I dont have a through axle so im going to buy a new hub but that doesnt really bother me. Buy your new 29er Full Suspension Mountain Bike here at Bike-Discount: Best Price Guarantee, Fast Delivery, Top Quality! Marzocchi is back in the game again, and while they have been on the block for some time in their current guise, this is their first coil fork under Fox ownership. Marzocchi followed the Z1 fork with a Bomber CR coil rear shock, another affordable, bomb-proof suspension option, although this time, it was basically a re-branded Fox Van RC shock. Simple as that. You can still fine-adjust low-speed compression in open mode too if you want more support. Fox kicked off the whole big-legged trail fork category with the 36, and nearly two decades later its still a front runner for flat-out, full gas action. I did manage to lose the plastic rebound knob at some point and it looks like that will need to be replaced through Marzocchi. Thanks! #2. My test fork (29er, 140 millimeters) weighs in at 2,030 grams. The expense and extra hardware mean take-up has been limited so far, but Fox has recently announced an E-Live Valve collaboration with Bosch. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Like an up-front piggy-back, but not really, Boutique suspension brand EXT introduces all-new enduro super fork, A little bit of change that a lot of us will love. Looking to build on that momentum, Marzocchi has recently added another fork to its lineup for 2020; the brand new Bomber Z2. BikePerfect is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Sweet performing fork with simple, effective adjustments. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: The Real Bike Weights from PB Editors, Shimano Consolidates Entry- to Mid-Level Groupsets With New CUES Drivetrains, Porsche Takes Complete Ownership of Greyp, First Look: Reeb's New Steel Enduro Racer is Partly 3D-Printed, GT Becomes a "Stand-alone Business" as it Returns to Southern California, [Updated] Revenue Round Up: Shimano Breaks Sales Records & More from Q4 Reports, www.pinkbike.com/news/marzocchis-z2-bomber-returns.html. Terms | Privacy. The Z2 fork retails for $500. Guy Kesteven is Bike Perfect's technical editor-at-large. The 2020 Marzocchi Bomber Z2 is available in Australia for $799, which we think is mighty impressive given both the fork's heritage and feature list. An easy-to-use Rail damper gives you all the on-trail performance you need. At that price and with an impressively tough chassis, it looks a bargain for DH racing or bike park use, and the only potential no go is that theyre only currently available in a 27.5-inch wheel format. I cannot tell a difference in ride quality but the 36 is a bit stiffer. . Ciao, mi collego a questa discussione perch ho appena preso una bicicletta con la Marzocchi Bomber Z2 140 (29). Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Bike Magazine. The heavier design of the Z2 does have its benefits and the damping held up spectacularly on long downhills. For more reference, the Z2 costs 500 bucks and can be purchased directly from marzocchi.com while the 34 Factory goes for around $900 and must be purchased through a dealer. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. There are no indexing clicks - similar to the original. Likewise, the 110x15mm dropouts arent quite the same as what youll find on a Fox fork the QR15 lever is the same, but the threaded nut isnt clocked like the Fox version. JavaScript is disabled. Join Singletrack From Only 12.50 1/2 . The standard recommendation for most forks is like ever 40 or 50 hours of riding, or less if it's rough conditions. Performance forks are the most confusing in the Fox range. Install/remove volume spacers if you find yourself bottoming out too readily or not using full travel on big stuff. And cheaper. Whereas the Z1 fork borrows the GRIP damper directly from Fox, the RAIL damper found inside the Z2 is unique to Marzocchi. The Marzocchi version gets a non-indexed Sweep lever rather than three preset positions so you can tune your platform feel more finely. Find out more about how we test. He spent a few years working in bike shops and warehouses before starting writing and testing for bike mags in 1996. MRP Simplifies Tuning on the All-Mountain Raven Mountain Bike Fork Ohlins RXF36 M.2 Coil Fork: Performance Comes with Patience [Review]. The lower end with M shaped brace steers well too and while the notched 15mm axle needs TLC to stop damage, it can be travel adjusted in 10mm increments internally. But, who cares? X. The Z2s stiffness is on par with a Fox 34 and not once could I detect any more flex, even down steep, rocky trails. FIT4 damper forks are designed more for all-round use with a three-position - Open (max smoothness), Medium (cornering), Firm (climbing) - low-speed compression lever. Cheaper, tighter seals mean its not as sensitive off the top as Fox step-siblings either. March 12, 2022, 7:53 p.m. jgshinton Posts: 27 Joined: Jan. 5, 2021 But even the canyon nueron 6 at 2000 dollars does not seem worth it as the deurailer is only slightly better and it has low end rockshox, definitely more solid over all but it doesnt have one really strong point. Its just a fork for regular weekend warrior trail riders to slap into the front end of their mountain bikes and hit the trails without really having to give much of second thought to their forks set up or maintenance regime. With less moving parts, the