2019 Pinkbike Awards: Value Product of the Year Winner

Dec 17, 2019 at 12:18
by Daniel Sapp  
2019 Pinkbike Awards

In order to be considered a good value, a product must be able to deliver performance that's close, if not equal to top tier products at a fraction of the price. This category is always one of the most exciting ones for the editors at Pinkbike, as we believe that more affordable mountain bikes are important to the future of our sport.

This year's nominees included MicroShift's affordable and durable Advent drivetrain, SRAM's $15 Universal Derailleur Hanger, and Marzocchi's $500 Bomber Z2 fork.






Marzocchi Bomber Z2 fork 2020


VALUE PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Marzocchi Bomber Z2

The Marzocchi Bomber Z2 boasts both performance and value.



Marzocchi's Z2 Bomber fork is designed to be functional and durable for the majority of trail riders, all at a very competitive price of $499 USD. That price is especially reasonable when you consider the performance of the new Rail semi-open-bath damper out on the trail. As RC wrote in his review, "I gave the Z2 the chance to fail on a 9-mile local descent which features prolonged boulder fields. I emerged at the bottom end with a fully functional fork. If it did fade, I didn't notice - the Marzocchi had enough performance left in the bank to keep the rubber side down and my confidence in the green... Marzocchi have produced a truly great fork with the new Z2."

The Z2 Bomber forgoes complicated damping and adjustment features in favor of simple, user-friendly options that make tuning the fork easier and the price tag more affordable. On the trail, its performance is on par with its pricier siblings and the Z2 Bomber proves to us that you don't need an uber-expensive super fork to have a good time.

In years past, suspension forks have mainly fallen into two categories with two very specific price points: those that work well and are expensive and those that don't work as well and are more affordable. The Z2 challenges this and bridges that gap.

For this, Marzocchi's Z2 Bomber takes the 2019 Pinkbike Value Product of the Year award.







Author Info:
danielsapp avatar

Member since Jan 18, 2007
476 articles

42 Comments
  • 127 3
 Ok Bomber
  • 22 1
 If Marzo doesn't make this a sticker then they're doing their business wrong.
  • 1 1
 You win sir
  • 33 4
 In Germany the retail price without discount is 699€....hard to call that bargain for a very good, but self claimes midlevel fork.
  • 11 0
 Yeah, they will probably not sell to many over here. At Bike24, the Lyrics go for more or less the same price.
  • 44 2
 Bomber Z2 €699 - Lyrik Ultimate €729 - Fox 36 Factory €1399

Go home Fox, you're drunk...
  • 5 1
 @Trailsoup: The Bomber is basically a Fox, as Marzocchi is owned by Fox and uses Fox parts and is produced in Fox' factory.
  • 24 0
 @megatryn: that's why fox must go home, they're drunk
  • 5 8
 @Trailsoup: You're drunk, Fox is sober. They have the highest and lowest priced fork of your comparison.
  • 4 4
 @jgainey: Well, the Z2 is more of Pike Select equivalent than Lyrik Ultimate. He just meant to point out that the Z2 goes for almost as much as the Lyrik Ultimate in Europe making it pointless. The comparison should go more like :
Pike Select RC €499 vs Bomber Z2 €699 and Lyrik Ultimate €729 vs Fox 36 Factory €1399.
  • 11 0
 Why is it a surprise Zocchi's are actually good? In fact, after a blip in the mid to late 00's which is where most people who've never ridden on them jump on the hate bandwagon, they've been pretty solid throughout. Now they're owned by Fox it's likely they'll only get better.

My 350CR have been hands down the best, most reliable forks I've ever owned. Trumping RS, FOX et al by a country mile..

