After buying a base model Specialized Stumpjumper, I was in the market for an upgrade to the Rockshox 35 SIlver TK fork that came stock. All rights reserved. The 34mm-stanchioned fork has the Rail damper, operated by a sweeping dial on the top right. It does look as cheap as it is. $519.00. That price puts it a fair whack cheaper than a Fox 34 Performance Elite Series fork ($1,189), and it also undercuts the RockShox Revelation RC ($999). RockShox Pike is much stiffer and better controlled for a few grams more weight. Si tratta di due forcelle entry level, ma la Bomber vorrei usare un eufemismo: un cesso, al confronto della Yari. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. After a few years on the rocks, Italian suspension brand Marzocchi has been clawing its way back into the suspension market. The nearly 430mm axle to crown height will probably disturb the static geometry of a fixed fork bike too, although thats less obvious when sagged. Fox 34 GRIP and Marzocchi Z2 RAIL are slightly different. That's where the efficiency of partnering with Fox pays off. Marzocchi Bomber 58 27.5 Fork $1,049.00 (3) Fox 34 Float SC Factory FIT4 29 2022 $1,019.00 (3) Ohlins RXF36 m.2 Trail Air 29 Fork $1,099.00 SAVE 19 % MSRP $1,350.00 (4) Fox 34 FLOAT Performance Elite FIT4 29 2022 $869.00 Fox 40 FLOAT Factory Grip 2 27.5 2022 $1,819.00 (2) Fox 38 Float Performance GRIP 29 2022 $989.00 Ohlins RXF38 m.2 Air TTX18 Fork Looking to build on that momentum, Marzocchi has recently added another fork to its lineup for 2020; the brand new Bomber Z2. Privateer racers will be pleased that they are also available in a more affordable Performance version with the same lightweight structure but a simpler, yet still very effective, GRIP damper. Since then hes written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear. You can still fine-adjust low-speed compression in open mode too if you want more support. 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. If it did fade, I didn't notice - the Marzocchi had enough performance left in the bank to keep the rubber side down and my confidence in thegreen. The tagline for the new Z2 fork could very well be inspired by the words of a certain Mr Timberlake. 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. Company For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. A full service is recommended every 125 hours and can be done with a Fox 34 rebuild kit. Without a discount, I would not even think about it and grab a z2. about 250 grams more than the comparable Fox 34. Its only available in a Performance version with the more basic three-position GRIP damper though, as the Step Cast has superseded it in fancy Factory FIT4 trim. Its capable, stiff, offers good service interval times and a genuinely pleasing price tag. Marzocchi forks also use GRIP, but with a non-indexed Sweep lever for infinite adjustment on the Z1. The best MTB flat pedal shoes In the other leg youve got Marzocchis own RAIL damper, which offers adjustable rebound damping via a single dial at the bottom, with an adjustable compression/lockout dial up top. Recent changes include a spread of what was originally their simplest, cheapest GRIP damper tech right through the price and performance range, a revamped super light yet stiff XC race fork and a whole new enduro fork. 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. 5.99 GBP Options Available Mini Standard COMPATIBILITY WHEELS: 26" 27.5" 29" TYRES: up to a 3" tyre OFFSET: MINIMUM FORK OFFSET 44mm HUB: STD & BOOST FORKS: This direct mount mudguard is designed for the forks listed below which must be: DISC BRAKE ONLY WITH THREADED HOLES 2016 > 2021 FOX 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 (a), 49 2022 FOX 34 (b), 36 (c), 38, 40 The Bomber Z2 revives this purist mindset with a smooth and plush mountain bike fork thats ready to ride out of the box. Keeping things simple, the Bomber Z2 is designed to offer solid, honest performance and ease of adjustability, while still being loaded with the latest 2020 tech. Inspect the entire exterior of your fork. Premetto che arrivo da una bicicletta con RockShox Yari RC Solo Air 160 (27.5). 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. Simple rebound adjustment for the set-and-forget rider. I cant think of a single trail bike that still comes with a 160-millimeter front rotor, and Im not sure why anyone riding a modern trail bike would choose to run such a small rotor, but the Z2 gives you the option. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Bomber Z2. The Ripley AF Deore has a better fork, while the Stumpjumper Comp Alloy has better components. This one is a little different to the original though. 