Is Marzocchi still Marzocchi? The answer is simple: Yes and no... Marzocchi, the well-known damper manufacturer from Italy, has belonged to the suspension giant Fox for several years. But even after the sale of the brand rights, the work continues, and so the Italians presented a new damper at the beginning of 2019.
Wonderful, because the release was a good excuse for us to take a few extended test rounds with the new Marzocchi CR damper on the MTB. For purely professional reasons, of course 😉.
👉 Important information about the Marzocchi CR damper
↪Is the Marzocchi damper the right part for your MTB?
Like the Bomber Z1 suspension fork introduced the previous year, the CR damper from Marzocchi is aimed at riders who want good performance, but for which you don't need a master's in rocket science, meaning: Top functionality and easy operability.
⚙️Two important points with Marzocchi's steel spring dampers:
- The damper is adjustable in the low-speed rebound and compression and you don't have to be a bike mechanic for that. Some experimenting quickly leads to a setup that is fun.
- The steel spring of the damper must be matched to the rider's weight which means you have to put the right spring in the shopping cart when purchasing!
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Attention! For this reason, the springs are usually ordered separately! |
🏔️ Where does the Marzocchi Bomber damper work?
↪The area of application of the damper
The area of application of the Marzocchi Bomber CR suspension is wide-ranging and is intended to make trail bike nerds just as happy as downhill pilots in search of an adrenaline kick. Accordingly, the damper is available with 130 - 200 mm travel and therefore logically in many different installation variants.
We tested the damper, as well as the Marzocchi Bomber Z1 suspension fork, for several months to really put it through its paces.
Facts – Marzocchi Bomber damper Specs:
- Price Damper: 399.00 € RRP (now 419,-)
- Price Steel Spring: 56.00 € RRP (must be purchased separately)
- Suspension: Steel Spring
- Adjustment options: Lowspeed compression & rebound
The available installation dimensions
- Standard: 7.5x2.0”, 7.7875x2.0”, 7.7875x2.25”, 8.5x2.5”, 8.75x2.75”
- Metric: 210x50mm, 210x55mm, 230x60mm, 230x65mm, 250x75mm
- Trunnion: 185x52.5mm, 185x55mm, 205x60mm, 205, 65mm, 225x75mm
🔎 Marzocchi Bomber CR Frame Shock: The Test Report
After the takeover, Marzocchi's products are approaching well-known Fox Shox achievements – Fox know-how says hello! So it is hardly surprising that our Test-Marzocchi CR Shock reminds us of the older Fox Van RC, the two shocks are also quite similar in technical details.
What's new?
The compensating reservoir has been noticeably modernized, so we can undoubtedly confirm a rejuvenation for the shock, it is not simply a copy of the Fox Van RC.
How does the Bomber Shock ride?
Before the test ride comes the setup: The setup was unsurprisingly straightforward and quickly done. We had the right spring quickly mounted and adjusted the rebound to our liking. And then it was off to the trails.
The smooth response was one of the first things that pleasantly stood out to us - even small obstacles on the trail were handled well. The grip of the rear wheel was also remarkable, it doesn't bounce over roots, it sits nicely planted. This brings a lot of security while riding and you can fully concentrate on choosing your line.
Despite the smooth response the Marzocchi CR has ample reserves, which are unleashed when things get trickier on the trail. You can confidently let it rip in the bike park and on the downhill track without fear of bottoming out.
💸 How about the price-performance ratio?
Honestly, we have to say: The shock is quite simply equipped and also one of the more affordable ones. Can it still deliver? Here we can confirm after several test rounds... the performance is really good, whether on loose trails or in tough use, the Bomber CR convinced us with its solid performance. Also, the uncomplicated adjustability is a real plus if you prefer spending your time on the mountain bike rather than tinkering.
Are there any disadvantages?
The fact is, of course, that a coil shock without a platform lever tends to bob slightly while pedaling. Not a problem if you are mainly in the bike park or on downhill-oriented trails. However, on extended tours in rough terrain, it can become somewhat tiring in the long run.
Also, the weight cannot be compared to a high-end air shock.
🏆 The Bomber Shock from Marzocchi in the Test – Our Conclusion
Marzocchi delivers a robust coil shock with the CR that can be fun on a wide variety of terrain. The performance is good, the price is attractive, and the setup is absolutely simple even for suspension novices. In this context, the missing lockout for better uphill performance can also be overlooked. For riders looking for a well-functioning shock with a “Ready to Ride” character, we can unreservedly recommend the Marzocchi CR.
If you want to refine your MTB (whether Fully or Hardtail) with a suspension fork or need a shock for your trail bike, you can visit our online shop, where you will find both and other products from Marzocchi.
