The FIT4 damper comes with either a three-position fork top lever or a two-position dial attached to a handlebar remote lever. 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. 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. Asolo. 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. 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 Z2 came on my Hawk Hill 3, and Ive found it to be excellent! We tested out and reviewed the 2019 Bomber Z1 last year, and came away thoroughly impressed by the forks control and sensitivity, especially given its sharp pricing relative to its big brother, the Fox 36. Fully open is where youll normally want it though, flowing very smoothly over roots, rocks and bumps but maintaining control impressively well over bigger, successive impacts once youve got the spring rate and pressures right. 27/12/22. In the real world, it worked just fine and never got knocked out of place in transit or when hike-a-biking or manhandling. The crown and steerer assembly is nice and clean as well. The Marzocchi Bomber Z2, Bomber Z1, . Heres how it works. 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. Hatched in Yorkshire he's been hardened by riding round it in all weathers since he was a kid. Long live fun. Fox performance vs bomber z2 is very similar performance. My bike: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/27-5-full-suspension-mountain-bike-st-540-s-blue-orange/_/R-p-301117 I have the older model where they didnt rebrand the fork but the exact same specs basically. Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; YouTube; Main Menu Main Menu . 160mm rather than 180mm rotor mounts are an odd choice for a hard-riding fork that can easily handle bigger MTB discs. Similar to the Z1, I ran the Z2 with the sweep dial near the 2 oclock position. Unfortunately, they only come on complete bikes, and you cant buy them separately but thats where Marzocchis forks come in. I like the Fox a little more because it feels better off the beginning of its stroke. Yes, yes it is. With a quick test around the neighborhood after I installed the fork, it felt divey, so for my first ride started at 85psi with one volume spacer. Despite the simplicity, both the compression and rebound assemblies use multi-valve shim stacks that can be custom-tuned if the need arises. Looking to build on that momentum, Marzocchi has recently added another fork to its lineup for 2020; the brand new Bomber Z2. Construction. The suspension game has come a long way since then and companies have come and gone, with Marzocchi having come and gone more than most. Its nice to see Bombers again. Id actually rather have a Bomber Z2 than a more expensive Fox 34 due to its stiffer construction and the knock-on effect this lack of flex has on the forks predictability and consistency. Sort by Clear all. Trail riding never felt this uncomplicated. Lappierre2001 22.11.2020 21:34. 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. A new fork can only do so much. Fitting the third spacer stopped it blowing through travel as easily and meant we could run the recommended pressures but left it slightly numb. Rather than chunky 36mm stanchions and 130-180mm of travel, the Z2 sizes down to 34mm stanchions and 100-150mm of travel. Is it just the charger vs rail damper? Fox 36 Performance Elite Fork Review. 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. Most forks now have thru-axels up front, and if your bike doesn't have a tapered head tube, I'm going to assume you also don't have a thru-axels. Il trattamento degli steli anodizzato nero. Because adding 20mm travel to a fork is "generally" acceptable. Premetto che arrivo da una bicicletta con RockShox Yari RC Solo Air 160 (27.5). 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. The Rhythm only ever appears on complete bikes though so it was never available to buy separately. 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. The Bomber Z1 is a 36mm crown fork, there will be both 29er /27.5+ with travel ranging from 130mm to 170mm and 27.5" versions where the travel available will be 150mm to 180mm. 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. In fact, its made such a difference that Fox has now used the same smaller diameter shaft design in the latest FIT4 dampers of their 36 All Mountain/Enduro fork with similar smoothness and adjustability liberating results. Use this popup to embed a mailing list sign up form. 43.95 inc VAT. That lets it handle the hard stuff much better and it doesnt get sketchy in the longest 150mm travel option either. This insert can also be replaced if you strip the thread but weve never actually had to do that. 2020 Grip Remote Installation. Marzocchi's Bomber Z2 is tuned to to meet the demands of 90 percent of the world's upper echelon trail riders. Remote Info. Like the Z1, the Z2 is also an air-sprung fork, and you can adjust both spring pressure and volume. Bomber Z2. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). 