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2015 Marzocchi 380 CR Review

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2015 Marzocchi 380 CR Review

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flag NickZink1
Posted: Sep 17, 2015 at 10:07 Quote
Hello everyone.

I recently purchased and New (2015) Marzocchi 380 CR Front fork for my bike (2013 Giant Glory)

The CR being the economy version in their latest 380 DH line up.

I wanted to register for a local DH race that was coming up, but my bike being the Glory 2 had some average components on it. I had been having lots of problems with the Boxxer RC, Rebound adjustment was not responding well and was getting lots of hand pain and arm pump from it.


My original plan was to upgrade my Boxxer RC with a better damper, so did some research and found out that the Boxxer damper upgrade that Rockshox offers is a damper that is meant to be used with a air spring like in the Boxxer world cup. I also looked into Avalanche suspension damper upgrade and possibly send it out to them to set it up. It seemed like a really good upgrade with lots of good reviews on their damper. It would have been about $450 or so for everything done, I also started researching used forks in hopes to find a good Marzocchi for a good price. I ended up finding a distributor on Pinkbike selling Brand new 380 CR's for $550 shipped (Anexbikes). I wanted to find some reviews on it but was unable too. I decide to order it knowing Marzocchi was good having a old school drop off on my trail bike.

Old Boxxer RC
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The shipping was fast but a little damage on the arch.
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Started the install
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Once I had the bike together and everything torqued to spec I took it out to start dialing it in. The controls where easy to use and figure out. This fork doesn't have High and low speed adjustments but has compression, Rebound and preload. I looked up a factory start setting and my sag was good with the Spring it came with. (Guy said it was the Heavy) I'm about 200lb with full gear.

Right off the bat on some local trails I noticed a big difference. I was able to go a lot faster due to my hands not getting sore fast. I also absorbed some big hits well. Arm pump went down as well, Normally I would have had to stop on this trial (sometimes twice) to shake the pain off for a bit. This time I went the full length of the trail to the bottom without stopping. There was some mild hand pain but it was not bad at all, nothing that would have made me want to stop.

During race weekend I was able to really get the fork dialed in better to its full potential. I would not have been able to do this track without it, I was able to focus more on going faster and become better at controlling the bike instead of dealing with a serious pain in the arms and hands. Fork seemed to be taking the abuse well too, Ended up with a 4th place finish. Not saying this is a complete cure for arm and hand pain as there was still mild pain every now and then but nothing like with the RC Boxxer. I'm Sure the higher end 380 C2R2 is a much better fork, but for the money and if you are on a budget The 380 CR is more than worth it. Very happy and did not break the bank in the process. Going on 2 months of hard ridding with and it is still holding up consistency.

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Think maybe Next year I will do the avalanche upgrade to the 380 CR and see if their damper is any better.
Will update as I spend more time with it.

Specs
Weight: 2920g/6,44lbs
Axle: Taperwall 20mm
Damping (L): Coil K= 6.5 N/mm
Damping (R): Cr
Spring: Coil
Stanchions: Ø38mm Natural Anodizing
Steerer: 1-1/8” Aluminium Steerer
Brake System: 8“ Post Mount - Max Disc 230mm
flag Lundee
Posted: Sep 18, 2015 at 9:27 Quote
I bought the c2r2 from him. Minus the fact the low speed comp & reb knobs are a pain in the a$$ to turn, this fork has been awesome.
Better than my 40 and just as good if not better than my dorado.
We have pretty rocky terrain in Utah, and the 380 sucks up all the small speed chatter. Little soft in the initial stoke going up jump faces, but I'm still tuning it in.
Has anyone heard if Marz has been purchased by anyone yet?
flag NickZink1
Posted: Sep 22, 2015 at 7:08 Quote
Lundee wrote:
I bought the c2r2 from him. Minus the fact the low speed comp & reb knobs are a pain in the a$$ to turn, this fork has been awesome.
Better than my 40 and just as good if not better than my dorado.
We have pretty rocky terrain in Utah, and the 380 sucks up all the small speed chatter. Little soft in the initial stoke going up jump faces, but I'm still tuning it in.
Has anyone heard if Marz has been purchased by anyone yet?

I seen that the MTB side of things is going to continue on, But their MOTO stuff is going to end.
flag gramboh
O+ FL
Posted: Sep 22, 2015 at 9:46 Quote
Wow, $650US for a 2015 380 C2R2. If only the CAD/USD exchange wasn't so poor right now I would consider upgrading my old 888 haha. He also has 350 NCR Air 650B for $950 which seems like a good deal for a high end trail fork. Thanks for the review.
flag NickZink1
Posted: Sep 22, 2015 at 10:58 Quote
gramboh wrote:
Wow, $650US for a 2015 380 C2R2. If only the CAD/USD exchange wasn't so poor right now I would consider upgrading my old 888 haha. He also has 350 NCR Air 650B for $950 which seems like a good deal for a high end trail fork. Thanks for the review.

No Problem, Will do a long term review or update this in the future.
flag nickkk77
Posted: Nov 2, 2015 at 8:56 Quote
been riding the 2014 888CR from the beginining of the year and I'm likewise mighty impressed. I believe the internals are identical despite the cosmetic/lower casting differences and they've been a joy to use. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. The 380's look great on the Glory there, good job!
flag NickZink1
Posted: Nov 3, 2015 at 9:08 Quote
Thanks Guys! These forks are still going strong. Made some minor tweaks to the adjustments since I posted last due to some rougher terrain and they are eating it up even better. Only cosmetic damage so far.
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