Marzocchi Super Z: Freeride suspension fork with 38 mm stanchions presented

Marzocchi forks were once an absolute must-have for real freeriders. With up to 300 millimetres of travel on small 26-inch wheels and steering angles that are now only found on cross-country hardtails, heroes like Josh Bender down the legendary red rocks in Utah. True to the motto that suspension travel can only be replaced by more suspension travel.

After Marzocchi was bought up by US fork giant Fox some time ago and catered more to the entry-level segment, the Italian fork icon is now moving more towards big drops and the premium segment with the Super Z. The ingredients for the new top fork from Marzocchi: thick 38 mm stanchions, a wide travel range with up to 190 millimetres of travel, the new Grip-X damper from Fox's top-of-the-range forks and, unfortunately, a correspondingly ambitious price tag.

The new Marzocchi Super Z at a glance

• Suspension travel: 150 mm - 190 mm
• Wheel sizes: 27.5'', 29''
• Offset: 37 mm, 44 mm for 27.5'', 44 mm for 29''
• Air spring and new Grip X damping
• Steerer tube: 1.5'' tapered, aluminium
• Standpipes: 38 mm, black anodised
• Weight from: 2180 g (manufacturer's specification)
• Price: 1289 Euro (RRP)

38 mm stanchions - The chassis of the new Super Z

For the first time, Marzocchi has opted for a single-crown design with 38 mm stanchions for the Super Z, thus expanding its product portfolio upwards. Until now, the Enduro fork Bomber Z1 with a 36 mm chassis, the thickest single crown fork in the Marzocchi line-up. The technology for the aluminium chassis is likely to come largely from the parent company Fox. This is evident, for example, from the identical pressure relief valves at the rear of the casting and the weight specification of 2180 grams, which is identical to the Fox 38 (note: Fox and Marzocchi forks are often significantly heavier in reality). However, the angular triple clamp, which is reminiscent of the Marzocchi M, and the bright red colouring make the Super Z unmistakably a Marzocchi. In terms of stiffness, the Super Z is probably close to the 38 from Fox due to its similar chassis.

Simple adjustability, top performance? The Grip X damper

Fox has just relaunched its entire high-end damping range! Instead of Grip2 and Fit4, the Performance Elite and Factory forks now Grip X2, Grip X and Grip SL. Surprisingly, the Americans also install the centre Grip X damper in the new Marzocchi Super Z. This allows the fork to be easily adjusted in rebound and also in compression separately in high and low speed.

The fact that the latest technology from Fox also ends up at Marzocchi is new, but is unfortunately also reflected in the high price. 1289 euros after RRP are due for the Super Z. The 36 mm Z1 fork with the Fit Grip damper from the Fox Performance range is less than half the price at an RRP of € 619. After all, the high-end compression should give the Super Z a strong performance with relatively simple adjustment logic. However, it is a little surprising that the new X2 gravity damping was not immediately chosen for a freeride fork with up to 190 millimetres of travel and Rampage aspirations.

What do 38, Zeb and Co. cost? The Super Z in comparison

The Grip X damper in the Super Z comes from Fox's premium segment, but so does the price of € 1289. Nevertheless, a new Fox 38 with the sophisticated Grip X2 damping will cost at least € 250 more, and the RRP of the classic 38 Performance with the old Grip damper is also slightly higher than that of the Marzocchi at € 1319. All in all, the MSRPs of the Fox forks are ambitious. For example, the in-house Marzocchi Z1 with a 36 mm chassis costs just € 619 after list price, while competitor Rockshox offers 38 mm stanchions from € 627 (Domain) or € 968 (Zeb Select). Even the top fork Zeb Ultimate costs less than the new Marzocchi Super Z at 1253 euros according to the list.

>> Which is the best of the big enduro forks? Eight 170-millimetre forks from Fox to Rockshox from Marzocchi to X-Fusion are tested here

• Marzocchi Super Z: 150 - 190 mm, 2180 grams, 1289 euros
• Marzocchi Bomber Z1: 150 - 180 mm, 2210 grams, 619 euros
• Fox 38: 160 - 180 mm, 2180 grams, 1319 / 1540 / 1660 euros (Performance / Perf. Elite / Factory)
• Rockshox Domain: 150 - 180 mm, 2606 grams, 627 euros
• Rockshox Zeb: 160 - 190 mm, 2309 grams, 968 / 1253 euros (Select / Ultimate)

BIKE verdict on the Marzocchi Super Z suspension fork

After years in the entry-level segment, Marzocchi wants to poach in the premium segment again with the Super Z. However, the fork is only slightly cheaper than a comparable Fox 38 and similarly expensive to the Zeb from competitor Rockshox. The application is clearly aimed at extreme freeriding, whether the new Grip X shock will prove itself here or whether the Grip X2 would have been the better choice remains to be seen. Nevertheless, it's good to see Marzocchi bringing some variation to the fork market dominated by Fox and Rockshox.