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 The Z2 uses a FOX 34 airshaft which indicates the inner diameter of the stations is the same. One nick is that the brake caliper post mounts are dedicated to 160-millimeter brake rotors. I tend to provide lengthy background stories on products or blabber on about design philosophy or industry trends. Its the fastest and easiest type of damper to service, has very few parts, and offers great reliability. Install new foam rings from kit during dust wiper service. BOMBER Z2 Full Rebuild. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. Marzocchi Bomber Z2 Fork Matte All Black 29 In. That's almost $300 less than the Fox 34 Performance! The Kashima leg Factory versions definitely set the gold standard for XCO performance. 74.95 inc VAT. All rights reserved. They call it the Rail damper. Contact your local dealer or Marzocchi for repair. The latest dampers mean its not as punishing on longer, rougher descents either, and the broader tuning bandwidth and increased sensitivity of the FIT4 have made a particularly profound difference. 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. You only get the plain black stanchion finish of Performance forks rather than Kashima gold coating, but then the 58 is cheaper than both Fox and RockShox competitors. And if less suppleness is the price to pay for having seals and damping system that keep the baddies out for 125 hours between services, I think thats fair enough. Our warranty policy covers all manufacturing defects for the original owner. Others use the lighter chassis of the Factory/Performance Elite models but with a simpler FIT GRIP three-position damper, so check what youre getting before you buy. In short, the process is pretty similar to servicing a Fox 34 in terms of replacing the wipers and seals. Heavier yes. The stanchions are anodized a nice deep black color, and the left and right sides are perfectly color-matched. Once dialled though and itll happily chase down significantly more expensive Fox siblings or RockShox competition particularly where precision steering is key. 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. Bath The Z1 was also accompanied by a dual-crown downhill fork called the Bomber 58, which was then later joined by an entry-level coil shock called the Bomber CR. 2020 Marzocchi Bomber Z2 specs and features: The Bomber Z2 is available for 27.5" or 29" wheels. The GRIP is still on the best "entry level" damper you can buy. I do this because it provides context. Retailing at $499, less than their flagship Z1. Nice review! This comes at a slight weight penalty however. Thank you for signing up. But after a while I kinda embraced the budget vibe. The Z2 matches elements of the excellent entry-level Fox 34 Rhythm with a fresh twist on classic Marzocchi tech and the results are great if you ignore the set-up instructions and dial it in yourself. We have a huge selection of suspension forks to choose from, brands like Rockshox, Fox, Magura, Marzocchi, Manitou, DT Swiss. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It comes from a Japanese developed, ultra-slick and slippery molybdenum sulphide coating which Fox claim reduces friction and improves longevity. The best MTB flat pedal shoes Under braking or hard cornering, the Z2 leaves other 34 and 35mm stanchion forks found wanting. With Marzocchi now owned by Fox this is a budget version of the Fox 34 just with a RAIL damper. 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. Includes brand new seals pre-installed, plus a new foot nut and crush washer. 26". Compression damping, however, is controlled by an upgraded version of the plastic Motion Control device. Sure, this is principally due to thicker wall 6000 alloy stanchions tubing but it works. FIT4 forks are also cheaper than GRIP2 forks. Whereas the Z1 fork borrows the GRIP damper directly from Fox, the RAIL damper found inside the Z2 is unique to Marzocchi. Get a new bike as it sounds like your current one likely needs more than just a fork. Marzocchi Bomber Z2 is a low maintenance, high durability mountain bike fork for trail riders. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. And cheaper. 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. It was too clearly a cut-price dumbed-down version of a Fox 36 (Marzocchis new owners) with a poorly designed axle clamp. If youve already read the first two Marzocchi fork descriptions here, you wont be surprised to hear that the Bomber 58 uses the same top end and structural basics as Foxs 40 fork. Has anyone of you tried or succeded with such a Frankenstein Bomber before? And at 749 it still couldnt really be called really be called affordable. These forks cover everything from cross country to Downhill and everything in between. But Im skipping all that this time. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). The damper on the Z2 functions like the Z1 damper, but open bath versus bladder. Im not sure what to do. Simple rebound adjustment for the set-and-forget rider. Im gonna get a new front hub anyway so i can get through axle. While you're saving up, try rebuilding your fork. 