Mountain Biking - which fork should i use

I have a 2000 gt aggressor and am finally ready to upgrade from the pos fork thats on it. I ride singletrack some rocky some sandy.Like downhills, dont do many big drops.Also price is a consideration. I dont want to go over $200. I've looked at the mars,xvert, marz z5. Any thoughts on these or other suggestions.

Redfox, First a couple of questions and tips to help the search.
How much do you weigh? If you're a lightweight rider, I suggest an air fork. The mars is a good choice. If you're a clydesdale (200lb +)stick with a coil spring like the Marzocchi. The XVert (Depending on model) is in between the two.

Are you more concerned about weight on your bike or plushness (sp?). If you're a weight wienie, go with the mars, it's an air fork and works well. If you don't mind some extra heft, stick with the Z5!!!! Marzocchi's tend to be a little heavier, but are very smooth. The XVert is again, a good compromise between the two.

Are you just into recreational agressive riding or racing? If you're just into riding, any of these will do. If racing stick with an air fork.

As you upgrade in models, the differences tend to be in the ease of adjustablility of the fork, i.e. compression and rebound external adjusters, negative air.....etc. I would suggest saving as much money as possible and buy the best fork you can afford. IMHO, the fork is probably the most critical accessory you can buy for your bike, get a good one!!! Last years models are starting to go on sale, I suggest getting a closeout on last years models versus, getting a newer model, the differences are not significant from this years to last years.

Hope this helps.

L8r G8r:D

Well to answer the questions.I weigh 195. I'd like a lighter shock than whats on it now(suntour) but realy am looking for a good ride on rocky descents.I dont race(might try one day just for fun),just hard single track riding.thanks for the info

RedFox, I really don't think you can go wrong with any of the forks you've mentioned. If it were me, my choices would be as follows: Marzocchi Z5, then the Xvert and then the Mars. You've forgotten to mention the most important factor in selecting the right fork. Which will match your bike the best. Just Kidding, Good luck!!

L8r G8r:D

Red,
I own a 2001 Z5 and my last fork was a 2000 XVert. Both are nice forks. The XVert had a better feel, was lighter and did not flex as much. It is also way more adjustable, the tpc+ damper is the best out there right now IMHO. I just wish I could get 5" travel XVERT in a single crown, oh well the Blacks will be out soon. :D
Kevin

I'd go with the Z5. I have a Z1 and love it. Broke 2 Manitous in the past and I'm only 150#

Originally posted by riderx
I'd go with the Z5. I have a Z1 and love it. Broke 2 Manitous in the past and I'm only 150#

I'm 180 and ride mostly Urban. My xverts held up to a year and half 3 to 5 foot drops to flat. I sold them a few months ago on my XC/FS, the guy still emails once a week telling me how much he loves the bike and esp. the forks.

Am I the only one here that still likes Rock Shox?

I bought a RS SID XC last year and have had a blast with it. The price on sale was $250, and it has been worth every penny. I have not tried any of the Marzocchi's, but a friend of mine has one of their air fork's and he has had no complaints.

Either way, definitely go with an air fork...so much adjustment capability.

Well I think alot of people who posted here said what I will go Marzocchi. The Z-5 is a good fork. I have one as well and have no complaints.
To Steele,
I have a 98 Judy DH and ride it ALOT. S oyou are not the only one here who likes them. I rode a Mag 21 for over 5000 miles. I gave it away to a guy who was building a bike and could not afford much. Ne has no complaints. Nor do I on the DH. Of course I took out the elastomers and springs and put in Speed Springs.

I also ride a GT Aggressor 1.0 and it came with RockShox Judy TT's and I'm not sure I'm totally happy with them. They seem kinda cheap to me for some reason. Don't know why, I just get that feeling from them when Im riding anything rough.

I'd like to try a set of RockShox SID forks. They are not too expensive and are a couple steps up from what I got. But the ones I have haven't expoloded yet so, for now, I'm gonna stick with em. If your's are still functional stick with em till they bonk. Unless of course you have the greenbacks to throw around , then by all means, go for the gold. :D

Well being an older aggressor mine didn't come with the judy it has a sr suntour threaded type shock. It's pretty heavy and just about trashed.I've got a few bucks i've been saving for one. Also what about the air versus coil debate.Which is better?The z5 i'm looking at is the coil type.And the manitou is air(the mars is i think the xvert is also but i cant remember)

Air vs. Coil:

Both have their merits. Air will be lighter and infinitely adjustable but will be more maintenance (periodic pumping) and you have the risk of blowing a seal in the middle of no where. Coil is less maintenance, but heavier and you don't have to worry about blown seals.

