EXCLUSIVE Colnago C59 with a gloss MTBK finish

The raw MTBK colour scheme makes for a great looking frame - very technical and very modern looking, however we have had some requests of a gloss finish as opposed to a matt finish. One of the most popular colours over the last couple of years on the C50, Extreme C, Power and EPS series was the simple gloss carbon scheme, EITA gave a neutral classic carbon look that suited almost any build kit.
We have been pushing for some samples of a gloss MTBK for some time and Colnago have kindly produced two frames for us to test the finish with view of a small production run. We currently only have two frames in the UK, one of which has been sent up to the Colnago concept store in Sigma Sport in Hampton Wick, Surrey (see pics here).
What do you think?
For more information about the current Colnago range and where you can find a dealer please visit our Colnago web page

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Marzocchi tech - Making adjustments Micro TST Adjuster

A Little more Marzocchi tech, this time I want to talk about how the Micro adjuster works on the TST Micro cartridge.

The Micro Cartridge is Marzocchi’s top-of-range closed cartridge used on XC/ trail forks. The cartridge has evolved over the years of its production and is now made completely of alloy parts and is fully user serviceable.

The cartridge is adjustable for rebound and lock out, the lock-out has the addition of a threshold adjuster (the gold knob in the centre of the lock out switch) so that you can dial in the amount of lock out you wish to ride with.

For example if you like a pure 100% compression lock all you need to do is turn the Micro adjuster to maximum, then when you activate the lock out lever the fork will go from fully active (open) to full lock (lever closed).

If you would prefer to have a semi active fork in certain situations rather than a fully rigid fork you can set the micro adjuster at a half way setting, then when you activate the lock out lever the fork will go from fully active (open) to semi active (lever closed).

*graph image shown for visualization purposes only

Adjusting the Hi-Lo compression adjuster on the RC3 damper

A little tech today; one of the most frequently asked questions I receive is for set up help with the compression adjuster on the RC3 damper.

The first thing to understand is the compression adjuster will affect both high and low speed damping, simply put if you set the adjuster all the way to “+” it will give you maximum low speed damping, set the adjuster all the way to “-“ will give you maximum high speed damping.

Both high and low speed damping curves cross in the middle so the adjusters neutral position is in the middle (count the clicks/ turns). Adjusting out from the middle with give you a varying combination of both high and low speed damping, so in theory you have all the combinations of damping you would normally have in two separate adjusters, but in one easy-to-use adjuster.

About Compression DampingCompression damping is the oil flow resistance felt when compressing the fork. Compression damping is categorized in two ways: low speed compression and high-speed compression. Low speed compression refers to when the fork is compressed slowly and gradually, for example during rolling impacts and rounded bumps. High-speed compression refers to the resistance felt during multiple, hard impacts and square-edged bumps.

Too much compression damping creates a harsh ride because the suspension cannot compress rapidly enough to absorb large impacts. Compression damping is not a substitute for proper spring rate and should not be adjusted until the fork has the proper spring set-up for the rider.

Low speed damping is typically used to dial out excessive fork dive or rider induced movement. High speed is typically used to make the forks action more progressive and resist bottoming out.

*graph image shown for visualization purposes only

Marzocchi 2012; factory visit March 2011

We have just been out to Marzocchi in Bologna to sure up the 2012 aftermarket line – sorry, no product info just yet, however I did take some photo’s of the factory so you can see where it all happens.
Marzocchi is still based in the Zola Predosa district of Bologna where many famous Italian brands are based – it fact Ducati are just round the corner and had a big Moto GP party in the town square on Friday night.

The Marzocchi factory still produces motorcycle forks for the likes of Ducati, MV Augusta and BMW and are current Enduro world champions with GAS GAS. All of the MTB forks engineering is done here from concept to prototype and Marzocchi has a pool of talented engineers that work closely with racers and consumers to perfect their designs.

Apologies for the quality of the images... courtesy of Apple’s finest.                                

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from the archives: the 2001 Marzocchi RAC 100 coil

Another look back in our product archives, this time we have probably the rarest and most desirable of all classic Marzocchi’s, the 2001 carbon fibre RAC 100.

Marzocchi RACRAC stands for Reverse Arch Composite and represents the most advanced carbon composite suspension fork ever developed for a mountain bike. With nearly two years of co-development time between Marzocchi and Easton Composites, the RAC is ready to go. Using an upper structure made from carbon and aluminium composites; the RAC has the most rigid crown and leg assembly ever created. This rigid construction gives a perfect, flex-free assembly for the inner legs making stiction non-existent and providing phenomenal small bump performance. The RAC’s lower section uses 20mm magnesium dropouts and 30mm Easton EA70 inner legs to keep things nice and stiff during sessions of great stress. Mountain Bike Magazine (USA) made a bold statement saying the RAC is “the best cross country fork they have ever ridden”. The RAC is available in either coil or air springs in both 100mm or 120mm travel.

RAC 100 coil
Available colours: red
100mm/4" of Plush Travel
NEW Open Bath Inverted Cartridge Design
Dual Coil Springs (4 rates available)
External Preload & Rebound Control
30mm Eastern EA70 Stanchions
20mm Full Clamp MAG Drop-outs
Weight: 4.0lbs [incl. Easton steertube](air 3.75lbs)
Offset: 40mm
Axle to crown: 473mm
Price (when new in 2001): £755

RAC100 fitted to the Mountain Cycle San Andreas

from the archives: 2003 Marzocchi Super Monster T 300mm travel

Monster Series 2003
The all-new, totally redesigned, 2003 Monster’s can be described in a single word “Monstrous”! When it’s time to go bigger than your insurance deductible allows, it’s time to take a Monster for a ride. We’ve taken every component on the Monster and redesigned it inside out. We started with our seriously adjustable Shiver MX cartridge dampers and put one in each leg, that’s two per fork! These dampers allow for externally adjustable low-speed, high speed, and rebound control. We have a new stronger and stiffer M-styled bolt-on arch that’s attached to two forged-cnc machined sliders with massive disc brake mounting posts. The upper and lower clamps are forged and cnc-machined, and anodized displaying the utmost attention to quality strength, and performance. The top clamp also accepts our direct mount stem option as does all our dual crown fork models. There are three Monster models to choose from, Super monster (300mm travel), Monster T (200mm travel), and the Monster T2 (200mm travel) for those riders on a Monster budget but still want to go Monster big.
Specification: Super Monster T (300mm)Damping system New 26 mm Shiver motocross cartridges
Open Bath
Adjustability Right leg: external rebound (top); external compression adj. (bottom)
Left leg: external high speed compression adj. (bottom)
Spring type Dual Coil springs
Travel 300 mm
Steer tube Alloy FR
Drop-out type 20 mm dedicated axle
Stroke, 300mm
Fork length, 692.8 mm
Steer tube-wheel offset, 69.5 mm
Weight, 5371g
Cost when new in 2003: £824.95
Spares
Y850691: 40mm Oil & Dust Seal Kit
Y538035: 40mm Guide Bush (each)
Y538028: 40mm Slide Bush (each)
Y850755/C: 03-06 Monster T 20mm axle
Y850746: 0mm Integrated Stem For 2003 Triple Clamp Forks
Y850747: 60mm Integrated Stem For 2003 Triple Clamp Forks
Y5141165: SPRING - Soft/ yellow
Y5141166: SPRING - Medium/ white
Y5141167: SPRING - Hard/ red

Elby Sandland with the Super Monster 

head tube standards and which headset to use by FSA

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