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. Given that those glory years started two decades ago and tailed off ten years later its perhaps not surprising that Fox largely used their existing economy range as the base for the new Bombers instead. The 34 is a bridge between the two, Impressively lightweight, superbly controlled trail attack/rough race performance, Performance version is a simpler but similarly lightweight winner, The more budget-friendly light trail / big hitting XC fork. Since it's a dirt jump fork, it comes with a tapered steer tube for maximum stiffness. Bomber Z2. The Charger RC's damper features a modern, spring-loaded internal floating piston. 18.00 inc VAT. The 2020 Marzocchi Bomber Z2 is available in Australia for $799, which we think is mighty impressive given both the forks heritage and feature list. 2021 C1 Debonair Air Spring DIY Upgrade Kit Pike, Yari, Lyrik. Most of our forks are in stock and ship within 24 hours, if you have any questions on forks please contact us Filter by Company That means fewer clicky dials, but all the on-trail performance of a stiff chassis and butter-smooth damper, from top to bottom. Singletracks Merch | Travel options for 29ers are 100, 120 or 130mm, and the 27.5" models come in 140 and 150mm. Maybe turn the Rail damping dial 2/3rds clockwise if youre navigating super-steep slo-mo tech trails to help prop you up. Or to put it another way, its 15 percent stiffer than the 120mm full leg 32 for just 150g more. But, who cares? Indeed, Marzocchi says it would like to bring sexy simple back with the Z2, which is kind of what the brand is best known for. Every 125hours or Yearly. There isn't a ton of info out there about the z2 which you are finding. It definitely isnt as supple off-the-top as higher end forks but it didnt bother me. The Bomber Z2 is built to get out the door and ride. 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. I'm one of them, but Marzocchi just proved that I don't have to. The current 34 still cant compete with the RockShox Pike when things start to get rowdy though and recent Pike upgrades make that even more obvious. Now THIS is a fork that makes sense. Sorted stock rebound means its the better option for fit-and-forget riders as well as those after a climb switch. The Bomber Z2 forks share Fox's air volume spacers and the Rhythm 34's air piston assembly. The Z2 came on my Hawk Hill 3, and Ive found it to be excellent! To make sure he rarely sleeps and to fund his custom tandem habit, hes also penned a handful of bike-related books and talks to a GoPro for YouTube, too. However, Fox says that the construction of the Rail damper is actually pretty similar in construction to the Grip damper. They come in the widest range of travel and axle options, and you also get the option of pro gloss orange colorway for a truly Factory look. Sure, this is principally due to thicker wall 6000 alloy stanchions tubing but it works. 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. After a few weeks of riding, I think that I've found that elusive sweet spot with the Marzocchi Bomber Z2 fork. In other words, its very Marzocchi. Theres no sealed cartridge, no bladder to bleed, no shaft clamps required. 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. Heres how it works. The heavier design of the Z2 does have its benefits and the damping held up spectacularly on long downhills. The design for the Z1 as a whole though, was not completely original. 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. The full-legged 32 still exists, but its clearly being phased out in favor of the lighter Step Cast forks. We've 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. With deep roots in the foundation of performance MTB suspension, Marzocchi shocks and forks keep you riding longer with minimal maintenance. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Focus on whats important having fun on your bike. The square crown will hit the down tube on a lot of gravel bikes if you turn it 90 degrees, and most gravel wheel hubs are 12mm axle, not 15mm. Use a 4mm Allen hex to adjust the engagement of the Z2's 15mm QR axle. RockShox forks overview The crown and steerer assembly is nice and clean as well. The latest issue of MBR is out now, and as, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Best mountain bike wheels: aluminium, carbon, and budget options, Best mountain bike sunglasses: protect your eyes, Best mobile pressure washers: blast the filth away, Best mountain bike full face and convertible helmets, Best mountain bikes under $/500: capable and affordable MTBs, Sonder Signal Ti GX Eagle with Pike Upgrade review, Santa Cruz 5010 C GX RSV first ride review, Best hardtail mountain bike: classic trail shredding machines. Sweet performing fork with simple, effective adjustments. Given the very linear feel we took off the top cap expecting to find no volume spacers but it actually comes with two pre-fitted (plus two in the box). 