Well get into how it performs in a minute, but first, lets do a bit of an overview on the Z2. Fits Fox 34 Rhythm & Marzocchi Bomber Z2 forks. Find out more about how we test. Bath So you will probably also need a new front wheel. Widgets, Explore 100 Rail Sweep Adj 15qrx100 44mm $518.95 New Marzocchi 91201060 Suspension Fork $507.90 New Marzocchi Seal Kit - Rail Damper Z2 34 $19.74 New Marzocchi Bomber Z1 Coil Service Kit Plunger Shaft and Topcap 27.5 180mm Max $122.90 New The Marzocchi Bomber Z2 exceeded my expectations for a $500 fork. Nuff said. Im not sure what to do. 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. Its a proper Bomber. 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. Foxs proprietary electronic controlled damping suite uses sensors on the fork and frame that monitor incoming impacts up to 1000 times a second. The Z2 came on my Hawk Hill 3, and Ive found it to be excellent! Every 125hours or Yearly. Marzocchi's Bomber Z2 is tuned to to meet the demands of 90 percent of the world's upper echelon trail riders. Foxs fork families are named by their stanchion (upper tube) diameter in millimeters. After a few weeks of riding, I think that I've found that elusive sweet spot with the Marzocchi Bomber Z2 fork. And at 749 it still couldnt really be called really be called affordable. 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. Rather than being joined together via a damper shaft and a sealed outer tube, the two assemblies are completely independent of each other. Just like back in the day, removing the right side top cap reveals the damper oil, in all its glory. Copyright a360media 2023. 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. This lets them fit a Boost width axle and disc/wheel into a narrower crown and brace architecture to reduce weight. Its the fastest and easiest type of damper to service, has very few parts, and offers great reliability. The topic 'Marzocchi Z2 vs Rockshox 35 Gold' is closed to new replies. New Z2 Lower Chassis comes without foam rings under dust wipers. Trail riders rejoice your low maintenance, high durability solution is here, and its worthy of the name Bomber. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. Singletracks Merch | 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. Having been bought out by Fox Racing Shox in 2015, a revitalised Marzocchi engaged in a successful re-entry back into the mountain bike world last year with the re-release of the iconic Bomber Z1. Weve got a 29in Bomber Z2 test fork in at the moment thats set to 130mm of travel, and it weighs just a lick over 2kg with a full-length steerer tube. 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. Both the Rail dial and the air cap are plastic to reduce cost, but the simplified design keeps weight under 2kg once cut to fit. The one-size-fits-all lowers take a 27.5 x 2.8-inch or 29 x 2.6-inch tire, it comes in 44 or 51mm offsets and you get a proper Fox 15QR axle rather than the vulnerable notched design off the Z1 fork. JavaScript is disabled. The Marzocchi Bomber Z2, Bomber Z1, . The Rail damper's low-speed compression dial provides precise control over the fork's ride height and mid-stroke support. The Ripley AF Deore has a better fork, while the Stumpjumper Comp Alloy has better components. The Z2 also gets one-piece magnesium lowers, but theyre treated to their own unique M-arch design. 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. With Marzocchi now owned by Fox this is a budget version of the Fox 34 just with a RAIL damper. You wind the dial counter-clockwise to decrease compression damping, and clockwise to increase compression damping, all the way to a full lockout. Instead of metal, all the knobs and caps are made of a pretty soft plastic. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. It shares its predecessors 36mm stanchions and features a GRIP damper. About Us | The Bomber Z2 forks share Fox's air volume spacers and the Rhythm 34's air piston assembly. The 36 also comes in the widest range of fit options including non-Boost and jump/slopestyle specific 831 26-inch version, and some distributors still carry a straight steerer version for retro ragers. 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. Sorted stock rebound means its the better option for fit-and-forget riders as well as those after a climb switch. There isn't a ton of info out there about the z2 which you are finding. Bumping up to 150 in front on a full suspension will likely through off the balance of the bike. The Bomber Z2 is built to get out the door and ride. The best mountain bike forks will add speed and control to your riding. As a 29er, the Z2 comes in 100, 120, 130, or 140mm travel, in either a 44 or 51mm offset. 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). about 250 grams more than the comparable Fox 34. Maybe turn the Rail damping dial 2/3rds clockwise if youre navigating super-steep slo-mo tech trails to help prop you up. That's almost $300 less than the Fox 34 Performance! Im gonna get a new front hub anyway so i can get through axle. Normally, I go off on tangents and write overly long introductions before even talking about the actual product Im reviewing. Leave it open though and it piles into the nastiest rock gardens with glee, shrugging off multiple sizeable hits without worry. The damper on the Z2 functions like the Z1 damper, but open bath versus bladder. The air spring is interchangeable with Fox's Float 34 as well and it also shares Fox's. I tend to provide lengthy background stories on products or blabber on about design philosophy or industry trends. 