Air vs Coil,

It used to be (a whole 2 years ago) that the air forks were much harsher and therefore more race oriented. The new forks are much better, but a still more "race" only. I personally like the coil springs because of the above mentioned reliability and nothing compares to the smoother ride that coil springs offer. BTW, Jenson USA has the Z5 on sale for $129.00. At that price, you can't go wrong.

L8R G8R

My tip, always run "boots", std on most forks bar Mazocchi,sure they look uncool but you're seals will thank you in the long run, or if you've got lotsa money, give them to the poor and live in hope!

Originally posted by redfox
And the manitou is air(the mars is i think the xvert is also but i cant remember)

The XVert is a coil sprung fork

May have just changed my mind on which shock to use. I found a z2 atom 80 at performance for $250 and i have the 20% off coupon.So I'm thinking of splurging.Stupid question but this is a really good fork isn't it?The guy at the local shop was trying to talk me out of marz.He said they have stiction probs,hard to get parts for,too heavy blah,blah,blah.And no he isn't trying to sell me anything,he said to order a shock online but he just likes rock shock and manitou better. However everyone on here seems to really like marz.Anyway should i go with the z2?

The Z-2 is an excellent fork. I would go for it. Marzocchi may be heavier, but IMHO they are better quality then the other two big fork makers.

I'd agree with Hunter on the Z2 front.

I picked mine up ('99 issue Z2 SuperFly) for £199.00 which was a bit of a bargin. It might be worth your while waiting a month or so until the winter sales start coming out...

Good luck with your choice.

Rich :thumbup:

My Rocky Mountain came with the Marzocchi z2 atom - I LOVE IT! It's definitely cushy!!

Unless you're doing big drops, the Z-2 is IMHO the best fork you can buy, especially at $200.00. I used most forks and the Marzocchi's are the smoothest stiffest forks out. The only problem with stiction is if they are abused, just like everything else on you bike. That's like saying, hey I wouldn't recommend a sachs chain because I've heard some of them rust, well duh, if you don't lube it it'll rust.

The extra weight has never been a factor for me. I'm not an expert or professional racer. Heck I only race once in awhile anyways. The long term durability and the smooth action are my trade off for the weight penalty.

L8R G8R

I was talking to the dude at my LBS yesterday and he said Marzocchi fork s are high maintenance and they have to be rebuilt every six months. I am not sure if he is correct, I have asked him about parts before and he didn't know what they were or anything about them. So I wouldn't be suprised to find out he was wrong about Marzocchi.


That dude at my LBS needs a guy like me working there, someone who devotes all of their memory space to bike parts and stuff like that. But as a mechanic.......shivers:D

Practice buddy practice, you only get better the more repairs you do.

Work out a deal with the guy to work for parts on a hourly basis.(Under the table type deal). It's not legal, but most shops can't afford to pay their employees a lot. Like after school and on weekends. You'll learn a ton of stuff, and he gets cheap labor. Tell him you'll do all the easy repairs until you get better, like all the flats that come in and clean the shop every day! I'm sure he'd proabably go for it! Whatcha got to loose? If he says no, tell him to keep you in mind if he needs help in the future.

That's how I started when I was 14. The shop had a rental fleet of bikes that everyone rode into the salt water. All I did was repair coaster brakes, and clean off bikes. Eventually, I took care of all the rental bikes, when I got caught up, the boss let me work on other stuff and pretty soon I was working on a $4,000 road bike doing a complete overhaul. Most shops are always looking for eager employees. If you'll work for parts, and they don't have to put you on their payroll, you're golden.

In no time flat, you'll be riding a top of the line bike, and giving advice to all the new riders that come in.

L8R G8R

Good advice boomer, as fubar is in need of a new susp. fork.

BTW - Marz. forks are anything but high maintenance

I have a 2000 Atom 80 and I bought it used for $150.00... Can't go wrong with Marzocchi. You won't be disappointed, especially if you get a killer deal.