Marzocchi turned a lot of heads with their recently released 200mm travel 380 C2R2 Titanium downhill fork but their renewed focus on mountain bike suspension also extends to platforms with a bit less travel, with the 350 NCR shown here sporting 160mm that can be adjusted internally down to 140mm. The new fork, which takes its name from the 35mm stanchion tubes and adjustable compression and rebound - that's the 'C' and the 'R', while the 'N' signifies its Enduro racing intentions - utilizes much of the same technology that Marzocchi employs within the 380, including their Dynamic Bleed Cartridge. The DBC system uses a one-way seal that lets damping oil enter as required, but the clever bit is a spring-loaded piston that acts as a compensator (similar to how an internal floating piston functions in a shock's piggyback) that keeps the cartridge full of oil without it hydraulically locking: the piston moves up to make room as the damper cartridge fills with oil, and also down in its travel to take up the lost displacement as oil rushes out.
350 NCR Details
• Intended use: all-mountain/enduro
• Travel: 160mm (reduced to 140mm internally)
• Wheel size: 650B only (no plans for 26" or 29")
• Adjustments: Low-speed compression, rebound, lockout
• Dynamic Bleed Cartridge
• Spring: air
• Stanchions: 35mm, nickel treated
• 15mm thru-axle
• Weight: TBA
• Availability: February, 2014
• MSRP: TBA
The air-sprung fork offers an extremely wide range of low-speed compression damping, made via the anodized gold dial atop the left fork leg, that should allow pretty much any rider to find their own sweet spot. A lever just under the LSC dial allows for the fork to be firmed up instantly for climbing, although Marzocchi have wisely designed-in a bleed that still allows the fork to compress slightly, just in case you forget to re-open the fork after a climb. Rebound damping is tuned by way of an adjuster at the bottom of the leg.
www.marzocchi.com
Different processes to either slow rust, inhibit corrosion or prevent corrosion by putting a barrier between the oxygen oxidizer and the structural material. Slipperiness depends on the surface/shore hardness quality of the structural material. The coating can exhibit lubricating qualities or retain oil for lubricating purpose. Kashima or a squirt of penetrating oil - no difference.
How about we actually ride the fork instead of trying to judge a fork on it's stanchion color/treatment, especially when the actual treatment performs just as well as any other treatment/process...most don't even know what Kash, PTFE, etc is or what it truly does, but then are soooo quick to praise fork cause it gots them gold on it. Got gold in it? Must be good! lol.
Just saying.
Artificial oxydation. Said that.
Nickelplating, chromeplating alu, no. You add an intermediate conductor and plate that. Kashima is very similar. Its been used on weapons for a while. Same with chrome on cfk. Styling reasons.
Oxydation on alu is unavoidable, can be quite hardwearing and selfhealing, color ano will show wear. There is nothing wrong with nickleplating steel - extremely tough. Even thougher and corrossionresistant when an additional chrome layer goes on top of the nickel.
You seem interested in surface material properties - good lit out there.
This is why I like the street scene, it's runned by rider-owned companies, UCI stays the f*ck out, and it's all about what's good, no crazy marketing things that will make everyone need to buy new bikes. Things are good until big money gets involved.
It is depressing and true
And now this. 650B Specific?
Is the industry deliberately trying to make it impossible for the entry level/ student/ rider on a budget to upgrade their bike? Im starting to feel this sport is becoming horribly elitest.
And no I'm not anti 650B or 29" or tapered headtube or whatever, I'd just like to make a choice whether I'd like to go for that technology, as oppose to being forced by limited options
It sucks, but in order for them to keep prices reasonable they need to pick a few basic options and focus on just making those. If you had to build one fork and your finance guys said no way can you do multiple steerers can you honestly say you'd even remotely consider it being a straight 1.125??
I see your point, but you forget they all used to do nothing but 1:1/8th or 1.5. The equipment to manufacture is already there, making it perfectly viable, with very limited cost and potential gains to be made.
Still, Marzo 55 CR here I come...
Steer tubes are easy, it would be extremely easy to make a step-down steerer that presses into a 1.5" crown, but has a 1.125" dia for the race. Charge an extra $50 for the 1.125" version and nobody would complain, beats buying a new frame.
Same goes for 650b only forks. I'm in the market for a new AM fork, and this Marz. is out of the running, no matter how good it is, because I can drop $800 on a fork, but can't drop $800 on a fork, $800 on a set of wheels, $100 on tires, and $2500 on a frame in order to get a new fork.
But it is a real shame that every brand is going the 27.5 way... "/
I guess I won't be riding Marz.....thanks industry hype machine for taking away options for my '13 26" frame!! Oh, as well for changing the name of my "mountain bike".
1.Manitou Mattoc.(if only it had 20mm axle in the 26" 170mm version).
2.Srsuntour Durolux.
