First look: New Marzocchi 350 NCR Enduro Fork
The EWS pits in Finale were full of exciting new prototypes being put through their paces out on some of Europe’s toughest race stages. Those with keen eyes may have noticed that Alex Lupato and Cecile Ravanel were testing out a new Marzocchi fork on their race bikes. Marzocchi have been working hard over the last few years to draw back the class leading reputation that they held ‘back in the day’. Over the last few years they have put out some great products offering the reliability and plushness that made them famous, but so far most of the forks have perhaps been more ‘freeride’ orientated without a dedicated enduro race fork.
For 2014 Marzocchi are getting serious! The 150-160mm fork market is more competitive than ever before, with the Fox 34 and RockShox pike duking it out for supremacy, and BOS and X-Fusion in the mix there is now a bewildering number of options for cutting edge suspension. In response, Marzocchi have totally revamped their line-up, new forks, new names and new technology. Of most interest to enduro readers is their new burly long travel enduro fork, the top of the range 350 NCR. The fork will not be available until April 2014 but ticks all the boxes, with 35mm stanchions, 650B options and weighing in around 1900 grams, it is likely to be very popular race ready fork.
There is a lot of new technology squeezed into the 350 NCR, including a new Dynamic Bleed Cartridge (DMC), marking a big step for Marzochi who have traditionally favoured an open bath system. The DBC is a semi sealed system allowing oil to circulate out of the top of the cartridge, this allows the oil to cool before returning to the circuit. This helps to keep damping consistent when the forks are being put through their paces on longer stages.
The 350 NCR also gets external compression and rebound adjustment and a lockout damper, however the lockout is more of a platform than a full lockout! This is no bad thing as most enduro riders do not need to lock the fork out fully, preferring to have a small amount of suspension travel left for grip while climbing. The fork will be available with a remote for the lockout, allowing on-the-fly adjustment.
The fork uses an air main spring with a negative coil spring to help overcome initial seal friction, the seals themselves are SKF green units developed for motocross. Marzocchi have always been a tuners favourite and these forks are no exception, dedicated fettlers can pull out the compression shim stacks and modify without a complete disassembly. Travel will be internally adjustable from 140 – 150 – 160mm and there will be a coil sprung option with basic rebound adjustment.
Words: Trev Worsey Photos: Manne Schmitt
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