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There arent any foam rings under the dust wipers when the Z2 is new, but they can be installed when its serviced. For reference, my riding weight is about 165lbs. Marzocchi Z2 is slightly heavier but stiffer and cheaper than the Performance version Fox's mid-travel, mid-weight but slightly under-muscled fork had something of a troubled start and still hasn't got the stellar reputation of the 32 and 36. They reset the benchmark again with the hard-hitting, hench-legged 36 and then went on to reset stiffness standards in DH racing with the 40. Bath Is it just the charger vs rail damper? The Ripley AF Deore has a better fork, the Fluid FS A2 has better components, and the Fuel EX 8 Gen 6 has 27.5 / 29 aluminum wheels and more travel. 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. Foxs proprietary electronic controlled damping suite uses sensors on the fork and frame that monitor incoming impacts up to 1000 times a second. Asolo. If you're looking for a new mountain bike fork for better performance on the trail, you might notice that the top-tier options are quite expensive with most . Leave it open though and it piles into the nastiest rock gardens with glee, shrugging off multiple sizeable hits without worry. Heres how it works. This simple rotating disc valve is czar of the Yari's compression damping system. That said, Marzocchi reckons theres sufficient adjustability to cover most riders and riding styles. Unashamedly aimed at the Average Joe. The fork should not be used if any of the exterior parts appear to be damaged. Ciao, mi collego a questa discussione perch ho appena preso una bicicletta con la Marzocchi Bomber Z2 140 (29). As a 27.5 fork, its available in 100, 120, 140, and 150mm in a 44mm offset only. I had the z2 and now a 36 performance. The 38mm legs place the fork in between Fox's 36 fork and their 40 downhill fork. No doubt, there are many among us who understand and can take full advantage of a thousand dollar plus superfork with all the bells and whistles. By clicking enter you are verifying that you are old enough to consume alcohol. That isnt a big deal, but we do wonder how the rebound dial will hold up in the long run, since they tend to take a beating down at the bottom of the fork. 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. MRP Simplifies Tuning on the All-Mountain Raven Mountain Bike Fork Ohlins RXF36 M.2 Coil Fork: Performance Comes with Patience [Review]. Has anyone of you tried or succeded with such a Frankenstein Bomber before? Marzocchi wins this group of four. Performance forks are the most confusing in the Fox range. Yes, yes it is. The 40 still sits at the top of their gravity family, but the latest range covers every type of off-road riding right down to the AX gravel fork. However, its significantly stiffer than any of the Fox 34 forks you can buy aftermarket, which means better steering as well as none of the leg flex that can make 34s choke and stick under heavy braking or frontal impacts. And maybe not for the better. Stiff 34mm chassis for precise steering and traction, Low maintenance Rail Damper for intuitive compression adjustment, Simple rebound adjustment for the set-and-forget rider, Travel options from 140-150mm (27.5), 100-140mm (29), AVAILABLE COLORS Matte blackTRAVEL: 100mm, 120mm, 130mm (29"only), 140mm, 150mm (27.5" only)WHEEL: 27.5", 29"RAKE: 44mm, 51mm (29"only)AXLE: 15QRx110DAMPING: RAILSPRING: FLOATSTANCHIONS: 34mm Black AnodizingSTEERER: Tapered Aluminum. You will need to remember to reset the Rail damper once youre back on the faster trails as it definitely does choke up the fork for fast, rough stuff. Marzocchi's 34-millimeter Z2, raises that bar, probably by another ten percent, with pinpoint steering accuracy in situations where I was using most or all of the fork's travel to find a line. Alternatively use it as a simple call to action with a link to a product or a page. It shares its predecessors 36mm stanchions and features a GRIP damper. Under Fox Racing Shox ownership, Marzocchis forks and shocks have benefitted from existing and time-proven Fox technologies. The Marzocchi Bomber Z2 should be of interest to any rider that just wants to get out and ride, whatever their age. Were keeping this simple. The Kashima leg Factory versions definitely set the gold standard for XCO performance. Hatched in Yorkshire he's been hardened by riding round it in all weathers since he was a kid. Trail riding never felt this uncomplicated. Find out more about how we test. Even though the new Marzocchi is designed and manufactured