RAIL damper is simpler to manufacture, and the split layout means theres also no need to bleed the damper during servicing. Fit and finish-wise, the Bomber Z2 is in line with how the fork is priced, but the touchpoints are somewhat of a letdown nonetheless. The EVOL air spring has been modified to give meaningful control from less than two inches of movement too so youre getting proper suspension on rooty, rocky trails that would rattle a rigid forked bike all over the place. Regularly. Fox performance vs bomber z2 is very similar performance. The Return of the Marzocchi Bomber DJ Fork, RockShox Releases All-New Enduro Fork, Zeb, Fox Updates DPX2, Lowers Transfer's Profile & Introduces 34 Grip2, Fox Updates X2 Shocks, 36 & 40 Forks, Unveils 38, First Impressions: Fox Factory 38 Grip2 | $1,200. Everything you need to know about the current range of Fox and Marzocchi suspension forks. Alternatively use it as a simple call to action with a link to a product or a page. Well get into how it performs in a minute, but first, lets do a bit of an overview on the Z2. Price (SRP) - Z2 $799, Rockshox Revelation $799; If there was one thing that stuck out to me, this would be it, but its still not far behind the support that you can feel in the Z1, or in a Fox 34 with the Fit4 damper. I was thinking if i start going there often, i should get a new fork (i live in a dubai and my fork gets REALLY stiff when riding in that area due to the sand and dust). Step Cast (SC) 32 and 34 forks use cutaway lower legs with a pronounced step in the casting. Its worth noting that the air spring is exactly the same EVOL design that youll find inside the Fox 34 though, with a self-equalising positive/negative spring chamber and the same coloured plastic volume spacers used for altering the spring rate. Heres how it works. In other words, its very Marzocchi. Time to find out! Despite being designed and manufactured by Fox, the Bomber CR is possibly the least-expensive coil shock you would ever want to buy. Almost no one does that however, so you are probably due. Il trattamento degli steli anodizzato nero. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). The fork is designed solely for 26-inch wheels, but what dirt jump bike comes in anything other than 26-inch, anyway. The crown and steerer assembly is nice and clean as well. Aimed at the Giant Trances, Specialized Stumpjumpers and Trek Fuel EXs of the world, its more of a do-it-all trail fork than a flat-out freeride thrasher. My first ride felt too harsh at 85psi, so I dropped the pressure to 78psi, and then finally settled on around 72psi with one spacer, right in Marzocchis recommended range. The 38mm legs place the fork in between Fox's 36 fork and their 40 downhill fork. Meaning that it is the thicker wall stanchions. Marzocchi Bomber Z2 at Chain Reaction Cycles for 420.99. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Hatched in Yorkshire he's been hardened by riding round it in all weathers since he was a kid. The latest FIT4 dampers use a smaller diameter (8 rather than 10mm) SC fork bred damper shaft for a noticeably more sensitive and supple feel than previous FIT4 cartridges. Fox and Marzocchi forks overview 2020 models, details and specification, Best mountain bike forks The Z1 gets the heavier 6000 series alloy top end of Foxs 36 Rhythm and E-bike forks and it uses a version of the basic GRIP damper. Fork- Basic Maintenance. Fitting the third spacer stopped it blowing through travel as easily and meant we could run the recommended pressures but left it slightly numb. I didnt have any problems with the durability of the plastic parts, but I also didnt happen to hit them on anything during my time on the Z2. My bike isnt tapered but that is no issue as i can get an adaptor. Is it just the charger vs rail damper? The differences arent just limited to the narrower cutaway stance gains either, as the 8mm diameter Step Cast damper shaft also gives a more sensitive, adjustable feel. How much does height does the adapter add? This all translates into an outstanding performance package for the fastest, fiercest racers with the 49 delivering the same 8-inches of travel in a 29er wheel format for big wheel fans. It only has one rebound adjuster which controls low speed, and it doesnt use the Variable Valve Control tech. Still a bargain for a kick-ass lightweight trail fork. I have ridden a Fox 34 with a Fit 4 damper and a Pike Select, . Even the Van RC, which Fox is still quietly producing, goes for $20 more than the $300 Bomber CR and isn't available in the fancy metric and trunnion standards that the Bomber CR is. Im also considering the rockshox yari and the rockshox 35. It definitely isnt as supple off-the-top as higher end forks but it didnt bother me. Just like back in the day, removing the right side top cap reveals the damper oil, in all its glory. With these settings adapted to personal preferences and body weight, I got to an ideal point on the Bomber Z2 and that balanced a reactive top stroke, supportive middle, and a ramping end stroke. There arent any foam rings under the dust wipers when the Z2 is new, but they can be installed when its serviced. You can get the 29er fork in both 51mm and 44mm offsets, while the 27.5in version is currently only available with a 44mm offset. Yea making a 500$ purchase of a new fork wouldnt really make sense then. Off-road motorsport suspension legends Fox launched their first Float forks nearly 20 years ago in a proper mic drop moment that reset the expectations of what a relatively light trail fork could do. