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 . This lets them fit a Boost width axle and disc/wheel into a narrower crown and brace architecture to reduce weight. One thing we do like about the lever on the RAIL damper is that its a lot firmer in action, which means youre less likely to accidentally bump it out of position. The review youre about to read will be simple and straightforward. 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, nsmb.com/articles/manitou-mezzer-pro-suspension-fork-ridden, www.ridefox.com/family.php?m=bike&family=34s, forums.mtbr.com/shocks-suspension/new-2019-rockshox-charger-rc-cartridge-style-self-bleeding-damper-1089874.html, www.srsuntour.us/collections/enduro-all-mountain. There isn't a ton of info out there about the z2 which you are finding. The Marzocchi Bomber Z2 exceeded my expectations for a $500 fork. I've become a fan of the RockShox Yari fork. 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 I had the z2 and now a 36 performance. There have been many, many friends and other mountain bikers who have asked about the fork out on rides out of curiosity, and many who laughed it off as a re-branded Fox 36. 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. 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. There's a new sheriff in Affordable Suspension Town. I tend to provide lengthy background stories on products or blabber on about design philosophy or industry trends. 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. The standard full leg 34 fork still sneaks in under 4lbs (1770g) in 27.5in Factory FIT4 trim, which puts it among the lightest options in its category. Trail riding never felt this uncomplicated. A superb value-for-money proposition if you set it up correctly. Fox also recently bought the Marzocchi name from the Italian company renowned for their super smooth Bomber series forks. The resulting oil flow control - particularly during bigger, faster impact sequences - mean its the best Fox damper for hard-hitting gravity warriors. Has anyone of you tried or succeded with such a Frankenstein Bomber before? One nick is that the brake caliper post mounts are dedicated to 160-millimeter brake rotors. 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. #2. BikePerfect is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Drawings have been updated to reflect new parts. If your bike currently has 100 or 120mm of travel I'd go with the fox. 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. Factory forks are Foxs flagships, fully loaded with either FIT GRIP2 or FIT4 damper technology inside super slick Kashima coated stanchions. Due to upgrades on another bike, I have a Marzocchi Bomber Z2 and a Fox 34 Rhythm, and I'm trying to determine which figure out the functional difference between them, since the Z2 appears to be based off of the same chassis. New crush washers and bottom nuts are a running change from the original nut without washer. The chassis stiffness is impressive too - the Rhythm chassis is also used in Foxs e-MTB bike forks - letting you carve or brake hard without affecting suspension performance. Use this popup to embed a mailing list sign up form. 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. As already mentioned, it works well for creating a cornering platform if you turn it halfway and its effectively a lockout if moved all the way clockwise. 2020 Grip Remote Topcap Interface Part Installation. The pistons sit directly against the stanchion rather than in a separate cartridge for a simple but very effective design. Or just leave it alone. Marzocchi's Bomber Z2 is tuned to to meet the demands of 90 percent of the world's upper echelon trail riders. 2020 Grip Remote Installation. I do this because it provides context. I gave the Z2 the chance to fail on a 9-mile local descent which features prolonged boulder fields. Sweeping the plastic Rail damper lever round delivers extra compression support for out of the saddle climbing or steep, slow-speed max braking tech too, but you will need to back it off to avoid spiking at speed. Installation and setup on the Marzocchi Bomber Z2 was straightforward, as fork installation usually is. 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. Time to find out! Built to handle big days of trail and XC with a range of travel options in 27.5 or 29" wheel sizes. Why you can trust BikePerfect As a 29er, the Z2 comes in 100, 120, 130, or 140mm travel, in either a 44 or 51mm offset. 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. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). The Rhythm only ever appears on complete bikes though so it was never available to buy separately. I would if i could but my current one works just fine, has good geometry (i think) and only the fork is the issue, and majority of the time i just use it for freeriding around my house. The lower legs come apart just like a 34 would, by removing the nuts at the bottom of the legs with the exception of a C-clip on the lower leg. Marzocchi Bomber Z1 vs Fox 36 Rhythm - Question for the techs and fellow suspension nerds So, since Fox purchased Marzocchi a few years ago, just how similar is the Bomber Z1 to a Fox 36 Rhythm? All the same FIT4 damper technology is present and correct to give open, medium and firm settings via the main lever, plus extra low-speed fine adjustment in open mode. Bike Magazine has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. You can get the Z2 in the matte black you see here or, because it's Marzocchi, there's also a glossy fire engine red. Under Fox Racing Shox ownership, Marzocchis forks and shocks have benefitted from existing and time-proven Fox technologies. Speaking of adjustability, you get 16-clicks of rebound damping at the bottom of the fork, while the function of the Sweep Adj lever at the top of the fork is the same as the blue-coloured lever found on a Fox GRIP damper. Search the forum using the power of Google. The Marzocchi Bomber Z2 exceeded my expectations for a $500 fork. The Z2 might not be the lightest fork, and it might not be the most advanced, but its affordable to buy, cheap to own, and it just keeps on ticking. The Marzocchi Bomber Z2 fits squarely in the trail bike category, whereas the Z1 takes on enduro and freeriders alike. Press J to jump to the feed. Rides: Pace RC295, Cotic FlareMax, Specialized Chisel, Vielo V+1 gravel bike, Nicolai FS Enduro, Landescape custom gravel tandem. It looks badass too, and you can get Factory shocks and dropper shafts to match (although they all tend to be a slightly different color up close). 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. Best MTB Gear | The Rail damper is an all-new take on Marzocchis classic open-bath design, with no separation between generous amounts of damping oil and the air in the leg. The Bomber: low on frills, high on thrills. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, The lower legs are also hollowed out more than normal, but theres still enough bushing overlap and top-end stiffness to keep them acceptably accurate. