Is Marzocchi still Marzocchi? The answer is simple: Yes and no… Marzocchi, the well-known shock absorber manufacturer from Italy, has been owned by 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 shock absorber at the beginning of 2019.
Wonderful, because the release was a good excuse for us to take a few extensive test rounds with the new Marzocchi CR shock on the MTB. For purely professional reasons, of course 😉.
👉 Important information about the Marzocchi CR shock
↪Is the Marzocchi shock the right part for your MTB?
Like the fork Bomber Z1 presented the previous year, the CR shock from Marzocchi is aimed at riders who want good performance without needing a master's degree in rocket science, meaning: Top functionality and easy handling.
⚙️Two important points about Marzocchi's steel spring shock:
- The shock is adjustable in low-speed rebound and compression and you don’t need to be a bicycle mechanic for that. A bit of experimenting will quickly get you to a setup that is fun.
- The steel spring of the shock must be matched to the rider's weight meaning you need to put the right spring in the shopping cart when purchasing!
|
Attention! For this reason, springs are usually ordered separately! |
🏔️ Where does the Marzocchi Bomber shock work?
↪The application area of the shock
The application area of the Marzocchi Bomber CR suspension is broad and is designed to make trail bike nerds as happy as downhill pilots on the hunt for adrenaline. Accordingly, the shock is available with 130 - 200 mm travel and thus logically in many different mounting variants.
We tested the shock, just like the Marzocchi Bomber Z1 fork, for several months to really put it to the test.
Facts – Marzocchi Bomber shock specs:
- Price shock: 399.00 € RRP (now 419,-)
- Price steel spring: 56.00 € RRP (must be purchased separately)
- Suspension: steel spring
- Adjustment options: low-speed rebound & compression
The available mounting sizes
- 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 greets! So it is hardly surprising that our test-Marzocchi CR shock reminds us of the older Fox Van RC, as the two shocks are quite similar in technical details.
What’s new?
The reservoir has been noticeably modernised, so we can undoubtedly confirm that the shock has undergone a rejuvenation, it is not just a copy of the Fox Van RC.
How does the Bomber shock perform?
Before the test ride comes the setup: The setup was predictably uncomplicated and quickly completed. We quickly mounted the appropriate spring and adjusted the rebound to our liking. And off we went on the trails.
The smooth responsiveness was one of the first things that pleasantly stood out to us - even small obstacles on the trail were well absorbed. The grip of the rear wheel was also impressive, it does not bounce on the roots, it sits nicely. This brings a lot of safety while riding, allowing you to fully concentrate on line choice.
Despite the smooth responsiveness, the Marzocchi CR has sufficient reserves that come into play when things get tricky on the trail. You can confidently let it rip in the bike park and on the downhill track without fear of bottoming out.
💸 How is the price-performance ratio?
Honestly, we have to say: The shock is quite simply equipped and is also one of the cheaper ones. Can it still perform? Here we can confirm after some test rounds… the performance is really good, whether on loose trails or in hard use, the Bomber CR impressed us with its solid performance. Also the uncomplicated adjustability is a real plus if you prefer to spend your time on the mountain bike rather than tinkering.
Are there also disadvantages?
However, it is also a fact that a steel spring shock without a platform lever tends to bob while pedalling. No problem if you mainly ride in the bike park or on downhill-heavy trails. However, on extended tours in the terrain, it can become a bit exhausting over time.
Also, the weight is of course not comparable to a high-end air shock.
🏆 The Bomber shock from Marzocchi in test – our conclusion
Marzocchi delivers a robust steel spring shock with which you can have fun on various terrains. The performance is good, the price is attractive, and the adjustment is absolutely easy even for suspension novices. In this context, the lack of a 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 fork or need a shock for your trail bike, you can visit our online shop, where you will find both and more products from Marzocchi.
Read tests in the Bike Mailoder Bike Blog
Marzocchi Bomber Z1 fork | SRAM G2 disc brake in test | Test SQLab saddle
