[iridebikes]

Ok. I'm having a hard time choosing which fork to get. i'm looking at either the 888, or the shiver. I've ridden a shiver, and i loved it. but so far the 2 888's that i've ridden have been very underwelming... But it seems like everyone has them, so the ones i rode just might have been very badly tuned. Anyways. The one thing that I hate about the 888, is the fact that EVERYONE and their mother has one. And I just like having something a little bit different. The upsidedown style doesn't seem like that big of a deal. I mean, people are winning races on durado's arent' they? I know the shiver is a bit heavier, but the stantions are a little bigger, and its more of a freeride fork than the durado i guess. anyways, I'm just wondering what some different views are between the two. I've read different reviews by people on different websides(i.e. nsmb.com and mtbr.com) and the shiver was almost a 5 star rated fork, and eveyrone who posted said they liked it better than the 888 becuase the 888 has broken for their friends, and doesn't ride as nice.
Any ideas on what I should get?
It will be going on a Canfield Brother's Formula 1, and I will be using it for freeriding, alot of time up at whistler, and hopefully a few dh races. I'm not sure if that makes a difference on choice, but who knows.

Thanks for the help!

 

[zedro]

can't comment performance wise since i havent had any real time on the 888, but structurally and reliability wise the Shiver is a proven fork. Easy to work on, easy to tune, less damage prone due to the fork guards, good performance, low maintenance. You can't really go wrong with it, just have to decide if its right.

plus if you have the polished F1 and get an '04 Shiver, you'll be super-pimped out...

 

[Cant Climb]

I recently ordered some Dirt UK back issues and one of them, issue #10 i think.....has a pic from 1997 of Corrado Herin on the cover with Marz Super T.

Now that is a sweet looking fork. Looks burlier than the recent Super T offerings. Looks kind of a shrunken Monnter T. The crowns look to be shaped nicely and have some meat to them. It is also probably full of a ton of oil, which is good, and has a reasonable weight. All they need to is make 178mm of travel, use the new damping tech, throw on an integrated stem and they'll have the perfect fork.

They might go out of business if they did that though.

 

[Brian HCM#1]

The one thing that I hate about the 888, is the fact that EVERYONE and their mother has one. And I just like having something a little bit different.

And the Shiver is a rare fork? If you want a different fork, look at something like Avalanche, White Bros or Foes which are not a common fork.

 

[Zutroy]

Get the NEW Shiver. All Black! Gives me the horn. I've ridden a frnds 888 and he had it set up really well. It isn't any better than my 3yr old Shiver (I've got the gold one).

I was lookin at the weight difference between the two on Marzocchi's website did the 888 really gain a 1/2 from last year. Or are they just fixing the wieght to what is really is?

 

[OGRipper]

Both are great forks.

How much travel do you want? With the 888 you have the option of 200mm. Not sure about you but the way a fork will effect geometry is an important factor in any fork decision for me. I would check out how it will work out with the different options you are have: shiver, 170 888, and 200 888. Maybe Toshi or one of the other Canfield riders can help you out with the numbers. If you are using the stock 888 crowns, I think the shiver will ride the lower than the 170 888 but not positive about that. I'm pretty sure those Canfields came out around the time people started designing bikes for 8" forks, so the shiver might make it end up too steep for your preference. On the flip side, you can get lowrider crowns for the 888 if you think it will be too tall.

My experience with the Shiver is limited to a few rides on friends' bikes. I have a 888 and my opinion about it is basically the same as Zedro's about the Shiver (other than the part about fork guards). It's easy to tune and has been super reliable for me. Plus I think it rides stiffer, so if you're a big guy that might make a difference. The only ones I've heard of breaking were either from a warranty issue (porosity in the lower casting) or from ham-fisted clowns that cracked the lowers installing their front wheels.

As for making your decision based on which is more rare:



You will be more cool if you rip it up on the fork that's right for you than if you have a fork fewer people are riding...and anyway, it's not like shivers are that rare. And lots of people ride 888's because they're great...yeah there was a bandwagon effect for a while but they're still great.

