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Submitted by
Richard
a
from Portland Or US
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything you can put two wheels on | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Strengths: | Super strong. Super durable. Super plush. | | Weaknesses: | After three years and two different hardtail bikes riding nasty downhill and urban idiocy, the bushings are loose and the rebound cartridge has lost most of its adjustability, making it a little slow. Recently got a sucking sound from the right leg when i pull up the front fast or when it rebounds after blowing through most of the travel.
This is actually a strength. Three years of stupid abuse and it is still going strong, if a little long in the tooth. | | Similar Products Used: | Z1 MCR (used and custom rebuilt by factory)
Psylo. (POS) | | Bike Setup: | Bike 1; B1 DS rig w/ race face and XT drivetrain. Butcher rims. Assorted other bike geek parts.
Bike 2; 06 Azonic Steelhead. Truvative cranks and bash. Butcher rims (Still mostly straight!) Hayes mechanical discs. XT drivetrain. Thompson stem and seatpost. Other assorted geek stuff. | | Bottom Line: | Any fork that can withstand three years of bashing over loose boulders and logs, sucking up numerous drops to both dirt and concrete (many to flat), casing the stuff I couldnt clear, and keeping my ass out of the hospital on a sketched out stair gap or three is my bestest friend.
Recently serviced the fork and am debating on wether or not to send it in for complete rebuild or save up for a newer model. Whichever one is cheaper. Will keep it as a backup in any case.
Some of the best money I ever spent. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hernan castaneda
a
from Quito/Ecuador
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | anything, the feel, the track in the trail, stiffnes, eta, look | | Weaknesses: | one month ago I broke the crown, I fix it (marzocchi do not remomend this) | | Similar Products Used: | judy xc, duke xc, marzocchi exr comp, manitou sherman something and manitou black | | Bike Setup: | Santacruz Bullit with 5th element, heavy duty mavic rims, hayes mag, etc. | | Bottom Line: | one of the best forks ever, it worked excelent until the crown broke, I fix it but marzocchi do not recomend this, but to find crowns or small parts in Ecuador is almost imposible and really expensive, so Im praying this beautiful fork will hold 2 months more to buy the new z1 light eta (that would be great.
Bottom line, fantastic fork, much better than the other I did mention. I only hope to find a marzocchi shop (MTB and moto) here at home. I broke it in really hard riding (almost 3 years) but it was the mos versatile fork I ever riden.
5 chilies for value (not a cheap fork but not to expensive for the quality) , and 4 chilies just because I broke it.
Excellent fork!!!!!!!!! | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brandon nash
a Weekend Warrior
from san pedro ca usa
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | t.o.c | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | super go | | Strengths: | very smooth,plush.love the way it rides.love the lock out system. | | Weaknesses: | not too much travel. | | Similar Products Used: | rock shox pilot. | | Bike Setup: | giant warp z1 fr fork,diabolus crankset,hayes comp disc brakes,mavic disc ryms,maxis tires. | | Bottom Line: | im lovn the fork its great really strong.the plushness is great the lockout is great for going up hills hit tons of drops and jumps the forks work great.good for intermidiet riders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a
from Hungary
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Badass look
Very plush
No flex at all.
Great adjustability. | | Weaknesses: | IS standard disc calippers (not a real weakness)
Dedicted axle would be better than QR20. | | Similar Products Used: | Shiver Sc
Sherman Flick (demoed) | | Bike Setup: | 01' GT Ruckus with XT, Deore and Saint | | Bottom Line: | I definetly recommend this fork for people who ride hard and need a reliable fork.
It handles drops great while sucks up every little stone.
It has great varity of settings as while it's easy to set up.
You can do dirt jumping, freeriding, or abuse it on street as well. It will handle nearly everything.
