Review: MBR - Marzocchi Bomber CR

MBR tested the Marzocchi Bomber CR shock, here is what they had to say:

Coil shocks are enjoying something of a resurgence at the moment as riders look for extra grip and damping performance on more challenging terrain, be that steeper or rougher. While it’s mostly enduro bikes and e-bikes that are seeing aftermarket upgrades from performance-hungry riders, some progressive trail bikes are starting to get in on the act too, now that brands are beginning to design models with kinematics that work with the characteristics of a coil spring.

So now the barrier is less about compatibility and more about cost, both in terms of weight and price. A new Ohlins TTX shock will set you back £795 for example, and the EXT Storia is over £1,000. So Marzocchi’s Bomber CR is relatively affordable at £345 (add a further £46.95 for the spring), and this means it will be of interest to anyone looking to upgrade or replace their original shock. Marzocchi certainly isn’t shy in offering it in pretty much every shock dimension – and mounting standard – under the sun.

The absence of any progressive end stroke to this Bomber CR could make still make it unsuitable for certain very linear frames even if there is a Nitrile rubber bottom-out bumper for dealing with full travel moments.

With the shock installed on my Cotic FlareMax and the sag set, the difference was simply amazing. Okay, so there’s definitely less pop and the bike doesn’t feel quite as responsive to rider inputs, but when the traction is this good… who cares? Not really; pop and responsiveness are both important. What I did find surprising however was that post-sag (mid-stroke) support was significantly better on the Bomber CR compared to air shocks. This goes a long way to offset the lack of insta-pop when exiting corners or on lips of jumps.

Coil is amazing when the conditions and/or the terrain suits. I can see myself opting to run an air shock in summer/autumn and switching to coil in winter/spring just as I do with specific tyre treads. Or maybe I won’t, since the sheer comfort from a coil shock is a real unspoken win too. I’m less fatigued after rides on coil, despite them being heavier and more supple. I think this is especially true for flat pedal users. And that midstroke feel is similarly addictive.

Verdict

The long and the short of it is that if you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of weight, spend time getting the right spring rate and your frame’s linkage will suit the linear spring curve, then the Marzocchi Bomber CR is a fantastic upgrade. It will deliver more grip, more traction and more comfort at a fraction of the price of super high end competitors. As a gateway to the addictive performance of a coil spring, it’s a great option.

Read the full review here