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Submitted by
haha326
a Downhiller
from Santa Cruz, CA
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Death gultch | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Everything. Plush, feels like endless travel, ETA is superb for uphills or flat out sprinting. | | Weaknesses: | It doesn't do my laundry for me. Aside from that nothing. | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi EXR Comp (yuck) | | Bike Setup: | stock 04 Specialized P2 w/ 03 Marzocchi Z1 FR (standard QR) | | Bottom Line: | Wow. If it's heavy, I can't tell because the ETA works so well for climbing. If the travel isn't long enough, I wouldn't know, because I've been getting 4+ ft of air on trails and haven't bottomed yet. I'm hitting things now that I would have gladly crashed to miss before. It's so smooth feeling. I was considering going for something with more travel (140-150) but I'm glad I didn't because apparently 130 handles everything I throw at it, and probably more. This fork transformed my riding. If you can find one, get it! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MIKE
a Weekend Warrior
from Kodak,Tennessee.USA
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Bigfoot | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Local dude. | | Strengths: | Marzocchi seals are the best.Stiff.Quality of travel. | | Weaknesses: | Put a thin shim under the c-clip under the preload caps to eliminate the top-out knocking sound.Easy fix. | | Similar Products Used: | PIKE.FLICK. | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Morewood NdizaST. | | Bottom Line: | Marzocchi forks are solid! It's the original Freeride single crown fork.Has great stifness because of the crown & design of the M-arch.Nice longish axle to crown height.Easy to change the oil.Nice machined preload caps,etc.Marzocchi girls!!
These forks are excellent & will keep going without breaking or giving you hassles.I love the seals because they don't friggin leak like any Manitiou or Boxxers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Schmuck
a
from Savannah, GA.
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | still looking | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Very stiff, especially for a QR fork, smooth travel, HEAVY duty. LOW maintenance. | | Weaknesses: | Weight, but for the type of bike you'd put this fork on its probably not a concern. My little ETA lever broke off. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Pike, Manitou Black. | | Bike Setup: | Z1, Rhyno Lites, single speed with lots of Race Face. | | Bottom Line: | unbeatable for the price, this fork is tough as nails and wonderfully low maintenance, 4 years have done nothing to it. Sucks up big hits but isn't so plush that it hinders out-of-saddle sprints. Not the best climber, but not terrible. The ETA and other adjustments aren't as efficient as on newer forks, but the suspension performance is still second to none. If you seek bells and whistles and flawless adjustments look elsewhere, but if you want reliability and durability let this be your first choice. Since getting the Z1 I've purposefully changed my daily commuting routes to include flights of stairs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack Moore
a Weekend Warrior
from Centerville, Ohio
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | all Pisgah | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Purchased At: | internet | | Strengths: | smooth, stiff, progressive feel | | Weaknesses: | heavy (but is does say "FR" on the label, after all) | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Xfly 100 | | Bike Setup: | C'dale SuperVactive | | Bottom Line: | The travel feels bottomless. Very smooth for small and large impacts. I can't complain about the stiffness either, and for the money I paid it was a very good value. This is my 3rd Marzocchi fork, and I'll likely buy a 4th. For my type of riding I wish I got a lighter Z1, one with a lighter steerer tube, but this fork transformed the feel of my bike. Now to find a frame that matches the fork... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a
from portland or
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Follow up review. | | Weaknesses: | Wont last forever. | | Bike Setup: | '06 Steelhead. Z1 FR w/20mm axle. XT/Truvativ drivetrain. Hayes Mech brakes. Velocity hubs laced to Azonic Butchers (Best damn rim ever made) Thompson seatpost and stem. | | Bottom Line: | Got a new '06 Steelhead and swapped the forks onto that. The Steelhead is much tougher than the BeOne, which was more of a lightweight DS racer.
I am sorry to say that I am doing my best to destroy this fork now. Like punching grandpa in the gut over and over, I hit DH trails, stairs, loading docks, and other stunts with much more confidence in my frame. The fork is starting to show its age now, after three and more years of abuse. However, the seals are still good, the oil is changed regularly, the internals are working just fine. The rebound dampening has slowed considerably in the past months, and there is a tad bit of slop and stick in the first few inches of sag and travel.
But still I have no reservations about pointing it through a boulder pit at full speed, or dropping stair gaps and loading docks. I will be sorry when she finally goes.
Time to start saving for a new fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Davis
a Downhiller
from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Fundy DH | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay (Where else?) | | Strengths: | -$180 is a small price for a sweet purchase such as this...
