If the sneak peek we got at the 2015 Marzocchi product is any indication, the company is set to come back in a big way. The new product line is the most complete we’ve seen in some time from the Italian icon, and with an increased presence at this year’s SOC, Marzocchi is serious about getting back to their roots of durable, competitive suspension offerings. 2015 will see the introduction of new coatings, improved seals, reduced weights, and more wheel sizes for a completely rejuvenated line up. Get a glimpse of the new and improved 380 along with a whole lot more after the jump…
One of the biggest stories for 2015 is the introduction of the new Espresso coating combined with new SKF low frictions seals. The espresso coating is basically a different color option of their GRC Gold Race Coating that is a Silicon molybdenum anodizing process that allows for the use of tapered stanchion tubes unlike plated stanchions. Being an Italian company, they know a thing or two about espresso, so warm bronze/brown color is a nice fit. Combined with the SKF low friction seals, the forks will have very little stiction for smooth travel.
For 2015 the 380 C2R2 will be a 6 lb fork with a ti coil, DBC damping cartridge, espresso coating and SKF seals, and will be offered in both straight and tapered steerers. The 2015 380 will be available in september.
Introduced as their enduro oriented fork, the 350 CR offers a 35mm stanchion chassis that tips the scale at just 4.2 pounds. The 650b fork is offered in tapered steerer only with a hollow forged crown, and a new arch that is wider and flatter for improved stiffness from the lowers. The arch also tapers to a point on the front of the lowers to improve the lateral rigidity while a 15mm QR holds it together.
Inside the 350 CR uses an air spring with travel set at 160mm but internally adjustable to 140 or 150mm. Damping is controlled through Marzocchi’s Dynamic Bleed cartridge which is a sealed damping system to ensure all the air can be removed from the oil before use. The CR offers adjustable compression and rebound, and the GRC coated stanchions. Retailing for $769, the fork will be available in the US in two weeks.
To the right of the 350 CR is the new 350 NCR which won’t be available until september.
The NCR uses the same chassis with the new Espresso coated stanchions along with the SKF low friction seals. Damping control is offered with high speed compression adjust, an internally adjustable shim system, rebound, and an external lockout compatible with their remote system. The NCR will have a similar weight to the CR of around 4.2 pounds.
Aimed at the cross country market, the 320 LCR Carbon carves out a new lightweight option with the new stanchion and seals as the rest of the line up. To be offered in 27.5 and 29″ forks, the 320 will eventually be sold in LCR, CR, and R versions with a one piece carbon monocoque steerer/crown assembly and redesigned lowers. To shave as much weight as possible, the lowers are carved out any place they can without sacrificing stiffness. LCR forks will also have a new one piece seal system to reduce weight which is expected to be around 1450g for the 29er, and 1425g for the 27.5 fork. Price is TBD with an expected delivery in January.
There will also be a 320 LCR 29er offered in 120mm travel, adjustable to 100 and 80mm, and an additional 320 R 29er fork with a coil spring and rebound adjust,
It wasn’t just forks that were being shown in the Marzocchi camp, as the team had two rapid prototypes of new air shocks that will be released soon. While still working on the names, there will be both cross country and Enduro focused air shocks to compete with the other options on the market.
Designed for XC, the light weight air shock has a target weight of 215g, and will be equipped with high and low speed compression and rebound adjust. A lever actuated lockout will be used with an adjustable threshold and the shock will use a tapered stanchion with the Espresso coating.
The Enduro shock uses a piggy back reservoir for additional oil volume and cooling with high and low speed compression, rebound adjust and adjustable volume. It will also have a lockout with adjustable threshold and a removable composite fender to keep the shock running clean on bikes where the rear tire sprays the shock. Target weight for the enduro shock is 300g, with both shocks expected by Christmas.
