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Submitted by
Tom Richardson
a Downhiller
from England
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lordswood | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$297.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Damn strong, never bottom out off big drops. | | Weaknesses: | ETA isnt working properly (mainly due to a crash) | | Similar Products Used: | Rock shox, magura. | | Bike Setup: | azonic, big hit | | Bottom Line: | Damn good forks, strong as you like, easy to adjust. ETA is good (not good when you damage it in crash) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from North Vancouver
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$239.00 | | Purchased At: | NOS @ Internet Bike Store | | Strengths: | Stiff, light, adjustable rebound, ETA, air preload | | Weaknesses: | No compression adjustment | | Similar Products Used: | Too many to name... | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Heckler with Chris King, Hope, Raceface, XTR etc. | | Bottom Line: | Have only had a half dozen rides on this fork which replaced a '06 Travis Single 150 mainly 'cause of the weight difference (1 1/2 lbs.) Have to say now that the Marzocchi is just as stiff and I love the air preload instead of buying new springs. Gets better every ride as it breaks in | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Oliver Lynch
a Weekend Warrior
from England, Bristol
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | stillwoods, Bristol | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Off a friend 2nd hand. | | Strengths: | Well,
Awsome all rounder, seem to go well with my kona coiler 04 as same length of travel. They have wicked adjustments and seem awsome plush and very stiff with 20mm axel. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | 04 Marzocchi drop off(130mm), Manitou splice super(130mm), | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z1 FR I ETA fork, kona coiler 04 frame, sun 4x mtx orange wheels, Truvativ cranks, sram gearing, easton handlebar, nokian tyres(2.3), hayes9 brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Awsome forks, got everything a freeride would need. Resonably heavy so couldn't really say for hardore XC. Handles trailes amazingly does everything i need. Has lock out for up hills which works v. well with my lock out on my frame shock.
Pretty expensive for the new models but i paid $200 for it so i was a pleased. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tomas
a
from Gothenburg, Sweden
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | bike-discount.de | | Strengths: | Handles everything along the trail with ease, price, stiff | | Weaknesses: | Incorrect oil level from factory (too much) | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox, Manitou (never again!), Fox | | Bike Setup: | Nicolai Helius FR | | Bottom Line: | This is a review for the 2005 Z1 FR 150 1 fork.
What can be said about this bullet proof design? The coil damping is very plush and nice (after you have adjusted the oil level).
Just do the regular service, replacing oil, checking seals and it will last a long time!
Tried the fox 36 fork as well but it can't justify the 2x price tag.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Applegate
a Weekend Warrior
from Norwich, Norfolk, England
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | LBS - Second hand | | Strengths: | -These forks will take on anything and still be gagging for more
-Very plush travel
-Very good all rounder
-ETA is great for riding too and from your local trails fast
-Works great on long-travel hardtail rigs due to the low weight compared to other forks | | Weaknesses: | -Fair amount of brake dive when using something such as a mono M4, but even this is nothing really. Only noticeble when riding on hardpac or road (but its not exactly what you should be doing with them anyway(althoguh these are damn funny on a hardpac bmx/4x track)).
- Soft springs (only applies to heavier riders really) | | Similar Products Used: | 04 DJ2s (130mm), Stance, MZ Race | | Bike Setup: | 04 GT (HT)Ruckus 2.0, Z1 FR1, halo tornado wheels with Choir boy lite tyres, Saint Cranks, Mono mini brakes (F:180mm, R:160mm), Sram X7 gearing, KMC 9X chain, Holzfella stem, Intense grips | | Bottom Line: | These will do most things you can think of and maybe some that you can't. Just if you gonna be doing large drops make sure you have the correct air in these if not, being a heavier rider can turn these forks into a pile of mush. also as afore mentioed there is brake dive, but hell, i can live with it for everything good about these forks. brillaint for long travel hardtail freeride due to the low weight and of course the manouvourbility that come with a single crown fork. Definately recommend these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a Downhiller
from Danville, CA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Downiville, Tahoe, Moab... | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | * Best performing fork I've every used. The fork's "feel" was perfect from day one, and still feels as great more than a year later.
