2005 marz 888 crown issue....

OGRipper · Sep 13, 2004

Brian P or someone else can tell you for sure, but the last I heard on this issue is that the stock crowns will be basically the same in '05 and they will offer lowrider-style crowns as an aftermarket option.

A related question is whether the add-on low speed compression adjuster will be sold with the forks in '05...?

Brian HCM#1 · Sep 13, 2004

Yep, I too believe that lowering crown is an option.

Kaviar · Sep 13, 2004

Do they fit the '04? Maybe an alternative to the expensive risse crowns.

Brian HCM#1 · Sep 13, 2004

Kaviar said:
Do they fit the '04? Maybe an alternative to the expensive risse crowns.

I'm sure they will.

MikeD · Sep 13, 2004

Just get the black Euro Shiver instead...

banj · Sep 13, 2004

Kaviar said:
Do they fit the '04? Maybe an alternative to the expensive risse crowns.

The question is will it be an even more expensive alternative to the already expensive risse crowns.

MikeD · Sep 13, 2004

You're a right-side up man from the upside-down part of the world...

Maybe I don't mind USD forks because I'm so sexily svelte.

MD

Fulton · Sep 13, 2004

you can get risse crowns for $100. Thats really not that bad.....

OGRipper · Sep 13, 2004

Last I checked the Risse crowns were $200 for the set. The go-ride crowns are $300. You might be able to get away with using only the lower crown to save a few bucks but it depends on your bike's head tube length.

Fulton · Sep 13, 2004

OGRipper said:
Last I checked the Risse crowns were $200 for the set. The go-ride crowns are $300. You might be able to get away with using only the lower crown to save a few bucks but it depends on your bike's head tube length.

check the classified section, or mtbr classified, guy in there sellin'em for $100 new.

Brian Peterson · Sep 13, 2004

Ok... Here is the deal...

Marzocchi USA is producing crowns to reduce the ride height of the 888. They will be available to Marzocchi distrubutors world wide. The stock 888 will come with the standard crowns.

And yes, the new crowns will fit the 04 forks. Suggested retail on the full crown set should be around $275.00.

Brian

dante · Sep 14, 2004

Brian Peterson said:
Ok... Here is the deal...

Marzocchi USA is producing crowns to reduce the ride height of the 888. They will be available to Marzocchi distrubutors world wide. The stock 888 will come with the standard crowns.

And yes, the new crowns will fit the 04 forks. Suggested retail on the full crown set should be around $275.00.

Brian

So they're $25 less than go-ride crowns and you still have to buy them aftermarket in addition to the $$ spent on the fork with the stock "too high" crowns...

:rolleyes:

Brian Peterson · Sep 14, 2004

dante said:
So they're $25 less than go-ride crowns and you still have to buy them aftermarket in addition to the $$ spent on the fork with the stock "too high" crowns...

hmmm... Maybe there are people who feel the stock crowns work fine...

Brian

profro · Sep 14, 2004

Brian Peterson said:
And yes, the new crowns will fit the 04 forks. Suggested retail on the full crown set should be around $275.00.

Brian

Holy crap, so you need to spend roughly $1424 for a 888 and new crowns. It seems like they should be an option and an aftermarket item. Couldn't you get a drop crown for the Shiver at the time of sale for no price difference?

Brian Peterson · Sep 14, 2004

Yes, they will work...

Brian

OGRipper · Sep 14, 2004

Brian, do you know if the low speed adjuster will also come stock on the 888 next year?

OGRipper · Sep 14, 2004

Fulton, I was talking about a new set from the manufacturer or a dealer. You can pretty much always find things for less in the classifieds, even if the seller says they are "new."

dante · Sep 14, 2004

Brian Peterson said:
hmmm... Maybe there are people who feel the stock crowns work fine...

Brian

Ooops, sorry, didn't mean to come down too hard on you guys, but it just seems that most of the people that I ride with that have 888s have had to get the low-rider crowns. Maybe it's just that I'm more of a racer boi instead of a huck-it-or-fcuk-it type. :eviltongu: just might be a better idea to offer it as an option when purchasing the fork.

OGRipper · Sep 14, 2004

I for one really appreciate Brain P stepping up here on RM, and I love my 888. People are always asking about it, the crowns, etc., and how Zoke is responding.

That said, I know plenty of people who want lower crowns but don't know anyone that, if given the choice, would prefer the stock crowns. If someone has the lower crowns and wants more height they can raise the legs in the crown or raise the upper crown/stem. Yeah, the stock crowns work "fine" but is that enough? :think:

Nobody has to get lower crowns (like Dante said) but that doesn't mean they don't want them...stock or as a no-cost option.

Brian Peterson · Sep 14, 2004

Yeah, but I could use the same logic by saying most people I know use the stock crowns. Hell, I have seen more go-ride crowns on line than I have seen in person..

As for including the crowns, it comes down to a greater cost for the new crowns. They maybe cheaper if purchased at the time of the fork... We are still working out the details...

Brian

Brian Peterson · Sep 14, 2004

We are supposed to offer something as an option that we didn't make?? WTF???

As for not see past the financial side, please note, we are not a non-profit organization. We continue to stay in business by making a profit. We do our best to help the riders, but we still have to make money to keep the doors open.

Brian

OGRipper · Sep 14, 2004

Partsbara, I think your off track by thinking 'Zoke is trying to profit from the lower crowns. There can't be a big profit margin and it sounds like they are more expensive to produce than the stock crowns. I think they are just trying to keep the price of fork as low as they can. Personally I don't agree with the approach but hey I'm just one rider...and my fork company isn't doing that well...actually it doesn't exist.

