never bottom hard, smooth rebound!, Marzochi!!! | | Weaknesses: | Would like a boot to keep the mud out...?
But cleaning the seals ain't that bad either.
| | Bike Setup: | 99 Kona NuNu | | Bottom Line: | The Z5 came stock on my 99 Kona NuNu. They are one of the main reasons that I chose the bike. After just one test ride, nothing in the store in this price range came close to being as comfortable as the Z5 equiped bike. All the other forked bikes were way to "springy feeling".
I keep them at about 30lbs. That is the pressure that gave me the recomended factory sag for my weight (140lbs). This shock really keep the front tire in contact with the trail over any terrain. A great shock! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat Henry
a Cross Country Rider
from St.Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Strengths: | Smooth and reliable, plus a cool look to them | | Weaknesses: | maybe the weight but its not that bad | | Similar Products Used: | Jett Xc - crap | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Kona Caldera | | Bottom Line: | awesome for the price . I really enjoy them, much better than a ridged i must add. i just dont like how the store charged me 40 bucks (CDN) for a stupid pump that fist the valves on the shock!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hubo guess
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Good, strong work well easy to adjust | | Weaknesses: | not much traves | | Similar Products Used: | hollow bent steel | | Bike Setup: | 99 sasquatch | | Bottom Line: | Better than hollow steel, fine for people from 100-250 lbs and for the people who like to comlain about weight- shut up they are fine and if they weigh more than 10lbs I would start to worry, they work fine and dont add to yOUR WEIGHT, MY OLD HOLLOW STEEL TUBER WERE HEAVIER THAN THE SHOCKS I HAVE NOW | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Grangeaud
a Weekend Warrior
from Sooke, BC Canada
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Galloping Goose | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Reputation
Quality
Effectiveness | | Weaknesses: | Seals maybe? | | Similar Products Used: | RST 281EL | | Bike Setup: | Giant Warp D/S 3 (Stock) | | Bottom Line: | I upgraded to this fork from the RST 281EL it came with. Although I'm new at all of this, it seemed a whole lot better! I had to have the seals replaced by the shop cause they leaked oil like a 72 Pinto. No problem now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Filippi
a Cross Country Rider
from Auburn Hills MI USA
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pontiac Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Low cost $159.00 at supergo,fits older 1" head sets,adapts
to all kinds of brake set-ups,adjustable pressure setting. | | Weaknesses: | none, unless your weight conscious | | Similar Products Used: | none, old Ritchy Logic solid fork! | | Bike Setup: | BRIDGESTONE MB3, RITCHY LOGIC COMPONENTS, HARD TAIL | | Bottom Line: | Look nowhere else if budget and quality is an issue.
Great older bike upgrade as 1" steer tubes and stems are
getting harder to find. Never consider this as a weight
issue when you got money to spend and probably could lose
a little weight of your own! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Hill
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara, California, USA
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Jesasita | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | The products strenghts would be the price (I got it for $70), the beefiness, travel, smoothness of travel, the fact that it is airsprung, the nice red color matched my red and black Hard Rock perfectly, and everything else except the weight | | Weaknesses: | The weight | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shocks Jett S(hit) | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Specialized Hardrock w/upgraded stem, headset, and Z-5, soon to be upgraded derraillers | | Bottom Line: | This is a great fork, little heavy for XC racing, but thats what I'll be using it for, the travel is great and it is extremely smooth, great on big and small bumps. Extremely tuneable, stiff and strong. Anybody looking for a decent but cheap fork buy this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Vernon B.C Canada
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | plush, no flex, price, air fork. | | Weaknesses: | It is heavy but keeps the front of my bike down on steep
climbs. | | Similar Products Used: | xc 51, xc600, mag20, mag21, Z1, lots. | | Bike Setup: | stock norco sasquatch 99 just added a Trans X suspension post. | | Bottom Line: | I have had a five year gap in riding. in 95 these forks would have been $1000 and considered downhill material.
I love them. I find them to be an excellent fork, no flex, havent had any problems with oil leaks, but you have to maintain these air-oil forks. Clean the dust seals every ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bigpappasloth
a Weekend Warrior
from OKC, OK
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | price, durability, looks, performance | | Weaknesses: | weight, increases height of front of frame | | Similar Products Used: | manitou magnum, spyder. Rockshox Jett Race, Quadra 21 R, Judy | | Bike Setup: | '95 specialized rockhopper comp fs, lx/xt | | Bottom Line: | I got this fork for 139.00 @ www.pricepoint.com a great price, fork is plush and isnt easy to bottom out, has a sufficient amount of travel (including negative travel!) easy to remove bolt in steerer tube that can be swapped out for a 1 1/8". weight does begin to become of concern on frames that already somewhat cumbersome, since my rockhopper frame weighs about 4 lbs the fork actually helped balance the bike, it kinda sucks that it raises the front end of the bike but you should be able to fix that by changing the air pressure, valving, or oil. overall a great fork!! 5 value chili's for the great price, and 4 overall chili's because of the weight | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neron Denis
a Cross Country Rider
from Quebec
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bromont & Rougemont | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | price, looks, comfort, good steering control, etc... | | Weaknesses: | NONE! | | Similar Products Used: | Duotrac SR 9001, Rock Shox Jett, Indy, Judy. | | Bike Setup: | Nishiki Bushwacker with STX-RC. | | Bottom Line: | Best fork on the market,for the price. Real fun to ride with a fork like this one. The one and only, Bomber Z5. Don't understand the other guys, did they really tried it or are they all working for Rock Shox? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terry (Trashin' T)
a Weekend Warrior
from Albany, OR
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Viagra | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Cost is a factor, nice price !. 1"steertube is handy.
