[powderboy]

So, I've been pretty busy this summer (I got married in August) and haven't ridden my Z150 as much as I would've liked to. I've only gotten about 10 good rides on it.

On top of that, I haven't had much extra time to tweak the fork. My rides are so few and far between that I don't take time to re-adjust things and try something different.

That said, I'm a bit concerned about the lack of travel coming from my Z150. I've got it set at somewhere around 10 psi (I'm not sure since the gauge on the shock pump isn't meant to measure that low of pressures) or 2 pumps from empty. So, my pre-load is set very low. At that low of pressure, I'd assume I'd be blowing through the travel, but it isn't.

I was riding with a friend of mine who has a 4" travel Bomber fork and he was getting all his suspension. Mine was using a paltry 3" of the 6" of travel. I can't figure it out. Maybe the springs are too heavy?

I love the fork, but it's not quite as plush as I would like it to be.

Is anyone else having similar issues?

 

[binary visions]

Take ALL of the air out and see if you get full travel. From my experience, it takes only a tiny amount of air to practically lock out the fork.

I think that air pressure is a pretty bad way of controlling things. Try adding a little oil to the fork instead to prevent bottoming out.

edit: Congratulations on getting married, by the way!

 

[powderboy]

I'll give it a whirl without any pressure and see. I just didn't want to do any damage to it.

I think that air pressure is a pretty bad way of controlling things. Try adding a little oil to the fork instead to prevent bottoming out.

I TOTALLY agree. I see that the new Z150's have the normal Marzocchi rebound/compression adjustments that are typically found on forks like these.

 

[RITFreeRider]

With the air preload on that for and other marzocchis a couple of psi can make a big difference. Experiment with half a pump or one full pump and see what the difference is. If it still doesn't get full travel with no preload then the springs could be too stiff for you.

 

[binary visions]

Originally posted by powderboy
I'll give it a whirl without any pressure and see. I just didn't want to do any damage to it.

Bottoming out the fork once or twice won't do any damage to it - it only damages it if you do it heavily and often.

Raising the oil level is extremely effective in preventing bottoming out - if you haven't done it before, you'll be shocked at how a little oil can make the fork ramp up. IMHO, adding air pressure is only a very useful way to lock out the fork for dirtjumping or trials stuff.

 

[powderboy]

I'm just going to take her out without any air and see how it feels. If I need to add a bit more oil to make sure it doesn't bottom, that's what I'll do. I just want the squishy squishy that I'm used to with Bombers...

Here's the official word from the man, the legend, Ronnie Dylan at Marzocchi:

"You might want to check your oil level. It should be set at 60mm with the stanchion and the cartridges compressed and the springs removed. your air pressure should be at 5lbs if you even use any air you might not need any."

That's just what I'll do...

 

[powderboy]

I just wanted to make this my 600th post

 

[binary visions]

Originally posted by powderboy
I'm just going to take her out without any air and see how it feels. If I need to add a bit more oil to make sure it doesn't bottom, that's what I'll do. I just want the squishy squishy that I'm used to with Bombers...

Here's the official word from the man, the legend, Ronnie Dylan at Marzocchi:

"You might want to check your oil level. It should be set at 60mm with the stanchion and the cartridges compressed and the springs removed. your air pressure should be at 5lbs if you even use any air you might not need any."

That's just what I'll do...

Adding oil doesn't affect that small bump sensitivity, actually - it'll only affect the way the fork feels after it's about halfway or more through the travel. My friend just bumped up the oil in his Super T actually and it's unbelievably soft but never bottoms out.. indeed, it's a beautiful thing!

 

[powderboy]

I just went for a killer ride up American Fork Canyon here in UT on Saturday with NO AIR whatsoever in my Z150...

The Result... the best ride I've had on the Z150 all year. Super plush and supple... just the way Marzocchi's should be!!!

I may put in a half a pump, but that's it. This fork ROCKS!!!!!