-Very little flex (I have the quick release version).
-3 years no repairs needed (but I made some anyway.)
-Extremely adjustable!
-Buttery smooth, I have it setup that once it gets a little stiffer, so there's barley any bottoming out, but it's still smooth! | | Weaknesses: | Pretty heavy, but once you ride with it for like 2 weeks, you get used to it and it feels rather light...guess it builds up your muscles... | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi MZ comp (2004), Manitou stance flow (junk, I got them new and they were locked out...returned and got another locked out set, thanks Manitou!)
Rockshox psylo XC (really flexy) | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z1 Freerides (of course...) on a Haro Escape frame, maxxis high roller 2.5's (they grip like theres no tomorrow, and don't wear fast.) Tried other little things, but the Z1 Freeride is the best thing I could have possibly done! | | Bottom Line: | It's getting harder to find the older Z1 freeride forks (2003-2004) and those 2 years I would have to say are the prime years of these forks.
I've had mine for 3 years and it impresses me day after day, how long is it gonna keep going, I don't know!
I didn't have alot of cash at the time, and i'm sure theres tons of people who are looking to upgrade there rigs were\are in the same situation as I was, 180$ has gotten me a wicked fork that i've used for 3 years and counting...
This fork is incredible! I've tried several other *Major* brands, and nothing beats the performance of the Z1's!
Can't go wrong with a Marzocchi!
*I'll make another review in a couple months after my Trip, see if it's still in mint shape than!* | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Felix
a
from San Francisco, california,usa
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | mt. tam trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$542.00 | | Strengths: | plush very adjustable good for dirt jumping and free ride duh | | Weaknesses: | none,zip,zero,nadda | | Similar Products Used: | dirt jumper 3, 66 rc | | Bike Setup: | santa cruise jackel | | Bottom Line: | get it or die tryin this is the best fork made if you free ride or dirt jump i demand you to get this sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet fork go get one now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | V stiff, supple, smooth, sexy matt black on my Kona Coiler | | Weaknesses: | maitenance - strip down a bit fiddly, need to grind down a 10 mm socket to undo foot nuts, ETA top stanchion plug easilly damaged. | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 Z1 CR's | | Bike Setup: | Kona Coileer Deeluxe, 20mm bolt through front, usual shorter stem, bigger bars, stronger wheels, bigger discs, fatter tyres than standard | | Bottom Line: | Great forks super smooth, good small bump big hit capability
set the air pre-load lower than suggested by marzocchi for a more supple ride
much stiffer with a bolt through axle than the QR
Maintenance is a bit fiddly, some of the materials used are suprisingly soft and easilly damaged
for wexample when removing the eta top plug grind offthe dase of the socket (unless it is a snap on) as the nut part is so shallow it will strip! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bird Cristobal
a Weekend Warrior
from Las Pinas
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Ridge 2 Tagaytay | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Ross Cycle Shop, Cartimar | | Strengths: | -tracks good
- feels bottomless
- easy maintenance
- ETA helps in Climbs | | Weaknesses: | - weak ETA lever | | Similar Products Used: | - 2002 Z1 Wedge | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Heckler, '03 Z1FR , Shimano Deore/XT group set, single track rims, Maxxis High Roller | | Bottom Line: | I own a Super T which I use with my SC Bullit. It was my first HSCV damped forked and it turned me into an HSCV believer. Very plush at the beginning of the travel and damping ramps up when you need it.
So when I got the opportunity, I bought '03 Z1FR brand new from a local shop. I just bought it this year so it was already old stock, I was given a discount for it. It was a good thing that the LBS overstocked this model in particular.
Very good for aggressive XC and light DH/Freeride.