It also climbs real great thanks to ETA.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darius
a Weekend Warrior
from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Chinggis Khan death run | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | EBay | | Strengths: | Stiff, plush, bomber | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 Z1 MCR/QR20, MX Comp, Fox Talas | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Heckler, Weirwolf 2.5 up front, Conti Vert Pro 2.3 in the back. Avid mechs | | Bottom Line: | I'm already a Marzocchi convert so I won't go on and on and on about how much Rockshox really and truly sucks the big one. I like the Talas but if you are big lardbutt like me, when you climb you will get brake rub from fork flex. Not so on the Z1/QR20. If you weigh more than 200 lbs, stop worrying about shaving grams off your bike, eat less pancakes, and get yourself a beefy fork like this one. The 32 mm stanchions and larger sliders are a noteiceable improvement over the 2001 Z1. This fork inspires confidence in the downhills, and climbs well with or without the ETA engaged. The ETA has proven more reliable than the ECC on my old Z1, which faded after six months and needed a new cartridge. But I actually prefer to climb without the ETA, because the Heckler geometry is just right with full fork extension. Slap a big tire on this thing and pick a bad line on purpose just for the fun of it and to get the guy on your tail, with his precious Psylo, in serious trouble. The stock springs a are a bit soft and dialing in the preload all the way just takes some of the performance out of the fork, so get yourself the extra heavy duty springs for $34. Spring replacement is a breeze - 20 minutes max and no special tools other than a socket wrench. The manual doesn't give any instructions on how to do this - I guess for warranty reasons Marzocchi now wants spring replacement done by certified mechanics. Just download the manuals for the Z1 MCR and follow the same procedures.
By the way it is still possible to find deals on the 2003 model for $300+. Also on EBay where I scored mine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Downhiller
from Fort Wayne, IN
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | not here | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Replacement for old fork damaged by UPS | | Strengths: | Stiff, plush, predictable | | Weaknesses: | weight, the little plastic lever for the ETA | | Similar Products Used: | '02 Z1 freeride, Cannondale Lefty | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Enduro Hardtail, Hayes 8" Rotor up front, 6" in the rear. Usual heavy strong goodies | | Bottom Line: | This for is great. It is a replacement for my 02 z1 freeride that got damaged shipping it back to marzocchi for a new ECC valve. The larger 32mm stanchions and QR20 make for a noticably stiffer fork with better stearing precision. I also upgraded the right top cap to an airassist cap like what is found on the 2003 models. It makes the fork much more adjustable. I weigh 250 and I am running the stock springs with 7psi in the right leg and full preload on the left leg. The fork runs a little lower in the travel then normal which helps to offset the long axle to crown legth of the fork and keeps the head angle from being to slack. I also have not bottomed out despite my best efferts.
The ETA works like it is intended. I don't use it riding in Indiana because the uphills and downhills come to quick but while I was in Moab in october I got a ton of use out of it on the long climbs.
The fork is heavy but the durability and reliability on top of performance are well worth the weight.
The only downside is the little plastic lever for the ETA. I stripped two out by turning it to far while riding. I bought and upgraded aluminum one from Marzocchi and it seems to do the trick.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesse Jesse's last name
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | shhhhh..... | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | the net | | Strengths: | 30 to 32 mm tubes do make a difference in stiffness from the older forks. High speed compression damping has also improved. Older Z1 fealt harsher in this area. Otherwise a typical Marzocchi fork - plush, stiff, strong. QR 20 is pretty nice and easy to deal with when wheel removal is necessary. I think this fork also climbs better with ETA off. | | Weaknesses: | Taller axle to crown versus the older Z1 forks. The extra inch or so compared to the '99 Z1 I used, until it was ready to kill me, has caused a lot of geomety fiddling to be necessary. There are also some tolerance issues with the top caps and damping rod circlips that cause clunking noises over small bumps (Marzocchi will give shims for this if you call them). No more V brake studs - means I had to toss my beloved Magura HS 33! | | Similar Products Used: | 99 Z1 BAM, AMP F4 BLT (junk), Cannondale Headshok, 99 Z2 BAM. | | Bike Setup: | Titus Quasi Moto, usual bits, Z1 FR QR 20, Marta | | Bottom Line: | After it breaks in and I find a good handlebar height to deal with the slacker head tube angle, it will be a fine replacement to my 99 Z1 BAM that had to be retired after 3+ years of hardcore pounding on Austin's and Phoenix's most technical trails. Good prices to be had on '03 if you can stand to be a year behind the current look (not much else changed). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike xxx
a Downhiller
from Knoxville, TN,,USA
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | ? | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Internet trade | | Strengths: | It is stiff & looks great. Lockdown feature is great ! | | Weaknesses: | No compression adj. I need the e-heavy springs ! | | Similar Products Used: | Older Z.1--Monster-T's | | Bike Setup: | 99 Kona Stab Dee-Lux--24",26" D-Wides..2.6" rear-2.7" Mobster front tires--8" Avid's---2" risers--! | | Bottom Line: | I really like it alot ! I Traded a 01 Monster-T for it to put on my Stab & the Z.1 works better than expected..Although i probably need X-Heavy springs because i bottomed it a little on a 4.5' to flat landing downtown!
