In about 2 months time I'll be looking for some new 150-160mm forks. I've had Rockshox before and wanna try something different so am looking at Fox and Marzocchi. Theres the Marzocchi 55's and 66's and Fox Talas' etc.
Which should I go for because they both seem to be VERY good strong, reliable forks
cheers
seem to be VERY good strong, reliable forks
I seem to spend most of my time evangelising about them but...
Marz 55 RC3 Ti - They rule.
Dave
Depends who you ask.Stay with Rockshox.
yep
The latest Marzocchi are fantastic, especially the RC3ti. But they have a stigma to shift, Their 2013 stuff will make Fox very worried!!!
My experience of Fox is that they are very delicate and maintenence intensive, but Mojo are very handy with spares, servicing etc..
Rock Shox are sort of in the middle, performs great, good price and reliable.
"Depends who you ask.Stay with Rockshox."
I dunno, Rockshox haven't exactly had a clean slate for past problems?
Heavy stantion/bushing and stantion wear isn't difficult to achieve if you don't keep up with dropping the lowers
2 step on Lyriks (And mission control? or not?) was hasn't had the best track record?
Motion Control units can leak under harder use
I've also found lower rebound adjusters are prone to rusting/seizing up within 3 months, A dust seal blew mid ride on me not so long ago, with a loss of air pressure (though the lowers aren't supposed to hold air?), ball bearing U-turn adjusters can jam/seize
That said I don't think I'll ever pay the extra for fox over heavily discounted Rockshox I've bought previously, the little bit of extra weight (And the 07/08 ATA issues) of marzocchi has put me off too, that and no 20mm axle on 44's (one of the mags reckoned QR15mm 44's were flexier than fox 32 QR15mm too)
That said (again) my 2004ish Marzocchi MX Pro ETA 120's have been faultless, yet to open them up. Only issue I have is being 30mm stantions, QR and a touch weedy looking I think they might be a bit flexier than newer (32mm) rockshox I've had
Also, a failry pointless sidenote, certain Rockshox spares are ridiculously pricey. over £200 for older revelation uppers (Though I fox are that money too). A travel spacer I think is something like £15. Fox(or rather mojo) I think wanted £1 when I looked
+1 55 rc3 ti's they are excellent and if you dont mind purple here's a bargain...
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=54722
Also some 1.5 steerers cheaper if thats what you need.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=42271
And if it's the right weight spring (replacements ain't cheap).
don't forget there is a 3 year, no maintenance warranty on the new marzocchis.
stick that in your fox 15 hour service requirement.
Dave
Also worth considering weight. Most of the high end competition is ~2kg, the 55's are nearly 500g more.
marzocchi forks have been designed by a mechanical idiot.
have a look at the crown - it's hollow underneath, it's a 'C' section - subjected to torsion (the forks flexing back and forth).
and the thing about C sections, is that they're crap under torsion - unless you make them very, very, heavy.
itsyer classic mechanical engineering fail.
if marzocchi made wheels, they would be square.
Have had 2010 Fox 160 Float RC2's, didn't float my boat.
Then tried 2010 Rock Shox Lyrik solo air 170 DH's, much better, but a little harsh even on the lowest compression settings.
Now running those improved 3 year warranty Marz 55 RC3 Ti's (in purple), very plush, controled,and above all, seem to offer more grip when cornering. The only fork I would consider (going by reviews) after these, would be Bos Deville's.
Also worth considering weight. Most of the high end competition is ~2kg, the 55's are nearly 500g more.
They are completely redesigning the wholw range, the new 213 ones will be about the same weight as the competition.
The new 999 DH fork has shaved 600g compared to the 888.
Arn't Marzocchi up for sale still? surely future developments depend on them finding a buyer for the company, various rumours have been flying about as to possible buyers but nothing is confirmed as yet, or have a missed something.
oh, and a mix of the two depending on what they're being used for. bum firmly on the fence 
Had some Fox 36 VAN RC2s for 3 years or so, no problems with them. Now running Marzo 55 RC3 Ti - blows the Fox away in terms of performance. Highly recommend the Marzocchis. And I don't have to clean/cuddle/stroke them every 5 minutes to make them feel wanted and loved
Have used a set of Rockshox Lyrik 170 DH which felt nice, but they went back after 2 weeks due to stantion wear which Fishers were unwilling to warranty. Thankfully the bike shop I bought them through (Winstanley's) swapped them for the Marzocchis.
My Spicy came with Fox 36s , i had reservations and i was proved right .Despite the lowers being serviced 5 times and new seals etc in the 1st 10 months they still suffered stanchion wear .Fortunately got it sorted under warranty flogged 'em on and am now running Lyriks .
These days I don’t think you can go wrong with any modern fork.
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