Marzocchi is back! For the 2015 season the Italians have presented a real highlight: the Marzocchi 350 NCR. The fork has 160mm of travel and is available for 27.5″ wheels. With a weight of 1920g it makes a very good impression on paper. We had the chance to test the fork in detail and took it out on our home trails, the EWS stages in Finale Ligure and the Bike Park Lac Blanc to find out if the new 350 would also convince in terms of performance.

Endlich im Büro: Die neue Marzocchi 350 NCR
We were really excited to get our hands on this fork. Then it arrived in the office – the Marzocchi 350 NCR.

We recieved lots of emails from our readers, asking us if we could tell them something about the performance of the fork. After a thorough test, we can now present our impressions of the new Marzocchi 350 NCR.

Schnelle Italienerin im Maßanzug: Die Marzocchi 350 NCR
A pretty Italian in fashionable dress: The Marzocchi 350 NCR
Mit 160 mm Federweg und 35 mm Standrohren bei 1920 g passt sie perfekt in die Klasse der Enduro Gabeln
With 160mm of travel, 35 mm stanchions and a weight of 1920 g Marzocchi’s latest fork fits perfectly into the category of the current Enduro Forks
Dunkel und smooth: Die Espresso-Coating genannte Beschichtung der Standrohre verleiht der 350 italienischen Charme
Dark and chic: The Espresso coating of the stanchions gives the 350 some Italian flair

At first glance the remote control which allows, the fork to be set firm for the uphill through the compression damping caught our eye. Marzocchi informs us that the new DBC-damping unit is a hybrid of an open oil bath and a closed damping cartridge. The rebound and low-speed compression can be adjusted externally in fine clicks. The High-Speed ​​Compression is adjustable internally via the shim stack. In addition, the rider can reduce the travel internally from 160 mm to 140mm. The weight of 1920 g is very competitive.

Die Marzocchi verwendet eine 15 mm Steckachse
The new Marzocchi fork uses, like most of the competitors forks, a 15 mm thru axle
Eingebaut wurde die 350 NCR in das Dauertestbike unseres testers Benjamin, wo sie eine RockShox Pike ersetzte
The 350 NCR was installed in the Rose Granite Chief of longterm test rider Benjamin. Here it replaced a RockShox Pike.

We built the fork into the Rose Granite Chief of longterm test rider Benjamin. There it replaced a 160 mm RockShox Pike. After just a few meters the Italian impressed with its improved responsiveness that Marzocchi’s always been well known for. After it was adjusted to the riders body weight, it was out onto the home trails in the beautiful Pfalz.

Auf den Hometrails in der Pfalz war die 350 nicht zu beeinrucken
Benjamins Home Trails could not challenge the Marzocchi 350, here the fork was a class act

On the climbs the fork remains very stable, only when strong pedaling did we have to activate the extra damping via the remote on the handlebar to maximize efficiency. On the downhill sections the Marzocchi is unstoppable. No matter how rough the terrain is and how much you miss your lines, it absorb any unevenness.

Die Kletterhilfe lässt sich per Lenker-Remote einschalten und beruhigt die Gabel selbst im stärksten Wiegetritt
With the remote control additional compression damping can be turned on to firm up the fork, even when pedaling strongly.

After mellow home trails, we pulled out the big guns: A Day in the Bike Park Lac Blanc would surely show whether the pretty Italian can cope with the fierce braking bumps, hard hits and challenging technical terrain. To have a reference, we packed a RockShox Pike too.

riding-4914

No matter what we rode with the Marzocchi 350 NCR, it devoured it with great pleasure and always remained high in travel. No sagging under hard braking or in steep sections was noted. In direct comparison to the Pike it did not give as much feedback, but offered more comfort so we had significantly later and less arm-pump in the forearms. Typical Marzocchi, the fork must be ridden a bit more actively, as it has a high absorption capacity and creamy sensitivity.

riding-4926

Conclusion: Marzocchi is Back! The 350 NCR provides everything that the name Marzocchi once stood for and much more. Blessed with an impressive absorption performance and very low weight, the Marzocchi 350 NCR is suitable for both for everyday riders and racers, who will appreciate the great adjust-ability and performance of the DBC cartridge.

For more information visit: www.marzocchi.com

Text: Sebastian Gierulski | Photos: Trevor Worsey


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