I like the lockdown knob:makes a big difference" when you need to get places fast or climb,etc!
Tire clearance could be slightly better-but a 26" D-Wide & 2.7" Mobster fit's -but just barely enough -gotta keep the wheel perfectly true or else it will rub the fork !
Sweet fork- the newer QR system rocks ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin Engberg
a
from Umeå, Sweden
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | 500 USD | | Strengths: | Strong, non-flexy, superb damping, looks great, 130mm travel | | Weaknesses: | ETA has very poor rebound damping? Is this only a problem in my fork? Makes a noticable sound (I can feel it as well)when bunnyjumping in the normal mode. If anyone knows about this please email me. Tire clearance is also a weakness | | Similar Products Used: | Z3 100 air, Z3 coil, some rock shox | | Bike Setup: | Freeride HT | | Bottom Line: | The first day with this fork was awsome. The feel was excellent and it soaked up everything. The second day was even better. During the whole summer I was stoked about the performance. Then a couple of weeks ago the fork started to bottom out easily and it has to much sag. IT also makes a "clonky" sound when bunnyjumping. It feels as if the rebound is to fast though I have it set at the slowest.
I know I need to change oil but Im not sure how much there should be in there.
Dont get me wrong though, this is probably the best freeride SC fork yet....Its jsut that my fork needs some service | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
trig
a
from donny
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Damping is awsome | | Weaknesses: | Err, mine have a crack in the lower legs which is currently about 10mm and growing | | Similar Products Used: | loads | | Bike Setup: | pashley 26MHz | | Bottom Line: | They really are as good as eveyone here goes on about, but well, as said earlier: mine are cracked. The crack starts from the seal and goes diagonally down, on the tyre side. They now have started to creak. To replace the lowers, i'm told will cost £200. I could buy some new Dirt Jumpers for that much and they're a pretty similar fork - just a slightly different damper. So i'll just ride them until they die, which as Marzocchi say "may cause injury or in some cases, fatality". Oh, well | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Big Game James
a
from OC
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | zips | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Used | | Strengths: | 2003 Z1 QR 20 Bomber
I can even take the wheel off via a QR 20 MM axle.
| | Weaknesses: | The factory didnt call to tell me to wake up and buy this fork! | | Similar Products Used: | 02 Fox Forx Vanilla 125R, 00 Manitou super x-vert,96 RockShox Judy | | Bike Setup: | 02 Ellsworth Joker, raceface diabolus 70mm stem, Titec Hellbent bars, Hayes 8" disk (front) 6" rear, Atomiclabs trailpimps on Hope Bulbs, Thompson post, wtb seat, Maxxis 2.35 High Roller/MoFo | | Bottom Line: | This is my first 20mm through axle fork ever, and I must say the difference in incredible. It feels like I went from a single crown to a double..or close to it.
Landings are forgiving and rock gardens are no sweat.
Like Butta!
