Marzocchi Z1 fork £749

In 1997, the original Z1 put Marzocchi on the map, with its dual coil springs and open-bath damping earning it an enviable reputation for reliability and suppleness. Diehard Marzocchi fans will be disappointed that the rebooted version is basically a Fox 36 Rhythm in disguise. But on the trail, this is no bad thing.

It uses Fox’s supple ‘EVOL’ (extra volume) air spring, as you’d get in a top-end 36 fork, along with the simpler ‘GRIP’ damper and heavier crown of their OEM (complete bike only) Rhythm forks. As a result, the Z1 is around 200g heavier than a 36 Factory, at 2,266g.

The GRIP damper’s compression adjustment dial is continuous (there are no distinct clicks) and locks out the fork when wound fully clockwise. It’s not quite as sensitive over small bumps as Fox’s pricier ‘FIT4’ damper or the ‘Charger 2’ cartridge found in RockShox’s Lyrik, even when fully open, and doesn’t offer quite as much support when hitting things really hard. The upside is a forgiving feel on rougher tracks, where it swallows big bumps readily as oil swooshes audibly inside the damper.

Crucially, there’s no harsh ‘spiking’ feeling over hard impacts like you get on RockShox’s similarly-priced (£689) Yari (though we’ve yet to test the 2019 version of that fork). That makes the Z1 a compelling option for the cash. Seb www.silverfish-uk.com

A budget Fox 36 in disguise – and, weight aside, it’s almost as good