Marzocchi Bomber - Bolted Arch or One Piece?

[Beagle2]

Hello,

I left the MTB scene in the late 90s and loved my old Bomber Z2s…

I’m now building up a 2001 Kona for some mid-life single track.

Bomber forks from ~2000 have a different ‘one piece’ arch design.

Was this new design stronger/stiffer? Somehow better?

Or should I stick to the old bolted version?

Obviously you need to replace both legs with the newer version if you damage one. And bolting a canti cable boss is going to be tricky (!)

 

[moonlite]

Not sure which is superior but suspect the later versions would incorporate more development and user feedback. But if you want to be period-correct, your decision will depend on the date of the frame. And if you want to use cantis (suggesting a pre V-brake frame), then the earlier version would probably be easier to use. (Or get a really modern fork and use a front disc brake and cantis at the back?)

Decisions, decisions . . .

 

[novocaine]

Not sure which is superior but suspect the later versions would incorporate more development and user feedback. But if you want to be period-correct, your decision will depend on the date of the frame. And if you want to use cantis (suggesting a pre V-brake frame), then the earlier version would probably be easier to use. (Or get a really modern fork and use a front disc brake and cantis at the back?)

Decisions, decisions . . .

latter was more rigid laterally than the bolt on design. the arch was pressed on and could be removed with heat but it wasn't never really recommended.

not all 2000 forks had the M arch, the JnrT and Monster stuck with bolt on for year more, think the Z5 did too.

if you are going newer than 2001 then M arch all the way, if you are going 99/00 then bolt on.

 

[Beagle2]

Thank you both, not overly fussed about completely period correct stuff on this particular build. I think I’ll look out for the least trashed retro Z2s and go from there.

 

[novocaine]

Thank you both, not overly fussed about completely period correct stuff on this particular build. I think I’ll look out for the least trashed retro Z2s and go from there.

I might have a set 99's in reasonable condition, let me check, I can't remember if they are Z2 ot Z3's.

 

[trailstar82]

Just one thing from my experience. When Marzocchi the first introduced the “m” arch, it was secured to the lowers through an extra long canti stud. People started removing them and running disks putting poorly fitting Allen bolts in place of the canti stud. This then led to the oil leaks and stress fractures around the canti area on the forks.

I unwittingly bought some z3’s from around 99/00 (can’t remember exactly) like this and the spare parts were difficult to source.

CNC all the way for me ;-)

 

[novocaine]

Just one thing from my experience. When Marzocchi the first introduced the “m” arch, it was secured to the lowers through an extra long canti stud. People started removing them and running disks putting poorly fitting Allen bolts in place of the canti stud. This then led to the oil leaks and stress fractures around the canti area on the forks.

I unwittingly bought some z3’s from around 99/00 (can’t remember exactly) like this and the spare parts were difficult to source.

CNC all the way for me ;-)

I have a pair with the bolt on arch that someone swapped the bolts out to low grade cheese bolts that suffered a similar fate. Only kept them for the bolt on crown. People are muppets sometimes.