I would reccomend the Zoch over anything out there. plush, stiff and yet not bottoming out like the Fox. Buy this or the 150mm which rips also. The ecc works well also locks down to 2 inches for those *itch climbs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Lindh
a Weekend Warrior
from Coldbrook
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | flat Bar Ninja | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Cyclesmith | | Strengths: | first off this is a review for the 04 z150FR, 150mm single crown
this thing is BEEFY! wow this fork is really stiff! amazing trackig. crazzy smoth. eta is great. steel stantions, steel steer tube (is like .5 a inch thick! WOW!) great dampining
and it looks way cool! | | Weaknesses: | iffy tire clearence, better then the o3 forks but still not great
QR20 flaps should be made of steel | | Similar Products Used: | 03 Dj2, 03 sherman breakout (pretty good, but i not as smooth as the z150) 02 Dj1 01 Z1MCR | | Bike Setup: | 03 BigHit Comp, Hozzofelliers, Hayes hydros, SingleTracks, 2.5 tires and a z150 | | Bottom Line: | WOW! this fork is amazing!! this fork just wont quit, it sucks up every thing i throw it at, soo far its taken drops up to 8 feet, no botteming! I know some people think 150mm is to much for a single crown fork, minds will change after rideing this thing!
any complaints are tire clearence, fits my 2.5 RollerPros fine a 2.7 should fit but thats about it.
the QR20 is better then last years, easy and quick to use but the flaps are made of alunimum, they are pretty easy to brake, im getting burlly steel ones made to replace them
even wih thos little issues, this is still BY FAR THE BEST FOR I HAVE EVER USED!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from NorCal
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$470.00 | | Purchased At: | universalcycles.com | | Strengths: | Very plush for SC fork. ETA! | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Mars MXCOMP | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Specialized Enduro, Mavix D3.1 w/ Michelin 2.5 front rim & tire, 8" rotor
2" riser bar, 70mmx10 degree Race Face Diabolus stem | | Bottom Line: | I purchased this along with a Mavic D3.1 UST, 2.5 tire and 8" rotor to beef up the front end. WOW! What an amazing combo. The bike is super stable on the landings now. This setup completely changed the bike.
I thought the added wait would have an adverse effect on my climbing. Not so! Due to the ETA I am averaging 1-2 MPH more in some areas on my climb to the local DH run. The ETA works so sweet! Just flip the switch and jab down on the front while riding. Turns it into a stiff 80mm climbing machine. No more front end bob at all! The wheel stays planted on the ground.
I have so much more confidence on the decents now. I run right over things I was avoiding before. I rode a bike with a Jr T and can tell you that this fork has very similar traits. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
p
a Downhiller
from .
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$549.00 | | Strengths: | 32 mm legs, beefy crown, QR 20 mm, flat black and gothic look | | Bike Setup: | bullit | | Bottom Line: | The best single crown fork out there right now. Anyone from from xc riders to freeriders will appreciate this fork. Hands down the best feeling and strongest 130 mm single crown fork available. ETA is pretty cool also. I'm setting my bike up for downhill, with dual crown forks so im selling it, if you want a sweet deal on a mint set of Z1's w/ less than a week of riding e mail me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
QZETSCH Roland
a Downhiller
from Bertrange, Luxembourg
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Schifflange | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | ddd-racing.com | | Strengths: | Stiffness, crown | | Weaknesses: | Damping, no instruction manual, | | Similar Products Used: | rockshox, shockworks, fox | | Bike Setup: | santa cruz, xt discs, 5 element, sun rims | | Bottom Line: | Ok, I have read many articels about this fork, and all of them where very positive. But as always not everything is like what it schould be. This fork is deffinetly a good one, and I am sure about that, but it has to work. Mine is a bit strange, it makes some noise like if metal was hitting against other metal. I think it comes from the inside of the fork. I don't know...
If you want a good fork buy one of this but hope that you get one of this 90% that is working. Otherwise you want get happy, ... like I do. It is still 100% better than this Rockshox Psylo bull....