So whilst it's great to see recognition for them through a 'value' product, in my mind they've always offered amazing value for money even if 'value' and 'price' don't always see eye-to-eye.
  • 2 1
 Have you ridden anything from fox recently? I had the 350CR before now the Z1 and the new one is miles better. A top suspension service company here also said they had many issues with the 350 where the fork wouldn't seal and end up leaking oil by the rebound adjuster. That's why I decided not to have mine serviced and replace instead Frown
  • 6 0
 I really miss my 55 RC3 TI's. Probably one of the best forks I have ever ridden (I felt my wife's BOS Devilles were slightly better performing but constantly needed attention).
  • 2 0
 My 2012 Marz 66 is still going strong. Marz used to be my go to fork, then like you said there was that bad era, when I think their manufacturing went to Taiwan or China. I'd like to see Hayes make a come back as one of the go to brake systems.
  • 1 0
 Hahahaha - I had some XC51s back in '95. They were crap. Seriously crap. To be fair, most forks were crap, but the XC51's were particularly crap.

I've got some Z1's now (mated with a Fox 36 performance CSU for a nice light frankenfork) and they're brilliant.
  • 4 0
 "Now they're owned by Fox it's likely they'll only get better."

You mean it'll have inherent design flaws, so they'll offer upgrades at penetrating prices of which factory service will then screw up?

Weird interpretation of better.
  • 9 0
 Well that price only works for North American fella .... UK price is $700+ On another hand, Zocchies are always been top performer back in the day, reliability and easy maintenance were also factors made these forks choice for many
  • 2 0
 Silverfish (the importers) don't do affordable.
  • 32 1
 Yes we get cheap forks, but you get hospitals, so there's a nice toss up there. I can't afford to crash my bike after I get my nice cheap fork
  • 1 0
 How does that compare to the competition? Or is all suspension more expensive over there?
  • 6 0
 @brianpark: probably same for UK, but in mainland Europe aftermarket Fox (and Marzocchi) prices are just high and not moving a single cent bellow their MRSP compared to RS offerings. e.g. prices from certain large german e-shop:
Pike Select RC €499 vs Bomber Z2 €699 and Lyrik Ultimate €729 vs Fox 36 Factory €1399.

So there's little point to buy Fox/Zocchi stuff aftermarket unless you really really want that kashima or something.
  • 1 1
 @brianpark: Since UK is not the manufacturer of any of the leading brands, they have to import. Fox is especially expensive and holds its prices, where RS can be £900 for the latest model, but next year you will be able to get one new for £600. Now, its something called BREXIT round the corner, this will definitely mess up trade with duty to be paid even for EU brands, so you never know, US and UK might do a deal and we will be able to buy cheap zicchies for $499 Big Grin
  • 1 0
 @del1986: rumour has it that part of the Brexshit deal includes removal of import tax on bicycles from outside the EU. If the same applies to parts we “might” benefit. Chances are it’s bollocks though.
  • 5 0
 Nice to see Marzocchi putting the past behind them, and rebounding with solid product.
  • 11 7
 What about Trumps fake tan , cost 2 bucks !
  • 8 17
flag JohanG (Dec 20, 2019 at 4:21) (Below Threshold)
 Trump Derangement Syndrome strikes again!
  • 7 1
 @JohanG: sorry 4 bucks !
  • 2 1
 From the standpoint of US MSRP it might be a deserved win, although OneUp dropper seems a better option.
However, from the standpoint of European MSRP ($700+) there are far more interesting options.
  • 3 0
 RC wins again Smile . I'd love to see a long term review on the Z2.
  • 3 0
 So far all the reviews I've read so far have been positive.
  • 2 0
 @onemanarmy: Indeed, it's a strong contender for the fork on my next bike.
  • 1 1
 I really wanted to buy this for my new winter HT but the new Rock Shox 35 was cheaper and is basically the same. So it's not the most budget friendly fork in the segment.
  • 1 0
 Thought the 35 would be a step below the Z2, but potentially interested in either for a budget HT as well. I suspect there will be a lot more take off/slightly used 35s than Z2s available shortly. They are priced about the same new in Canada.
  • 2 0
 i still ride my 2005 66rc. so maybe i shoudl get some of these..
  • 2 0
 Nice, well deserved
  • 1 0
 Why not sr suntour durolux?
  • 1 0
 I have a Z2 on my f/s and ht. Great solid fork
  • 1 0
 Impressive return.
  • 1 0
 Good Hucks for Bucks
  • 2 2
 Well i can buy pike select for €430
  • 1 0
 Shocking.
  • 1 0
 Itz da bomb!







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.035443
Mobile Version of Website