[grawbass]

I know both companies have produced a few models, well at least Marz did. I know most of them are not too well liked, but I was wondering if there is one that is at least descent. Maybe the equivolent of an old Bomber.

I don't need something as nice as a WB or Reba, but I don't really want a Manitou South or that model of Marz that is supposedly really flexy. Is it the Marathon?

Basically I'm looking for something I can find used for half or less the price of a WB or Reba, that will give the performance of an old Bomber.

 

[IT3]

I know both companies have produced a few models, well at least Marz did. I know most of them are not too well liked, but I was wondering if there is one that is at least descent. Maybe the equivolent of an old Bomber.

I'm running an old'er ('99, I think) Marzocchi MX Comp coil/oil that is all I need it to be.
not quite as still as my 26" Bombers and a bit too soft for my tastes, but after getting some X-Heavy springs and going to equal parts of 20wt and 50 wt oil.

Your Mileage May Vary, of course.

 

[mikesee]

I know both companies have produced a few models, well at least Marz did. I know most of them are not too well liked, but I was wondering if there is one that is at least descent. Maybe the equivolent of an old Bomber.

I don't need something as nice as a WB or Reba, but I don't really want a Manitou South or that model of Marz that is supposedly really flexy. Is it the Marathon?

Basically I'm looking for something I can find used for half or less the price of a WB or Reba, that will give the performance of an old Bomber.

The old MX Comps were very supple, stictionless forks. They were mucho adjustable; you could run them just as air forks, or add a single coil spring as an 'air assist', or if necessary you could run them dual coil with almost zero air pressure 'assisting'. They were, like most Marzocchi products, legendary in their durability and lack of need for maintenance.

The downsides are that they were a bit heavy (~4+ lbs for a 70mm travel fork) and the chassis was legendary for it's twisting flex. The higher $ Marathon model shared the same chassis, FWIW.

If you're sub-160lbs you'll probably not notice the flex.

MC

 

[grawbass]

Thanks for the info guys. I don't mind a heavy fork, but I really dislike flex. I weigh about 190. I'm currently using a Magura Rond Quake on my 26" bike and I'm very happy with its performance. Unfortunately Magura doesn't make a 29er version.

Did Marz make a 29er Bomber or just the MX and Marathon? Are the MX and Marathon noticably more flexy than the oldschool 26" Bomber and if so is it because of less overlap, different chassis, or do the longer legs just cause more flex?

 

[Padre]

Thanks for the info guys. I don't mind a heavy fork, but I really dislike flex. I weigh about 190. I'm currently using a Magura Rond Quake on my 26" bike and I'm very happy with its performance. Unfortunately Magura doesn't make a 29er version.

Did Marz make a 29er Bomber or just the MX and Marathon? Are the MX and Marathon noticably more flexy than the oldschool 26" Bomber and if so is it because of less overlap, different chassis, or do the longer legs just cause more flex?

I'd blame then longer legs.

I had a 2001 Z1 that seemed to have the same lowers as my "2004" MxComp 29er.
The 29er was notably more flexy....and about the same weight....with 3" less travel.

 

[grawbass]

I'd blame then longer legs.

I had a 2001 Z1 that seemed to have the same lowers as my "2004" MxComp 29er.
The 29er was notably more flexy....and about the same weight....with 3" less travel.

I wonder if you could take an old Z1 and modify it internally to have 1.5 inches less travel and use a 29er wheel in it. Seems like it wouldn't be that difficult.

 

[shiggy]

I wonder if you could take an old Z1 and modify it internally to have 1.5 inches less travel and use a 29er wheel in it. Seems like it wouldn't be that difficult.

You need to make a new high clearance arch. The stock arch will only clear up to about a 700x32 tire.

 

[grawbass]

You need to make a new high clearance arch. The stock arch will only clear up to about a 700x32 tire.

I assume you're refering to the older model with the bolt on arch, right?

Do you have any suggestions for an easy way to reduce the travel?

 

[shiggy]

I assume you're refering to the older model with the bolt on arch, right?

Do you have any suggestions for an easy way to reduce the travel?

Those would be the only ones you could easily modify.

I do not know how you would reduce travel on a coil model. I have a FlyLight 100 air fork and plan on just raising the oil level.

 

[2:1]

Dorado? Dorado SC?

I haven't seen anyone posting pics of their 29er-converted Dorado or Dorado single-crown forks. People definitely did that with Shiver SC's, so I'm surprised no one's done that modification to a Manitou. A carbon-fiber single crown upside-down fork with TPC+ would be SO cool!