If it works, and I have riden some that work they absolutely needs 5 Chilis
It is a fork that is good for everything but XC.
It is for everyone that loves good strong material whit- when they work- the best damping you can imagine, you will never go to the bottom if you adjust it well. Have a nice ride | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Kenosha Pass to Copper Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Amazing tracking, plush nearly bottomless feel, tuning options unmatched by other brands. | | Weaknesses: | Cheap plastic ETA lever broke on the 2nd ride. Marzocchi shipped me a metal replacement for free. No online technical manual for the 2003 models. | | Similar Products Used: | Psylo '02 Race (Air), '03 Z.1 FR SL (strongest air-only fork ever created, plusher than the '02 Psylo race, but still not as plush as the Z.1 coil) | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Titus Switchblade with 5.7" link; Quasi-Moto swingarm; Hope M4 Brakes 7"F/6"R, Chris King Hubs & Headset, Mavic F219 rims, Answer Pro Taper 2" riser bar, | | Bottom Line: | This fork causes me to catch up to too many people on the trail. Out of the box it was better than I ever could tweak the Psylo. With a series of tedious experiments, I've made it even better. I am 220lbs and I like to use high spring rates, high oil level and less preload and damping for a plush yet progressive ride that doesn't bottom. I finally settled on using 150cc of Bel-Ray 7wt oil in each leg and the X-heavy springs. This is a perfect setup for my aggressive XC riding with a few drops and some small jumps. (no doubles for me) I use no preload at all and 4 turns in from minimum rebound damping. The ETA is a little bouncy for technical climbing, but for moderate climbing and switchbacks it is wonderful. This is my first 20mm axle fork and I am amazed at how much better it tracks through rock gardens than my old QR Psylo.
This weekend I rode 34 miles with 4000 feet of climbing and the only thing that slowed me down was my lard-butt.
I heartily recommend this fork to anyone agressive or heavy for XC use. Word of warning: do not use Silkolene suspension oil in this fork, I tried Silkolene 5w and it made the fork sticky and overdamped (I haven't determined if Silkolene uses seal-sweller, but I suspect they do). Switch to Bel-Ray for buttery smoothness. 5wt for <185lb, 7wt for <220lb, 10 or 15wt for dirt-jumpers and drop-junkies. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gonzostrike
a Downhiller
from Missoula, MT
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Flying Monkey, 719, Burl Ives | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$480.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Doctor. Where else? | | Strengths: | tracks extremely well. soaks up big and small hits equally well. ETA helps when climbing steeps. QR20 Plus is an improvement over the 2002 version. 32mm stanchions make this thing a real sleeper. | | Weaknesses: | uh, I had to pay for it? | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 Super T Pro, 2002 MXC, 2001 Z3 BAM 80, 1999 Z3 QR20, 1998 Z2 BAM | | Bike Setup: | 1) 2002.5 Bullit w/ 5th E, Hayes DH 8" hydros, other great stuff. 2) custom 2003 Curtlo FR hardtail, Hope Minis, other great stuff | | Bottom Line: | HOLY SHIZ-NIZZY! I built my Curtlo FR hardtail about 3 months ago with this fork, immediately fell in love with it on first ride. Tracks as well as my 2002 Super T Pro did. Legendary Marzocchi smooth action, ETA really helps on climbs, and the weight is not even noticeable.
2 weeks ago I decided to sell the 2002 Super T Pro on my Bullit and try another Z1 FR QR20, this time on the Bullit. WHOA! Transformed the Bullit from a raked-out, please-don't-try-any-steep-climbs FR monster into a super well-balanced FR and epic extreme XC rig. I feel like a dirt jumping fool now, jibbing off every trail bump and still taking the same drops I hit when I ran a Super T.