 

[Brian Peterson]

Having spent a good amount of time on both of the forks, I can honestly say it is a toss up on which I like better. In the year and a half I rode the Shiver, it was flawless. In the same amount of time, my 888 has been a dream. About the 2 pros for the 888 over the Shiver I can come up with is 1) More adjustability and 2) Better tire clearence (Not really an issue for me, I don't have any desire to use a 3.0 tire). Yeah, the 888 is a little lighter, but really with the difference in how the weight is placed on each fork, the difference isn't really noticeable.

Either way, once you get your fork set up for you, you should be pretty stoked.

Brian

 

[Pau11y]

Want a rare fork, go find yourself a Mr Dirt Quad FAT.

 

[zedro]

Maybe they're measuring the weight of the fork with the proper amount of oil in it this year? (sorry for the dig on marzocchi but, I had to)

well, ever noticed how they use the words "target weight"...and apparently "without steer tube"...

 

[Toshi]

I would check out how it will work out with the different options you are have: shiver, 170 888, and 200 888. Maybe Toshi or one of the other Canfield riders can help you out with the numbers.

sorry, i'm not much help here. i chose to run a '01 monster t on my f1 because i'm cheap, i like the turning radius, and it has a low axle crown (550 mm iirc, 21.65" or so) height. i wanted everything low, partly due to preference, partly 'cause i'm short (not quite 5' 8").

 

[James | Go-Ride]

I think the weight change on Marzo's site reflects the weight of the fork with the stem assembly, which is just about 8 pounds. They're still 7.5 out of the box with both crowns and the axle but without the stem.

 

[flymybike]

The F1 is designed to fit forks ranging from 21.5 to 24 inch tall, top of lower crown to axle center. The taller it is the slower the steering, I have a 24" tall White Brothers 2.0 Floater (2005) on mine and it is MY prefered geometry. Great for all around but for racing, a fork closer to 21.5-22 would be really good on the F1. If you want a unique fork take a look at the WB 05 DH 2.0, best fork out IMO. (please don't beat me up unless you've ridden an 05)

hope this helps... Cheers

 

[Zutroy]

I think the weight change on Marzo's site reflects the weight of the fork with the stem assembly, which is just about 8 pounds. They're still 7.5 out of the box with both crowns and the axle but without the stem.

That would be interesting if they added the stem, since they don't include the steerer. the old weight was 6.75#, the new is 7.28#.

They don't have an 04 wieght for the shiver, but it's listed as 7.99# from 2003.

 

[zedro]

T If you want a unique fork take a look at the WB 05 DH 2.0, best fork out IMO. (please don't beat me up unless you've ridden an 05)

hope this helps... Cheers

the more i look at it, the more i think i might want one. But not until the Shiver dies....

 

[Joe Pozer]

They don't have an 04 wieght for the shiver, but it's listed as 7.99# from 2003.

That must've been without the upper crown. My '03 shiver weighed 8.75 pounds with upper crown and 7.5 inch steerer. The axle was not included.

 

[MikeD]

Final geometry should be your main decision point.

Personally, if the numbers work out OK, I'd get the Shiver...proven performance, sexy fork.

MD

 

[El_Chimichanga]

shivers are cheaper...don't forget that!

 

[OGRipper]

Final geometry should be your main decision point.

What-EVER. Like, oh my god, somebody gag me! Geometry, shmeeometry, I just want something that'll help me stand out at the mall.

 

[zedro]

That must've been without the upper crown. My '03 shiver weighed 8.75 pounds with upper crown and 7.5 inch steerer. The axle was not included.

or old number. Early Shivers had tapered uppers between the two crowns. Also the difference in top crowns (historically there have been 3 sizes i think), amount of oil used.....

