Marzocchi Bomber Z2 suspension fork

First impression
The Bomber Z2 from Marzocchi looks robust and solidly built. The adjustment knobs are made of plastic and are not as high-quality as the metal versions from other manufacturers. But at this price you can't complain about that. The wheel is clamped with a quick release. In addition to the tested 27.5-inch version with 150 millimetres of travel, a model for 29-inch wheels is also available. Depending on the version, the travel varies from 100 to 150 millimetres. The weight of 1940 grams (with shortened stem) is acceptable. Much of the technology comes from the parent company Fox. But on the outside, the suspension fork is all Marzocchi: as in the past, the triple clamp is designed in the typical M-shape. It holds tires up to 2.6 inches wide.

The inner workings are identical to the Evol air spring of the Fox 34, which is a system with positive and negative air suspension. In addition to the rebound stage, the compression stage can also be adjusted - very helpful on climbs. The end progression is defined via Fox volume spacers.

In use
A setup with 25 percent SAG and rebound according to preference offers very good performance. The fork reacts sensitively to small bumps, remains stable in the mid-stroke and has a high end progression without being annoying. The faster and harder you ride, the better the Z2 works. It stays on track well even in rough terrain. It efficiently swallows up any unfortunate jumps or unexpected, deep compressions.

The lower the speed, the less sensitive the fork is. Lighter riders, who do not put quite as much energy into the suspension, are confronted with high damping and may not be able to use the full stroke. Heavier riders benefit from the high stiffness and steering precision. Even when used in the bike park, the Z2 showed no weaknesses.

The Marzocchi bobs only slightly uphill despite the soft setup. If this bothers you, you can adjust the stepless compression damping until it suits you. On technical uphills, the fork is a good trap, even if it doesn't ride quite as softly as more expensive counterparts.

Conclusion
For around 700 francs, you get a really good suspension fork that has only a few disadvantages compared to the otherwise much more expensive products. It is also very easy to adjust. If you like to put the pedal to the metal and want to upgrade a long-travel trail bike or an enduro bike, the Marzocchi Bomber Z2 is literally a bomb fork!

Price: CHF 699.00

Manufacturer/distributor
www.marzocchi.com / www.fuchs-movesa.ch

Shimano SLX 1x12 drivetrain

First impression
As usual from Shimano, the SLX comes in high quality and only differs from its bigger sister, the Deore XT groupset, in a few details. The approximately 15o grams extra weight of the entire groupset is negligible. The angular design and matt surfaces are visually appealing.

In use
Installation and adjustment of the shifting unit are straightforward. Before purchasing, it is important to clarify whether the existing rear hub has a micro-drive body or can be retrofitted. This is essential for fitting the 12-speed cassette.

The range of the 12-speed transmission with a 10-51 cassette and a 30 chainring is just about sufficient in the Alpine region. If you want something more comfortable, you'll have to opt for a smaller chainring from a third-party manufacturer.

Under normal load, the SLX shifts just as precisely as its more expensive sister, with the only noticeable delay. The Deore XT shifts gears noticeably faster. Under high load, there are greater differences in the shifting process. The SLX acknowledges high loads with loud and rough noises, but changes gears flawlessly.

Conclusion
After six months of continuous use in all kinds of weather conditions, the Shimano SLX works like new. As in the past, this groupset offers a lot of shifting performance for a reasonable price. It is the ideal entry into the world of 1x12.

Price: CHF from 360.00

Manufacturer/Distributor
www.mtb.shimano.com / www.fuchs-movesa.ch

Shimano SLX 4-piston brake

First impression
As with the drivetrain, the SLX brakes are hardly inferior to the Deore XT. The workmanship is at the same level, the difference in weight is marginal. As with its big sister, the lever width can be adjusted according to personal preference using an adjusting screw.

In use
Honestly, it would probably take a blind test to feel the differences in the braking behavior of the XT or SLX products. And you would have to ride the two brakes immediately one after the other. The braking force is high without having to apply unnecessary force yourself.

There is no noticeable fading on long descents without a break, the force is always the same and the pressure point remains constant. During hard braking maneuvers, it can happen that a brake disc warps slightly and then grazes. This usually disappears by itself on the next descent.

Halfway through the test, the brake rotors were replaced with the new Deore XT RT-MT800. This only slightly increased the braking power, but the modulation is much better.

Conclusion
The SLX 4-piston brakes from Shimano were also in use for six months and didn't cause any problems; on the contrary, they were absolutely reliable. The combination of good lever ergonomics, high braking power and comfortable modulation make them a "hot iron". If you still need to bleed them, this can be done in a few minutes and without any problems using the appropriate kit.

Price: CHF 354.00 without disks

Manufacturer/distributor
www.mtb.shimano.com / www.fuchs-movesa.ch

Hunt Trail Wide MTB wheelset

Hunt is a British brand that is still relatively unknown in Switzerland and primarily sells its wheels directly online. Development takes place in England and production takes place in Taiwan. The range is manageable and very reasonably priced.

