Marzocchi 380 C2R2 Fork – First Look

Marzocchi talk us through their new 380 C2R2 downhill fork…

380 C2R2 Titanium
New design, new name, plush and top performing as only a Marzocchi can be and it weighs only 2.795 grams/6,16 lbs

After ten years of racing and breathtaking results, the most successful fork made by Marzocchi, the 888 is ready for a new evolution, the 380 C2R2 Titanium. Completely redesigned from crown to axle, this is the most advanced coil fork ever made. Every single detail shows the passion and the knowledge of the Italian engineers in working the raw materials to create the lightest, stiffest and most reliable platform ever designed for a dual crown fork. Thanks to the perfect balance of geometry and the flat arch design, the 380 C2R2 is the only fork on the market, yet, that is 100% compatible with both wheel sizes 26” and 27,5” making the switch as easy as changing the wheel.

The lower crown features, for the first time on a Marzocchi, a hollow design in order to reduce 40g of weight, while increasing stiffness. As the market request, two steering tube sizes will be available: tapered 1-1/2” to 1-1/8” as standard and 1-1/8” as option. The thirty-eight millimeter light CNC tapered aluminum stanchion tubes are Nickel coated for a super smooth riding feel and a structural strength that before only steel tubes could have. The redesigned magnesium lowers are now 100 grams lighter compared to the current one used for the 888.

The lowers are matched with a new Taperwall axle that offers less wall thickness in the middle saving 30 more grams. The wheel mount is made easier using only one hex key, the axle-dropout on the left side is keyed to match the axle, once tightened; it becomes one with the lowers thanks to the four titanium pinch bolts. To increase riding precision the bushing distance has been increased. Sliding performance has been increased thanks to a new seals compound specially developed for the Nickel coated tubes.

On the inside, the 380 comes with a 5.5 N/mm titanium spring coil with external preload on the left, while located on the right is the revolutionary DBC damping system. The Dynamic Bleed Cartridge is the most efficient riding control solution which takes all the advantages of the most popular damping systems on the market: open bath and sealed cartridge. Based on a hybrid system inspired by the same technology we find on rear shocks, the DBC cartridge is a low pressure system with a compensation reservoir controlled by a coil spring instead of an air pressurized chamber. The oil will flow through two different circuits that in the case of extreme riding will allow to the fluid to rush out the cartridge when the system gets under too high pressure. The oil will then be sucked by the cartridge inside again through a one way seal avoiding air to get mixed with the fluid, keeping the sliders always lubricated and each single damping tuning step effective and consistent in the roughest riding sessions. Every rider will be able to find the perfect setting with the High and Low speed control for both compression and rebound with the option of self-tuning the compression shims by easily removing the stack from the top of the right stanchion tube. This Marzocchi patented feature allows riders to customize the setting for their personal riding style and skills, controlling the mid compression speed without the need of disassembling the complete fork or to bleed the oil cartridge. This works thanks to a three way oil flow circuit in the compression unit; a main circuit for the low speed damping controlled by a needle, and two different concentric circuits on the piston controlled by the shim stack. The first works on the mid speed compression and is managed by the flex of the shim, the second, for the high speed, moves the complete sack away allowing the oil to flow with minimum resistance. High speed can be tuned with the outer knob on the top of the right stanchion, preloading the spring that keeps the stack in position, mid speed is tunable by changing the shim thickness, and controlling the progression between high and low speed damping.

The 380 is a World Cup ready, user friendly, high performance downhill fork. The most amazing coil spring race platform in a super lightweight package: 2,795 grams/ 6,16 lbs, this is more than 200 gr. less weight compared with the previous 888 World cup RC3 Evo.

380 C2R2 Titanium – Highlights:

● 2.795 grams/6,16 lbs
● 200mm travel
● DBC C2R2 Cartridge:
● Low Speed Rebound
● High Speed Rebound
3 Stage Compression Valving:
● Low speed Compression
● Mid Speed though shim stack
● High Speed Compression

● Wheel Size: Compatible with both 26” and 650b wheels.
● Tapered Steerer or 1-1/8” option available
● Hollow lower crown
● Ø38mm nickel coated tapered aluminum stanchions
● Titanium spring
● Increased distance between the upper and lower bushing to increase rigidity.
● Low friction seals for smooth performance
● Taperwall 20mm axle, removable with single allen key
● Availability: September 2013

This video demonstrates what little force it takes to move the new Marzocchi 380 C2R2 fork.

Marzocchi 380 C2R2 Fork from Ride.io on Vimeo.

Weight Reductions: 380 C2R2 Titanium vs. 888 RC3 EVO Titanium: – 255g/ 0.56lbs
New Chassis: -100g/ 0.22lbs
Hollow lower crown:-40g/ 0.08lbs
Taperwall 20mm axle: -30g/ 0.07lbs
C2R2 DBC damping: -55g/ 0.12lbs
Tapered steerer: -30g/ 0.07

http://www.marzocchi.com/