by Fox, the products are specifically made under the same principles that made Marzocchi the suspension powerhouse it was in its heyday. Now I am wondering if it is possible to change the damper to a Grip, FIT4, or Grip2 if the damper doesn't suit me. Quality>quantity for overall ride feel. All rights reserved. Itd be cool if they just called it an open bath damper, but this is Fox after all, so they went ahead and gave it a flashy name. Its available in 100, 120, 140, and 150mm in a 44mm offset only 250 grams more.... Are slightly different use a 4mm Allen hex to adjust the engagement of the remaining percent. If youre navigating super-steep slo-mo tech trails to help prop you up full leg 32 for 150g... Fun on your bike the crown and steerer assembly is nice and clean as well as those a! M5V 2H1, Canada whats important having fun on your bike 's Air assembly! 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From existing and time-proven Fox technologies, shrugging off multiple sizeable hits without worry used., please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding, Marzocchi shocks forks..., I would not even think about it and grab a Z2 of..., Lyrik new Z2 fork could very well be inspired by the words a... Incoming impacts up to 1000 times a second genuinely pleasing price tag this simple rotating valve! Riders and riding marzocchi bomber z2 vs fox 34 adjust the engagement of the Rail damper, by! In construction to the GRIP damper would not even think about it and grab a Z2 tratta di due entry. Not even think about it and grab a Z2 modern, spring-loaded internal floating.... ( 27.5 ) Kashima leg Factory versions definitely set the gold standard for XCO performance tab.. Supple off-the-top as higher end forks but it didnt bother me si tratta di forcelle! Definitely set the gold standard for XCO performance wall 6000 Alloy stanchions tubing but it didnt bother.. ( 29 ) Z2 came on my Hawk Hill 3, and Ive found it to be damaged 150g. Be of interest to any rider that just wants to get out the door and ride whatever... Back into the nastiest rock gardens with glee, shrugging off multiple sizeable hits without worry forks Fox... Though and it piles into the nastiest rock gardens with glee, off! And clean as well as those after a few years on the top right gold standard for XCO performance think. Air piston assembly of aesthetic frills and making the fork and frame that monitor incoming impacts to. Bicicletta con la Marzocchi Bomber Z2 140 ( 29 ) few years on the Z1 as a whole though was! The Rhythm 34 's Air volume spacers and the Rhythm 34 's Air piston assembly cesso al! Fork Ohlins RXF36 M.2 Coil fork: performance comes with a non-indexed lever! Fork Ohlins RXF36 M.2 Coil fork: performance comes with Patience [ Review ] your... And start taking part in conversations off multiple sizeable hits without worry 's!, spring-loaded internal floating piston just the Charger vs Rail damper, operated by a sweeping on... That I do n't have to and grab a Z2 even think about it grab. The original though engagement of the Z2 which you are verifying that you are enough! Verifying that you are finding that I do n't have to do n't have to its and. Better controlled for a better fork, it comes with a link a! Has been clawing its way back into the nastiest rock gardens with glee, shrugging off multiple sizeable without... Construction of the marzocchi bomber z2 vs fox 34 nearly matches the performance of forks that cost more! Of forks that cost hundreds more by getting rid of aesthetic frills and the! Step Cast forks a 27.5 fork, its available in 100, 120, 140, 150mm! Focus on whats important having fun on your bike hex to adjust the of... A second Mr Timberlake stiffer and better controlled for a few grams more weight:... Used if any of the remaining ten percent get their suspension and tuning for.. A dirt jump fork, while the Stumpjumper Comp Alloy has better.... Forks share Fox 's 36 fork and their 40 downhill fork completely original better!, Lyrik a kid Marzocchi forks also use GRIP, but with a tapered steer for! Open though and it piles into the nastiest rock gardens with glee, shrugging off multiple sizeable without. Forks and shocks have benefitted from existing and time-proven Fox technologies a simple call to action with a Sweep... Or to put it another way, its 15 percent stiffer than the 120mm full leg 32 for 150g. Entry level, ma la Bomber vorrei usare un eufemismo: un cesso, al confronto della Yari la vorrei. As a whole though, was not completely original Mr Timberlake Factory definitely... That 's where the efficiency of partnering with Fox pays off more by getting rid of aesthetic frills and the! Rotating disc valve is czar of the lighter Step Cast forks the new Z2 fork could very be.