the heckler/Z1FR on ETA is a good combination for climbs and then when the DH comes, just make sure the ETA is turned off and off you go.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Downhiller
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Tracks well, fairly stiff. | | Weaknesses: | ETA failures, preload settings constantly back off, cheesey ETA lever. | | Similar Products Used: | Various in the last ten years. | | Bike Setup: | Bullit | | Bottom Line: | This fork has been back to Zokie twice within 2k miles because of the ETA failing. It still doesn't work, but since I have waited over the 6 month service warranty period (400 miles in my case), my only option is to pay $180. for them to "fix" it again. They recommended that I try changing the oil (after 400 miles?). The preload adjustment knobs constantly back off to zero, even after their bandaid fix of putting an o-ring under the knob-not satisfactory performance from a $500.+ fork. They did offer me an '05 for $540. + my current fork, but I would come out ahead selling mine and buying a new one retail. I have been a loyal Zokie customer for six years, but am really begining to question that, especially since the '05 version is 40% more money (?). I guess they're at least trying to keep up with Fox pricing. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Casey Jeszeck
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Woodland park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson Usa | | Strengths: | Everything, incredibly stiff even with a qr. doesn't bottom. very plush too. great adjustability | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | MZ race | | Bike Setup: | 2004 kona scrap, 2003 Z1 FR, Maxis mobster in back highroler in front, both 2.5, lizard skins lock ons. | | Bottom Line: | this is a great freeride fork, even though i use it for ocational dirt jumping it works for that too. this is a very good fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Weekend Warrior
from portland, Or
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Strengths: | Its a Marzocchi Z1 FR fork. What else needs to be said? | | Weaknesses: | It dosent scratch my back or make me dinner. | | Similar Products Used: | '00 X-fly, '01 MCR, '02 custom rebuild of MCR. Psylo (crap on a broken stick) | | Bike Setup: | BeOne w/ Raceface, XT, Z1. FR QR20, Buthchers, Thompson, Profile. | | Bottom Line: | Marzocchi is the product of choice for anyone wanting the best bang for their buck. They rarely fall below par on quality, but when they do they will make it right. The customer service is exceptional, their product quality is exceptional.
This fork is no exception. It has taken me down hairy chutes and off of scary stunts and drops. You dont even notice it is there.
If you need a single crown fork for you urban assault or freeride needs, this one is it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adey Bennett
a Downhiller
from Penines
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Nantmawr | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay (where else?) | | Strengths: | Super stif, fantastic travel and action. Totally bottomless. Tracks amazingly for a single crown fork. Plenty of travel for most FR stuff. Well pleased to find a new pair of coil sprung ones too. | | Weaknesses: | none whatsoever | | Similar Products Used: | '96 Judy-DH, '98 Bomber Z1-BAM, 2000 Jnr T's, 2001 RS Psylo SL | | Bike Setup: | Spesh' Enduro, Hope DH4s, Mavic 519s + IRCs, X-lite bar, Worldforce stem, Middlburn cranks (on the way!) | | Bottom Line: | I've tried some of the best FR/DH forks as they came out. And these, despite being 2003 model, are superb. My favourite trails have just got faster! Well pleased, esp at £200 new!!!!
If you can still find em, get em! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a
from PA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Strengths: | This review is for the '03 Z1 QR20 FR. Use: hard XC to FR to light DH.
Super smooth travel.
Fantastic compression damping.
Rebound knob that really works.
Very tunable...see below.
Stiff.
Durable.
Fantastic tech support. (Great job Ronnie.)
Fantastic customer service (Very easy to purchase parts direct from Zoke.)
Very easy to work on.
ETA allows my Bullit to climb better than my XC Trek HT.
Zoke has extensive experience with making forks and it shows.
Very versatile. One tough fork that will handle anything between hard xc and FR.
No SPV!!! I want my fork sensitive to all hits. SPV really limits a forks small hit sensitivity. | | Weaknesses: | A bit heavy. But hey, when you make a stiff fork from metal that's what you get.
I'm still undecided about the QR20 system. I guess I'd say it's both a plus and a minus. It makes wheelset changes (which I do often) very easy but I question it's durability. I did snap the QR lever bolt and replced it with the hex tightened thru axel which is much nicer. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Forx. Float and Talas. Nice forks also but nto as tunable or as easy to work on.
Manitou Slider. Nice but not as tunable and I don't care for some of the plastic internals and I disliked the SPV on my fork. | | Bike Setup: | 03 Bullit most built for hard trail to moderate FR. Getting a Super T to use for the occasional DH. | | Bottom Line: | I'd buy the Z1 again in a heartbeat if needed.
When I first got this fork I had a tough time dialing it in for my riding style. It did ride nicely out of the box but I'm pretty picky with how my stuff rides and I felt the fork dove through too much of it's travel to easily on the downhills. After playing with the oil levels I was able to set the fork perfectly for my type of riding. this fork is very tunable by simply raising or lowering the oil heights in the stanchions. Understanding how the oil heights affect your Zoke will really help you get the most out of your fork.
Marzzochi has a very helpfull tech department that has just great with all of my questions.