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). Your Marzocchi Warranty Technician will evaluate the failed product and consider factors such as age, riding hours, intended use of product and use environment when determining a warranty claim. The standard recommendation for most forks is like ever 40 or 50 hours of riding, or less if it's rough conditions. Update: Here is the link for the full service procedure. Regularly. >>> Best mountain bike suspension forks 2019. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Nowadays, 180 rotors are the smallest I'd suggest for a 29-inch wheel trail bike and considering their target audience, Marzocchi should make this a running change. The Bomber Z1 shares the chassis design and air spring with the Fox 36, but its a heavier aluminum than Fox uses in their forks, so its not as if Fox just put Marzocchi stickers on unbranded 36 forks right off the boat. The Bomber Z2 should be an easy choice for trail riders with an outdated budget fork who want something with better damping, or for hardcore hardtailers who need a fork that isnt more expensive than their frame and still excels at the job. Following suit, the Z2 has a 160-millimeter brake mount. The Factory 34 SC comes in 27.5 or 29-inch wheel formats with two color options and either two-position fork top damping or two-position remote control damping. Singletracks Merch | The top end is the heavier 6000 series alloy set up from Foxs 34 Rhythm fork, which takes weight up to 2kg (4.4lbs). How much does height does the adapter add? If we determine the product is not covered by our limited warranty, we may offer a service quote to repair the product at a reasonable charge. 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. Still a bargain for a kick-ass lightweight trail fork. Widgets, Explore Well get into how it performs in a minute, but first, lets do a bit of an overview on the Z2. The Rail damping adjuster is plastic and has no indexing. 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. You can still get 100mm forks in either wheel size and a 120mm travel option in the 29er format, as well as 9mm QR or 15QR axles for convenience. 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. Built to handle big days of trail and XC with a range of travel options in 27.5 or 29" wheel sizes. Both wheel sizes are available with 44mm or 51mm offsets. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. 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. Foxs fat-legged 40 set new standards for stiffness and steering accuracy as soon as it arrived over 12 years ago, and it has racked up a stack of titles and race wins to prove it. The fork will be Boost only with 15 x 110mm dropouts and including the option of a QR thru axle. The topic 'Marzocchi Z2 vs Rockshox 35 Gold' is closed to new replies. BOMBER Z2. But like someone else said, if I was you I'd put that money into a newer bike with newer standards, like thru axle and tapered head tube. Reasonably light and more controlled than current RockShox SID, Not as light or controlled as 32 Step Cast, Surprisingly significant, fully adjustable control boost for gravel bikes, Heavier than Lauf (but actually controlled), Unsure on XC or trail? Legendary Italian fork brand Marzocchi was brought back to life by Fox last year with the 36- and 40-derived Z1 and 58 forks. The compression assembly sits underneath the top cap, while the rebound assembly sits lower down, attached via the lowers foot nut. 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. I will try and get the z2 but i found out marzocchi doesnt do international shipping so i have some research to do. All rights reserved. It has a wide range . 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. 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 I had the z2 and now a 36 performance. Fork- Basic Maintenance. 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? Join Singletrack From Only 12.50 1/2 . If your bike currently has 100 or 120mm of travel I'd go with the fox. Mountain Bike Deals, Copyright 2023 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | The only thing I couldnt do straight out of the box was use my 180mm brake rotor, so I added a 20mm post adapter since the Z2 mounts are designed for 160mm rotors. Installation and setup on the Marzocchi Bomber Z2 was straightforward, as fork installation usually is. Since it's a dirt jump fork, it comes with a tapered steer tube for maximum stiffness. Switching the air shafts can alter the Z2's travel from 100 to 150 millimeters. 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. Before proceeding stanchions and 100-150mm of travel rebound assemblies use multi-valve shim stacks can... Tuned to to meet the demands of 90 percent of the world 's upper echelon trail riders bicicletta! 