Marzocchi 66 RC2X review

Marzocchi’s big-hit single-crown forks have undergone a big revamp for 06, with the RC2X at the top of the tree. It’s a full inch shorter than last year’s, so disturbs the handling angles less – if at all. The post style brake mounts are also a lot easier to fix discs on.

Significantly, the RC2X now has adjustable high speed compression damping to stop the fork slamming out easily when riding off or over big stuff. The wide ranging, low speed compression and rebound damping is also externally adjustable and you can increase air pressure in both legs to stiffen the spring rate. It’s already fairly stiff, so that’ll only be needed by bigger or more aggressive riders. Typically for Marzocchi, the fork can also be easily tuned by changing the oil height and weight internally.

You’ll occasionally need to strip the fork down, but all the oil sloshing around inside makes it pretty much maintenance-free. The gurgling, shock-gobbling suppleness is fantastic too.

The fork’s single-crown format means there are no turning lock issues but it’s flexier than triple-clamp versions or Fox’s chunkier 36 forks. It’s also much heavier than the 36 for only 10mm more travel. A 150mm (5.9in) travel version (£544.95) is also available, as is a lighter, completely air-sprung SL version (also £544.95).