Until I'm thoroughly convinced otherwise I'm sticking with Zoke's.
(Hey Marzzochi, how about an ETA on the Super T!)
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Downhiller
from Breckenridge CO
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | mail order | | Strengths: | STIFF as HE*L, 32mm stanchions, available in 20mm AND QR, HSCV cartridge, buttery smooth, easy to maintain, ETA is sweet, marzocchi has really good customer service if there is a problem, and good tech support also if needed. Also if you lose your owners manual marz has ALL their manuals at their website via adobe acrobat. Oh yeah, PRICE is RIGHT! | | Weaknesses: | The newer (O4) ETA levers are sturdier and better designed so as not to be prone to breaking. This hasnt been a problem for me, but some people have claimed to of broken off their ETA levers. | | Similar Products Used: | Foxx 125R, Manitou sherman breakout | | Bottom Line: | If you can still find one of these GET IT, they are SWEET. The newer Z1's are good too, but much more costly. You cant go wrong with this product. Marzocchi ALL THE WAY!!!
In response to the previous posts claiming that marzocchi has bad service, I just gotta laugh. Try giving rockshoxx a call sometime with a problem, now THAT is truly a frustrating experience. I'll never ride archaeic rockshoxx again! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken Morgan
a Weekend Warrior
from Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Fujimi Panorama | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$360.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | Stiff, Stiff Stiff no flex at all smooth operation, no chunks, creaks, did I say no flex? not made by rock shox! | | Weaknesses: | its a pig, no wonder they don't advertise the weight! | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Flick, RS Duke, Marrazochi X-Fly | | Bike Setup: | Azonic Sabre - King hubs, headset, Hayes brakes, Thompson seat post, and stem all others XT | | Bottom Line: | Incredibly stiff, tracks like a dream and doesn't wobble like RS does, a bit heavier than the Flick, without the funny clunking noise of the manitou, this is great for a intermediate free rider like me. I changed oil to slightly heavier weight 15 wt at level plus 5 cc, this allows better adjustments but slows compresion down a lot (subjective) pry up the dust caps, and slick honey them and your break in times turns to a non-factor. I have noticed that the rebound on the ETA side seems to self adjust, though it could be from me flicking it to far when useing the ETA etc. I really don't think this thing has a bottom, as I haven't found it. the lock out allows me to haul my fat bottom up the climbs with a minimum of difficulty, and damn if it doesn't flat out look good! what more to say. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike V
a Weekend Warrior
from Littleton, CO USA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Jefferson County Open Space Trail System | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Speedgoat.com | | Strengths: | Super stiff, ETA, Smooth Travel | | Weaknesses: | Maybe a little heavy, but worth every once when you get on the trail. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou, Rock Shox | | Bike Setup: | Turner 5-Spot, Avid Disks, Race Face Crank, SRAM Shifters | | Bottom Line: | This fork is the best. Most rides I do start with fairly long climbs, the downhill back being the reward. Use the ETA to lower the fork height on the climbs, you still get reasonable travel to soften those logs & rocks while being in a great climbing position. Relase the ETA on the way down and have fun. I weigh about 190 and hit the trail pretty hard, the Z1 doesn't deflect or flex, it goes where I point it & absorbs small, medium, and big bumps extremely well. I wouldn't want another fork & recommend it for any trail rider who wants more confidence in their front end!!!
