Marzocchi or Fox: Which one is for you?
| Marzocchi Bomber
| Fox Forx
|
| Butter*
| Margarine
| | Lift kit w/ knobbies*
| Freeway SUV
| | Defendant
| *Lawyer
| | Brawn
| *Brain
| | Metallica
| *Rush
| | Function*
| Form
| | Nature*
| Nurture
| | Raised by wolves*
| Silver spoons
| | Street smarts – tie*
| *tie -- Higher education
| | Boxing
| *Balle
| | Hockey*
| Ice skating
|
Like tarot card readings, everyone will read into this differently, so it may or may not show who you are. Whatever you do, don’t assume that one answer is better than the other based on preconceived notions of the implications. You can tell by the * marks as to where I fall – Marzocchi. Where do you fall? (Not that this answers the main questions for you.)
Asking which brand is better, who makes a better fork, is like asking a question akin to the chicken versus the egg.
First off, this comparison does not address a rider’s specific needs. We will here address quality of ride, which is to include the design, forethought and manufacturing processes to the best of my ability, as I understand the facts. Keep in mind that these are the BEST forks out on the market, so both are of a grade that DSC is willing to market, sell and service.
Fox Forx
This is somewhat of the elitist brand name for those who enjoy the bragging rights of high society on the mountain; a refined SUV tailored with the finer details. You are the ruder than would rather get stuck in the mud than break or scratch something any day of the week. After all, you’re probably driving this same SUV to work Monday Morning.
Fox has made its mark within the suspension realm of the cycling industry in just a very short time by having perhaps the most tunable forks on the market, with a very, very stiff chassis. Fox uses advanced science and technology to the highest degree when designing their suspension forks and shocks, and visualizing the conception phases behind each phase of their product lines, and I believe that few would argue that point.
From a manufacturing stand point, Fox focuses most keenly on quality of performance first, and then goes to work on shaving the grams once the prototype unit is complete. It is my opinion that focuses on air sprung suspension due to the fact that although air and oil are difficult to manipulate correctly, the opportunity is still there because of experience and also because it results in lighter forks.
Fox Forx Benefits
- Air sprung = lighter, more tunable forks
- Increased oil volume = more supple and plush
- Stanchion emphasis = larger diameter walls with thinner-walled stanchions add stiffness without added weight
- Strength to weight ratio = the best in the industry when it comes to strength and stiffness compared to the weight
- Shared damping systems = no matter which level of Fox Forx you get, you always get their best damping system for that line of fork (only the extra features vary between the R – RL – RLT – RLC models)
- Push Industries = the ability to have your Fox suspension product overhauled by aftermarket gurus (www.pushindustries.com)
- The 80mm Advantage = no other light weight 80mm fork has as much lateral stiffness and over all strength for optimal steering control as do Fox Forx
- Time producing suspension = since 1974
- Marketing Approach = high class perfectionists (hype)
Marzocchi Suspension
This is the suspension company for the hard working man who likes to get down and dirty with his recreation; a beefed up long bed truck with an American-sized lift and humming knobby tires. The working man values the finer points of finesse on a ride, but he doesn’t hold back either. This is the rider that prefers having to replace parts due to adrenaline-charged abuse over missing all of the fun. Fortunately Marzocchi has laid that impulse into every single DNA strand that goes into their forks so that you can have all the fun without any of the fuss, repairs or replacements. Besides, chances are you’ve got a boring four door sedan to drive to work in on Monday morning anyways (going back to the big truck idea).
Marzocchi Bomber Benefits
- Air & Coil combos = fuses the benefits of air, oil and coil springs with only weight as a perceived penalty (this doesn’t matter to me)
- Controlled oil placement = reduces oil content but ensures that oil is present in locations where it is most needed for performance enhancements, making the fork more supple and plush
- Openbath seals = seals come dry, but once used they get moistened for unparalleled smooth operation (increases subtle reactivity)
- Crown emphasis = increased head on and lateral stiffness
- Slider emphasis = larger lower legs to support the stanchions provides more stiffness and stronger dropouts
- Lowest arch in the industry = lower is stronger, shorter is stronger (principle of physics) resulting less leg independence so that the legs work together and also creates greater lateral contuity
- Strength & durability emphasis = no fork is stronger or stiffer, or designed to last as long from the inside out
- Time producing suspension = since 1949 in Italy
- Marketing approach = hard core riders can still be down to earth riders (just ride)
So with all that is said and done, both produce AMAZING suspension forks, but I do believe that Marzocchi offers a better fork (less expensive too), despite a heavier weight, because I don’t believe that weight should play so important of a role as it does today. The merit of a fork is based on experience, not specs.
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