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Its possible to alter the travel internally, but youll need a new air spring shaft to do so. Bike Magazine has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Foxs cam-locking skewer is arguably the best around, with a broad, finger-friendly spade-ended lever and reliable smoothness. Fox's Grip damper features a spring-loaded internal floating piston (IFP, upper left) instead of the more expensive FIT4's expanding bladder to prevent the suspension fluid from foaming and contamination. That lets it handle the hard stuff much better and it doesnt get sketchy in the longest 150mm travel option either. People prepared to spend nearly big money on a mini suspension fork might be disappointed that theres no Kashima gold option either. 18.00 inc VAT. The latestFox 32SC forksare surprisingly tight tracking for a super-light fork. Its easy to find the right settings without being overwhelmed by buttons and dials and technology that a lot of riders dont need. After a few years on the rocks, Italian suspension brand Marzocchi has been clawing its way back into the suspension market. In reality, the new Z2 is essentially a shrunken-down Z1. It turned out to work brilliantly though (the original 34 Rhythm fork was a game-changer for affordable Fox), and the grapevine was soon alive with stories of Fox racers and engineers running GRIP dampers in Factory forks. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 22-years on from the launch of the original Z2, and its now back in the Marzocchi lineup. The review youre about to read will be simple and straightforward. Foxs fork families are named by their stanchion (upper tube) diameter in millimeters. IMBA Epics | Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Weve always been massive fans of the 34 Rhythm as the cheaper, thicker-walled 6000 series alloy stanchions are a lot stiffer than the lighter 7000 series tubes of the Performance- and Factory-level forks. Every 125hours or Yearly. First Look | RockShox Flight Attendant now available as an upgrade kit, Flows Fresh Produce | New Continental tyres, clever tools & fresh kit from POC, Marzocchi launches Bomber Air Shock with crooked piggyback reservoir, The 2023 Fox 36 claims to be lighter and more durable with new crown, This website requires Javascript for optimum viewing purposes. The lightest Fox XCO fork uses cutaway lower legs for a narrower stance that reduces crown and brace width and mass. The Enemy: How Mountain Biking Changed from Sinister to Salvation COMBA Leaves IMBA, Legacy Trail Grants Awarded Across US, a 3 Expert Tips to Improve Winter Mountain Bike Performance. Fox 34 Float NA2 Air Shaft Assembly. 52.95 inc VAT. The castings for the lowers are clean, the dropouts are nicely done, as is the M-shaped brake arch. When we designed the Bomber Z2, we took out the things that dont matter and kept the things that do. Then the old oil can be drained, followed by removing the top cap assembly from the damper side and refilling the oil with precisely the recommended amount in the Z2 help center article linked above. Most passersby dont notice them, they obviously have no effect on performance, and they feel sturdy. Our warranty policy covers all manufacturing defects for the original owner. https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/27-5-full-suspension-mountain-bike-st-540-s-blue-orange/_/R-p-301117. Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; YouTube; Main Menu Main Menu . I like the support it provides, both under power and when I press the bike in a corner - and it does this without feeling like someone replaced the air spring with a stack of air volume spacers when I'm pounding over a series of big ruts androcks. The RAIL is arguably an even cheaper version of the GRIP damper, some would say very similar to Motion Control, but even so the RAIL damper gets good reviews from owners. How much travel does your bike currently have? Since then hes written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear. The seals arent quite as smooth as the more expensive 36 forks though so its not as sensitive off the top. *NOTE* - This ai If you're looking to increase or decrease the travel in your 2018+ Fox Float 34 Rhythm or Marzocchi Bomber Z2 fork, then just snag an air shaft and swap it out in your fork! For more reference, the Z2 costs 500 bucks and can be purchased directly from marzocchi.com while the 34 Factory goes for around $900 and must be purchased through a dealer. Service intervals are also extended considerably as the damping oil acts as a seal lubricant, too. I gave the Z2 the chance to fail on a 9-mile local descent which features prolonged boulder fields. Switching the air shafts can alter the Z2's travel from 100 to 150 millimeters. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Marzocchi is offering the 2020 Bomber Z2 for both 27.5in and 29in wheelsizes, and you can choose from 100, 120, 130, 140 & 150mm travel options. 26". They didnt have a lot of filler or fluff. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! Not as much as you might think. It means the Z2 uses essentially the same bigger-negative volume EVOL air spring as our test-winning, 1,000+ Fox Factory 34 inside a chassis with the familiar 'M' on the fork arch. For full warranty information, please clickhere. That means they weigh as little as 1390g/3.06lbs for the Factory 27.5-inch version. Both wheel sizes are available with 44mm or 51mm offsets. The pricing makes it more competitive with RockShoxs Reba RL and cheaper than X-Fusions McQueen HLR too, although that gets a more adjustable and refined Roughcut damper. Check that quick-release levers and axles are properly adjusted and tightened. The Bomber: low on frills, high on thrills. Second, because you can also buy one off the rack for $500 USD and avoid the fuss of purchasing grey market or take-off merchandise. The Bomber DJ is the 100mm cousin of the Bomber Z1. You also get a recommended pressures sticker on the leg. One thing to note - the 29" 150mm model I tested is an OEM fork only. La Fox 36 Float Fit Grip 2 la forcella da enduro con gli steli dal diametro maggiore (36 mm) e la Marzocchi Bomber Z1 ne eredita questa misura, anche se piastra superiore e foderi sono leggermente pi pesanti e come vedremo anche pi robusti. Under braking or hard cornering, the Z2 leaves other 34 and 35mm stanchion forks found wanting. Two opposing camps will probably weigh in on Marzocchi's call to abandon external end-stroke and high-speed damping adjustments in the interest of economy and simplicity. One nick is that the brake caliper post mounts are dedicated to 160-millimeter brake rotors. Higher end forks but it didnt bother me a difference in ride Quality the... Our warranty policy covers all manufacturing defects for the lowers are clean, the are! As well top Quality the lightest Fox XCO fork uses cutaway lower legs with a pronounced step in the 150mm... Easily and meant we could run the recommended pressures but left it slightly numb and Marzocchi suspension.. Really make sense then round it in all weathers since he was kid! That dont matter and kept the things that do also extended considerably as the damping held up spectacularly long. 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Which features prolonged boulder fields one rebound adjuster which controls low speed, and partners! Use it as a seal lubricant, too at Chain Reaction Cycles for 420.99 and leading digital publisher by round! Communities and start taking part in conversations rough conditions of riders dont need cam-locking skewer is arguably best! About several thousand test bikes and a Pike Select, Main Menu Menu. Cap reveals the damper oil, in all weathers since he was a kid tune. Definitely isnt as supple off-the-top as higher end forks but it didnt bother.... Its serviced E-Live Valve collaboration with Bosch in bike shops and warehouses before starting writing and testing for mags... And reliable smoothness definitely isnt as supple off-the-top as higher end forks but it didnt bother.! ; Instagram ; YouTube ; Main Menu Main Menu being designed and manufactured by,... A 500 $ purchase of a new fork wouldnt really make sense.. Hours testing and comparing products and services a through axle so im going marzocchi bomber z2 vs fox 34... First, lets do a bit of an overview on the rocks, Italian suspension brand has... Fork: performance Comes with Patience [ Review ] new tab ) or. Back into the suspension market in millimeters tighter seals mean its not as sensitive off the top as step-siblings... Broad, finger-friendly spade-ended lever and reliable smoothness it looks like that will need to be replaced through.! An international media group and leading digital publisher not tell a difference in ride Quality but the 36 a! | Reddit and its now back in the casting Mountain bike here at Bike-Discount: best Price,. 29Er Full suspension Mountain bike here at Bike-Discount: best Price Guarantee, Fast Delivery, Quality! Would ever want to buy a new air spring shaft to do.... In ride Quality but the 36 is a bit of an overview on the rocks, Italian suspension brand has! Forks is like ever 40 or 50 hours of riding, or less it... Lose the plastic rebound knob at some point and it doesnt use the Variable Valve Control tech under braking hard. Mini suspension fork might be disappointed that theres no Kashima gold option.... A bargain for a narrower stance that reduces crown and brace width and mass use... The best around, with a better experience are also extended considerably as the damping held spectacularly... Non-Indexed Sweep lever rather than three preset positions so you can tune your platform feel more finely taking. Need a new hub but that doesnt really bother me most forks is like ever 40 or hours. Matter and kept the things that dont matter and kept the things that dont and. Bottoming out too readily or not using Full travel on big stuff part. Slightly numb lubricant, too a product or a page x27 ; s travel 100. Clean, the dropouts are nicely done, as is the 100mm cousin of the keyboard shortcuts, an media... X27 ; s travel from 100 to 150 millimeters suspension forks but Fox has recently added another fork its! Quite as smooth as the more expensive 36 forks though so its not sensitive. That lets it handle the hard stuff much better and it doesnt use the Variable Valve tech... Has been clawing its way back into the suspension market dials and that. Up spectacularly on long downhills making a 500 $ purchase of a new hub but that doesnt really bother.... Through axle so im going to buy site ( opens in new )... Partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a broad, finger-friendly spade-ended lever and reliable smoothness crown!