After one year I have no complaints and remain completely satisfied. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a
from Cleveland, Ohio
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Vultures Knob | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | 32mm stanchions, built strong, kick a** looks, the ETA rules when doing XC | | Weaknesses: | From the factory the springs were way too weak. I only weigh 180lbs and thing bottomed out on pansy drops w/ the 2nd stiffest spring they make. I ended up putting the stiffest springs they make in it. After that it seems much better, but I really haven't had a chance to beat on it since it's been snowing so much lately. | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Jamis Komodo 19" all stock. | | Bottom Line: | Pretty killer fork. It's obviously for the type of person who digs freeride. It isn't the most extreme fork out there but it should do until I graduate to a bigger and better bike. I would recommend this fork for someone looking for the best 5 inch travel single crown freeride fork out there (obviously a little bit biased). I tried the Fox forks and I love the feel of the Marzocchi better. The only thing I liked better on the Fox, by far, was the ease and range of adjustment. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a
from Burt
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | West Seneca Dirt Jumps | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came With Bike, From Northstar Bikes, Lockport, NY | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | Weak fork, I broke the stear tube out of the crown within a weak of when I bought it as well as blew the valves for rebound. | | Similar Products Used: | Feels the same as a shiver | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Komodo stock execpt for: 2.5 Michelin Wild Grabber, Michelin Kevlar Tubes, Mosh Platform petals, and soon to have new fork, not sure what yet. | | Bottom Line: | This fork is garbage!! Within the first week I had it I broke the stear tube out of the crown, and blew the rebound valves, these were covered under waranty but only after a fight with the company by my dealer, when I got them back they were 40 mm short of oil, they claimed that the oil had not cycled through when they checked that out, but I thought that since they made the fork they should understand how to change the oil, there were also no directions on how to do this in the owners manual, so that was another call to the company and walked through by the tech support on how to do it, there is also horrible directions on how to adjust the fork in the manual!! I would not recommend this fork to anyone, and if you get it in a package sell it before you use it. My freind has a shiver and that is not any better, they both were sent back to the company at the same time, we also didn't see them for over 5 weeks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Tehachapi, CA USA
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | North Rim, Gooseberry Mesa, UT | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | AEBike.com | | Strengths: | It's a 'Zoke!
Stiff
Plush
Bottomless
ETA!!! | | Weaknesses: | Can't run anything wider than 2.5 - 2.7 front tire (depending on tire manufacturer) | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou, RockShox, Fox | | Bike Setup: | '03 XL Bullit; King headset; Thomson stem, seatpost; WTB Power V DH saddle; Azonic DW bars w/ODI S&M grips; Azonic HeadLock; XT shifters, chain, mech brake levers and derailleurs; Blackspire Badger FR cranks and Dewlie chainguide; Crank Bros Mallet OR Weyless B-37 pedals; Avid mech calipers with 8" Hayes rotors; XT hubs laced to RynoLite XL rims; WTB 2.5 Wierwolf (F), WTB 2.4 MutanoRaptor (R); Maxxis DH tubes | | Bottom Line: | When I built this Bullit in March, I wanted to be able to pedal it up AND ride it down the places I ride as well as those places I haven't been yet! So far, the Z1 has let me do all that and then some!
It looks like it's meant to actually work! No frou-frou graphics or paint to worry about and a very durable finish that will take an incredible amount of abuse and still look good!
I weigh 235 with full riding gear and C-Back. I changed the springs to X-heavy and levelled out the 7.5 wt oil to factory spec BEFORE I rode it the first time. It took about 100mi for it to really finish the break-in cycle.
It's laterally stiff and vertically plush when railing a turn or nailing a drop, allows me to actually ride through tight switchbacks and lets me climb until I run out of leg!
ETA is an excellent way to change the head angle for climbing, yet still retain some measure of bump control. BTW, take the lever screw out, clean it, Blue Locktite the threads and tighten it properly and you WON'T lose it!!!
When I change this out next spring (and give it to my son), I'm probably going to the Z-150 so I can have the extra inch or so of travel, thru-axle, ETA AND still be able to steer the thing!!!
Won't ride anything BUT 'Zokes!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jim
a
from marin county
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | stiffest, plushest single crown fork available | | Weaknesses: | like they all say, not for dayglow-logo-spandex wearing weight weenies | | Similar Products Used: | faox vanillas, rockshox psylo | | Bike Setup: | turner 5-spot w/the goods | | Bottom Line: | this fork is far more rigid than any others I've tried. I weigh 225+ and the psylo was a joke, flex like a noodle under breaking, turning, climbing, etc. fox is okay, but noisy (creaks/clunks) and after using the zoke & switching them back and forth, the fox feels like a toy. this thing draws lines like an artist.
my experience w/marz support was unlike the only guy who didn't 5 chile it below- my eta lever came loose (thought it had stripped, but it hadn't) I called the california marz folks & they sent me a stainless steel piece immediately. I thought they were super responsive.
this fork does everything I want & smoothly. I appreciate the eta when I climb steep pavement, don't use much on dirt, but I think its a superior design to straight lockout, and like lowering the front end in some scenrios. if there is a better design for the money, I haven't found it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
paul
a Cross Country Rider
from park city, ut
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | too many to list | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$379.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | It's a Marzocchi, the 32mm stachions tubes have no flex, very stable, plush throughout travel, indestructible, looks good too!!! | | Weaknesses: | none really, it is about a pound heavier than my 2001 Z1 but you can not tell at all while riding it. | | Similar Products Used: | I have had a 99 Z1 and two 2001 Z1's, now a 2003 Z1FR. Before riding zoke's I had Judy's and a psylo, all p.o.s's. | | Bike Setup: | Turner XCE, Chris King hubs, all xtr, Mavic 317's, Thompson stem and post, Monkey lite, Wtb lazer , Intense system 4's, Hayes disc's | | Bottom Line: | This fork keeps getting better and better. I am a true believer in the Z1's. They are called Bomber for a reason. I can service them myself. The 32mm tubes are so much better than the older ones yet the earlier models were great too!