3.Maybe one of the "new guys" will make something worthwhile.....
How can they be 650b only though ? surely you can run any size wheel you want aslong as it's smaller ?
I spent a week on kboss's Bronson and rode it extensively on my favorite trails. The handling traits that are purely attributed to the 650b are very noticeable to me, as they were to my friends who gave it a go as well.
It would take many more words to describe the experience than there is room for here, but in summary I will never be buying a 650b. The other 3 people that gave it a go were happy to give it back.
I know 3 people that I rode with who have Bronsons now. One is kboss who is getting rid of it, another has put 26" wheels in it and likes it a lot better that way, and the other came to visit a couple of weeks ago and wasn't pumped on it and said he would sell it if he lived where I do and get a 26er. Not a great endorsement so far.
Some people are going to love the 'stability' of the bigger wheel. But what some call stability I call non responsive handling. After talking a lot about how it could possibly feel different and it not really making much sense, we realized it's a lot like side cut on snowboards and skis. The smaller wheel regardless of trail/headangle/offset will cut a tighter arc with a given angle of lean. I like the 'sidecut' of 26 better, and it seems that I'm far from alone. I was really concerned about all this talk of 26" being dead and phased out, but now that I've actually ridden one and talked to a lot of people in my area, it's becoming clear to me it's all bullshit and the riders who want it will see to it that it's not dead. There are too many of us to be ignored, and Marz can do what they want at their peril.
****quietly closes door on way out....
20mm axles, along with 26" wheels are going the way of the Dodo.
So in conclusion, BRING BACK THE 3.0" WIDE TIRE.
.. another try: if a-c is so important let's start discussing how rake is important. and how it's affecting a-c (depends on how it's measured). and how much 'rake' is build already into fork crown.
anyone is comparing rim outer width? rim ertro? rim lips shapes and how they affect tyre shape? Comparing tyre shapes between brands and models and which 2.2" tyre is lower and which one is higher.
go ride.... but dont forget this fork will be probably tappered. Anyway it still can fit into 44/44ZS headtube. No need for tapered or 1.5" headtube. Just use external lower cup (Cane Creek or FSA ITA-A/ITA-B) and die... beacuse it will stick out another 15mm under headtube or so. A-C even more high...ha ha ha
GO CRY !!!!
Better yet, how many more will wait 12 months or more then buy it online at a huge discounted price?
Old technology is not pushing this industry and helping it grow.
Than: 650B only and 15mm axle.
That sucks!!!
So i have to tune my Lyric with Avalanche advantage, or buy a bos Deville.
20mm axle, 170mm travel and 26" that´s the way i like it.
Sorry, it just had to be done.
At 250lbs and riding the shit out of my current Marz 15mm fork (yes its a 9r Ti 44TST) I have had not a single problem riding on the best and worst of the Northshore. You guys will soon realize the standards are much higher than you think and MOST every weekend warrior or Computer cruisader could actually still be riding a 9mm axle and just 3" of crappy elastomer bumper travel without noticing a performance loss.
The simple fact that people are willing to talk about a Switch in the same sentence as these forks is why the MTB market is so underinformed and hard to please.
CHANGE is a good thing Ive seen it for the past 23 years riding mountain bikes.
Call me when you bring back the Shiver. Until then, let's just not talk, I think it's better for both of us.
Love,
Me.
However I am judging mainly on the basis of pinkbike news and few other minor sources.
Why flood the market with the exact same fork that every other brand already has a similar product.????
Do your forks still work perfectly for 6 months to a year with out maintenance? What are you offering me that makes me want to buy your fork?
Btw I luv my RC3 55s.
Of cource they are only making it for 650b in stead of the outdated 26" size for enduro.
Good going Marz! Don't look back but forward.
You're drinking the industry Kool-aid.
Yet "NOBODY" wants to talk about increased un-sprung and how that affects traction, however indirectly.
So this is not me living in the past. This is me asking a legitimate question and not hearing anything in return, which can only mean that a good portion of all this chatter is just marketing BS.
My conclution was tha 650b is faster, more grip under braking and cornering with less vibrations through the bars, gave a confidence boost and more fun.
Cause if you feel you can push the bike further the mor fkn fun it is to ride it.
This might not be facts to you but it is a fact for me that 26" is less fast, less fun, yesterdays news and i will not be riding it in the future.
Cheers to all ya 650b haters.
And please do some real time testing on your own before you start coming up with stupid theories about the "industry" forcing worse products down your throat.
The pros want to ride it cause it is faster, more fun and i like it better for the same reasons.
Cheers.
Over and out!
2) I'm not a 650b hater.
3) I agree all day long that if you feel faster, go with it!
That said, the jury is still out as to what will prove to be the weapon of choice at top level racing.
i>Wheel size: 650B only (no plans for 26" or 29")/i>