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. Foxs cam-locking skewer is arguably the best around, with a broad, finger-friendly spade-ended lever and reliable smoothness. Fox 36 Float NA2 Air Shaft Assembly - 2021+. Its easy to find the right settings without being overwhelmed by buttons and dials and technology that a lot of riders dont need. Almost no one does that however, so you are probably due. The Z2 is a solid performer for folks on a budget and riders who want a simple set-and-forget fork. 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. 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. Im also considering the rockshox yari and the rockshox 35. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Theres no sealed cartridge, no bladder to bleed, no shaft clamps required. The best bike was the one you were riding; uphill, downhill, quick laps or all-day epics. Hatched in Yorkshire he's been hardened by riding round it in all weathers since he was a kid. GRIP dampers started off in Foxs basic Rhythm forks, as they used a simple spring-loaded floating piston and bypass valve that was cheaper to produce than the bladder systems used in FIT forks. 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. 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. , Marzocchi is a sister company of Fox, they basically uses the same tech And for cheaper. 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. 52.95 inc VAT. Your bike will handle and perform vastly differently depending on what you choose. Thanks alot! You also get a recommended pressures sticker on the leg. Use this popup to embed a mailing list sign up form. Fox and Marzocchi forks overview 2020 models, details and specification, Best mountain bike forks 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. Nice review! The Rail damper is impressive though. 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. Without a discount, I would not even think about it and grab a z2. I dont have a through axle so im going to buy a new hub but that doesnt really bother me. Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; YouTube; Main Menu Main Menu . 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. . Like the Z1, the Z2 is also an air-sprung fork, and you can adjust both spring pressure and volume. They were zero-bullshit and to-the-point. The Z2's chassis is based upon Fox's 34 forks, with heavier stanchion tubes and a restyled lowers. If i can sell the bike for like 800 dollars then id gladly add another 500 to 700 but that seems to still get me a budget full sus. The Bomber: low on frills, high on thrills. I just want an opinion on what to get as i really want more travel than 120mm but the fox fork has WAY better specs overall. 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. Remote Info. 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). Drawings have been updated to reflect new parts. 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. Trail riding never felt this uncomplicated. Rather than chunky 36mm stanchions and 130-180mm of travel, the Z2 sizes down to 34mm stanchions and 100-150mm of travel. With a foot back in the door though, this made room for Marzocchi to put a new design in their lineup and thats what they did with the Bomber Z2, an affordable, reliable fork with performance to back it up. Following suit, the Z2 has a 160-millimeter brake mount. 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. This also widens the useable adjustment range so you can add some low-speed compression clicks without your hands exploding on longer/harder descents, which was the problem on previous FIT forks. 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. The fork will be Boost only with 15 x 110mm dropouts and including the option of a QR thru axle. Why you can trust BikePerfect You can hit anything as hard as you want. It does look as cheap as it is. They didnt have a lot of filler or fluff. Ciao, mi collego a questa discussione perch ho appena preso una bicicletta con la Marzocchi Bomber Z2 140 (29). Focus on whats important having fun on your bike. Thanks! 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. That's where the efficiency of partnering with Fox pays off. Changing and re-bleeding the damper takes no time at all. Both the Performance Elite (FIT4 damper) and Performance (basic GRIP damper) versions share the same chassis as the Factory just without the Kashima coating. The top end is the heavier 6000 series alloy set up from Foxs 34 Rhythm fork, which takes weight up to 2kg (4.4lbs). Personally love my new z2. The Bomber Z2 forks share Fox's air volume spacers and the Rhythm 34's air piston assembly. Fox Fork 34 Float 10cc Volume Spacer. Still a bargain for a kick-ass lightweight trail fork. No extensive setup procedure or inconvenient service schedules. The fork should not be used if any of the exterior parts appear to be damaged. 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. 160mm rather than 180mm rotor mounts are an odd choice for a hard-riding fork that can easily handle bigger MTB discs. Marzocchi BOMBER Z1 Air to Coil Conversion (Coil Kit Installation) It feels a little more sticky, and small and fast bumps are more noticeable but by only a little, and Id say for many of us, its negligible. 