Mountain Biking - Considering different fork and maybe more travel

I currently have a '00 Marzocchi Z2 X-fly QR20 fork with 80mm of travel. I have yet to install it as I'm gonna wait for my Avid disc's to arrive and have all the work done at once. Anyways before I have it installed, I'd like some input. Is this a good fork? I'd like to know this before I go through all the hassle of installing it and having the QR20 hub laced into my current wheel. I'm also considering going with a fork with more travel but I have a '99 Specialized FSR Expert and I'm not sure if the geometry will work or how much my riding will be affected. I'm a 200lb. rider who does mostly XC with maybe a little free riding. Thx for any input :D

johnny blaze

it depend how hard you ride. if you big drops or alot of dowhill sections the fork might not hold up over time. You may also find that you bottom it out alot. For strictly Xc its a great fork, nice and light. but if you plan to punish it, don't count on it lasting long.:beer:

How do I know if my frame can support a fork with more travel?

Sorry but I got similar question too.

My friend is considering between Judy XC and Judy C. The difference in price is about US$ 85, but I told him to consider carefully cus it really depends on what he does with his bike.

So what's the difference, in terms of usage, between XC and C? My friend and I are just casual riders who haven't even found out where the trail is. Thanx!

Regarding the 80mm of travel. Unless you're doing 4'+ drops to flat, you'll be o.k. I've got a z-2 on my bike and have yet to bottom it out and I weight 225 lbs. I jump it off small jumps and ride agreesive XC. I don't have the QR20, but I've ridden a Z-1 with and w/o and it definately stiffens up the front end and worth the hassle of relacing the wheel. Marzocchi's are great forks and will outlast any other fork on the market.

Your frame should easily accept an 80 mm travel fork with no roblems. You could probably get away with even 100 mm. But more than that, you should check with the frame manufactuer. But count of them saying NO WAY! if it's a XC frame. If it's got addition gussets (pieces of metal welded at the head tube) you may be fine! Regardless, if you're bike wasn't designed for a long travel fork( Freeride hardtail or slalom bike). It's not advised.

If you increase your travel from 80 mm to 100-110 you will change the effective head tube angle by 1 degree. This will slow down the steering some, but not a lot. If you jump up to 130mm, figure another degree. Changing the angle 1 degree isn't significant, but 2 degrees is not recommended. That will make your bike feel like an old chopper bike. Steering will be slow and unresponsive. You'll feel like you gotta push you bike around corners.

If you're happy the way the bike feels now, stick with the z-2. I think you'll be happy! Just IMO.

Regarding the XC and C from RockShox, I'm not positive on this, but I think the C model is and OEM option only. If you're getting one of these, it probably came OFF a bike, or was a bulk shipment that didn't get used by a manufacturer. The options on the C are bare bones.

Things to consider when buying a fork: Tuneability: Compression - if external, knob adjusters at the top of the crown; Dampening - internal or external, if external usually at the bottom near the dropouts.
Steerer Tube Material: either steel or aluminum. If steel, it's a cheap heavy fork. Go for aluminum.
Travel: most cheaper forks get 70-80 mm of travel which is good for general easy XC riding. 80-100 is good for agressive riding. 100-130 is for hard-core w/big drops and serious terrain.

L8R

Thank you so much for the advice. I'm probably going to stick with the Marzocchi Z2. I think I just haven't given the 80mm forks a fair chance since the Manitou I'm currenlty using was worn out and bottomed out easily. Thx again :D

johnny blaze