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I'm currently running a RST Gila AET (http://www.rst.com.tw/English/Spec/11.htm) on a Giant ATX 890. The bike has the usual bits of XT, Hope brakes, Uno carbon handlebar etc, and I mainly use it for enduro XC type racing.

I can get a Marzocchi Bomber Z5 (2000 model) for next to nothing. A local bike shop discovered it in the store room unused, and offered it to me for a very good price.

Opinions vary, but should I go for the Marzocchi? It's slightly heavier than the RST, gives same amount of travel, yet everyone seems to say it has better damping and rebound control?

Opinions welcome :)

The Marzochi fork will be a far greater than the RST. I've had my experience of RST forks and they have all been fairly bad to be honest, they are more at the cheaper end of the market. I had a pair of RST mozo pro 3.5" forks and they were crap, they offered hardly any advantage over a rigid forks, they were just extra weight basically. However marzochi have provided me with some excellent suspension, my first being the z4 light (air sprung) which is probably quite similiar to the z5's, and then the z1 drop offs (coil) which were awesome for freeride stuff. The overall quality of the z5 will supass the rst's, and they will stay feeling good for longer. If your getting them for next to nothing then go for them you can;t go wrong mate

Originally posted by Fooz
I'm currently running a RST Gila AET (http://www.rst.com.tw/English/Spec/11.htm) on a Giant ATX 890. The bike has the usual bits of XT, Hope brakes, Uno carbon handlebar etc, and I mainly use it for enduro XC type racing.

I can get a Marzocchi Bomber Z5 (2000 model) for next to nothing. A local bike shop discovered it in the store room unused, and offered it to me for a very good price.

Opinions vary, but should I go for the Marzocchi? It's slightly heavier than the RST, gives same amount of travel, yet everyone seems to say it has better damping and rebound control?

Opinions welcome :)

The Gila AET isn't as bad as mozos. If the Marzochi is affordable for you and you don't mind the weight penalty go for it. The RSTs just aren't there yet in performance compared to the Marzochis etc.

The Marzocchis will be a much better fork for you. The extra couple of ounces will be worth the reliability and true tracking. It's nice when your bike goes where you point it. Ride the crap out of the Z5 and if you prefer feather weight stuff then save for some of the new Marzocchi Marathons, great light fork. If you are more towards the "free minded" end of things (such as I) then they make killer long travel forks as well. I am on my third set of Marzocchis on my new bike and each new set has been better than the last. Ride on.

K.

Fooz, if you're racing then I'd recommend a Fox fork 100mm with lock out. Check out some Rock Shox aswell, they've got a good selection of race orientated forks. The other fellows in the thread seem to be wired on Marzz's which is cool. I've never tried tho'.

Buying a fork depends on what kind of riding / racing you'll be doing is also a consideration.

Take your time and don't rush into buying the first 'fad' fork that's presented.
Enjoy your races,

Marzocchi Bomber Z5 all the way..


Just my 2 cents