Though we haven’t seen a coil suspension fork from Marzocchi for quite some time now, with the current BOMBER Z1 utilizing an air spring, Marzocchi are certainly no strangers to the concept. The Marzocchi 66RC of 2005 used the oil and coil design, as did the original Z1 of 1997. Now the brand is heading back to its coil sprung roots, with the launch of the BOMBER Z1 Coil suspension fork with an ultra-lightweight tempered silicon-chromium steel spring. This February, they’re also set to offer a coil conversion kit for the air sprung BOMBER Z1, so no one has to go without.
Marzocchi BOMBER Z1 Coil Suspension Fork
The single-crown suspension fork retains its 36mm chassis and the GRIP damper for both compression and rebound damping, but swaps out the air spring assembly for “the most advanced coil spring system Marzocchi has ever made”. Available in four spring rate, the BOMBER Z1 Coil uses a tempered silicon-chromium steel spring, coupled with a noise management system, an integrated air assist for progression and bottom out control, and an top-cap accessed external preload adjuster to dial in sag and firmness in the top stroke.
About that “integrated air assist”; the coil spring system utilizes captured air and oil within the fork’s spring side lower leg to function as a secondary air spring, providing non-adjustable progressivity and bottom-out resistance, and eliminating the need for any additional type of air spring or bottom-out damper. It also acts to lubricate the chassis.
The BOMBER Z1 Coil is available in both 29″ and 27.5″ wheel size options. The 29er fork travel ranges from 150mm to 170mm, with two rake options of 44mm and 51mm, while the 27.5″ fork travel is adjustable in 10mm increments from 160mm-180mm via reconfigurable internal spacers with just one short fork rake option of 37mm.
The BOMBER Z1 Coil is pretty weighty, starting at a claimed 2.525 kgs, a fair bit heavier than the MRP competitor, the Ribbon Coil, though with larger stanchions. It does come in cheaper than the MRP Coil fork, with an MSRP of $749, though it does lack the fine 1mm resolution of travel adjustment offered by the Ribbon.
BOMBER Z1 Coil Conversion Kit
So you already have an airsprung BOMBER Z1? The grass is greener and now you want the coil version? Not to worry, you don’t need to buy a whole new suspension fork, as the damper side is identical between coil and air-sprung models. As of Mid-February, you should be able to get your muddy mits on a coil conversion kit, also with four choice of spring rate, for $175. Conversion will add 250-350 grams to your fork, depending on which spring rate fork you go for. Though designed specifically for the BOMBER Z1 air sprung fork, the coil conversion kit is also compatible with FOX 36 Rhythm forks though not the Factory, Performance or Performance Elite models.
Pricing & Availability
The Marzocchi BOMBER Z1 Coil suspension fork is available in Matte Black or Gloss Red as of today, at an MSRP of $747 USD, and $949 CAD. You’ll have to wait a little longer for the coil conversion kit; it is set to be available from Mid February at a price of $175 USD ($228 CAD); $130 for the conversion kit, and $45 for the coil itself.