* The ETA is outstanding! I pedal up a lot, and the ability to lower the fork for the climbs lets me stay in the saddle and spin. It seems like an unfair advantage over my friends, but then again, they can buy one themselves.
* The fork is good at so many things - it's great as an All Mountain fork, a FR fork, a DH fork.
* The weight is good for what it is! | | Weaknesses: | Expensive I guess - but you get what you pay for. This was WORTH every penny! | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi MX Pro & 66, Rock Shock Boxxer, Fox Talas | | Bike Setup: | Fork review - who cares | | Bottom Line: | One of the best forks of all time. I use it for 95% of what I used a dual crown for, with less weight, and full steering. Plus the ETA rocks! I'll never have another fork without ETA or the equivelent. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
keen
a Downhiller
from Bay Area
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Northstar | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Excellent Dampning. I weigh 195lbs. ran it with zero air pressure and it has been an excellent fork for my Bullit trail bike. | | Weaknesses: | Has some plastic spring spacers inside that look quite suspect to failure. Some may find w/o spring options (air only) they are limited. | | Similar Products Used: | 02'Z1 FR | | Bike Setup: | 01' Bullit ,05' Z1 FR, 729's, 5th element. | | Bottom Line: | Great fork . Has performed flawlessly. I did verify the oil heights now I just ride the sucker along w/ regular stanchion lubing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek
a Weekend Warrior
from Indiana
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | The trail less ridden | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | downshiftcycles.com | | Strengths: | The damping is the best out there! But then again, I haven't tried the RC2X...nevertheless, the fork is simple and very, very effective. It's a great freeride fork that can double as a trail fork too as long as you don't care about being first to the top of the mountain. I like the adjustable oil levels, ease of oil changes, etc. The thru axle is great too! Rebound and ETA are all you need- just get on and ride it! I don't use any air preload... | | Weaknesses: | Air preload is questionable. It works, but I'd like to see a mechanical version like FOX. But that's just me... | | Similar Products Used: | Psylo,FOX vanilla, Sherman, 04 Z1 (kicks just as much @ss! as the 05) | | Bike Setup: | 04 Bullit set up for moderate freeride adventures and extreme trail conditions | | Bottom Line: | This fork is everything you need. It's simple, effective/plush and strong. No need to send it in to change the oil etc. It's easy to maintain. Just set it up and you don't have to mess with it before every ride. Call downshiftcycles for all Marzocchi stuff- they are truly the best! Talk to Jared for the best deal! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Kelly
a
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | tunability, stiffness | | Weaknesses: | weight, although it's comparable to a Fox 36, and isn't intended as an XC fork. Lack of travel adjust feature like found on the AM series. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitous, old Rock Shox | | Bike Setup: | '05 Turner 6-pack | | Bottom Line: | I can't say anything negative about this fork. This is my first Marzocchi and I have to say it feels pretty good out on the trail. Oil levels, viscosity, and rebound damping can all be adjusted to suit your personal tastes. It would be nice to have a travel adjust feature (The ETA is pretty much useless unless the trail is ultra smooth) and compression damping. I'm 180lbs without gear, and found that the stock springs were a touch on the stiff side for proper sag. I run the fork with no air assist, and have lowered the oil level to get full travel. I think it's a great fork for the money, and can be set up to suit any riding style. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a
from Sydney, Aus
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Oxxie | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Strengths: | GREAT FORK !!! Super smooth and plush. They are really strong forks and the ETA works great. | | Weaknesses: | None as of yet | | Similar Products Used: | flicks | | Bike Setup: | haro escape frame, sram x0, hussefelt, e13, maxxis HR, these forks | | Bottom Line: | A super plush forks that works a treat for almost any type of riding. DJ or light DH works great with these forks. The ETA alows for an easy return back up the hill. I have hit drops in excess of 8ft and the forks have just soaked it all up, these forks are amazing. Got them super cheap as well !!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Waterloo, Ontario
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | DownShiftCycles.com | | Strengths: | Smooth, stiff, looks cool, marzocchi quality/durability | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 Marz Z4, 2001 Marz Z5 | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Switch | | Bottom Line: | Don't get sucked into the Marz. 66 hype. 99% of riders out there would be better off with a Z1 FR1. This fork is plenty stiff for all but extreme freeriders and has a reasonable weight. It works well, it's super smooth and really sucks things up. I run a bit of preload (maybe 30psi....i don't really remember) and it's perfect for this 165lb freerider. I'm very happy. Oh, contact downshiftcycles.com as they have awesome prices on Marz and FSA stuff....they're often willing to go lower than what their website says.
