[davet]

Sorry this is a cross post from the Tech Talk forum but it wasn't getting an replies there.

"I've got 2 choices for a trailbike/light freeride fork. It will go on a small 2003 Santa Cruz Heckler with 5th element. Light rider (120 lbs woman), no drops yet, max will be a couple of feet, but she likes the steeps, and is riding more aggressively all the time.

The choice is between an 03 Fox Vanilla 125 RLC and an 04 Marzocchi Z150FR SL. The Fox is on the bike right now. It's a bit stiff for her, I'd have to change the springs to make it perfect for her. The Z150 SL came along and it's too good of a deal to pass up. The weight difference between forks should be minimal, I was thinking the extra height of the Marz would make it better for the steep sections and the extra travel would be better on the faster downhill stuff. The ecc should take care of the geometry on the climbs.

Please don't suggest other forks, these are the only two choices I'm considering. I'd like to hear some opinions from people who have knowledge of both forks."

 

[AA_Freeze]

Fox all the way, keep the bike light, depending on your current setup, More Freeride, do the Marz, more aggressive XC go with the Fox.

Just my 2 cents

 

[Kntr]

Everyone in my area had lots of problems with the SL. When it works, it works great. Some guys had no problems. The more aggressive guys had all the problems. It might be the ticket for a lighter person or female. Sort of like the ol Romic shocks.

 

[OGRipper]

Well, given the choice between the two, for all around riding the fox is a better call for that frame. The z150 is great but is tall, even for a 150. Since the frame is built for something more like a 5" fork, the z150 will slack it out and raise the bb more than you want for a trail bike. Yeah, it'll be great in the steeps, and yeah the ecc will help on the climbs, but what about twisty, rolling trails that comprise a lot of "trailriding"? Being a heckler owner I can tell you that a 150 is great in some situations but if get you get a fork capable of 150 you will want something with a couple different travel settings, not just ecc. I knowwhat you said about these being the only forks you are considering, but think about maybe a new firefly plus or maybe a fox talas with 130mm travel. If you're stuck on one of those two, I'd get the fox, better all around on that frame, especially a small one for a light rider.

 

[Castle]

leave the fox, like someone else said, the SL's are nothin but trouble....

 

[mack]

When marzochi comes to mind, its the DH shocks, there not realyl known for anything light and xc ishy. Fox is better, stick with them, or manitou.

 

[Curb Hucker]

When marzochi comes to mind, its the DH shocks, there not realyl known for anything light and xc ishy. Fox is better, stick with them, or manitou.

sure next time think before you type, and knowing what youre talking about helps too

 

[Jm_]

the best of both worlds would be a marzocchi all mtn 1


the fox isn't especially tall, and the marzocchi is very tall. The marzocchi would not make a great trail-bike fork because it's so tall, but as a freeride or downhill fork for a lighter female rider, I agree 100% with the extra height and travel on steeps, and think it would work great in that role.

For all around riding the fox may be a better choice.

 

[Kntr]

I agree with JM the all mtn 1 is sweet. The only problem I have with it is the color and price.

 

[davet]

Well I picked up the Z150 SL just because it was an incredible deal from someone that needed the money. It's brand new, never mounted. I'll try it out, and if it doesn't work out I'll either throw it on my hardtail or re-sell it again. We live in BC and mainly ride the North Shore areas, so our idea of "trail riding" may be a bit different than most, but I'll just have to see if it rakes the bike out too much.

 

[Castle]

the only concern will be the internals, which can be changed to HSCV's a.k.a. regular z.1 internals if those don't work out, we had it done for a few of them from the shop that had issues.

I'm gettin ready to mount a z.1 (150mm) on my heckler too for my trail bike! It should rock!

 

[Bikael Molton]

With her weight, stick with the Fox. Vanillas can be pushed pretty hard by a lightweight rider.
The Z150 SL is at least a pound (maybe a pound and a half) heavier, isn't it?
Plus it's like 2" taller than the Vanilla.


-rob in brooklyn