Is an 09 Marz 66 better than 07-08?

That's a bit of a pointed question that can get heated on some accounts...

First, the 07 and 08 are two different forks. The 07 is the "old" style and still very good. The 08 and above is the new gen, the one that had problems. They claim all the problems were early 08's, but some problems still persisted even into the late 08 models when things were said to have been fixed. Such things as the bushing play and creaky crowns still persisted, as I saw in the pipeline, though some got away lucky.

The 09 seem to be an improvement, but some problems still exist a bit, though a bit better than before. Lots of people aren't used to zoke having that bushing play like they have no, but it's better than the 08 situation.

The other thing is from 08 up, the only travel adjust is the ATA, if that's your thing. No more ETA. I advise not going for the ATA. I know several people who aren't thrilled with the performance and durability. It promises a lot, but has a finicky nature.

I would recommend you stay completely away from an 08. 09 could be a crapshoot with much better odds. 07 is the old style and pretty well proven. If you can sacrifice the travel adjust, an RC2x model would be a nice find.

I bought an early (Feb '08) '08 66 ATA for exactly the same reasons you mentioned...wanted a 180mm fork with travel adjust.

4 Warranty trips later (plus a 5th where Marz sent me parts) and I became a happy owner of a '08 Totem solo air in August of 08.

I never really used the travel adjustment on the 66 and found that I really don't miss it. Plus the Marz travel adjustment needed 35 clicks (4 or 5 full revolutions) to go through its 40mm of travel adjustment range. Not exactly on the fly.

(Issues I had were stuck down on initial ride (bad internal seals), bad seals again, winding down, creaking crown). Marz customer service was good, but too many issues.

I've heard the '09's are better, but still not perfect. Personally, I would stay away from the 08 and 09 Marz air forks.

Most of the issues were with the air forks, but you loose travel adjustment going coil.

Otherwise, I really have been pleased with my Totem.

(The 2010 RS Lyrik Solo Air also looks pretty nice...170mm travel and a sub 5lb weight. No idea when they will be available though)

tiSS'er said:

I have an 08.5 66RC3 and it is worlds better than the 07 RC2x I had. The dampening is amazing, the fork feels great. I really liked my buddies Totem, but now it feels harsh and sticky vs. the RC3. I have a Lyrik on my Spot right now, and I feel the RS stuff is nice, and very durable.

I am waiting anxiously for the 10 44RC3 Ti for my Spot. I may also look at a 55RC3 if I can internally adjust the travel. From what I am hearing, the 10 stuff is going back to what made Marzocchi, oil bath dampers. If the 44 is half as good as my 66, it will be twice as good as my Lyrik.

Click to expand...

I heard the same thing that Marz was going back to its roots, which should be a good thing.

I might look for a 66RC3 as well just to see if I can notice any change, but am hesitant to give up my 07 as it works so well.

For my XC/AM bike I still want a reasonably light weight adjustable travel fork, with a 20mm axle, and up to 160mm travel. Right now that is a Manitou Niixon Air fork with the 20mm hex and IT travel adjust, at a little over 4.5lbs. It is very nice in terms of quality of suspension and adjustability, I do feel a little flex when fully extended to 160 though.

I still haven't tried the newer Talas 36s but it sounds like the 09s are very nice, but are pricey. The Lyric Solo Air also sounds good, but no travel adjust and the 2-Step from most accounts was a POS. What I don't understand is why RS can make the Pike work so well, but can get a Lyric or Totem to work the same way. I had a Pike 426 Air Uturn and the fork was very nice, the manual crank for travel adjust was a little bit of a PITA, but it worked and the fork was endlessly adjustable. My complaint was that is was only 140mm travel and was over 5lbs.