Mountain Biking - Fork Debate

I am purchasing a new fork soon. I have narrowed it down to 2 choices, and those are the Manitou Black Platinum and the Marzocchi MX Comp Air.

Black Platinum:
Lockout (I don't do much road riding, but could be useful for climbs)
Adjustable travel from 90-120mm
Coil Sprung
4.2 lbs
$259 shipped

MX Comp Air
Air fork (duh)
100mm of travel
3.8 lbs
$221 shipped including pump


I am a 6' 175lb XC racer. I'm only 13, so I will still be growing, and I want this fork to last long. Which fork do you think would benifit me the most? I'm pretty much XC-only, no freeride or downhill mixed in.

Thanks in advance!

I think the Manitou for a lighter weight XC rider would be the better choice.

L8R

I find lockout a spiffy feature that can benefit me on the hills. Some hills i can't climb wihtout lock out.

I was leaning towards the Manitou myself. I just wanted a second opinion before purchsing it.

Well, I'm biased. I just like the feel of coil shocks over air shocks. Granted the newer air shocks are better, but not quite as good as a coil.

Plus, being 13 we all "KNOW" you're going to be getting "some" air and jumping a bit. A coil sprung fork will be better suited for that.

L8R

A post from the 'other side', if you want the fork to last get the Marz. Most of the riders I know ride Marz and NONE have had any problems. One anicdote, this one fellow rides an 02 Marthon S (dual air sprung), weighs over 200 lbs, does 3 foot drops on an aluminum Kona XC bike and has NEVER had to put air or oil into his fork. Plus with the Air MX Comp if you find that you do want a spring in it all you do is remove the air cap from one side, drop a spring in, replace the air cap with a regular cap and presto, you now have 1 side coil.

Another fork to consider is the MX Comp ETA, has lockout and a coil on one side, weights a bit more than the air, but makes up for it imo.

Save up a few more dollars and check out a Marzocchi Marathon fork. I've heard good things about them, and my friend has one on his Rocky Mtn and LOVES it. They can be found cheap off of ebay.

One anicdote, this one fellow rides an 02 Marthon S (dual air sprung), weighs over 200 lbs, does 3 foot drops on an aluminum Kona XC bike and has NEVER had to put air or oil into his fork.

Keep in mind that the Marathon forks were specifically designed to be the most durable and long-lasting forks ever. The MX series were not designed for that, but they still are durable. Also, the Marathon forks are just out of my budget. My budget is under $300.

About the MX Comp ETA, I will not go with that fork, because it costs too much for me.

Looks like the Black Platinum will be the best choice for me.

I just realized how bad I need a new fork. I was riding on the ROAD and had to pull the fork apart to get it to rebound. Glad I'm close to Performance's warehouse so I get packages overnight from them. :)