 

[iridebikes]

ok, i know the shiver isn't a "rare" fork, but for 2004 they only got 150 of them in for the US, and I've only seen one in person. and that was a guy up at whistler, and I only saw him once durring the day. As for the 888's, i see those all the time. Marzocchi thought about not bringing the shiver back, but I'm glad they are. its all black, and I pesonaly think it's the best looking one yet(but the '03 was a sick looking one too). Anyways, I'm not so worried about the wieght difference, becuase it really isn't that bad. I'm only 145lbs, so I'm not sure if the added flex will make that big of a difference. But it sounds like the shiver is the way to go from what i'm hearing. Its also a couple hundred cheaper which is very nice. As for how tall the fork is, I like the ability of both forks to change the axle to crown length. The formula 1 is ment to run anywhere from a 7" to an 8" fork. and I think with the shiver, that's the perfect middle ground.

 

[Spunger]

I'd never trade my shiver for anything else. I am very impressed with the fork and everything with it. That's why I have one on the DH bike, and one on the FR bike.

I've never felt it flex, never had a oil issue, nada. The fork has been beyond what I thought it should do. Plus it soaks up the big hits nice. Just an awsome fork.

I thought about getting a 888r when they came out but I never did. I couldn't justify it over my current fork. I have rebound, preload, and the HSCV cartridges. Basicly similar to the 888r in a way. It just wasn't worth it.

Now if you had a lower end boxxer or marzocchi fork then the 888r would be a excellent upgrade. But once you're into the higher level of forks it becomes hard to justify the cost to change.

I agree though, if you're looking for rare try mr.dirt, avalanche, white bros etc..... But beware finding replacement parts for some of the more uncommon forks might be hard.

 

[zedro]

ok, i know the shiver isn't a "rare" fork, but for 2004 they only got 150 of them in for the US, and I've only seen one in person. and that was a guy up at whistler, and I only saw him once durring the day....

i'd call them rare as far as Marz goes. The Shiver didnt have alot of OEM oppertunities, especially in the later years where it was mainly the SuperT if a Marzocchi. On the other hand, the 888 seemed to be speced everywhere last year.

 

[OGRipper]

As for how tall the fork is, I like the ability of both forks to change the axle to crown length. The formula 1 is ment to run anywhere from a 7" to an 8" fork. and I think with the shiver, that's the perfect middle ground.

It sounds like your mind is made up and you really can't go wrong either way. But just so know (if you don't already) not all 7" and 8" are the same, you need to look at the axle-to-crown dimension to be sure how it will work. (A 7" boxxer and a 7" 888 are quite different.) The shiver should not be a problem for you but I don't know anyone that adjusts their 888 to make it taller than the lowest setting with the stock crowns.

This message brought to you by the Department of Too Much Information. Anyway, enjoy it, sounds like a sweet setup.

 

[humanhandlebar]

Go with the Shiver for reliability, the 888 for Pimpability. HOWEVER, if your down with the whole tuning scene go with the 888, cuz if you dial that s*#t in, its wack!

 

[ILikeFood]

I had a first year Shiver (the gold and red one) and loved it to death. I raced it, rode for probably over a 100 days at the ski resort and never had any problems with it. It was the perfect fork, all the talk about flex was meaningless as on the DH runs it felt great... The was basially bombproof, simple to maintain, tune and change springs. I sold it to a good friend of mine and he's still ridiing it hard.

But then I upgraded to the 888 last year. Holy god, I have to say it outdoes the Shiver in almost all regards. More plush, more progressive, lighter, and more travel (and you can tell, trust me.) Gone is the easy maintenance though: just changing the springs on that thing is a bitch (at least without a proper manual.) The 888 is the best fork I've ever ridden, to the point of ordering a 66 for my trail bike (which I abandoned after reading about the axle to crown height...)

Good luck,

-f00d

 

[zedro]

... its wack!

i thought wack was bad, like pants....

 

[OGRipper]

Studies have shown that "Wack" can be good or bad depending on the particular regional dialect of the species known as flyhomosapiencrackerwannabegangsta. It also depends in part on which burger joint parking lot in which the behavior is observed.

But I thought "plush" was banned from RM.

 

[James | Go-Ride]

I had a first year Shiver (the gold and red one) and loved it to death. I raced it, rode for probably over a 100 days at the ski resort and never had any problems with it. It was the perfect fork, all the talk about flex was meaningless as on the DH runs it felt great... The was basially bombproof, simple to maintain, tune and change springs. I sold it to a good friend of mine and he's still ridiing it hard.