Bullseye, Marzocchi! 5 chilis all around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Walpole, MA USA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Stiff, smooth, stiff, looks bad-ass, did I mention stiff?, ETA works really well, easy to tune, seemingly bottomless travel. | | Weaknesses: | Weight for all you gram counters, otherwise, nothing | | Similar Products Used: | Z3 Lite, Z1 CR, MXR, RockShox | | Bike Setup: | Z1 FR QR20, Craftworks FRM125, Fox coil-over, 8" Hayes, XTR short cage rapid-rise | | Bottom Line: | After riding my first Marzocchi fork many years ago, I decided that I will ride nothing but Marzocchi forks. When I got my Z1 FR and installed it on my bike, replacing my Z1CR, the bike handled much better. The added stiffness of the QR20 makes a big difference when doing a drop. The only thing holding me back now is the size of my brass ones. I like to climb up the rock I drop off, and with this fork with the ETA, I flip a switch, zip up the rock, flip the switch again, and drop the rock. Life can't get much better. My Z1FR has taken a lot of punishment without a mark on it. I rode it into a flat rock by forgetting to pull up and the fork and the fork just looked at me and said "You done being stupid?"
Bottom line is that if you freeride, or do the "All-mountain" stuff, this is the fork for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zen
a Weekend Warrior
from Marblehead, MA
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$310.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Strong, beefy, look, new 20mm design is sweet. | | Weaknesses: | None. It weights at almost 6 lbs, but you get what you paid for, a strong mofo fork. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Psylo SL | | Bike Setup: | Bullit, 5th Element, ChrisKing, WTB 2.5 tires, Z1 FR 20mm | | Bottom Line: | This is the best single crown fork for freeriding. Nothing comes close to it. Tankass strong. I haven't crash into a brick wall yet, but if I did, the fork will do damage to that wall.
No doubt about it. Gram counters aside; this is hands down the best single crown, 130mm travel fork out there. The best in its travel category.
I don't know what that Polish guy is smoking, Polish herb? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Damage
a Downhiller
from Wellington, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | On Yer Bike | | Strengths: | Plush, stiff, looks, tonnes of adjustment | | Weaknesses: | tyre clearence, a 2.5" fits but only if your wheel is straight! | | Similar Products Used: | MXR, psylo, Manitou | | Bike Setup: | Avanti Hot Dog (thrasher hardtail), XT, fsa cranks, 521's, bombers, maxxis, DMR, Azonic, Da bomb | | Bottom Line: | In NZ this fork is called a Z1 Drop off, it comes as a QR20 or standard QR models, and in shinny silver only. Its a really mint fork. I don't know what the guy from Poland was on, I weigh 220lbs and the fork is fine with the preload wound up. I mostly use it for street and jumping, with the ocasional DH mission. It is the best fork I have ever riden, and if the weight of it bothers you, then its not the fork for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
HELLBELLY
a
from Atlanta, GA US of A
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mountain Town Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Outback Bikes | | Strengths: | Once again those Italians haved upped the ante with the new Z1. This the third one I have owned. The '03 has all the best attributes of the older models such as the great feel, durability, and low maintenance. It is now amazingly even stiffer, smoother, and beefier with 32mm stanchions, a huge crown, as well as a better QR design. The latest ETA lock-down cartridge blows the original ECC away. No matter where you lock the fork down it still moves 30mm making it much less harsh than the rigid system of yore. The look is the best yet as well with simple gothic lettering on flat black. Nicely understated amidst so much fluff that typically still adorns many components. | | Weaknesses: | The limited tire clearance is going to be an issue for those wanting to run anything bigger than 2.7. Even a 2.7 leaves little room for mud clearance. I have a feeling that Marzocchi will address this with a new lower for the 2004's. Personally, it does not effect me. | | Similar Products Used: | '99 Z1 BAM, '01 Z1 QR20, Psylo XC and SL, Fox Vanilla 125, Manitou Supernova. | | Bike Setup: | Surly Instigator, Raceface bars/cranks, XT drivetrain, Hayes hydraulic brakes, Tioga White Tiger on a Singletrack/JuJu hub up front and a Tioga factory DH 2.3 on a 321/Atomlab hub out back. | | Bottom Line: | Obviously this is an early report that I do plan to update in the future. So far this fork has been everything I hoped it would be and more. The new ETA is best out there and all of the other design updates have put the Z1 way back out in front. Another nice thing the new design retains is its ease of repair. I swapped the stock springs out (which are heavy, BTW) for extra heavy ones and raised the oil height. This was a piece of cake, and this is considering that I am not the most mechanically adept either. I have tried all of the Z1's competitors over the last few years and some are very good. However, the Z1 is the original and still the best. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Henry N.
