I think a better comparison is with Cane Creek since Fox, RS, and Ohlins all have quite a bit of OE spec. and thus you're bound to see their products regularly. A rider buying a complete bike Enduro bike for example may be choosing between a Zeb, Fox 38, and an RXF38, but the Mezzer is unlikely to be an option.
The 35mm Helm is similarly a fantastic fork, but you're only seeing them with custom builds or riders who have upgraded from another platform so they're much rarer even though I'd contend that in blind back-to-back tests, comparing SRP pricing, they'd be much better represented in that Lyrik, Pike, Fox 34/36 trail fork market.
Back to the Mezzer Pro, I don't think it's an every-person fork but I wouldn't argue with anyone who says it's the best out-of-the-box single crown if you take the time to set it up. The IRT system is excellent, the fork rides high in its travel without being harsh, and the damper is very tuneable and has a very usable range. If I was buying a 170mm fork tomorrow it would be between the Mezzer and the SR Suntour Durolux and that choice would come down to my budget and the bike I was mating it to.
Jan. 16, 2023, 9:41 a.m. - Andrew Major
I think a better comparison is with Cane Creek since Fox, RS, and Ohlins all have quite a bit of OE spec. and thus you're bound to see their products regularly. A rider buying a complete bike Enduro bike for example may be choosing between a Zeb, Fox 38, and an RXF38, but the Mezzer is unlikely to be an option. The 35mm Helm is similarly a fantastic fork, but you're only seeing them with custom builds or riders who have upgraded from another platform so they're much rarer even though I'd contend that in blind back-to-back tests, comparing SRP pricing, they'd be much better represented in that Lyrik, Pike, Fox 34/36 trail fork market. Back to the Mezzer Pro, I don't think it's an every-person fork but I wouldn't argue with anyone who says it's the best out-of-the-box single crown if you take the time to set it up. The IRT system is excellent, the fork rides high in its travel without being harsh, and the damper is very tuneable and has a very usable range. If I was buying a 170mm fork tomorrow it would be between the Mezzer and the SR Suntour Durolux and that choice would come down to my budget and the bike I was mating it to.