Marzocchi Bomber Z2

https://www.marzocchi.com/products/bomber-z2-front-fork
This will probably become the replacement for the Recon on my Fuse 29. Lots of praise for a $500 dollar fork. Set it and forget it type, but that's ok because I'm very forgetful already.

I know @Dr. Wellington Yueh added one last year... interested in his thoughts.. although he disappeared late last summer, coinciding with the bobcat fire, that happened in the country he frequented.. you ok doc?

Other option would be save a bit more, wait a few more months for pike select...


Anyone else have input on this..?

 

Makes my heart happy to see Marzocchi - even if it is low-cost Fox. I have heard nothing but good things about the Foxocchis.

 

I had a Marzocchi on my 2001 Stumpjumper back in the day. That was a great fork for my first fs bike.
I think my Shredd Dog was actually supposed to come standard with a Z2. I also love the Pike, hard to go wrong with one of those. Given the choice again I'd just go with the Z2 and upgrade from there if I didn't like it. My DVO Sapphire just has too many knobs and adjustments for me. It does look pretty though!

 

I too would be very interested in any reviews. I am getting close to buying one myself. I have read online reviews and mostly good things for set it and forget it type riders, like me and yourself @Derkderkall . I did read and have seen youtube videos that the rebound knob on the bottom of the fork leg has a tendency to break off.

 

Reading some of the (other) forum posts, they compare it to the Fox Rhythm (same company...), but with heavier internals... Might want to keep an eye open for one of those, as well. I've loved mine for the last 4 years... And there's an identical spare on the wall ready to go.

 

Is the Recon not performing admirably?

 

Honestly, it's performing way past my expectations... My baseline was comparing it to a rattly 80 mm suntour xcr spring...
I just think the frame had way more potential and want to do it justice

 

I'll scour pb and keep an eye..
I'm sure lots of folks take them off immediately..

Now the big question... Do I try to go up to 140mm...
My only hesitancy is it would slightly slacken the seat tube angle...

 

The geometry on the Fuse is very similar to the Chameleon... I run mine at 130mm (up from 120), and wouldn't hesitate to go 140. @mtnbikej has run his hardtail at 140 for the last gazillion miles...

I think the payoff would be a lot more noticeable than any potential negatives...

 

I think I remember Mr Ross runs his at 140 as well

 

Like Steve said above......I've been running my SS/Chameleon with 140mm Pike for almost 2 years. I'm not sure I could go back down in travel......yeah, I've gotten that used to it. It is a bit slacker than the 130mm, but not that much.

Once you sag into the travel, the SA should not slacken out that much..

I say go for it.

 

Just a heads up. I have a 2020 Specialized Fuse comp w/ a Recon fork and I bought the Marzocchi Bomber Z2. Just installed the fork today and the hub end/torque caps on the stock specialized wheel are too large in diameter. Apparently, they are Rockshox specific torque caps and are larger than other end caps.

I emailed Fox & Specialized about the issue and to see if I can get some caps that fit.

 

You should be able to get the normal end caps for your front hub.

 

Get a set of fox caps for your hub and then keep the torque caps in your parts bin. This way any fork that comes along your set. Although the smaller caps work on both type forks it's nice to have the torques on hand.

 

Update, the 'Rockshox' torque caps pop right off and the wheel/hub fits into the bomber perfectly.

 

Funny you mention this, on my recent build I decided to go with a Z2 and went to stick the front wheel on and had a wtf that'll never fit moment. It did go eventually, just needed careful lining up.

 

I know what you are saying because once the Torque caps were off, it still took a bit of finagling. She's good to go now. Now that I look at the Rockshox fork again, there is a sticker near the dropout that reads "Torque Cap compatible 15-110mm". I was unaware there was a difference until yesterday because I have always ridden Rockshox.

BTW the the Bomber Z2 is awesome. I took it for a ride late last night.

 

How late, and where !? Maybe we can rendezvous next time.

 

Looking at his location, that would be quite the drive...

 

Baltimore City! No headlamp needed.

 

@Mikie might do it.

 

Lives in stabby mc stabbington and supports a scouser football team, don't do it @DangerDirtyD. You won't make it out alive!
Full disclosure, I'm visiting Baltimore in November and all the Liverpudlians I've met have been awesome. They just talk funny.

Back to the topic at hand, my Z2 is breaking in nicely, I just need our resident suspension tuna @herzalot to work his patented 1 minute trail-side bounce and adjust magic on it and I think it'll be done. I'm very happy with it so far

 

@Lost Kiwi I would be happy to bounce the Marz and twiddle your knobs, but, since I don't ride anymore, our paths are unlikely to cross. So, in the meantime, this is the gist of it.



And I live across the from two hardcore Liverpool fans. Her father is genuine Liverpuddlian, so their devotion is embedded. Scousers!

 

What happened that you don't ride anymore? I must have missed something..... Although you are surfing IIRC. Unless of course this is in jest. Or did you get an eBike and ain't feeling the love here...

And I've tried the bounce thing, can't seem to let go quick enough or compress it enough or sumptin' .

 

Getting the cat permed takes a lot of time out of his week. All the other hours are spent honing his knitting skills....I hear he's working on his new outfit for sliding season.

 

I've watched all the vids, understand the theory and get what I should be looking for the fork to do. But for some reason I am completely incapable of getting a fork to respond like you do. I can go from one end of the rebound scale to the other and bounce the fork and the front wheel will never leave the ground

 

Yeah, that's why I have a short hair cat. Saves a lot on perming expenditures.
But knitting........I shall not judge.

 

Fast-twitch muscle under-development seems at play here. JK. Stand on a box to replicate the master? Also JK. I've used this method several times on multiple forks, and it's worked as promised for getting in the ballpark. YM obviously does V!

Ouch...

 

@Danimal I rode twice in September and once in August. I have been obsessed with getting my surfing game back on track before I am too old to do so. I wouldn't surf as often, if I were surfing better. But right now, I go out and have a good session on my 7'8", then go back to my shortboard, then struggle. Then back to the 7'8". I won't rest until I am riding my 6'4" and 6'6" as easily as my 7'8". Why? Because I prefer the turns that a shortboard allows. I was a better slalom skier than giant slalom...

But I digress. Simon - (@Lost Kiwi ) I can probably do an afternoon ride Saturday and twiddle your knobs for you. Weather permitting. I won't ride when it's over 90°.

And @mtnbikej my cat is perfectly permed, and my knitting game is vastly improved.

 

The ocean is closed. Come back to the mountains!