[TickTock]

Hey all!
I ride in the northeast which means pretty much constant rock fields, roots, and technical stuff. But theres also a good deal of xc. I would consider myself an aggressive xc rider who rides hard and ventures into light freeride from time to time. I am building up an enduro frame that I will be using at 5.25" rear travel.

As far as fork choices, is my best bet going to be a marz z1 freeride? From all that I can tell it seems that it will suit me the best. The dirtjumpers seems stiffer and sturdier for jumps and drops that I dont quite need as much as the ecc for climbs. Also I have looked at the fox forks that are 125mm.

I want to stay away from some of the manitou forks that are 100/120. I would rather have a fixed travel fork.

Is the z1 my best choice? Any other suggestions?

I am also having a nice wheelset built on king iso hubs. I am currently going to throw on some 317's to get a nice light spin rate so my climbing will be great. Will 317's hold up to rugged use (I am a real lightweight, 145 pounds soaking wet) from a light rider? I dont do drops over 5' really at all.

Would f219's be a better choice? The enduro pro frames usually come with 317's so I assumed they are the best suited rim for the bike, though that may be wrong.

Any suggestions you can give on either subject would be great! Thanks so much guys!
-TickTock

 

[SirF]

I ride rocky, rooty eastcoast single track and my weapons of choice are a Fox Vannilla R fork and a set of 317 disc rims laced to my coda hubs, light strong wheelset for trailriding and the sweetest fork I ever did use.

Just my .02

 

[Toshi]

Hi. I think the Z1 would suit you just fine. ECC really is cool, and the action is smoother than the DJ series of forks, not to mention that the DJ forks have little damping. Search for a post by Bulldog on Dirt Jumper oil weight recommendations if you're interested.

 

[Zonic Man]

I recommend the fox float 100rl if you want only 4" of travel...the air fork is VERY nice....

if you MUST have the 5, go with the fox vanilla RL 125, better fork than the zoke IMHO.

The 317s should be fine for you at your weight. Just build em up right with db 14/15 gauge spokes by a good builder.

 

[TickTock]

Hmmm well it seems the wheelset is pretty much a solid choice.....

But as for the fork, people seem pretty divided. Price-wise the z1 freeride and the vanilla shocks are comparable.
Since I will be using the 5.25" rear almost all the time, I think I should have 125mm up front to match it. The fox has an option to go shorter, and the z1 has the ecc.....

Its a tough choice.

Maybe if i wait a little while I can get the z1 on sale since the 2003's will be coming out pretty soon.

Any more suggestions between these forks would be great!
-TickTock

 

[johnbryanpeters]

I'm on an '01 Psylo, which I have been quite happy with.

J

 

[Ventanarama]

Originally posted by TickTock
But as for the fork, people seem pretty divided. Price-wise the z1 freeride and the vanilla shocks are comparable.

Maybe if i wait a little while I can get the z1 on sale since the 2003's will be coming out pretty soon.

Any more suggestions between these forks would be great!
-TickTock

Both are great forks. I personally prefer the Vanilla, but the primary reason is stiffness. At 145 that's not as much of an issue as it is for a 190lb'er like me, but it's still nice. If you don't want/need lockout, then the Vanilla R is actually considerably cheaper than the Z1-FR, and the most bang for the buck of anything out there in my opinion. The RL would be comparable in price to the Z1. Marzocchi has already marked down the 02' forks some. Prices will drop more as we get closer to the 03' forks coming out, they've dropped about 10% so far.
Larry
http://www.mtnhighcyclery.com

 

[TickTock]

Yeah I have notice prices are already starting to drop. If I am smart I'll wait until the 2003's come out and then snag a 2002 at a substantial discount. Either that or get a 2003. I havent read up on the differences quite yet but I will.

The fox is sounding pretty sweet as well. I may try to find a bike that has it stock and testride it just to see how it feels. Wish it was air so i wouldnt have to swap out the springs, theyre usually too heavy for my weight.

You guys have beena great help! Im going to do extensive research as I have all fall/winter to build my frame so time is not an issue.

Thanks!
-TickTock

 

[Ventanarama]

Originally posted by TickTock
If I am smart I'll wait until the 2003's come out and then snag a 2002 at a substantial discount. Either that or get a 2003. I havent read up on the differences quite yet but I will.
Thanks!
-TickTock

Yeah, that's always a tough one. There will be some great deals, but there's also going to be some sick new stuff for 03', another banner year for new forks. Some significant changes from almost everyone. Sounds like Fox will have an 80/100/125mm air fork with external travel adjustment and "linear" air spring. The Z1 will get bigger (32mm) stanchions and new bushings so it should be much stiffer, and super clean looking no brake-boss lowers. I think they are also doing a 5" air Z1. Man, can't wait for all that new stuff.
Larry
http://www.mtnhighcyclery.com

 

[Dropout]

Just wondering where you heard about this? I was thinking of purchasing a 02 Vanilla 125, but now I am not so sure, if there is going to be a 125 mm fox air fork.

You say it will have a linear spring rate....are most air forks progressive? Will a linear air fork ride more like a coil fork?

To much gear, not enough money, bikes, or time.

 

[Ventanarama]

Originally posted by Dropout
Just wondering where you heard about this? I was thinking of purchasing a 02 Vanilla 125, but now I am not so sure, if there is going to be a 125 mm fox air fork.

You say it will have a linear spring rate....are most air forks progressive? Will a linear air fork ride more like a coil fork?

To much gear, not enough money, bikes, or time.

Sorry for the delay, was gone for the weekend. Here's a link to a description of the 03' Specialized Enduro, including a description of the fork. Also had heard about it from other sources, but this confirms it..... http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?san=03EnduroPro&bl=mountain
Yes, most air forks are very progressive. If they really have made a "linear" air spring then it should ride much more like a coil fork than previous air models. Can't wait to try it, my bike has 3-5" of travel adjustment in the back so that fork will be a perfect match.
Larry Mettler
http://www.mtnhighcyclery.com

 

[TickTock]

Fork sound spretty sweet. Also sounds pretty expensive.

I dont know, You can get the fox forx vanilla for 336$ at jenson or the z1 freeride for 350$. I am fairly sure that the rlc will be at least 500$ or more considering the coil rlc was well over 500. Its a pretty touch choice with the sweet deals coming around as the season closes. People are riding five year old forks and loving them, do i really ned the newest and best thing? I am not so sure. I dont even remember the last time someone I know has used lockout on either front or rear up here in the northeast.

Its a pretty tough call.
hm
-TickTock

 

[JJHACK]

I am currently using the Z1 Dropoff similiar to the freeride. The only one thing that keeps this from being the perfct fork for me is the lack of a Lockout. If there was a way of adding the ECC or a real lockout to this fork I would be in heaven! Maybe it can be done?

 

[ohio]

Originally posted by JJHACK
I am currently using the Z1 Dropoff similiar to the freeride. The only one thing that keeps this from being the perfct fork for me is the lack of a Lockout. If there was a way of adding the ECC or a real lockout to this fork I would be in heaven! Maybe it can be done?

It can be done. Call Marzocchi USA, ask for the sales dept. The ECC cartridge runs ~$110 or so. Best lockout system on the market.