First impression
With a wheelset in this price range, you generally don't have high expectations. When you unpack it, you are surprised by its good quality appearance.

The spoke tension is consistently high and even. If you let the front wheel turn, it runs long and without much resistance. This is thanks to the high-quality Japanese industrial bearings from Mark Ezo - with double seals. The rear wheel has the same characteristics and emits a pleasant whirring noise when freewheeling.

The aluminum rims have an inner rim width of 30 millimeters and can accommodate tires up to 2.8 inches wide. They are fitted with triple-butted spokes (2.0-1.6-2.0), which reduce the overall weight.

The wheelset is available in Boost and Non-Boost standard. All freehub bodies are available. The freewheel itself is equipped with 3-degree gearing and ensures direct power transmission when pedalling.

The weight of the 27.5-inch version is almost exactly 1800 grams.

In use
Tubeless mounting was a breeze. The Onza Porcupines and also Vittoria's Motta tires went onto the rims without any effort and were immediately sealed.

From the very first pedal stroke, the rear hub is a delight. As soon as you put pressure on the pedals, you have propulsion. This is particularly noticeable when accelerating out of corners.

Rarely has a wheelset had to endure such an intensive test as this one. It was put through its paces on the trails at home and for a day in the bike park in Andorra and then chased over very rough enduro trails in a six-day bike camp in the Pyrenees. The wheelset has always shone with its high performance. It endured countless punctures without getting out of balance. The stiffness is well chosen and more comfortable than high, yet the wheels always track true.

But then came day X, when a very rough single trail brought the rear tire to its knees. Due to the high speed, the braking distance was longer than ten meters and that with a flat tire. It didn't take long for the tire to really pop. The rear rim was badly dented on one side so that it was no longer suitable for tubeless tires. And that on the first day of the week-long camp without a spare wheel. Due to a lack of suitable tools, the rim had to be straightened with an open-end wrench, which almost worked. During the last attempt to straighten the rim, the tool was set a little too deep and the top of the rim was dented and broken. Crap!

No replacement was available, so a new tire was simply fitted to the damaged wheel, which was tubeless-tight despite the slight dent. As the crack was only on the top side, it had no effect on the seal.

Due to the fear that the rim could break if it punctured again, the air pressure was increased a lot on the first ride, which led to a loss of grip. So I lowered it back down to 1.2 bar and lo and behold, the wheel held up. Despite the crack, it is still roadworthy and has endured another 8000 Elevation losses on the toughest trails without suffering any further damage.

For exactly such cases, Hunt Wheels offers a crash replacement with a 40 percent discount on a new rim and takes care of the re-spoking.

The front wheel survived the six-month test without any damage. The spoke tension has only decreased minimally and it still runs as straight as it did at the beginning.

Conclusion
The Trail Wide MTB wheelset from Hunt was thoroughly convincing and offers high performance at a low price. The rear hub with the tight gearing of the freewheel is particularly appealing. The rim defect was a result of the heavy puncture and the tire damage. Even more expensive products would certainly have suffered a dent, but the decisive factor is that the wheelset was subsequently usable without any losses, even though it was bent and cracked.

Price: from CHF 419.00

Manufacturer/distributor
www.huntbikewheels.cc

Muc-Off bike cleaner - bargain tip

If your piggy bank is completely empty, you still have the option of at least giving your bike a facelift. Because if it shines in new splendor, riding your old bike will be fun again.

First impression
The bright pink liquid doesn't exactly look environmentally friendly. But according to Muc-Off, it is. The nanotechnology-based cleaner is free from CFCs, solvents and acids and is biodegradable. It is available in a handy 1-liter bottle with an atomizer. Refill containers are available in 1-, 5- or 25-liter containers and as a concentrate that can be diluted with water.

In use
For maximum effect, the bike must first be cleaned of coarse dirt. The best way to do this is with a garden hose or a pressure washer. Then spray the entire bike with a thin film and leave to work for three to five minutes. If the temperature is rather high, make sure that the cleaning agent does not dry out. After the exposure time, simply rinse the bike well with water and that's it. Cleaning with a sponge or brush is only necessary if the dirt has been sticking to the bike for a long time and is very dry.

If you regularly clean your bike with this cleaning agent, you will be amazed at how long it looks as good as new. The ingredients not only clean, they also protect the surfaces from weathering.

Conclusion
The Muc-Off bike cleaner is a real miracle product. It keeps bikes looking great even after several years - if you clean them with it after every mud fight. The product does not attack carbon or rubber parts and is harmless to brake disks and pads. It only leaves unsightly stains on certain titanium alloys, so it is important to test in advance whether the bike frame is compatible with the cleaner.

Price: CHF 19.90

Manufacturer/distributor
www.muc-off.com / www.intercycle.com