|   XC Fork recommendations for a 105 - 110 lb rider? | BruceBrown
Oct 22, 2002 10:28 AM | | Any thoughts on how I can best fit a smaller rider in the just over 100 pound weight class with a decent front suspension fork? It does not have to be cream of the crop. I have a couple of possibilities on a deal from a local LBS that is trying to clear out some older inventory to make room for 2003 models. He said he can "make me a deal" on a 2002 Marzocchi Marathon S, a 2002 Atom Race, a 2001 Z4 80 or a 2000 Z3 BAM.
I was thinking that maybe the Z4 80 would be a decent choice for the price and features he pointed out to me. The Marathon S is great fork, but it looks to be on the side of excess for the needs of the rider in question. The type of XC riding it will be used for will include no drops and lots of fairly easy single track and fire roads.
Thanks for any advice.
BB |
| re: XC Fork recommendations for a 105 - 110 lb rider? | Guy with a question 345
Oct 22, 2002 12:43 PM | | i suggest the EXR (air) bomber. its air so u can adjust it however u want |
| I would suggest an air fork... | Squash
Oct 22, 2002 2:14 PM | | along the lines of a SID or one of the Zocch models. The problem that you're going to have with a coil fork is, most manufacturers just don't make coil springs light enough for a rider in the weight range you're talking about. The lightest springs that Marzocchi offers are rated for 120 to 155 lbs riders. I think that a high volume/low pressure system like Marzocchi's would be the way to go. With a low pressure fork pump you can set the air pressure using both pressure readings and sag measurement to get it just right for your light weight rider. If the Z4 is the air model, that would be the way I would go. If it's a coil model it can be easily converted to air with a combination of simply removing the coil top caps and springs and the purchase and installation of the air top caps and air pump. Make a slight oil level adjustment add air and go. Just my 2 cents.
Good Dirt |
| I would suggest an air fork... | BruceBrown
Oct 22, 2002 11:00 PM | | The problem that you're going to have with a coil fork is, most manufacturers just don't make coil springs light enough for a rider in the weight range you're talking about. The lightest springs that Marzocchi offers are rated for 120 to 155 lbs riders. I think that a high volume/low pressure system like Marzocchi's would be the way to go. With a low pressure fork pump you can set the air pressure using both pressure readings and sag measurement to get it just right for your light weight rider. If the Z4 is the air model, that would be the way I would go. If it's a coil model it can be easily converted to air with a combination of simply removing the coil top caps and springs and the purchase and installation of the air top caps and air pump. Make a slight oil level adjustment add air and go.
Yes, I know that the majority of forks available are not designed for the light weight rider. According to what I have read in the last 24 hours, the Z4 is a low pressure air spring model which has the option to be converted from air to coil. However, it sounds like I would want to keep it as air and adjust accordingly for the light weight rider as you suggest. Maybe with complete riding clothes and water bottles, the rider might eek out 115 pounds. She's only 5' 3".
BB |
| Z4 all the way.... | Aaron
Oct 22, 2002 3:28 PM | | Hey,
go for the Z4 if you want a real good fork, its much better than the exr too (no offense to whoever posted bout the exr) The exr is made in taiwan and is like 4. 3 lbs. The z4 has internal damping and is made in italy plus its like 3.8 lbs |
| Z4 all the way.... | BruceBrown
Oct 22, 2002 11:07 PM | | go for the Z4 if you want a real good fork, its much better than the exr too (no offense to whoever posted bout the exr) The exr is made in taiwan and is like 4. 3 lbs. The z4 has internal damping and is made in italy plus its like 3.8 lbs
I live right next to Italy (here in Austria), so I assume that's why the LBS is so heavily stocked with Marzocchi forks. I read the reviews here about the Z4 and it seems to be a pretty high quality product in terms of what the majority are saying. The color that is available is not exactly a perfect "match", but I am more interested in getting the rider fit with the correct suspension. If I go with the Z4 for her, will the Marzocchi Air Pump also be needed?
BB |
| While the Zocch Pump is not required... | Squash
Oct 23, 2002 3:19 AM | | I would highly recommend it. Zocch makes a low pressure and a high pressure model. You would want the LOW PRESSURE pump. High pressure pumps just don't read in small enough increments for for the finer adjustments that a low pressure requries for proper set up. You need something that reads in 1 to 2psi increments. The high volume/low pressure system is very sensitive to small increases or decreases in pressuer. Go with the Zocch low pressure model. Makes set up just that much easier.
Good Dirt |
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