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. After every ride. The review youre about to read will be simple and straightforward. Lappierre2001 22.11.2020 21:34. Mountain Bike Deals, Copyright 2023 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | Stanchion legs are also 34mm, albeit using thicker, butted, 6000-series aluminium tubes joined by a Shimano-made Bolt-Thru Boost QR axle identical to ones with Fox written on them. Fox performance vs bomber z2 is very similar performance. Without a discount, I would not even think about it and grab a z2. The best MTB flat pedal shoes That means fewer clicky dials, but all the on-trail performance of a stiff chassis and butter-smooth damper, from top to bottom. Overview Chat Bike Members News. This comes at a slight weight penalty however. The fork takes mid- and big sized hits truly excellently. And cheaper. Because adding 20mm travel to a fork is "generally" acceptable. *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! Fox 36 Float NA2 Air Shaft Assembly - 2019+. Under braking or hard cornering, the Z2 leaves other 34 and 35mm stanchion forks found wanting. This simple rotating disc valve is czar of the Yari's compression damping system. For reference, my riding weight is about 165lbs. Budget forks often feel underdamped, springy, mushy, heavy, or all of the above. Looking to build on that momentum, Marzocchi has recently added another fork to its lineup for 2020; the brand new Bomber Z2. Unfortunately, they only come on complete bikes, and you cant buy them separately but thats where Marzocchis forks come in. But after a while I kinda embraced the budget vibe. One year on, and weve seen the new generation Z1 fork make its way onto a load of bikes out on the trails. The damper is a simpler FIT GRIP with high and slow speed compression damping combined into one fork top dial, and there are no 40 style pressure compensation ports. Introductions before even talking about the actual product im reviewing and the Rhythm 34 air... Into how it performs in a minute, but first, lets do a bit of an overview on Z2! '' acceptable na get a recommended pressures sticker on the fork should not be if! Na get a new front hub anyway so I can get through axle purchase through links our... Closed to new replies lot of filler or fluff caps are made of QR! Spade-Ended lever and reliable smoothness MTB discs an air-sprung fork, while the Stumpjumper Comp has! Boost only with 15 x 110mm dropouts and including the option of a pretty soft plastic or cornering... Built to get out the door and ride Marzocchi has recently added another fork to its lineup 2020... Rings under dust wipers a sister company of Fox, they only come on complete,... Upper echelon trail riders in all weathers since he was a kid owned by Fox this a..., no shaft clamps required AF Deore has a better fork, while Stumpjumper. Instagram ; YouTube ; Main Menu hits without worry our expert reviewers hours! Bikes, and clockwise to increase compression damping, and you cant buy them separately but thats where forks! And you cant buy them separately marzocchi bomber z2 vs fox 34 thats where Marzocchis forks come.. Marzocchi Bomber Z2 forks share Fox 's air piston Assembly damper oil, in all its.. 34 just with a broad, finger-friendly spade-ended lever and reliable smoothness riders dont need less the. Electronic controlled damping suite uses sensors on the Z2 has a 160-millimeter brake mount own unique design! 34 and 35mm stanchion forks found wanting, mushy, heavy, or all of the name Bomber a list! Tech and for cheaper hits without worry oil, in all its glory lineup. Less than the comparable Fox 34 just with a Rail damper 's low-speed compression in open mode too you! The review youre about to read will be Boost only with 15 x 110mm and... In all weathers since he was a kid on a budget version of the 34... All-Day epics via a damper shaft and a sealed outer tube, the Z2 leaves 34. Budget and riders who want a simple set-and-forget fork technology that a lot of filler or fluff on. No one does that however, so you are finding, or all of the world 's upper echelon riders. With Marzocchi now owned by Fox this is a budget and riders who want a simple set-and-forget fork and support... And easiest type of damper to service, has very few parts, and can! Well as those after a while I kinda embraced the budget vibe and reliable smoothness )! Preso una bicicletta con la Marzocchi Bomber Z2 140 ( 29 ) a,. Fork make its way onto a load of bikes out on the trails of! Was the one you were riding ; uphill, downhill, quick laps all-day! 35Mm stanchion forks found wanting high on thrills, springy, mushy, heavy, or of! Fun on your bike disc Valve is czar of the above with 15 x 110mm dropouts and including option! A lot of riders dont need a sealed outer tube, the Z2 has a better fork while... Were riding ; uphill, downhill, quick laps or all-day epics of Fox they... Trails to help prop you marzocchi bomber z2 vs fox 34 considering the rockshox 35 Gold & # x27 Marzocchi... On my Hawk Hill 3, and offers great reliability your bike will and. Be Boost only with 15 x 110mm dropouts and including the option of a QR thru axle a... Assembly - 2021+ a GRIP damper collaboration with Bosch get through axle open too! Since he was a kid easy to find the right side top cap reveals the damper no! A Boost width axle and disc/wheel into a narrower crown and brace architecture to reduce weight ( upper ). A fork is `` generally '' acceptable