If you're a rider who's concerned that the Marz AM1 won't be burly enough for you then get this fork. Only step up to the 66 if you are geniunely doing huge stuff cuz the 66 is taller axle to crown (which rakes out your steering and makes it less precise) and quite a bit heavier. Lastly, I really like the look of this fork cuz it matches any bike and looks quite handsome. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ping
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Stiff, Reliable and great performance once tuned. You get the FULL 150mm of travel. Super smooth with great damping and ETA for the climbs.
Good value and cheaper than the Fox36 or Sherman alternative. | | Weaknesses: | Takes some time to break in, no external compression adjustment, so you need to get intravenous to tune it. Not the lightest fork either at around 5.6lb .. Also only available with the 'firm' spring .. so maybe not the best choice for lighter riders... | | Similar Products Used: | Sherman Firefly 20mm. | | Bike Setup: | Ellsworth Moment, Crossmax XL's, SRAM X9 etc etc.. | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding this fork for close to 8 months, and it just gets better and better with age! The seals took about 2-3months of riding to break in... the 7.5wt stock oil made the fork somewhat harsh over small to medium sized bumps, also the fork came overfilled unless you are over 180lb and hucking large drops ... I tried taking out the spring and compensating with air only, but could not tune out the brake dive.... so after the 2nd oil change to 5wt and reduced oils levels the performance is now perfect. Great range of damping, both low and high speed ... plenty stiff for my 170lb weight and with ETA, it's the perfect aggressive XC/Freeride weapon. I run zero air preload .. stock spring rate is perfect. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
clark
a
from vancouver
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | plush, stiff, eta is great | | Weaknesses: | dives a little too much | | Similar Products Used: | firefly, fox 36, pike | | Bike Setup: | heckler | | Bottom Line: | wow! nicest 5-6" fork i've ridden. ultra plush and stiff, reasonable weight. soaks up bumps like a dh fork - feels like more than 6". like all marzocchi's, its extremely tuneable with oil weight and levels. only complaint is brake diving, but getting used to it (not nearly as bad as the 888 though). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The collecta
a Weekend Warrior
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Platinum | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$420.00 | | Purchased At: | Downshiftcycles | | Strengths: | Thru-axle, 32mm stanchions, light for a marz, its all black | | Weaknesses: | POOR QUALITY!! Ive gone through an 02 Z1qr20, and an 03qr20, and I am not impressed withe the quality control and cheap parts internally. | | Similar Products Used: | '03Z1, 02Z1, dorado sc, flick, all the fox forks. | | Bike Setup: | Foes Fxr, ti curnutt, this crappy fork, sram drive, xtr brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Had to send it back after one ride. Ive heard and I suspect that these are now Taiwanese parts with maybe only the stickers applied in Italy. My spring was not machined on top and the cheap thin plastic spacer just rattled and clicked. Also the spacer wasnt long enough, so at full extension it just bobbled around with the spring.
I couldn't get more than 4" of travel on this fork either, even with no air preload. Sometimes this is from too much oil so I loosened the right cap and turned it upside down, NOTHING came out. WTF! All the other Z1's Ive had to upgrade to stiff springs, but this fork is just harsh. Its not the seals breaking in either.