a Downhiller
from Sunny San Diego
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Noble | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | www.bicyclewarehouse.com | | Strengths: | -looks flat out mean
-nice beefy 32mil stanchions
-qr20mil axle is frickin stiff
-eta (extension travel adjustment) is FAST and drops the geometry of the bike in a cross country mode making the climbs much more bearable. get to the top and flip the small lever located on top and BAMMMM! its back in full travel faster than you can say "Shizznizzle"
-fork soaks up everything, who needs a triple clamp with this fork
-this fork has exceeded my expectations with it's performance on the downhills and in bed, Oh Yeah!
-this fork is stiffer than my 2002 Super T, not quite as much travel but definitely can see & feel that the Z1 QR20 is much stiffer | | Weaknesses: | stickers are questionable as far as staying on, but they look badass where a little superglue might help. brake cable guide is not in the best location, prefer the good ol' ziptie. tire size larger than a 2.6 + is definitely questionable if you plan on putting it on, very tight tolerances. other than these few minor flaws, this fork is in my opinion the best alternative to spending the duckets on and absorbing the weight penalty of dual crown/triple clamps. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Talas RLC - loved it but still not a coil, coil spring still superior in buttery smooth absorbing love. | | Bike Setup: | 2002.5 SC Bullit with all the bells and whistles | | Bottom Line: | bottom line - buy one and oh yeah ignore all the comments about, "Marzocchi doesn't make springs for my weight, waaaaaaa, snivvle snivvle" that idiot from poland must not have read the instructions. I can tell you that propping my overweight 210 pound fat ass on my bike and having the fork perform the way it does speaks VOLUMES for how well the SPRING PRELOAD knob works, especially when there is one on each stanchion. it doesn't matter how much you weigh, well just keep it under 250 or we're talking health issues, and you'll find that the Z1 will amaze you.
-keep in mind if you're interested, BICYCLEWAREHOUSE.COM in Vista, California has great deals on Zokes and the staff is second to none, and no i don't work for them. give them a call and they'll take care of all your needs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Georg
a Downhiller
from Austria
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Nordkettentrials, Lanserkopf | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountainbiker Wattens | | Strengths: | Super Smooth suspension, Starts working wihtin every little touch, hard to bottom out, variablility, ETA is perfect !!! | | Weaknesses: | None yet, heavy weight | | Similar Products Used: | Z1 QR 2002, Psylo SL 02 | | Bike Setup: | Kona Sinky Costum: FOx FLoat RC Rear Shock, Louise FR, Xt, Race Face Prodogy, Onyx, Mavic 219 | | Bottom Line: | WOW ! after 10 hours of "slidin' in" ist really works great ! only little felx while breaking, superb damping.
the Z1 can also take huge drops of 60 cm or more.
Variability: FORGET U TURN! for regions where you usually drive up and then do onen donwhill, eta is perfect. one can use it faster and the geometry of the ibke changes more than with u turn. the 35 mm rest of suspension is sufficient for normal conditions.
