Marzocchi

Bomber Z1 27.5 180 Grip Sweep-Adj Boost Fork

We remember the glory days of Marzocchi well. The original Bomber Z1 fork was ahead of its time, prioritizing grip and ride quality in a time when other suspension forks were more about weight than performance. The Z1 helped push mountain biking to the next level. It allowed riders to test their limits on more challenging terrain and developed a cult-like following along the way. We were sad to see Marzocchi throw in the towel several years ago, but fortunately they are back, reincarnated by Fox Racing Shox. The Z1 has been redesigned with a plush FLOAT EVOL air spring, a proven FIT GRIP damper, and a sturdy 36mm chassis. The fork may be new but the priorities haven't changed. The Bomber Z1 27.5 180 Grip Sweep-Adj Boost Fork offers simple, no-nonsense performance for aggressive all-mountain and enduro style riding—all at a price point that leaves you plenty of cash left for trips to epic mountain biking destinations.

The Bomber Z1 has 7in of plush travel, making it well-suited to steep, technical trails and the rigors of enduro racing. This is the most travel you'll find on a single-crown fork, letting you take the straight line into chunky rock gardens with confidence and composure. Or maybe you'd rather just gap the rocks instead. With this much travel it's your choice.

The travel is afforded by the FLOAT EVOL air spring. EVOL stands for "extra volume" in reference to the increased negative air volume, which improves the sensitivity of the initial stroke for buttery-smooth small-bump absorption. The mid-stroke is supportive to help resist brake dive when you hit the binders on steep descents. As you near the end of the travel the bottom-out progression is smooth, helping to prevent harshness on bigger hits. The air spring's progression can be tuned by adding or removing volume spacers.

Damping duties are handled by the FIT GRIP damper—a proven design known for durability and consistent damping. The damper has straightforward adjustments that simplify setup so you can get out on the trail quicker. There is just one compression dial and one rebound dial. The compression dial combines high and low-speed compression in a sweeping design, meaning it turns from fully open to lockout with no clicks, letting you stop anywhere along the way once the setting feels right.

With a long travel fork like this it's important to have a stiff chassis. Stout 36mm stanchions and heavy-duty lowers help prevent unwanted flex, ensuring the Bomber Z1 tracks well when things get rowdy.