Mountain Biking - Trying to decide on a fork

Which fork is best between the Marzocchi EXR, Manitou Axel Comp, and Marzocchi MZ Comp. I have gone to three different LBS' and have gotten three different answers. I weigh 220 pounds and will mostly be doing trail riding and XC maybe a few 20 inch drops. One LBS told be that due to my weight I needed to go with a damped coil fork such as the manitou, and to upgrade with a stiffer coil. Another told me the Manitou was a terrible for and I should go with the Marzocchi EXR, while another told me the Marzocchi MZ was the best fork due to my weight. I am very confused and feel that all three of the LBS' are trying to sell me on the fork which is on their bike. Does anyone have any opinions. I know that there are forks which would better suit me but the bikes that I can afford (Giant Iguana with Marzocchi EXR, Specialized Rockhopper with Manitou Axel, and Specialized Hardrock Comp with Marzocchi MZ Comp) come with these forks. Thank you in advance, I'm learning something new everytime I log onto this forum

Ben

The EXR is a crap fork, Id go with the MX but without Air Assist (if thats possible)

the mz is an oem fork, i dont think you can buy it, you might mean mx comp. in tha case the mx, and if thats not the case, go with the manitou

Save save save your money. Not trying to take a dump on your excitedness, just trying to give you good advice. Those forks arent good at all, trust me. If you can get the EXR PRO (not the comp), its almost a marzocchi. Not made by them, but acutally has an oil bath and some damping.

The 04 Marzocchi Marathon S is an excellent fork for the money. You can still find them for 275 bucks, and it has Marzocchi's HSCV damping.
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/FK703A12-Marzocchi+Marathon+S+04.aspx

the mz is an oem fork, i dont think you can buy it, you might mean mx comp. in tha case the mx, and if thats not the case, go with the manitou

I went back to specialized.com and the fork on the hardrock comp is an marzocchi MZ, do you know anything about it. Also, how reliable do you feel mtbr's reviews are? Thanks again

I have had that fork, because it came on my hardrock ( :'( )

It has no damping, which makes the fork bounce all over the place. It doesnt have an oil bath either.

I have had that fork, because it came on my hardrock ( :'( )

It has no damping, which makes the fork bounce all over the place. It doesnt have an oil bath either.

So would you recommend buying the rockhopper which has the manitou axel damped fork? When comparing the manitou to the marzocchi EXR the marzocchi looks a lot more beefy but I guess looks don't mean everything

So would you recommend buying the rockhopper which has the manitou axel damped fork? When comparing the manitou to the marzocchi EXR the marzocchi looks a lot more beefy but I guess looks don't mean everything
Check your PM's

Get a Fox.Suck it up and pay the money.

Check your PM's

You dont want to share your Manipoo bashing with the rest of us? :D

You might want to mention what your budget is so that we can help you out further. People can name better forks all day long but it wouldnt do you any good if you cant afford them.
But I'll second the marathon s. If you frame can support a 120mm fork.