But then I upgraded to the 888 last year. Holy god, I have to say it outdoes the Shiver in almost all regards. More plush, more progressive, lighter, and more travel (and you can tell, trust me.) Gone is the easy maintenance though: just changing the springs on that thing is a bitch (at least without a proper manual.) The 888 is the best fork I've ever ridden, to the point of ordering a 66 for my trail bike (which I abandoned after reading about the axle to crown height...)

Good luck,

-f00d

Well look who it is!

 

[lovebunny]

i must say i absolutly love my shiver and i think its bombproof and easily tunable. i really cant notice the flex(if any). i think shivers have a cult following just like older monsters and hope brakes

 

[OGRipper]

and hope brakes

\

HAHAHAHA, yeah Zedro needs
BUY SHIVER in his signature...

 

[JRogers]

Meh. You'll be happy either way. Decide what you want for geometry, talk to the Canfields, see what they say. If you don't want to do that, go for the Shiver because it's cheaper. 888s are awesome and I wouldn't hesitate at all to get one.

That said, I have a shiver now and love it. It has never given me any problems of any kind (well, the preload knobs loosened and fell off, but that's it). Tuning is really, really simple- put the right spring in; if it bottoms, add oil. Super plush (way way moreso than the Sherman I had before) and takes it all in stride.

 

[Toshi]

another option might be the white brothers 1.8 or 2.0 upside down forks...

 

[largextracheese]

I've had my 03 Shiver for about a yr. and it is an impressive fork. I weigh 230 and ride in the PNW. Rocks,roots, steeps,drops, stunts....it does it all without a whimper. It fits as big a tire as you can find, it looks badass, rides so smooth, and is pretty much zero maintenance. This years 888 might have all the problems fixed, but I'd wait a bit to jump on the bandwagon. The 888 rides nice and I think either you'll be happy with.

 

[BMXman]

I currently own a 888 only because when I called Brain there were no more Shivers available yet....but as soon as they're in stock I'll be on one...I just neede the have something to ride....my 888 has be running great so far but I had a Shiver for almost 2 years and it was flawless.....D

 

[***MTB***]

get the 888

 

[HTFR]

White brotheres DH2.0.

 

[rockwool]

i belive the axel to crown hight on the shiver is 572mm, 170mm 888 = 575mm, 200mm 88 = 605mm.
flat crowns, like go-ride, will take 38mm of your 888.
and in comparison a 178mm boxxer is 550mm.
(99% sure about the numbers)
i ride a shiver and the only reason i would swap it for a 888 is for its easyness to swich from linear, dh type of suspension, to progressive for hucking.
but don't get a -04 888, many had issues.

 

[rockwool]

and in comparison a 178mm boxxer is 550mm.

oops, 555mm is probably more correct...

 

[SprungShoulders]

I had a first year Shiver (the gold and red one) and loved it to death...[snip]...I sold it to a good friend of mine and he's still ridiing it hard.
-f00d

...And lovin' it, too, as well as still not having one bit o' trouble with it running on original seals and bushings. Not to mention that it continues to save his sorry arse when he gets in over his head, which usually happens as soon as he gets off the chairlift.

As a fire-and-forget fork, the Shiver is hard to beat IMHO. It's technology might not be quite up to the level of a 888, but it's bombproof, and feels oh so good on the mountain. You certainly can't go wrong with either fork, however.

 

[SprungShoulders]

I recently ordered some Dirt UK back issues and one of them, issue #10 i think.....has a pic from 1997 of Corrado Herin on the cover with Marz Super T.

Now that is a sweet looking fork. Looks burlier than the recent Super T offerings. Looks kind of a shrunken Monnter T. The crowns look to be shaped nicely and have some meat to them. It is also probably full of a ton of oil, which is good, and has a reasonable weight. All they need to is make 178mm of travel, use the new damping tech, throw on an integrated stem and they'll have the perfect fork.

They might go out of business if they did that though.

Kinda like this one??