Marzocchi told me that they don't make a softer spring this year, so Im pretty much screwed. Not happy with the new cheapness of this fork. Ill probably go find an old marzocchi to replace it with.
I will say that the Marz customer service has been top notch. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Nasium
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Aus
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | oxford falls | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | so so so so plush. Easily adjustable, can handle most things you throw at them. and yes, they feel incredibly plush | | Weaknesses: | hmmm... NONE | | Similar Products Used: | these are single crown 888's | | Bike Setup: | VERY custom 2004 haro escape 8.2, these forks, x0, hayes, e13 | | Bottom Line: | These are a super duper fork. They are great for fr anf dh and the ETA means that you can come back up the mountain with the same ease as you went down. With these forks i am hitting 8ft+ drops and the landing feels so smooth (drops i would normally not consider on a ht). These forks are great if you are a freerider and dher. I have had these forks a small amount of time and am overly impressed with their standard. paying RRP i think is a little expensive but i got them dirt cheap so im happy... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Great fork, runs so smooth, easily adjustable, I like the graphics !!! | | Weaknesses: | None, so far | | Similar Products Used: | previous Z1's | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Haro escape 8.2 frame, e13, sram x0, Z1FR1's | | Bottom Line: | Great fork, this is the single crown version of the 888's in my perspective, so far i have had no problems with this fork, it has served me well and i have worked it hard for the short time i have been using it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rey singson
a Weekend Warrior
from manila, phils
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | various | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | downshiftcycles.com | | Strengths: | Feels like a 66 - without the weight. Upgraded hardware and cartridge. tough finish on the stanchions. dedicated bolt on qr20 axle. sensitive on the small stuff
| | Weaknesses: | ugly graphics. its hard to tell it apart from a drop-off. Paint on the lowers easy to chip. Air preload.
Compression adjustment would have been nice (whc the 06's have) | | Similar Products Used: | 03 Z1, 03 Z1sl, O4 Z150, 05 66RC, Various super t's and Junior t's. fox 36 RC2 and Van | | Bike Setup: | 02 Switch updated with Saint parts, Pushed RC rear shock and the 05 Z1 fr 1 | | Bottom Line: | I used to run the z150, but i wasnt happy with the steel steerer and the weight - I wanted something with similar travel, but with an alloy steerer - without resorting to the z150 SL (no air springs for me thanks). when the new z1 came out and saw a good deal from downshift, I took the plunge and bought one. Brought my old switch back to life. I had run it thru a particularly vicious rock garden and it ate everything up and had similar torsional stiffness to the old z150 with the steel tube (ie i could not feel a big diff with the stiffness) but the weight made it a lot more flickable.
Had a hard time tuning the preload via air. had either too much or to little. at first i thought it was my shockpump and switched to a friend's but still had the same problem.
