2008 Marzocchi 888 ATA World Cup
S U P E R R E V I E W
by E. Fleming
Dudes know I can be hard on the forks... Since I didnt race much this year, I
sold off the 2006 Zoke 888 RC2X to Big Gold. He needed it more than me,
what can I say? Since then, I been hot on the search of a new fork to keep the
front glued. But which one?? I had the old Boxxer on there for a hot minute, but
2 days at Diablo made quick to remind me that the fork is long past it's prime.
And I like things on the bike that are still well within their prime. Is that so much
to ask? No. No, it isnt.
One racer boi form and a phone call to our friends at Zoke, and I get the Eight
Eight Eight sent to the luxury co-op. I'm not one to fix what aint broke, so I went
with the Zoke again. After opening the box, I'm absolutely certain I made the
correct choice, but time as always, will tell.
FIRST IMPRESSION:
This fork is big. 38mm legs and they shiny with silvery nickle plated legs. Why
cant all legs be nickle plated? Why? The crowns are pretty beef too, but very
slim for a low stack height. Can't go wrong with that. The arch looks burl, and
its more out of the way than the 07. Gotta be for that all important low axle to
crown height. As a 3 time 888 owner/rider, I'm syked on the evolution of the
species. Looks like they did their homework, and took some positive design
cues from the competition while still retaining the Zoke look and feel.
The graphics are buns. Whose idea was this anyways? There's a chick
playing guitar on the right leg, and normally I would endorse that sort of thing,
but not on my race bike. It's gotta be all business. I'm sure I'll peel those off
pretty soon, in favor of something more formal. No biggie, but it's just how I like
things.
INSTALLATION:
Fork, meet M3. That was simple.
FIRST RIDE:
Genius Unit and I went to the FLDH secret training area. The fork started to
break in around run #2. The air is really plush; more so than I would have
expected. I ran 165lbs in the PAR chamber, and rode it. A few clicks on the
compression and rebound to dial it in, and I was back in business.That was
that.
PROS:
Well, for one it's got the official Zoke feel to it. I'm glad about that, because it's
real confidence inspiring. Getting back to race speed is nice when you really
don't have to think much about what's underneath. I barely had any feedback at
all that made me think twice about doing anything on this fork. It looks big from
up top, which makes you wanna crush - But it's still light to throw it around pretty
good. I like it. And it don't dive and squish alot like the older ones did. Good
work Zoke.
NEGS:
Graphics are butt, I already talked about that. I suggest a more raced out look,
but that's just me, and it's just a sticker. Also, my ATA wound down exactly 1
click each run. I've heard of the 07 version winding down quite a bit, but so far
mine is going down 1 click and 1 click only. I will see if this persists.
OVERALL:
I say buy one.
S U P E R R E V I E W
by E. Fleming
Dudes know I can be hard on the forks... Since I didnt race much this year, I
sold off the 2006 Zoke 888 RC2X to Big Gold. He needed it more than me,
what can I say? Since then, I been hot on the search of a new fork to keep the
front glued. But which one?? I had the old Boxxer on there for a hot minute, but
2 days at Diablo made quick to remind me that the fork is long past it's prime.
And I like things on the bike that are still well within their prime. Is that so much
to ask? No. No, it isnt.
One racer boi form and a phone call to our friends at Zoke, and I get the Eight
Eight Eight sent to the luxury co-op. I'm not one to fix what aint broke, so I went
with the Zoke again. After opening the box, I'm absolutely certain I made the
correct choice, but time as always, will tell.
FIRST IMPRESSION:
This fork is big. 38mm legs and they shiny with silvery nickle plated legs. Why
cant all legs be nickle plated? Why? The crowns are pretty beef too, but very
slim for a low stack height. Can't go wrong with that. The arch looks burl, and
its more out of the way than the 07. Gotta be for that all important low axle to
crown height. As a 3 time 888 owner/rider, I'm syked on the evolution of the
species. Looks like they did their homework, and took some positive design
cues from the competition while still retaining the Zoke look and feel.
The graphics are buns. Whose idea was this anyways? There's a chick
playing guitar on the right leg, and normally I would endorse that sort of thing,
but not on my race bike. It's gotta be all business. I'm sure I'll peel those off
pretty soon, in favor of something more formal. No biggie, but it's just how I like
things.
INSTALLATION:
Fork, meet M3. That was simple.
FIRST RIDE:
Genius Unit and I went to the FLDH secret training area. The fork started to
break in around run #2. The air is really plush; more so than I would have
expected. I ran 165lbs in the PAR chamber, and rode it. A few clicks on the
compression and rebound to dial it in, and I was back in business.That was
that.
PROS:
Well, for one it's got the official Zoke feel to it. I'm glad about that, because it's
real confidence inspiring. Getting back to race speed is nice when you really
don't have to think much about what's underneath. I barely had any feedback at
all that made me think twice about doing anything on this fork. It looks big from
up top, which makes you wanna crush - But it's still light to throw it around pretty
good. I like it. And it don't dive and squish alot like the older ones did. Good
work Zoke.
NEGS:
Graphics are butt, I already talked about that. I suggest a more raced out look,
but that's just me, and it's just a sticker. Also, my ATA wound down exactly 1
click each run. I've heard of the 07 version winding down quite a bit, but so far
mine is going down 1 click and 1 click only. I will see if this persists.
OVERALL:
I say buy one.
Fresh 888 on the Silver Colossus M3. Yes, it's
hike-a-bike season at FLDH HQ
hike-a-bike season at FLDH HQ