After riding chargers and fit-4s, I bought a bike with a 34 Rhythm a few years back expecting to hate the fork. I didn't. The Grip damper was... fine. The air spring was really no different from most other forks. The 34 build was... ok. I'm not sure how to describe this, but I just didn't feel the need to replace that fork. I went about my usual process of spending way too much money replacing all the parts on my bike (I like to try new stuff).
After replacing everything else I came back to the fork, but it was still... fine. However, I wanted just a little more travel and a slightly stiffer platform. The choice came down to the Z1 coil or the Mezzer (remember, I like to try new stuff). I went with the Z1 coil due to the service interval, price, and a decent dose of late 90's marzocchi coil/oil fanboy nostalgia.
The extra travel is nice and the fork is stiffer, but the coil-spring impressed me the most. It also gave up the biggest benefits. The fork moves with so little effort that after it broke in a bit, I found myself leaning forward to look at the fork because I couldn't feel it moving. It was dancing all over the place (I guess you get used to that feeling caused by a little stiction). Despite all that small bump sensitivity, the fork still eats anything. It has serious "oops" potential and has allowed me to recover from some serious high-speed mistakes. I'm not sure about high speed "spiking" I'm just glad I kept the rubber side down.
The Grip damper is still... fine. Though it seems to work better with the coil. I may end up opting for the Grip 2 next season. The 36 chassis stability is (for me) unmatched by other single-crowns. I no longer feel any need for a stiffer fork. I'm sure the Mezzer and 40's new higher diameter stanchions have similar or better stability. However, it probably isn't something that I personally need.
It is a heavy fork, and I noticed the weight initially when lifting the front end. However, I don't feel it anymore.
The fork also moves when climbing... a lot. I find that I now use the compression knob to lock the fork out when I have a long climb on the road to a trailhead. However, I don't touch that knob at all when climbing on the trail.
I am a little concerned about the spring rate. I think I might like a slightly stiffer spring, but I'm certain I would run into the same problem that Deniz did.
And the fender... Well, I ended up moving a syncros fender over to the Z1 with no problem. Admittedly, this is a minimalist fender. But I bolted it on with no problems or cutting. It doesn't quite cover the webs in the back of the arch, but nothing has collected in there yet. I'm not sure I would agree that it lacks a decent fender mount.
June 10, 2020, 11:09 a.m. - oldschoolsteel
After riding chargers and fit-4s, I bought a bike with a 34 Rhythm a few years back expecting to hate the fork. I didn't. The Grip damper was... fine. The air spring was really no different from most other forks. The 34 build was... ok. I'm not sure how to describe this, but I just didn't feel the need to replace that fork. I went about my usual process of spending way too much money replacing all the parts on my bike (I like to try new stuff). After replacing everything else I came back to the fork, but it was still... fine. However, I wanted just a little more travel and a slightly stiffer platform. The choice came down to the Z1 coil or the Mezzer (remember, I like to try new stuff). I went with the Z1 coil due to the service interval, price, and a decent dose of late 90's marzocchi coil/oil fanboy nostalgia. The extra travel is nice and the fork is stiffer, but the coil-spring impressed me the most. It also gave up the biggest benefits. The fork moves with so little effort that after it broke in a bit, I found myself leaning forward to look at the fork because I couldn't feel it moving. It was dancing all over the place (I guess you get used to that feeling caused by a little stiction). Despite all that small bump sensitivity, the fork still eats anything. It has serious "oops" potential and has allowed me to recover from some serious high-speed mistakes. I'm not sure about high speed "spiking" I'm just glad I kept the rubber side down. The Grip damper is still... fine. Though it seems to work better with the coil. I may end up opting for the Grip 2 next season. The 36 chassis stability is (for me) unmatched by other single-crowns. I no longer feel any need for a stiffer fork. I'm sure the Mezzer and 40's new higher diameter stanchions have similar or better stability. However, it probably isn't something that I personally need. It is a heavy fork, and I noticed the weight initially when lifting the front end. However, I don't feel it anymore. The fork also moves when climbing... a lot. I find that I now use the compression knob to lock the fork out when I have a long climb on the road to a trailhead. However, I don't touch that knob at all when climbing on the trail. I am a little concerned about the spring rate. I think I might like a slightly stiffer spring, but I'm certain I would run into the same problem that Deniz did. And the fender... Well, I ended up moving a syncros fender over to the Z1 with no problem. Admittedly, this is a minimalist fender. But I bolted it on with no problems or cutting. It doesn't quite cover the webs in the back of the arch, but nothing has collected in there yet. I'm not sure I would agree that it lacks a decent fender mount.