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 Marzocchi z1 fr sl vs.Talas RLC
I just got a new Switchblade Talas last week that came with a Marz. Z1 fr sl. I'm thinking of selling the fork and getting a Talas RLC. By my calculations this will get the bike down to the same weight as my previous bike which I use to get my butt kicked at AMCUP/STATE xc races. Does anyone have experience with the Talas Fork vs the Marzocchi?
Posted by ScarryFast a 38 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a 2001 Stumpy Fsr pro & 2003 Switchblade from Bakersfield on 07/22/04

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  •  Re: Marzocchi z1 fr sl vs.Talas RLC
    The Zoke fits the type of bike . The Fox is more XC.
    Posted by OCD on 07/22/04

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  •  Re: Marzocchi z1 fr sl vs.Talas RLC
    I ride with the Z1 FR Sl. It is everything you want on the downhill. It is not great for climbing because it is so freekin' tall and the lockdown feature does not really work. (this may or may not bother you). The talas is a better for climbing/xc rides but the z1 is better for steep technical descents.

    That switchblade looks like a sweet bike. Where are the pics?
    Posted by Arrkelly on 07/22/04


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    •  Re: Marzocchi z1 fr sl vs.Talas RLC
      Pics are forthcoming...though aren't our bike pics like looking at pictures of your friends/co-worker's kids pics? You know,you find yourself saying "oh, he/she is so cute..." as you think to yourself "Damn, that kid is homely!"
      I like the Z1, I'm much more comfortable on the steeps going down and it hasn't been much of a problem on climbs. I'm having a bit of a tough time dialing it in. I've got the preload right but the rebound always seems too fast no matter how much air I use in the negative chamber.
      I'm thinking of using the Switch to race xc as well. I've beaten my old Stumpy to death over the past couple of years, though to her credit she still hangs tough! I'm thinking the Talas would be more useful in this capacity,lighter as well and still have the long travel capabilities (can't we ever have it all!)
      Posted by ScarryFast a 38 year old riding a 2001 Specialized Stumpy Pro from Bakersfield on 07/22/04

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  •  Re: Marzocchi z1 fr sl vs.Talas RLC
    I have had both forks on my Foes FXR (currently have an '03 Z1 FR SL), and the Z1 is leaps and bounds better in my opinion. I had an interesting conversation with Darren at PUSH the other day about the Talas. He has one on his bike and said out of the box he hated it. So he is in the process of developing some "mods" for it which should be ready soon. We both said the same thing that the Talas was very harsh, which is why I sold mine and got the Z1. Now that PUSH will be doing mods to the Talas I wish I still had mine. He let me ride his bike around which has all the "prototype" stuff done to the Talas and it felt very promising just cruising around the parking lot. The Talas travel adjustment is what I really miss the most compared to the Z1....since the Z1 is either up or down...no in between. I also like how tall the Z1 is...great for downhill and for an air fork is quite plush once you get the air pressures dialed in. Personally for the $350 I paid for the Z1....and the Talas being closer to $600 (then more for the PUSH mods)...it's not worth it at all.
    Posted by RDC a 29 year old riding a '03 Foes FXR, '03 BigHit Expert from Westminster on 07/22/04

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    •  Re: Marzocchi z1 fr sl vs.Talas RLC
      RDC...any advice on how to dial in the air pressures? It seems to extend rather harshly at times such as when pulling the front up (or attempting to...I'm wheely challenged). I'm running 45lbs in the POS and about 120 in the negative. I can't seem to get it to rebound any slower no matter how much pressure I put in the negative chamber.
      Posted by ScarryFast a 38 year old riding a 2001 Specialized Stumpy Pro from Bakersfield on 07/22/04

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      •  Re: Marzocchi z1 fr sl vs.Talas RLC
        I know you asked RDC but...

        I weigh 165#. I have 25 positive and 105 negative. 45# pos seems like alot. Its working good for me right now. I put it up to 30 pos once and it felt way way to stiff.

        If you read the reviews on MTBR.com for the 03 and 04 you can see how many others have theirs set up. IF you figure out what the negative air chamber is for please let me know, thanks.
        Posted by Arrkelly on 07/22/04


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      •  Re: Marzocchi z1 fr sl vs.Talas RLC
        How much do you weigh? 45 psi in the positive is probably WAY too much!! I weigh 160ish, and am running about 22 psi positive and about 90 negative. I'd let ALL the air out from all 3 chambers, compress the fork and let the air out from all the chambers again. Then fill up the postive chambers first...then negative. I also take the top cap off the right leg so the ECC isn't engaged when filling up the right leg.
        Posted by RDC a 29 year old riding a '03 Foes FXR, '03 BigHit Expert from Westminster on 07/22/04

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        •  Re: Marzocchi z1 fr sl vs.Talas RLC
          Dang! I weigh 160...sounds like too much (air pressure that is) already! Maybe I've found the answer...?
          Posted by ScarryFast a 38 year old riding a 2001 Specialized Stumpy Pro from Bakersfield on 07/22/04

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          •  Re: Marzocchi z1 fr sl vs.Talas RLC
            I am loving my z1! I have not tried a fox yet, but the 200 or more dollars in savings leaves me wondering just how much better it could be. As for negative air pressure, I think it has to do with how easily the fork will activate over bumps. More air will activate it more easily, and less will take a bigger hit to activate the suspension. Kinda like a primitive spv.
            Posted by Dookie on 07/22/04

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          •  Re: Marzocchi z1 fr sl vs.Talas RLC
            yeah, 45 psi is definately too much for your weight. Like Arrkelly said....try around 25ish and go from there. The negative pressure does affect the rebound...but if you put too much in the fork will begin to sag. Somewhere around 100psi in the negative will probably be good. Good luck!
            Posted by RDC a 29 year old riding a '03 Foes FXR, '03 BigHit Expert from Westminster on 07/22/04

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