I have ridden the FR SL and they are a little lighter but come with more headaches of getting set up properly. The Z1 Fr is simple and gives no fits and you do not feel the extra weight. It climbs great for cross country riders and descends great for those who like to bomb down wicked trails. I would classify myself as an all mountain rider or a trail rider but there is no category for that so I chose cross country.
I do alot of cross country riding and the Z1 has never felt too heavy and has allways responded to every situation I have encountered. It makes me feel one with my bike. This thing FFFFLLLLOOOOWWWWSSSS!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
erick
a Cross Country Rider
from Olympia
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Deep Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | The Peak | | Strengths: | OOOHHHH MMMMYYYY GGGGOOOODDDDD!!!! What an awesome fork!! I was a Manitou Man until last week. Buttery smooth over the small bumps, there when you need it on the bigger bumps. Smoooooooth action. Marz front fender actually works too. I now know where the extra $150.00 over the Manitou Black's price went -into the internal dampening components and the larger castings of this fork. | | Weaknesses: | I didn't find this fork sooner. My bad. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou 3 (1995) poor quality, Manitou Six (2000) good fork -lasted 2 years, Manitou Black Comp (2002) also a good fork, Manitou Black (2003)-killed it in only 4 months!! | | Bike Setup: | GSR Hooligan DS DH Hardtail built for speed!!, Chris King everywhere, DH tires and rims, etc., etc., etc. | | Bottom Line: | Strange how a change of perspective is like a breath of fresh air! Not knowing any other fork product other than Manitou, I never knew that you were not supposed to feel every little pebble in the trail. I expect the Z.1 fork to improve my speed/performance by a factor of 2 or more as I can roll over so much more of the smaller terrain rather than try to steer around it (Manitou was quie harsh over the small stuff). All becuase the buttery smooth action of this fork just soaks up the small stuff like it wasn't even there. And with the large downhill front im/tire setup, it's extremely stable over the meedium and larger trail anomolies as well. Quite impressed with this fork -if you couldn't tell already. Bottom line ... BUY THIS FORK AND YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Maine
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | City Forest "Wood Piles" | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | mbstore online | | Strengths: | Travel, plushness, ETA and reputation | | Weaknesses: | Not for weight weenies | | Similar Products Used: | Judy SL, and then two 02 Pyslo SL's | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Heckler (L) Z1, full XT, 5th Element coil, Avid cable disks, Monkeylite carbon bars, 80mm Holtzfeller, Race Face ISIS and 2.5 Weirwolfs | | Bottom Line: | Just got back from the first ride on this thing, wow. I read up on forks and lusted over the TALAS RLC. Talked to users and checked this mbreview stuff. Decided the best value and reputaion for my use was the Z1 FR. I'm not disappointed. My other bike is a Turner XCE (addict, I know)and I had the Pyslo SL's on both bikes. The Heckster just begged for more travel and the Z1 suits it fine. I've heard they need 6-10 rides to break in. This first ride was far better than my Pyslo in ride quality and the stiffness came through in the technical stuff. Bomber is a good name for this fork. I took it on a fairly fast narrow downhill with some whoops, babyheads and a root patch thrown in. Like butta, really! My Pyslo would handle this OK, but not the bottomless feel. OH, and the ETA? That is the balls. I rode down this 100 yard stretch of whoops, switched on the ETA jumped on the fork to compress it and rode back up. Back down and then up again, FUN and down and up again. I can climb as well on this Heckler with the Z1 and 5th as I can on the Turner with Romic and Pyslo. This is important 'cause I'm 56 and don't have any HP to spare. This Heckler Z1 combo is gonna hurt me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Flacowboy
a Racer
from South Korea
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Wolmyeong Park (DH) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$360.00 | | Purchased At: | www.mtbstore.com | | Strengths: | This fork is awesome!! It looks great .. color is very intimidating to competition. 32mm stantions.. |
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$ 519.00
