This is going to be Part 1 of a 2 part review. I say this because currently this fork is on its way back to Marzocchi’s service department. So here goes on part 1. I’ve been running a 2006 Marzocchi 66 VF2 for about a year and a half and have absolutely loved it. Bought the fork new on a closeout deal at the local shop and put it on my bike and haven’t touched it since. ( I really need to change the oil). The fork has performed flawlessly through rides every weekend and a week long trip to Washington State and British Columbia, Canada. Still no problems with this fork.

I decided to splurge and drop some cash on the new 2008 Marzocchi 66 RC3 . This being about my 10th Marzocchi fork I’ve owned I didn’t foresee any problems with this fork. It can only get better every year right? Well I guess I was wrong this year. Don’t get me wrong, the fork rides awesome. Lets get to the good before I get into the bad for right now.

The Good

Lets start with the adjust ability of the fork. It has your basic adjustments; Rebound, Compression and Mech. Preload. I like the fact that the adjustments are straight forward. A lot of products are getting so high tech these days you have to send em back to the company to just get them set up. Below you’ll see the rebound adjustment knob that is located on the top of the left stanchion. Pretty simple, twist black knob in direction arrows point to get desired rebound dampening. I’m not gonna get all techy with you here. You’ll notice a little “D” shaped ring that is sticking up in the picture. This ring allows you to unscrew a little cap that houses an air valve which allows you to adjust your air preload in case the mechanical preload is not enough. Also if you look closely enough at the picture right to the left of the “A” in Alloy, you’ll notice what looks like fork oil that has leaked out from around the top cap with dirt stuck in it. Well it looks like that because thats what it is. I thought, “hey, maybe its just a bit loose from the assembly line.” Went to tighten down and it won’t go any tighter. So theres problem one so far; leaky top cap. As far as the rebound dampening goes, it works wonderfully. I was able to get it dialed in just how i like it with only a few clicks.

Here you see the mechanical preload adjuster located on the top of the right fork leg. This adjustment didn’t do too much for me. It is noticeable when you play with the adjustment, but I’d much rather just use the air preload and be done with it. Maybe this was just an attempt to put a fancy looking red knob on the top of the crown. Look closely again around the bottom of the red knob and you’ll see the dirt stuck in fork oil that has seeped out around the top cap. Yep, it’s tight.

This is the compression knob. I like what they’ve done with this in the sense that it’s not a knob sticking out an inch waiting to be bashed into pieces by a rock. I’m not sure if they changed this on the 07′ model or not, but this years its a lot more of a low profile design. This should at least keep it from being bashed off so soon. The adjustment works wonderfully. I’ve got mine backed out most all of the way and haven’t had problems with bottoming the fork at all.

The next photo leads to the next problem, which was the major problem and why the fork is on its way back to Marzocchi. The “Maxle”. The only question I have is “Why?”. Why is it necessary to have a quick release on a Freeride fork? Who races with a 66 on their bike? If anyone does, they’re in a downhill race and aren’t too worried about changing a flat quickly, because they’ve already lost if they get a flat. What was wrong with the bolt on axle? Pinched tight from each side of the lowers and then secured around the axle with 4 pinch bolts. That is a secure setup. Look at the picture below. 4 threads are what hold your wheel on….kind of.

I noticed a creaking noise when applying my brakes…to make a long story short, my research led me to my hub being able to move on top of the axle even when the axle was tightened down until it clicks (like a gas cap). I put on 3 front wheels I had and they all did the same thing. Took it to the shop and put on 3 more brand new wheels, and they all did the same. Contacted Marzocchi about it and they sent me a new axle with no questions asked. Put the new axle on and it seemed to fix the problem. Half way through the first ride on the new axle I reached down to check on it and yep it was loose again. Heres a shitty video clip of the movement. Look closely at the outer part of the hub moving in relation to the lowers of the fork.

The one other complaint I have about the fork is that it makes the most awful creaking noise ever when you get on the brakes. It’s coming from the crown assembly. Thats on the list for Marzocchi’s service department as well.Well this concludes part 1 of this review. Part 2 will come when I get the fork back. I hate that this whole review seemed negative, but I’ve only ridden the fork probably 5 times and have had to send it back. This is the first Marzocchi product I’ve ever had problems with. Hopefully they’ll get it all worked out and I can go on riding. Part 2 should contain some riding attributes about the fork. I just haven’t had enough time to ride it to warrant a review on the ride quality.