 

[DH Dad]

I too felt that the Z150 felt no better than an old atom 80 fork with the Marzocchi recommended air pressure. Most I ever got was about 3.5". So I removed the air and it felt great but I bottomed it often. About a month ago I changed the oil, went to a 10 wt. instead of the stock 7.5 and filled it to about 55mm from the top, been running zero air pressure ever since and I've yet to bottom it plus it uses the 6" all the time, not just on massive hits. This is how I wanted the fork to work when I bought it. All I use the air caps for now is to release built up pressure every 2-3 rides and all you need is an allen key or a small branch to do that.

No Air + 10 wt. at the right height = excellence.

BTW, I'm 175 lbs. and don't drop anything bigger than 5-6' so if you go bigger than that or weigh more you may even try a 15 weight or 15 in one leg with 10 in the other.

 

[powderboy]

Originally posted by DH Dad
I too felt that the Z150 felt no better than an old atom 80 fork with the Marzocchi recommended air pressure. Most I ever got was about 3.5". So I removed the air and it felt great but I bottomed it often. About a month ago I changed the oil, went to a 10 wt. instead of the stock 7.5 and filled it to about 55mm from the top, been running zero air pressure ever since and I've yet to bottom it plus it uses the 6" all the time, not just on massive hits. This is how I wanted the fork to work when I bought it. All I use the air caps for now is to release built up pressure every 2-3 rides and all you need is an allen key or a small branch to do that.

No Air + 10 wt. at the right height = excellence.

BTW, I'm 175 lbs. and don't drop anything bigger than 5-6' so if you go bigger than that or weigh more you may even try a 15 weight or 15 in one leg with 10 in the other.

Thanks Pops!

That's pretty much good advice on the fork! I think I'll do more tuning of the fork next season (change oil weight/height), but for now stock with no air it works like a charm!

 

[Kornphlake]

How's the clearance on that fork? I know they won't clear a 3.0 tire but you were only running 2.5's right? Bruce and I rode in Payson at the end of august and got pounded by a rainstorm, the typical utah sticky mud completely ruined our ride because the mud got jammed up in the arch and kept the wheel from turning and we both have 2002 arches that are bigger, I was even using 2.35's. I'm not really considering a new fork right now because I am happy with my super T but in a few years I may be looking for something with a little less travel but any time things get sticky I have had problems.

 

[powderboy]

Yeah, I'm running Minion 2.5's up front. Those tires rock, but I wouldn't go any wider than that with the 03 arch.

Any luck with jobs? Maybe you could be come a firefighter. That's scary stuff...

I hear ya' on the rainstorm. Payson rocks, but I could see how any trail in UT could turn into the abominable clay trail once there's enough h20...

So, you got a Super T? That's perfect for your ASX... I really miss my Super T, but the Z150 is pretty close!

 

[DH Dad]

Originally posted by powderboy
Yeah, I'm running Minion 2.5's up front. Those tires rock, but I wouldn't go any wider than that with the 03 arch.

The Z150 does not have the original 03 arch, it's got the 04 revised arch and has more clearance. At the end of August I rode West Mtn. with it and had a Michelin 2.8 up front with no problems whatsoever. This tire simply did not fit in the 03 arch.

 

[powderboy]

I guess I don't know if it's a standard 03 arch or a revised 04... All I know is that here's a picture of my fork with Maxxis Minion 2.5's up front. I've got about 1/4" clearance on either side, which is about as close as I'd want to go. I guess a 2.7-2.8 would fit, but it would be getting tight.

 

[powderboy]

I used my Mobster 2.7's when I had my Manitou Sherman and that was way too tight. I had maybe 3/8" on each side of the arch with the 2.7 and the tire rubbed the side of the arch in mud and hard cornering -- a little too close for comfort.

That's why I feel the 2.5's are just right for the Z150 because I don't have any of those problems.

However, with my 02 Super T, I woudn't dream of having any issues with my 2.7 Mobster... there was plenty of clearance all around for mud and everything. Why they changed the arch (clearance wise), I don't know.