also its a bit frustrating to see that, for a fork of this legacy, they didnt make it look special. it doesnt look any different from the OEM drop-off my friend had on his KHS | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
El Chingon
a Downhiller
from Santa Clara, UT
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$515.00 | | Purchased At: | Cannot Divulge | | Strengths: | Smooth as KY. ETA works great. Very adjustable if you know what your doing. | | Weaknesses: | The decals for this year are ugly. No X-heavy springs available this year. | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 Z-1, 2005 Fox 36RC2, Manitou Sherman Breakout | | Bike Setup: | SC Heckler with 5th Element and Z-1 FR1. | | Bottom Line: | I had a Fox 36 for about a month, but it was way overhyped. The Z-1 blows doors on that fork. i recently did an oil change on my Z-1 adding 10 Wt. oil, and made some preload shims out of PVC pipe. The fork feels great now. I weigh 230 lbs and supposedly the stock springs are the heaviest springs they offer this year. I set the oil height at the recommended max level of 45mm from the top of the stanchion, the fork takes the big hits without bottoming, and has great small bump compliance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from So cal
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Silverado Motorway | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$575.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal Cyclees | | Strengths: | Great dampening, very plush. Stiff, new 20mm axle system better than previous year models. ETA is great for climbing. | | Weaknesses: | When ETA is set almost no travel available. | | Similar Products Used: | Pike, '03 Z1 SL, Talas, Psylo etc. | | Bike Setup: | '05 Weyless 67 | | Bottom Line: | This fork feels incredible. I am a lightweight rider (160#) and switched to 5wt oil and dropped the oil level slightly. The fork still ramps up a little quicker than I'd like so I might drain some more oil out of it, but the dampening feels superb. I've thought about putting a Super T on my Weyless many times but just can't justify loosing the ETA. This fork is the plushest fork I've tried (right there with my Pike) and the best of all it is a Zokie. Great fork for a heavy duty trail bike/freeride bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Durston
a
from Waterloo, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Downshiftcycles.com | | Strengths: | Sexy
Plush
Adjustable
20mm TA | | Weaknesses: | Weight but if you do more all mountain or xc riding than get the AM1 | | Bike Setup: | RM Switch, Diabolus, X9, Thomson, Hadley etc. | | Bottom Line: | I just bought this fork so I can't really post a complete review yet but I just wanted to say the below reviewer is incorrect about needing 2, 5mm allan keys to remove the front wheel. You only need one but you need to keep the bolts on one fork leg tight to hold the axle in place while you loosen the other end of the axle. It's really not very complicated...just loosen the axle bolts before the fork ones and you'll only need one key. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Misson Viejo
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anywhere in Aliso Woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Company | | Strengths: | Really Plush and stiff, Very difficult to bottom out under normal riding circumstances, not very heavy for what it is. Fork does not setup/sit very high, ETA is by far the best travel adjustment system ou there | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, compared to other forks, 20mm release requires 2 5mm allens to be carried on the trail. (this 20mm setup is WAY better than the 2004 clamping sxystem used on 04 Z1's) | | Similar Products Used: | 04 Z1 freeride, Manitou Sherman Firefly 03,04. | | Bike Setup: | 2 blinged out Turner 5 spots, One set up light and one set up with this cool fork!!! | | Bottom Line: | The Z1 Freeride has been the most plush fork I have ever ridden. It takes/absorbs big and little hits very well. The fork is also very stiff, and adjustable. Marzocchi's ETA trave adjust system is by far the best travel ajustment system out there, with a close second to manitou which works similar. The one weakness I see is that you do need to carry two 5mm Allens with you on the trail in case you get a front flat. (I see this as a strength personally as this 20 mm thru axle setup is way better than the clamping system used in 04.) There is no way that the FOX 36 is 300-400 better in performance, no way!! I understand that the 36 is 1 pound lighter, but for 3-4 hundred dollars, NO WAY! Do yourself a favor, buy this fork and if you are worried about a pound, then lose it in the bodyfat. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | 150mm | | Bottom Line: | Just wondering if anyone has had the same problems with the ETA failing as with my '03 (see review under '03 forks, 4/10/05). I guess with the air preload, there are no problems with the spring preload settings backing off? Anyone find it necessary to buy heavier springs? My '03 was in the shop twice within 2k miles, and I just want to make sure these issues have been addressed before I make a decision on a new fork, especially since the '05 is 40% more money (WTF?). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Olli
a Weekend Warrior
from Germany
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Pasubio | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Looks Good, Thru Axle, Weight, Stiffnes | | Weaknesses: | Mabye Airpreload | | Similar Products Used: | Z1 DO 03, MXC02, Z1 98 | | Bike Setup: | Helius FR 03, XT Drivetrain, Grimeca 8" rotors | | Bottom Line: | I changed from my 03 Z1 DO to the Z1 FR 1. Now i have 20mm more Teavel. There is no significant change in gometrie. I will play with the spacers to check out the right position of my stem.