Works much better than no suspension...Much better !! | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy but it helps me stay level when
catching a little air...just a little.
Needs a special pump. | | Similar Products Used: | A chunk of aluminum with no springs. | | Bike Setup: | Older Cannondale M500 (hardtail), with these Z.5's with
36 PSI of air. | | Bottom Line: | I like 'em !
They ride well over small & large bumps alike.
They look cool and match my bike.
They are plush and fairly firm as well.
So far, they're well worth the buck-sixty.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Connor O'Neill
a Weekend Warrior
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | -looks
-price | | Weaknesses: | -heavy
-weak
-oil leakage
| | Similar Products Used: | -rock shox indy XC LT
-RST 281
-Girvin Chubby
-Cannondale Headshock fatty D
-Rock shox indy S | | Bike Setup: | Kona Nunu with XT upgrades | | Bottom Line: | I liked this fork for about 2 weeks when it came with my Kona Nunu, but not anymore. The thing is too heavy, leaks air, squirts oil, and bends easily. I had to replace the brake arch a month and a half after I got it because it bent. And every so often I'll go to go for a bike ride and there will be oil all over the fork legs and my front wheel. I won't be buying another one of these anytime soon. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lemmin nicolas
a Weekend Warrior
from switzerland
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | almost any | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | oversized (=resistance)
hydraulic system (=comfortable & efficient)
disc brake can be installed
easy to set it | | Weaknesses: | it is a bit to heavy (over 1800 gr!) | | Similar Products Used: | RST 281, Rock Shock pure sh.. | | Bike Setup: | Deore, Lx | | Bottom Line: | It is one of the cheapest suspension using the hydraulic system, it is pretty good for all use, maybe excepted the X-C use because too heavy. I am totaly satisfied with it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas
a Weekend Warrior
from Ireland
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Plushish, they never bottom-out abruptly, looks. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, seals burst, energy loss on climbs - (all bouncy forks!). | | Bike Setup: | 17.5in. steel framed Scott (Previously rigid - and i think it was designed to stay that way! - Read below...). | | Bottom Line: | Xcelent entry level fork. I have conquered rocky terrain that would have emptied my bladder on a rigid!, plus huge increase on fun factor. Great rebound adjustability courtesy of the air spring. I would advise getting the fork-specific pump as air prussure cannot be accurately administered using a standard pump and schrader extension. Also a pneumatic/garage pump is FAR too powerful.
If you are upgrading from a rigid, seriously consider getting a bike which was speced with front suspension @ manufacture. I found raising the front of my 17.5 inch frame by an extra 3 inches, through out the overall geometry of the bike, akin to putting stilletos on a 100m sprinter! This is especially noticed in corners (it feels like the front is going to slip way out off line) and on 25mph+ decents the tail is all over the place - very disconcerting. I think this is due to the weight imbalance - its a heavy fork compared with my old rigid one.
Despite the above comments I wouldn't go back to my old fork, transformes bike from 2 wheeled transporter to Rock 'n Root Eater and rider from mountainbiker wannabie to addict! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason
a Weekend Warrior
from halifax, nova scotia, canada
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | wrandees | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | plush,active, looks good, dosent feel like an air ride, dosent bottem out to the point where you can feel it. | | Weaknesses: | heavy, needs 80mm instead of 70mm of travel[as the 2000 model has] | | Similar Products Used: | SR Suntour M7500 [crap], judy t2, indy c, magnum | | Bike Setup: | 1998 Raleigh serengeti with LX rear deraileur wellgo wpd400 clipless pedals, centera shifters and mainly STX-RC drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | Nice fork, if it was lighter then it would be a perfect race fork, but at 4 lbs. its far from a sids weight, the travel issueis not a huge problem though, it can still take a beating and obsorb the shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Samuel Buwert
a Weekend Warrior
from Dumfries, Scotland
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Really Plush
Brilliant Looks
Quality Price (£110) | | Weaknesses: | Slightly Heavier than competition | | Similar Products Used: | SR Suntour 7500 (Rubbish)
RST 281, 381, 461 (O.K) | | Bike Setup: | Old Cannondale Frame (1" stearer)
XT/LX Mavic UB221 | | Bottom Line: | Brilliant forks for the money. Really plush and very easy to adjust. Could do with some more travel and to shave some weight but for about 100 squid who's complaining?
Totally stunning as an introductory level fork and available in 1" stearer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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