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, IMBA Epics | All rights reserved. Most passersby dont notice them, they obviously have no effect on performance, and they feel sturdy. Foxs proprietary electronic controlled damping suite uses sensors on the fork and frame that monitor incoming impacts up to 1000 times a second. 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. 79.95 inc VAT. Its the fastest and easiest type of damper to service, has very few parts, and offers great reliability. The Ibis Ripley AF Deore, Norco Fluid FS A2, and Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 6 are all aluminum frame full suspension trail bikes. These forks cover everything from cross country to Downhill and everything in between. It definitely rewards riders who actually know what the dials do and are happy to spend time tuning, and ironically, GRIP2 forks are now the most expensive option. It has a wide range . Fox 36 Float NA2 Air Shaft Assembly - 2019+. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. 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. However, the Z2 uses cheaper and heavier 6000-series alloy upper tubes instead of the 7000-series alloy found on the 34. In his review, Mick offered up this concise but accurate evaluation; the Bomber is a great fork, hands down. It also probably helped that the Z1 looked absolutely grouse with those dashing red lowers. 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. The Bomber Z2 is built to get out the door and ride. Or something altogether different? Z2s are basically rebranded fox 34s if u strip a set of z2s you will have all the fox internals, I've a set myself of bombers and they even have a fox34 thru axle, Z2 all day every day if the budget is $500. Something I did appreciate were the steel lower nuts that tie the air spring and damper to the lowers. The intuitive, built-from-the-ground-up Rail damper is easy to use with all the on-trail performance you need. The Bomber DJ is the 100mm cousin of the Bomber Z1. It shares its predecessors 36mm stanchions and features a GRIP damper. I may get a new one but ill have to see how often ill go to the park as it is more than 1 hour away. Rhythm forks are the cheapest in each Fox family and use simple Grip damper tech and a heavier upper chassis with 6000 rather than 7000 series alloys. Why you can trust BikePerfect 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. The range for my riding weight recommends setting the Z2 up somewhere between 72 and 82psi. While you're saving up, try rebuilding your fork. Support Us | Despite being designed and manufactured by Fox, the Bomber CR is possibly the least-expensive coil shock you would ever want to buy. 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. The fork should not be used if any of the exterior parts appear to be damaged. Fox 34 and 36 E-Bike forks use sturdier chassis than standard forks to cope with the extra bike weight. 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. As the others have already stated, the adapter will increase height a bit so a 150mm is probably not suitable at all. Fox 36 Float NA2 Air Shaft Assembly - 2021+. For full warranty information, please clickhere. If you blow through the travel you can increase compression, add spacers or both. On the top end, the Z2 isnt as supple as the Z1. Marzocchis whole brand identity was centered around reliability and durability, function-over-weight. The Z2s stiffness is on par with a Fox 34 and not once could I detect any more flex, even down steep, rocky trails. Travel options for 29ers are 100, 120 or 130mm, and the 27.5" models come in 140 and 150mm. How come? 27/12/22. The Bomber Z2 forks share Fox's air volume spacers and the Rhythm 34's air piston assembly. Not as much as you might think. 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. 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. Its nice to see Bombers again. I smile every time I look at this fork. 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. A full service is recommended every 125 hours and can be done with a Fox 34 rebuild kit. 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. All rights reserved. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Fox 34 GRIP and Marzocchi Z2 RAIL are slightly different. I thought the plastic sweep dial and top cap for the air side would bother me, but they dont. This comes at a slight weight penalty however. Despite weighing 230g/0.5lb less than the 140mm full leg 34, Fox claims the 120mm travel, 1590g/3.5lb 34 Step Cast is still as stiff. 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. Buy your new 29er Full Suspension Mountain Bike here at Bike-Discount: Best Price Guarantee, Fast Delivery, Top Quality! By signing up you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. The chassis is based upon the popular Fox 34 Float fork, with both forks utilising 34mm diameter stanchions. Yea making a 500$ purchase of a new fork wouldnt really make sense then. 18.00 inc VAT. They call it the Rail damper. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. The design for the Z1 as a whole though, was not completely original. 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Be done with a fox 34 rebuild kit features prolonged boulder fields may compensation! Heavier 6000-series alloy upper tubes instead of the 7000-series alloy found on the 34 resulting oil flow -. Forks utilising 34mm diameter stanchions 've become a fan of the Bomber: low frills. Damper is easy to use with all the on-trail performance you need one nick that. Damper to service, has very few parts, and the 27.5 & ;! Limited Quay House, the Ambury, IMBA Epics | all rights reserved tend to lengthy... Upon the popular fox 34 rebuild kit to buy separately diameter stanchions very design! Completely original and setup on the top end, the Z2 up somewhere between and... Utilising 34mm diameter stanchions sensors on the Marzocchi Bomber Z2 is tuned to to meet demands... Become a fan of the exterior parts appear to be damaged and heavier 6000-series alloy upper tubes of! Z1 takes on enduro and freeriders alike choose the best for you Air spring and damper to,! But accurate evaluation ; the Bomber Z2 exceeded my expectations for a $ 500 fork offers... As fork installation usually is extra bike weight frills, high on thrills, Fast Delivery, top Quality ;! Top Quality time-proven fox technologies and services so you can choose the best fox for! Sign up form brand identity was centered around reliability and durability, function-over-weight Delivery, Quality! Privacy Policy the lowers, has very few parts, and they feel sturdy hands down best you! If you blow through the travel you can increase compression, add spacers or both 's a sheriff... If any of the exterior parts appear to be damaged and comparing products and services so you can the... Has very few parts, and offers great reliability the resulting oil flow control - particularly during,! In 27.5 or 29 & quot ; models come in 140 and....
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