Best Value Product Nominees
It's no secret that mountain biking can be an expensive sport, especially if you've got your eyes on a brand new carbon speed machine, an exotic fork, or a set of ultralight wheels. The good news is that today's mid- and entry-level components are better than ever, allowing riders without unlimited funds to enjoy high-end performance without breaking the bank.
The three products nominated here all offer an excellent price vs. performance ratio. SRAM's NX 12-speed gruppo drops the price of a wide range drivetrain even further, the Marzocchi Z1 returns to form with the reliability and simplicity that first put it on the map, and OneUp's dropper post makes it even easier to upgrade to a dropper post with just the right amount of travel.
Why it's nominated: SRAM's $375 NX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain hit the market less than two years after the top-of-the-line 12-speed XX1 Eagle group debuted with a price tag of over $1,000. That's a pace that doesn't really fit the definition of trickle-down technology – 'pouring-down' would probably be more accurate.
Sure, the NX drivetrain isn't exactly light, but it offers very similar shifting performance to its high-end siblings, with enough gear range to make the hardest hills much more manageable. The 11-50 tooth cassette also fits on a standard 10-speed SRAM or Shimano freehub body, which means there's no need to shell out the extra dough for an XD driver body. The price of the NX drivetrain, and the fact that it's compatible with the other Eagle groups already on the market makes it a very welcome addition to SRAM's flock of drivetrains.
From the review: | Yes, it's heavier, and maybe a little clunkier than XX1 or X01 Eagle, but you can also buy the entire drivetrain for less than what an XX1 cassette costs. As far as practicality and ease of use, it's exactly what it should be... The NX Eagle drivetrain is going to be the "go-to" for a lot of riders looking for an affordable and reliable 1x set up. — Daniel Sapp |
Why it's nominated: I know, I know, the Z1 isn't a 'real' Marzocchi – it's not coil sprung, there's no open bath damper, and it's not filled with three quarts of oil, but don't let those nostalgic flashbacks take away from what the new Z1 brings to the table. It's stiff, strong, and easy to adjust, which just so happen to be the traits that earned Marzocchi such a loyal fan base back in the day.
The air sprung Z1 uses Fox's GRIP Sweep cartridge damper, a simple and effective design that relies on a spring-backed internal floating piston to compensate for the oil as the fork is compressed. In fact, it works so well that Fox ended up adopting a slightly more adjustable version of it for their highest end forks.
Our test fork handled hours and hours of hard riding without any issues, delivering a smooth and comfortable ride even when blasting through the tallest of brake bumps or dealing with the occasional mis-judged landing. More than anything, it's the Z1's $699 retail price that earned it the 'Best Value' nomination. That's not chump change, but the fact the Z1's performance is on par with forks that cost hundreds of dollars more is what makes it a great value.
From the review: | For hard chargers looking for a sturdy, smooth operating fork with a more reasonable price tag, the Z1 is a highly recommended option.— Mike Kazimer |
Why it's nominated: Dropper posts post prices have become much more reasonable over the years, and the level of reliability also seems to be increasing, which is welcome news for anyone in the market for this necessary accessory (ok, there's that one guy who swears dropper posts are just a fad, and that tall-posting is going to come back in fashion, but he's also rocking bar ends and Power Grips, so...).
OneUp don't have any fancy name for their offering – it's simply called the Dropper Post, and it's available with either 150 or 170mm of drop. Pretty standard stuff, but what sets this particular post apart is the fact that the amount of drop is easily adjustable, and it also has one of the lowest, if not
the lowest, overall heights of any post on the market. That means that shorter riders and riders whose bikes have taller seat tube heights don't need to settle for a post with less drop than they'd like.
The features and performance are there, and the reasonable price solidifies the post's value - it's $199 USD without a remote, or $248 with the shifter-style remote included.
From the First Ride: | In action, the post has a swift but measured extension rate that can be easily modulated for mid-stroke stops. The carbon-reinforced plastic remote has just-right ergonomics and tucks nicely beneath the left brake lever.— Richard Cunningham |
#envegotrobbed
Read backwards is No Straps
Length of baguette: 18 inches
29*3.14 = 91 inches
91/18 = about 5 (all approximate due to baguette tolerances)
5 baguettes/wheel * 2 wheels = 10 baguettes per bike.
130/10 = 13
Would you rather have one dropper post bike or 13 baguetted bikes?
The choice is clear.
Not sure about durability. I replaced my SLX cassette for XT a few weeks ago and I already have burrs appearing on the smallest sprockets when it occasionally skips. Any idea what I could do about that? I went with XT (11-36 10sp cassette with Zee wide range mech) because the smallest sprockets aren't on a cluster so I can replace them individually. I'm running a 34t oval ring in the front and frame nor chainguide accept anything bigger (bigger than 36t round, that is). I've been told I'm pedaling too hard because I stand up most of the time. So I either put in a few hard stomps in places (or more hard strokes when climbing) and for the rest coast and pump. But you'd think the cassette should be up to that, shouldn't it? That said, apparently SRAM stuff is out of the question for me. Truvativ Ruktion cranks are keeping up just fine though, so SRAM isn't all bad .
Interested in the 12 speed shimano when it comes out..though it’s gonna take a while to see it in the market.
Obviously my chainstays run straight too, never noticed them to be particularly noisy. Then again this is my first time riding with a clutch equipped rear mech so maybe it is just relatively quiet compared to the racket I had before .
When I think about it, my xt 11-40 did not skip as badly as the xt 11-46 does, but there was a time when my chain jumped off the bottom and ran between the sprocket and the inner dropout. I had to fix it up with epoxy because a thread was showing. Now I'm reluctant to just wap it into top gear and get on the pedals.
I am planning to try the xt 12 speed next year, but I can't see a 10t sprocket making it any better at holding the chain in place.
That + x01 shifter and p1030 castte is my current set up, but I think I'll be back on xt when it wears out.
I vote for the Mattoc as well.
Besides being technically superior, I believe the rear arch looks cool. It shows more stanchion, which make it look like you've got more travel .
When it works, its one of the best forks out there... but, this forks dont work longer then couple of rides. :/
www.pinkbike.com/product/marzocchi-mtb/Dirt-Jumper-2
What I notice now though, it had 130mm travel. It was basically a modded Z1
I know its "just a 36" but the value - performance ratio is unmatched.
It was cheaper to buy the Z.1 than get a new CSU for my 36 RC2 that was outside of warranty... No Brainer.
No complaints for either stiffness wise, however it being boost likely means stiffer wheels etc.
I still see 1990-era Z1 forks that are buttery smooth. I'll take a bit of weight for durability and "smoothness" any day!
Off this list-Z1. A burly, affordable(ish) fork with proven guts-winner in my book.
I guess some bought the 170mm version and wanted to run it completely slammed down to the collar.
As bikes have gained features and kept weight in check (rigid 3x7 cromo bikes used to weigh 26-30 pounds, like a modern 140-160mm f/s bike with bigger wheels and a dropper) tolerances have gotten tighter. Specs for torque on everything from stems to derailleurs is much narrower than just "get it tight" or "tighten until snug and then go 1/4-1/2 turn more" on new stuff.
If you've done everything right and the seattube is just out of spec, what brand of bike are you on?
It's not an issue. It's user error in this case..
I run into two people on the trails and both had issues with it.
Sram NX is worst than the old X3.
Foxzocchi I can't comment.