Marzocchi Bomber Z2 RAIL review

Let’s cut to the chase, this Marzocchi Bomber Z2 RAIL has a price tag that is affordable for a whole load more people than all of the other 140mm forks we’ve tested.

• Price: £579
• Options: 100mm, 120mm, 130mm, 140mm, 27.5in, 29in, 44mm offset, 51mm offset
• Weight: 1,940g
• From: Silverfish UK

Heck, even if you’re a dentist you may just not feel like spending four figures on a fork for your bike. We understand that point of view perfectly. But what exactly are you missing out on when you get a ‘budget’ fork?

Initially, you’re missing out on unimportant things like aesthetics. The Z2 looks a bit… budget. You’re also missing out on nice-but-inessential things like indexed damping adjustment; the Rail compression adjust is a simple non-indexed ‘sweep’ thing.

Then, and possibly also unimportant to you, is the lack of ability to nerd out with ‘split’ damping (there’s one all-encompassing rebound adjuster and similarly one compression adjuster for all speeds, as opposed to separate high and low speed adjustments).

As some of you may know, Marzocchi these days is essentially a different wing of the Fox suspension empire. This means there are some aspects shared between the two marques. In this case, the Marzocchi Bomber Z2 has the same EVOL air spring as the Fox 34 elsewhere in this test. This is a very good thing.

The damper is different (it’s not a GRIP2, not a FIT4) and so too is the general construction of the fork; the fork arch has a sort of M-shape to it and the 34mm stanchions are made from thicker walled aluminium. Sure, this adds to the overall weight but it also adds a bit of stiffness to the fork. In this sense, the Bomber Z2 is the better 34mm-legged option for heavier and/or more aggressive riders compared to the lighter yet more expensive Fox 34.

Speaking of expense, there’s an impressive lack of plastic used on the Z2, both on the inside as well as the outside.

Out on the trail the fork is excellent. It’s a pleasingly active fork with loads of traction offered. It deals with all sizes of impacts really well, from adding some comfy cush to the small stuff, through to not panicking when bottoming out or being thrown in at the deep end on really rough stuff. The Rail sweep compression adjuster is easy to use on-the-fly if you want to add a bit more support on slow-speed, steep nadgery terrain.

Overall

The Marzocchi Bomber Z2 RAIL is not quite a £1000 Fox 34 but not so flipping far off either. Simple to set up. Enough adjustment for most folks. Fun and reassuring on the trail.

Review Info

Ben Haworth

Orange Switch 6er. Stif Squatcher. Schwalbe Magic Mary Purple Addix front. Maxxis DHR II 3C MaxxTerra rear. Coil fan. Ebikes are not evil. I have been a writer for nigh on 20 years, a photographer for 25 years and a mountain biker for 30 years. I have written countless magazine and website features and route guides for the UK mountain bike press, most notably for the esteemed and highly regarded Singletrackworld. Although I am a Lancastrian, I freely admit that West Yorkshire is my favourite place to ride. Rarely a week goes by without me riding and exploring the South Pennines.

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