sounds like typical XC riding to me. The problem that we have is that we tend to buy the WRONG tools for the job at hand and then blame the tool maker if it breaks! And as lawsuit happy as this country has become it makes sense to cover your nuticles with a warning like that. I've seen questions and recomendations on this forum that have scared the crap outa me! People telling newbs that it's okay to jump their OEM MX Comp, or one clown that told of how he does 3 to 5 foot drops "all the time" with his EX Pro! Talk about the wrong tool for the job!!!!
With this I agree with you...now lets have some fun.....
It's really pretty simple, what Zocch is talking about is that their Marathon/XC forks are NOT designed for anything but XC type riding!!!!
But what they are describing is NOT typical XC riding. Riding where you MAY encounter bumps and rocks? And the fork is not designed for jumps or drops of ANY size? Not five feet, not two feet, not ONE foot. Not six inches. NONE. Name me the last time you did a ride, even an XCone where your two wheels stayed on the ground the entire time. I dare you.
If your deffinition of XC includes drops of more than 2 feet, jumps other than hopping over a log in the trail, rocks, roots, etc., then their XC forks are NOT the forks to use.
But what you describe above is OUTSIDE of the fork's intended use as stated by the manufacturer. Remember...NO jumps, NO drops, NO nothing.
Sure the fork will probably handle some of it for a while. But there are WAY better forks that Zocch produces specifically for that type of riding.
And they are 5-6" forks. Not a good fit for a 4" trailbike. And why does Zoke put this big hole in their intended usage. Fox and RS both state that their 4" offerings are XC/AM.
So why get your panities in a wad over how Zocch recommends that their forks should be used. Or how they chose to convey that recomendation.
Im asking a question and criticising how a popular fork manufacturer defines their products. On a mountain bike discussion board entitled "Lets talk about shocks". Youre right, WTF was I thinking posting something like that HERE??!!??
What, you think they don't know what they are talking about or what? I mean they did design and build the fork, they should know right?
Im not talking about their design philosophy. Im talking about how they are classifying a riding style and how completely out of touch it is. Maybe in your world a $700 coil fork that has almost 5" of travel shouldnt be taken off fire roads. The rest of the riding planet feels differently.
Granted it is a legal statement and probably over stated. But the idea is to warn potential customers that the fork is an XC fork and not suitable for other more demanding riding styles. So that's WTF Zocch is talking about. We all know that most 4" forks will handle more than that. We also know that a skilled and knowledgable rider can drop 5 footers on an XC hard tail and never hurt it. But the KEY WORD there is SKILLED!!!! You have to look at it from Zocchs point of veiw. They have to reduce that warning/recommendation to the simplest terms so that even the least knowledgable newb will get the idea.
I do understand this, contrary to what you think. But they have gone SO FAR the other way, they are scaring off their customers, including those skilled riders. Either that, or they designed this fork for racing and very light duty only. RS and Fox didnt, but maybe Zoke did. Their choice. But that's pretty silly.
You are simply over reacting to their statement of suitable use. With your knowledge of the sport you should know better. But just be aware that if you break a Marathon or an MX Comp doing a drop you'll probably get refered to that statement should you seek warranty reparations. Yes Zocch is covering their a$$. But can you blame them?
No I'm not...Im asking and commenting on a stated use that seems off. Read it again. "Hilly trails where bumps and rocks MAY be encountered." Look...Im not trying fit a round peg in a square hole and take this thing above what its designed for. Im just saying what Zoke states its designed for doesnt seem in line with other forks in its class. Bumps and rocks MAY be encountered.....ZERO airtime....That doesnt seem a bit "light" to you, even for cross country?
