The Marzocchi Super Z is a new 38mm-stanchion single-crown fork designed for aggressive riders who want premium performance for a slightly more wallet-friendly price.
The new Super Z keeps adjustments simpler than top-end forks, ensuring riders can spend more time on the trails and less time twisting dials.
Engineered to combine the strength of a double-crown fork with the versatility of a single-crown setup, the Super Z boasts travel from 150mm to 190mm.
The new fork has already proven itself, hiding in plain sight at the Red Bull Rampage last year. It’s available in 27.5in and 29in versions.
The Super Z is designed to deliver ample performance and adjustability for bike-park shredders and weekend warriors. We’re keen to get our hands on one to see how its performance stacks up.
Function for fun
Marzocchi says its goal with the new fork was to empower riders to conquer the most demanding trails, while keeping setup simple and reliability high. With Fox acquiring Marzocchi in 2015, Marzocchi states this forks sits between the Fox 38 Performance and Performance Elite models.
The new Super Z is built around Fox’s Grip X damper. This is Fox’s new trail-oriented damper. It’s still claimed to boost impressive descending performance thanks to its new piston and shim architecture, but it keeps adjustments simpler.
The damper has three-way adjustability, including externally adjustable high- and low-speed compression damping, and low-speed rebound damping.
At the end of the high-speed compression sweep is a Firm mode to minimise bob during climbs.
The fork features classic Marzocchi styling and was built to meet the demands of its Bomber heritage. Marzocchi claims it requires minimal servicing, ensuring riders can focus on shredding trails rather than frequent maintenance.
Premium tech
The Super Z also features tech generally only seen on premium mountain bike forks at a mid-tier price point.
The bleeders on the Marzocchi Super Z are said to equalise atmospheric pressure with a simple button push. This equalisation is intended to prevent additional ramp-up preventing the fork accessing all the travel from the air in the lower legs during compression.
Lower-leg bypass channels increase volume in the lowers, also helping to prevent pressure build-up as the fork moves through its travel.
Its starting weight is competitive at 2,180g (165mm steerer with star nut), making this a viable option as a stout shorter-travel trail fork. To help keep speed in check when ripping park lines, it uses a minimum 200mm rotor size and maximum of 230mm.
Marzocchi Super Z features and specifications
- Stanchions: 38mm
- Travel: 150mm-190mm
- Damper: Fox GRIP X
- Lower leg bleeders
- Air bypass channels
- Colours: Gloss Red, Shiny Black
- Available for 27.5 and 29-inch wheels
- Offset: 37mm, 44mm (27.5in), 44mm (29in)
- Starting weight: 2,180g (claimed)
- Price: £1,119 / $999 / €1,289