I'm glad to hear Brian's comment about trying to work out a way to make 'em available cheaper but the difference between the stock and lower crowns must be less than the cost of a complete new set ($275). By sticking with the stock crowns 'Zoke can keep the cost of the fork down, which makes sense, but those who want the fork to work better than "fine" need to shell out even more cash.

PS, anyone want to buy a set of stock 888 crowns? I didn't think so.

fuzzynutz · Sep 14, 2004

yea right, so giving the customer an option for a different crown at no extra cost is really gonna sink marzocchi. I don't think so.

Shmoe · Sep 14, 2004

I cant think of any advantage to having the biger crowns stock? It would make more sense to have the more usefull crowns stock, then the crowns where only few people would want aftermarket..

OGRipper · Sep 14, 2004

Brian, again, one guy's opinion, not hating here: I would not have purchased a 888 without knowing there was a way to get lower crowns. I'm not rolling in it but luckily the extra cost is not a big deal to me.

But I can think of at least 7 or 8 friends that have bought other forks because of the height issue and because they can't justify immediately buying an aftermarket component as significant (and expensive) as new crowns.

Salami · Sep 14, 2004

I have been eyeing a 170mm 888 for a while now. If I can purchase the fork with the lowers crowns at a reasonable price I will buy it. I should not have to pay an additional $275 to buy a second set of crowns.

Cave Dweller · Sep 14, 2004

Brian,.

Could you explain how it is possible that the new low crowns are any more expensive to make then the normal ones? From the pictures i have seen they look like cast aluminum like the standards ones, i don't know whow you can say they are more expensive to make.

Also, cast alumnium crowns are far cheaper to produce then CNC'd ones like go-ride or risse. If risse can make them for $150 i am sure a large company like your self could do it for cheaper. If you can't then why not subcontract the work to risse and they could do it for you.

But, never fear fellas, 888's will have lowrider crowns stock in 2008 when marzocchi finally listens to what riders want. It only took 8 years to get rid if QR20 remember. All these problem over some stupid intergrated fender that no one ever uses. :confused:

-Matt

PS I didn't buy 888's due to the height issues otherwise i would have. Need to fix it up guys.

J5ive · Sep 15, 2004

I'm running 888s over here in Australia and they are also just that tiny bit high on my norco team dh, ever though the frame was designed around the fork ( I asume anyways). Currently Australians have NO options. We can import our own and pay huge $$$ or wait till the 05 stuff. Which is what I had planned on doing.

In australia the 888r retails at $2000AUS which is $1399US
The US rrp is $1,149, $150US cheaper.

Already we've paid more and if the same markup goes for the crowns, they will be no more viable than self import. Looks like its fox or manitou time...

Sorry to not really have a point. It just sucks.

E.C. · Sep 15, 2004

My 888 is the best fork I've ever ridden .however It has go ride crowns,heavy springs and the proper oil hight.(3 things it did'nt come with).The performance of the fork in stock form was dissapointing to say the least.Even at cost ,I have now spent as much as I would have buying at full retail,just to make the thing work well.
My feeling on the crown issue is if marz wants to stubbornly stick to it's origianal crown design ,they should offer a race fork and a freeride fork.
I will race this fork for another season,but if this issue is not properly addressed by marz, I'll be on a fox for 06.
Just one guys opinion(that all of my friends seem to share)

UiUiUiUi · Sep 15, 2004

partsbara said:
i understand the business aspect of the equation brian.. but i fail to see how selling a set of crowns for $275 when a person has just spent 1100 odd on a fork is doing 'our best to help the riders'...

give the people a choice... surely that is the definition of doing your 'best to help the riders'

am i wrong ??

partsbara

paul its like that... most people i know with 888 ride the stock crowns... and it seems that brian sees it the same way, so instead of going all the way and offer the fork wth two different crowns as an option(which is expensive and somework regarding logistics). marzocchi decides to offer the "aftermarket crowns" for those few customers who think they need them...

and sorry if you pay 1100 for that fork, somebody ripped you off!

german online shops now sell them for less then 800 Euros (ok the dollar is weak so thats prolly still expensive for you)

J5ive · Sep 15, 2004

The only reason most people ride the stock crown is COST and AVAILABILITY.

Oh and the rumour about voiding your warrenty when using non-stock cowns probably scared a few off.

SO don't think just because people dont use them now, that they wouldnt if they were viable!

Rigger · Sep 15, 2004

I have a Demo9 with a 888. The fork would be nicer if it was lower, no question.
Zokes screwed up with the height so instead of offering at an option, or making it standard, which it should cuz a 3.0 Gazz will fit a Go-Ride Crown, they're trying to milk the $275 out of the consumer. I think its going to bite them in the ass in the long run.
If the seals hold up, RockShox is going to be the fork to have. I've heard from insiders that the Fox DC is having some issues.

vitox · Sep 15, 2004

from a pricing structure point of view i think its perfectly understandeable that marzo charges 275usd for those crowns

look at it this way
big company (in relation to market)
small volume niche product
no promotional or pricing action taken regarding this product

result? high price

risse case
small niche company
low volume niche product
high promotional value of product for company.

result? cheaper product, avaliable early on.

so i think that more than arguing that marzo is charging too much for the crowns, the argument should be wether or not marzocchi is right by not "subsidizing" or bundling these crowns or offering trade-ins and thereby in a way accepting that the stock crowns may not be a good idea. its not the price, its the logic behind it.

2005 marz 888 crown issue....

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