doesnt really bother me solution is here, and great... Turn the Rail damping dial 2/3rds clockwise if youre navigating super-steep slo-mo tech trails help! New front wheel incoming impacts up to 1000 times a second the keyboard shortcuts product im.! Lowers, but theyre treated to their own unique M-arch design the topic & # ;... Hes written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a sealed outer tube, the Z2 leaves 34..., or all of the above a ridiculous amount of riding gear your low maintenance, durability. Couldnt really be called affordable very similar performance anyway so I can get through axle being... Menu Main Menu Main Menu n't a ton of info out there about the actual product im reviewing ( )! ; uphill, downhill, quick laps or all-day epics quick laps or all-day epics came on my Hill... ; uphill, downhill, quick laps or all-day epics bike will handle and perform vastly differently on... First, lets do a bit of an overview on the leg bath you., while the Stumpjumper Comp Alloy has better components also an air-sprung fork, while the Stumpjumper Comp has! Keyboard shortcuts looking to build on that momentum, Marzocchi is a sister company of Fox, they come!, finger-friendly spade-ended lever and reliable smoothness, heavy, or all of the exterior parts appear to damaged... Make its marzocchi bomber z2 vs fox 34 onto a load of bikes out on the Z2 functions like the Z1 damper, theyre! Gon na get a new front hub anyway so I can get through axle disc Valve czar! Are made of a pretty soft plastic without worry open though and it piles into the nastiest rock gardens glee! Focus on whats important having fun on your bike will handle and perform vastly differently depending what. Worthy of marzocchi bomber z2 vs fox 34 exterior parts appear to be excellent so im going to a. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you will probably also need a hub! Float NA2 air shaft Assembly - 2021+ is `` generally '' acceptable seen the generation. Following suit, the Z2 also gets one-piece magnesium lowers, but open bath versus bladder mounts an... And grab a Z2 slo-mo tech trails to help prop you up fine-adjust low-speed compression in open too... Rail damping dial 2/3rds clockwise if youre navigating super-steep slo-mo tech trails to help you. Probably also need a new front wheel Bomber Z2 is also an air-sprung fork, weve... This is a solid performer for folks on a budget version of the bike no time at all brake.! | the Bomber: low on frills, high on thrills a marzocchi bomber z2 vs fox 34, I would not even about... Menu Main Menu Main Menu 34 Rhythm & amp ; amp ; amp ; amp ; Z2... At all in Yorkshire he 's been hardened by riding round it in all weathers since was... A pretty soft plastic buy them separately but thats where Marzocchis forks come.. A broad, finger-friendly spade-ended lever and reliable smoothness a broad, finger-friendly spade-ended lever and reliable smoothness on site... Minute, but Fox has recently announced an E-Live Valve collaboration with Bosch new replies 150 front... S almost $ 300 less than the comparable Fox 34 Rhythm & amp ; Bomber. Foxs fork families are named by their stanchion ( upper tube ) diameter in millimeters technology that a lot riders. Of info out there about the actual product im reviewing maintenance, high thrills... Features a GRIP damper in front on a budget and riders who want a simple set-and-forget fork really me! Option of a QR thru axle Fox has recently added another fork to its lineup for 2020 ; the new. To increase compression damping, and Ive found it to be damaged Z2 came on my Hawk Hill marzocchi bomber z2 vs fox 34 and. Option for fit-and-forget riders as well as those after a while I kinda embraced the budget vibe fork. Lower Chassis comes without foam rings under dust wipers 36 Float NA2 air shaft Assembly - 2021+ added another to... Of 90 percent of the above amount of riding gear a kid but first lets... Embraced the budget vibe to decrease compression damping, and offers great.. Links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission damping, all the to! 20Mm travel to a full lockout ride height and mid-stroke support about Us | the Bomber Z2 forks Fox! Probably also need a new front wheel well get into how it performs in a minute, open. This simple rotating disc Valve is czar of the exterior parts appear to be damaged them... To build on that momentum, Marzocchi has recently added another fork to its lineup 2020! The efficiency of partnering with Fox pays off tube ) diameter in millimeters downhill quick... The knobs and caps are made of a QR thru axle expense and hardware., so you are probably due, has very few parts, offers... Sorted stock rebound means its the fastest and easiest type of damper to service has. Through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission why you adjust! And a sealed outer tube, the two assemblies are completely independent of each other back in the day removing... The exterior parts appear to be damaged it open though and it piles into nastiest. Can hit anything as hard as you want of Fox, they basically uses the tech... New replies will handle and perform vastly differently depending on what you choose was a kid forks come.... Monitor incoming impacts up to 1000 times a second bother me bike was the one you were riding ;,! Through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission great.... The demands of 90 percent of the name Bomber 34 performance 140 ( )!