This is THE fork for freeride - touring bikes! Weights more than psylo but is much more comfortable, variable and less flexy. by the way a little buit cheaper. i think i did a great choice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Maciej Zybura
a
from Poland
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Together with Bullit from SantaCruz | | Strengths: | Stiffness, look, ETA | | Weaknesses: | No springs for my weight! | | Similar Products Used: | RochShox Psylo XC | | Bike Setup: | SantaCruz Billit, Magura Louize FR, Hayes Hubs, Shimano XT shifters | | Bottom Line: | No springs for my weight! Can you believe that? Marzocchi said that they are not manufacturing springs for this model for people which weight more than 80kg (175lb). You can check this on Marzocchi website. Don't buy this crap. Buy RockShox Psylo SL, which has springs for almost every weight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gil
a
from Orange CA
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$519.00 | | Purchased At: | www.adrenalinebikes.com | | Strengths: | Extremely strong and no flex. Can take a beating like an Iraqi. The colors are cool and make your bike look bad ass. If Saddam saw you coming he run like hell. | | Weaknesses: | Non I looked and looked and I can't find anything. | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Drop off, RST Delta DL. | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC AC 1 2001 | | Bottom Line: | This fork is completely the best investment I have made in a long time. It's really plush and smooth. The guys over at Adrenaline Bikes gave me tips on how to set up the suspension and it's riding excellent. Go out and buy one today. Don't wait buy it today! You will thank me....oh and don't forget get the best deal at www.adrenalinebikes.com.
I am not a sales person. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gonzostrike
a Downhiller
from Missoula, MT
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | show me the money | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Doctor | | Strengths: | Lighter than expected, 32mm stanchions, beefed up slider casting, improved 20mm axle clamps, ETA, big stiffness improvement over prior models, that oh-so-buttery Marzocchi coil/oil feel | | Weaknesses: | it wasn't free | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 Super T Pro, 2002 MXC, 2002 Z3 BAM 80, 1999 Z2 BAM, 1999 Z3 QR20 | | Bike Setup: | Curtlo custom beefy hardtail designed for 5" travel fork, SRAM/Shimano/RaceFace drivetrain, Thomson bits, and yo mama. | | Bottom Line: | Another brilliant move by Marzocchi - the revised Z1 re-sets the standard for burly, reliable and smooth-travel 5" single crown coil/oil forks. It's not all that heavy considering its function and intended purpose. I'd heard horror stories of how it weighs 6 lbs, but on my bike the fork weight feels no different from the 4" travel MXC that's on my Curtlo singlespeed.
The fore-aft stiffness is a huge improvement over prior years. It actually feels as stiff as -- or maybe stiffer than -- the 2002 Super T Pro on my Bullit. The ride quality is legendary Marzocchi. You cannot do better for a 5" travel single crown coil/oil, IMHO. Props to my LBS, Bike Doctor in Missoula MT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
B Cronhaw
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Barbara, CA USA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Chamusa Connector | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$599.00 | | Purchased At: | Cortina Cycles | | Strengths: | Strong and Durable! No too heavy. The QR20 Propouts kick ass!! This is the best fork ever!!! | | Weaknesses: | None that I know of | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 Wedges and the 2002 DJ | | Bike Setup: | Cortina 4130 Slalom Frame, Cortina Rims w/ WTB's, MRP Slalom, FSA V Drive Extreme Cranks, FR200 Handlebars, Fr200 Stem, Azonic Pedals, Hayes 8"f and 6"r | | Bottom Line: | This thing is great for dirt jumping, slalom and urban riding, and some trails. Really light and strong. Good springs and easy to ajust the preload. This fork kick ass all the way!!!!!:) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kurt Kunoth
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Ana, Ca, US
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Gabrielino- Rock it | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$440.00 | | Purchased At: | Mtnhighcyclery.com | | Strengths: | STIFF! and very plush, This fork rules. Very good looking, the matte black is sweet | | Weaknesses: | the eta knob is kind of strange to get used to, different from last year | | Similar Products Used: | last years z1, with out the QR20 option | | Bike Setup: | Ellsworth Joker (the best!), with Romic rear, etc.... | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is if your in the market to get single crown through axle fork, why look any where eles. Marazocchi has got it dialed with this fork, its perfect. I thought it couldn't get any better than last years, but wait, it did.
By the way if your going to get it go through Larry at Mtnhighcycerly.com, great guy and really good prices. And no I don't work for him | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 549.00