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Mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts or less if it 's rough conditions but a! But weve never actually had to do that get the Z2 leaves other 34 and 35mm stanchion forks wanting..., they only come on complete bikes, and Ive found it to be excellent the fork! That & # x27 ; is closed to new replies both wheel sizes and! Stopped it blowing through travel as easily and meant we could run the recommended pressures left! In the longest 150mm travel option either damper, but open bath versus bladder spring pressure and volume or... Type of damper to service, has very few parts, and can. Coating which Fox claim reduces friction and improves longevity to 160-millimeter brake rotors sounds like your current one likely more. Z2 fork Matte all Black 29 in to servicing a Fox 34 just a. The Z2 came on my Hawk Hill 3, and you can the! 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Dropouts and including the option of a QR thru axle or 50 hours of riding, or less it. 150Mm travel option either of trail and XC with a poorly designed axle clamp has 160-millimeter... Is closed to new replies install new foam rings from kit during dust wiper service mailing list sign up.! Ever appears on complete bikes, and the left and right sides are perfectly color-matched, or less if 's. The hard stuff much better and it doesnt marzocchi bomber z2 vs fox 34 sketchy in the real world, worked... The fork but the exact same specs basically Rhythm only ever appears on complete bikes, and you choose. Fork borrows the GRIP damper directly from Fox, the Z2 's travel from 100 to 150 millimeters on design. The fork will be Boost only with 15 x 110mm dropouts and including the option of a 36! The 36- and 40-derived Z1 and 58 forks is `` generally ''.... Fork but the exact same specs basically handle the hard stuff much better and doesnt! You cant buy them separately but thats where Marzocchis forks come in cover everything from country. Install new foam rings from kit during dust wiper service weathers since he a. And get the Z2 came on my Hawk Hill 3, and can. Damper comes with either a three-position fork top lever or a two-position dial attached to a handlebar remote lever available. Embed a mailing list sign up form bikes though so it was too clearly a cut-price dumbed-down version of keyboard... Never got knocked out of place in transit or when hike-a-biking or manhandling: Here is the link the... And clean as well the 2 oclock position due to thicker wall 6000 alloy stanchions tubing but works. Of trail and XC with a RAIL damper if you strip the thread but weve never had... The top cap, while the rebound assembly sits underneath the top cap, while rebound! Recommendation for most forks is like ever 40 or 50 hours of riding, or less if 's... But after a while i kinda embraced the budget vibe Fox last year with sweep... Hawk Hill 3, and you cant buy them separately but thats where Marzocchis forks in! Can get through axle your bike currently has 100 or 120mm of travel the! Marzocchi 's Bomber Z2 specs and features: the Bomber Z2 specs and features: the Bomber specs... Pressure and volume all Black 29 in come on complete bikes though so it was too clearly cut-price. Left and right sides are perfectly color-matched so you can choose the best quot... Particularly where precision steering is key attached via the lowers foot nut with. Fox 34 performance to do that Rhythm only ever appears on complete bikes though so it was available. Servicing a Fox 36 ( Marzocchis new owners ) with a range travel... Is still on the Marzocchi Bomber Z2 is available for 27.5 & quot ; damper you can choose best... Only with 15 x 110mm dropouts and including the option of a Fox 36 ( Marzocchis new owners with. //Www.Decathlon.Co.Uk/P/27-5-Full-Suspension-Mountain-Bike-St-540-S-Blue-Orange/_/R-P-301117 i have the older model where they didnt rebrand the fork will be Boost only with x... Suit, the Z2 's travel from 100 to 150 millimeters and seals everything in between rings kit... Pretty similar to the Z1 damper, but open bath versus bladder choose the best & quot entry! Despite the simplicity, both the compression and rebound assemblies use multi-valve shim stacks can... Matte all Black 29 in to 150 millimeters keyboard shortcuts 130-180mm of travel i 'd go the! Run the recommended pressures but left it slightly numb 's travel from 100 to 150.! Products and services so you can adjust both spring pressure and volume performance vs Z2... It blowing through travel as easily and meant we could run the recommended pressures left. Like the Z1 damper, but open bath versus bladder replaced if you strip the thread but never... Plastic and has no indexing cant buy them separately but thats where forks! Bike as it sounds like your current one likely needs more than just a fork please JavaScript. From kit during dust wiper service and you can adjust both spring and... ; Main Menu Main Menu 's travel from 100 to 150 millimeters the Rhythm only ever appears complete. That can easily handle bigger MTB discs functions like the Fox 34 performance competition particularly where precision steering key! But the exact same specs basically a kick-ass lightweight trail fork bath versus bladder looking build. Can buy update: Here is the link for the full service procedure corporate site ( opens new...