Marzocchi 888 RC3 EVO V.2 Suspension Fork

Review from Dirt

Review relates to almost identiacl 2011 model.

In conclusion...

Spot the difference? Well there's not much that gives it away, really. A couple of caps, the odd logo, the forks are pretty identical. We're about to bolt next year's Bomber onto a bike, but before we do, how have the past six months been on Italy's finest 2010 suspender?

Two things bother me (and others) about Marzocchi. Coming from a motorcycle background I feel it strange that there has not been more Marzocchi prescence on World podiums given that they have twice won the Worlds in the past decade under the guidance of Fabien Barel. The second is their role of apparent bridesmaid to other fork companies in terms of paddock prescence at the races.

You could look at this several ways. Either they don't have the riders, and therefore don't need the service capability, or they do and the riders are not coming up to scratch. Maybe the forks are so bloody reliable and consistent that they don't need the workforce that other fork manufacturers do. Or is it that Marzocchi simply do not sign up to the highly-strung, hyperactive and seemingly high maintenance race based values of the competition?

It's really difficult not to get wrapped up in all that nonsense. Beg, borrow or steal a pair of 888's and you will immediately realise what you have been missing. Or have forgotten. The old small bump sensitivity with smooth transition through progression. Yes that old chestnut still works wonders, particularly in the wet and on the upper body at speed.

The Bomber has been around for over fifteen years now. It started at four inches, now it's double. In terms of this the 888 downhill form, there has never been any major boasting of any really significant lighter, faster, stronger mods over the past six years, just a steady tweak of an already well proven, well-designed, super reliable product that works straight from the word go. They're a modest bunch down in Bologna. I went to visit them in the summer. I even met the man who designed that original fork.

But they've been in a transition and now with new multinational owners Tenneco we might just be about to witness a big change. Still, no major change with this fork for 2011 however, and as I hand over the new version to test rider Chris Morris he is reluctant to let go of the 2010 version. They've not missed a beat, and he's hard on products. OK they took a bit more time to bed-in than those early forks, but like I said, small steps. The Bomber is all about oil, stacks of oil, well that's what makes things move as Marzocchi themselves point out – to damp, to lube and keep things cool. They don't forget something so important.

Easy on the arms, great on the grip, free of workshop hours, but capable of the highest performance, Marzocchi have a philosophy that is very different from the competition. This fork is true to its word and apart from its very expensive French neighbour BOS, we think it's the best downhill fork you can currently buy.

Rating: N/A