There is no change in stiffnes, i think a 03 Z1 with standart drop outs ist the same as as 05 Z1 with the thru axle. The dampingsystem is much more effective. I can choose between slow as a frozen magarita and fast as a rabbit.
I tested a 3feet Drop and there ware 10mm of travel unused without airpreload, so ist is fine for Trailriding without airpreload. Next Time in the Park i will use the airpreload, chek out the rough stuff and submit a newer review. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Weight for strength ratio - light and strong = perfect! | | Weaknesses: | nil | | Similar Products Used: | boxxer, manitou shermans, jr t | | Bottom Line: | A very sweet ride indeed, as plush as you expect from Marzocchi with the usual build quality.
A very light fork that gives an initial impression of not being able to stand up to abuse but this fork is as sweet as a nut. I regualrly hit 3-5 foot drops and this soaks em up. Handles DH duties with amplomb, tracking over the rough stuff nicely - a very confidence inspiring fork | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Leach
a Downhiller
from Manchester, United Kingdom
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Brickies Quarry | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Leisure Lakes, UK for £460 GBP | | Strengths: | - Plush
- Six inches of travel
- Contrary to what the last guy said, I think they're stiff
- ETA is useful for when you want to climb
- Fantastic looks | | Weaknesses: | When i first got the fork, with very little air in, i was impressed with how plush the fork is. I was riding over large baby head sized rocks with ease at slow speeds.
Then when I when to my local DH run, it was bottoming off 4ft drops, using almost all of the travel on low level obsticles and wasn't up to it. So i thought to resolve this, i'd tune the air up. Okay, so now things are stiffer.
The next ride out with the new setting, on the trails it wasn't plush like it used to be, and seemed to be, how can i say it, 'boring'. If rebound is high and you have air in, taking of drops or jumps provides an irritating 'clunk' as though the boot of the fork drops an inch - this isn't present when you have little or no air in. Putting air in does increase the forks bottoming threshold, but at the same time kills the soft/plush feel on the trails. I have yet to find a compromise.
I have been advised to increase the weight of my oil to the same oil the Marz Dirt Jumper series use, and lower the air, to give a more plush feel whilst still being able to take the rough stuff.
| | Similar Products Used: | Marz Super T 2002, Junior T 2003, DropOff 2's 2004 | | Bike Setup: | Banshee Morphine hardtail, Marz Z1 FR1 150mm 2005, RaceFace Diabolus stem, bars and X-Type cranks, E-Thirteen chain device, EX729 rims on Hope Bulbs with F+R M4 4pot brakes. Pic @ http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/photo/?op=view&image=376291 | | Bottom Line: | Overall, i like the fork, i think it's just a bugger to get right, out of the box it is fine for trails and your average rider, but if you like to drop from height and not bottom out, it's going to need some adjustments. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, ID
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Big Black Booger | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | 150mm travel.
ETA works good on super steep climbs.
Rebound has a nice positive "click" into position.
20mm axle.
Lighter and more progressive than Z150. | | Weaknesses: | Flexy compared to Sherman, not as progressive as I would like.
Not a big fan of air preload.
Compression would be nice, but I guess that's asking too much.
| | Similar Products Used: | '00 z1cr, '01 Jr.T, '02 Jr.T, '02 Monster T, '03 Psylo, '03 DJ1, '03 DJ2, '04 z1fr, '04 z150, '04 SuperT | | Bike Setup: | Transition Preston FR | | Bottom Line: | This fork is okay. It's more progressive than my z150 was, which is nice. It's harder to bottom out. It's lighter (5.5 lbs). But, it's more flexy. I'd like to have compression, but that's why you get a 66, right? I don't like air preload. It makes the fork ride like poo on trails if you really pump it up. And if you don't, it's got two inches of sag. There's a little adjustment in between full air and none, but overall I prefer regular ol spring preload. It's treated me well so far, but doesn't seem to be regular Marzocchi quality for some reason.
It's a pretty good fork, but it's waaay overpriced. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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