Can we have an honest conversation about suspension forks

[DieselnDust]

I saw a Marzocchi Z2 on a Giant Stance the other day. https://www.giant-bicycles.com/za/trance-29-3

 

Some that haven't been mentioned:

 

X-Fusion: Not that popular, but they make some nice forks and shocks.

 

DVO: Higher end, pretty nice.

 

 

Marzocchi is now positioned as an entry level product

Reviews aren't great either.  

[MrJacques]

A friend of mine bought a Trek Fuel Ex 7 that comes with the Rockshox Gold 35 fork. It had a lot of stiction in the initial travel, not very nice. Apparently not an uncommon issue with this fork. The bike shop had to open it and fix something with the bushings to make it smoother. It might have smoothed out on it's own eventually.

[thebob]

Marzocchi is now positioned as an entry level product

Reviews aren't great either.  

Sorry what? Z1 and Z2 are getting great reviews all round

[Thermophage]

Sorry what? Z1 and Z2 are getting great reviews all round

Yep, hardly an entry level product

[DieselnDust]

Sorry what? Z1 and Z2 are getting great reviews all round

 

Some of the reviews I read were quite indifferent. Raved about the price performance (Value) but always there was some critique about performance  which is not the kind of feedback the Marzocchi name is known for.

[Dexter-morgan]

OK Slightly off-topic, I have a RS Sektor RL 140 that needs replacing, what would you guys recommend? What do you guys think of MRP Beryl, was on special a while back.

[Kuys]

People say that? (Rockshox or nothing)? LOL.

 

Might only be my biased perception or opinion, but i dont consider RS at the same level as Fox nor some of the others mentioned. Some of those companies are highly successful specialist suspension design/builders across many disciplines outside of bicycles....and for decades. Others are the best people from these companies who went botique.

RS these days is brought to us by the same people that gave us rebranded avid brakes imo haha.

 

If I were to spend ~R20k on a proper new fork...i know exactly what and where i’ll be shopping, and RS is not even on that list...partly due to some of the reasons already mentioned by others regarding parts and servicing...and partly because I just dont consider them on par with some of the others. Also, owning a RS fork is like owning a vw golf...you will never have the latest one because tomorrow there will be s new one.

 

Disclaimer: IMO

I’ll gladly ride one though, but only if i got it off here for cheaper or wanted a budget fork for a project.

 

Haha, I ride a Lyrik and drive a Golf (7 years old and 150 000 km) . Both fantastic products that I wont think twice about replacing with exact same spec again if I have replace because of theft or some other cataclismic disaster :-)

 

I havent riden Fox in many years so cannot compare, but I do know I havent had any creaking noises from my Lyrik... And from all reviews the performance is on par wwith Fox

[Robbie Stewart]

I have Revelation RL fork and a Fox DPS shock at the back, both needing servicing. I am in two minds to DIY it, but is my understanding correct that getting service kits is a schlep?

Should I rather just go LBS route?

[DieselnDust]

I have Revelation RL fork and a Fox DPS shock at the back, both needing servicing. I am in two minds to DIY it, but is my understanding correct that getting service kits is a schlep?

 

Should I rather just go LBS route?

 

 

you can order the service kits for either via your LBS.

[thebob]

Any "entry level" fork with a proper serviceable damper and and a decent air spring should be more than enough for any local weekend warrior. IMO the Marzocchis are the best for the money and in terms of availability and service support.

 

But, setup and maintenance play a massive part in getting the best performance out of the fork (and shock). Most people I've encountered can't even tell you what air pressure or sag they run and just rely on their LBS to get it right at the initial in store setup. In these cases top end Fox or Rockshox products will probably feel the same as an entry Suntour spring fork.

 

As for the "Rockshox or nothing mentality", it's the same symptom of the "XC bike or nothing" mentality of the local MTB scene. People take everything they hear at face value and are not prepared to look outside their comfort zone and do some research

[RocknRolla]

Honestly, I am looking at going back to rigid. Suspension is bloody expensive. Throw in some straight steerer constraints, and It’s basically sold it’s self.

 

At the cost of me enjoying going down hills fast.

[droo]

I have Revelation RL fork and a Fox DPS shock at the back, both needing servicing. I am in two minds to DIY it, but is my understanding correct that getting service kits is a schlep?

 

Should I rather just go LBS route?

 

Kits are easy to get. You'll need special tools for the shock though, so I'd recommend getting that done professionally. The air sleeve service that's all over pootube will do nothing but deprive you of R 600 and give you a warm fuzzy feeling - by the time those seals need replacing your damper needs to be done as well.

 

Fork is well within the reach of a home mechanic with a reasonable tool kit.

[Dexter-morgan]

Honestly, I am looking at going back to rigid. Suspension is bloody expensive. Throw in some straight steerer constraints, and It’s basically sold it’s self.

 

At the cost of me enjoying going down hills fast.

Ja maar daar in pille vir mense soos jy maar dis blykbaar te groot om te sluk - Sani2c, on a Rigid single speed!! Ek het nie woorde nie. 

[arendoog]

Ja maar daar in pille vir mense soos jy maar dis blykbaar te groot om te sluk - Sani2c, on a Rigid single speed!! Ek het nie woorde nie. 

Ja .Dit is eintlik a Gravel bike event 

[Danger Dassie]

I saw a Marzocchi Z2 on a Giant Stance the other day. https://www.giant-bicycles.com/za/trance-29-3

 

Some that haven't been mentioned:

 

X-Fusion: Not that popular, but they make some nice forks and shocks.

 

DVO: Higher end, pretty nice.

Still trying to pry an old Marzocchi Z3 off a mate. Back when the orange 3 inch travel was OMG downhill stuff.

 

X-Fusion are terribly under rated products.

Doug Bradbury who founded Manitou (who have as much history as Rock Shox) heads up their suspension development. This was after he was the suspension/design guy for Tomac Bikes.

 

DVO work beautifully, but can become finicky over time. A couple mechanics I know aren't the happiest campers when it comes to servicing them, especially if on a budget. And mechies are generally pretty emo already!

[Wayne pudding Mol]

Honestly, I am looking at going back to rigid. Suspension is bloody expensive. Throw in some straight steerer constraints, and It’s basically sold it’s self.

 

At the cost of me enjoying going down hills fast.

Lauf, it's a pleasure