vanilla rlc vs marzocchi am 1

in the flesh? · Aug 26, 2005

I have a vanilla rlc 130 on my new yeti 575. vanilla isn't quite new. the steerer just fits the stem with no spacers. i have a 15x100 thomson stem with riser bars. the front doesn't really seem high enough for me since switching over to the yeti(might just be my imagination since the yeti has a longer headtube making up for the spacers on my last bike).
my question is should I upgrade to a all mountain 1? my brother needs a fork and would be willing to buy the vanilla from me. if the vanilla was slightly longer travel and especially if it had a travel adjust I wouldn't think about replacing it since i really like it. how does the marzocchi feel compared to the vanilla to people who have ridden both? I would say the upgrade would be somewhere between $200-$300. I would really like the travel adjust and climbing mode. that is the only thing I miss from my manitou black fork is the rtwd. thanks for any help you provide.

SSINGA · Aug 26, 2005

The AM1, 130-150mm travel version, would be an excellent fork for the 575. I was on a vanilla RLC w/ the PUSH mod before getting my AM1 w/ my mod. I liked the Fox but I too felt it was too short for the 6" of travel and geometry of my new frame. The AM1 is 15-18mm taller than the 130RLC at the smae travel, so it may work out well for you while still keepng the front travel at 5".

The AM1 has great damping and rides very well. I find the TST damping adjustments very useful. I normally ride in the AM setting but frequently switch to DS for the fast DH sections. One thing to note is that the travel adjustment (TAS) is not on the fly adjustable, but it is trail side adjustable. The ETA will let you lower the front end down to about 30mm of travel for steep climbing.

in the flesh? said:
I have a vanilla rlc 130 on my new yeti 575. vanilla isn't quite new. the steerer just fits the stem with no spacers. i have a 15x100 thomson stem with riser bars. the front doesn't really seem high enough for me since switching over to the yeti(might just be my imagination since the yeti has a longer headtube making up for the spacers on my last bike).
my question is should I upgrade to a all mountain 1? my brother needs a fork and would be willing to buy the vanilla from me. if the vanilla was slightly longer travel and especially if it had a travel adjust I wouldn't think about replacing it since i really like it. how does the marzocchi feel compared to the vanilla to people who have ridden both? I would say the upgrade would be somewhere between $200-$300. I would really like the travel adjust and climbing mode. that is the only thing I miss from my manitou black fork is the rtwd. thanks for any help you provide.

frank n. beans · Aug 26, 2005

I have only had an AM1 for a couple of weeks but spent a couple of years on a Vanilla. So far I really like the AM1 and have no complaints at all. I think it is overall a better fork in all categories - performance, construction, and features.

Damping is great - both rebound and compression.

On a longer travel "trail bike", the ETA really makes sense for long climbs. It allows you to have that long travel fork and more relaxed / aggressive "I'm going to launch that" position, but when facing a long steep grind, just slam the ETA down and you are in a much better position for climbing. Typically I am referring to a long, seated climb... I can't see hitting the ETA for short climbs.

The 20mm TAS adjustment is nice if you want to fine tune your fork length. But honestly, who doesn't run it all the way out, full length travel?

Air preload is easy to use and gives a lot of flexibility. No spring swapping. Ability to adjust progressiveness via oil volume is great.

Most importantly it rides great and is a solid fork. I honestly cannot see how anyone could not like it (besides the color).

Vecsus · Aug 26, 2005

frank n. beans said:
The 20mm TAS adjustment is nice if you want to fine tune your fork length. But honestly, who doesn't run it all the way out, full length travel?

I don't. I find the 130mm setting of my 110-130 AM1 to be a little too tall for my bike (2004 Iron Horse Hollowpoint). Yes, I could use the ETA to drop the front end when I need to climb but I only like using ETA for serious climbs. A lot of the trails I ride have low-grade climbs with a lot of rocks and roots. When I dial it out to 130mm I find my front end drifting a little too much. At 110 it tracks much better.

in the flesh? · Aug 26, 2005

thanks for the replies, they are pushing more and more to the am1. btw if i get one it will be one of those new black ones.

doc-ock · Aug 26, 2005

the am1 is great! buy it.

the desert storm color looks stunning when paired with the right frame color.

MTB1986 · Aug 27, 2005

^^Sweet looking bike!.

in the flesh? · Aug 27, 2005

that is a sweet looking bike for sure. i don't think i could be sold on the yellow over the black, except for a fair price difference.

doc-ock · Aug 27, 2005

thanks! go with whatever color you like

as long as its an am1. you won't regret it

billybobzia · Aug 27, 2005

i like the color too

great fork, imo the best upgrade for the money, a 5.75 inch rear travel bike need a fork to match....

vanilla rlc vs marzocchi am 1

in the flesh?

SSINGA

frank n. beans

Vecsus

in the flesh?

doc-ock

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MTB1986

in the flesh?

doc-ock

billybobzia

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