marzocchi 380 mini review

So I bit the bullet last week and ordered a 380 from Jenson. Ordered Sunday evening, arrived Tuesday morning, which is pretty crazy. I've been riding an Avy-equipped Marzocchi 888 EVO for the last couple of years and have been very happy with the fork. The mid-stroke support keeps the fork very useable on the steeper descents compared to the non-Avy damper. The only draw back I had was weight.

I lost just over two pounds with the 380, which has brought my carbon V10 back to a respectable beach season weight. I was pretty concerned when I mounted the new fork and gave the standard parking lot test. There really is very little information on settings for this fork. High and low speed rebound and compression, I didn't really know where to begin. Parking lot test resulted in using about 75% of the travel. I was already researching a stiffer spring, as I'm coming off a firm spring in the old 888, but thought I would at least hit the trails first.

Went to Fernie for the weekend and hit some amazing shuttle trails with plenty of steeeeps to keep you honest, combined with high-speed ewok chasing goodness. It took a couple of laps to get the fork set where I was feeling comfortable, and once dialed in, the fork took on a whole new life at speed.

Super supple in the initial stroke, but very balanced damping on higher speed sections. No spiking issues, just smooth support. The steeps resulted in the fork keeping up in a high position unlike the Zokes of old, which really surprised me after the parking lot tests. I truly believe the new fork performs better than the Avy damper I had, in addition to the weight loss, I couldn't be happier.

I guess I will have to wait to see how it holds up, but I've had the DBC damper in my 55 on my trail bike for a few months now and have no complaints. I would highly recommend this fork to anyone, except people that I don't like, to which I would recommend the ever-servicing boxxer, or the "hey look, my fork isn't leaking oil anymore" fox folks that have run out of oil. Marzocchi seem to have really stepped up their game. I can't imagine the new upgraded seals on next years model being any more supple than this current fork, but it gives me pause to consider what the rear shock will be like.

marz baby..marz….waiting on my new stuff right now..:rocker:

Sounds awesome thanks for the review.

Anybody heard reviews of the 350 CR trail fork?

My 380 is the nuts, so awesome.

been running one for a few weeks now. replaced the fox 34 that came stock on my altitude with the 350cr. as tdiddy said above, it sits high in its travel but has a plush initial stroke and ramps up nicely as it gets deeper into its travel. it took me a little while to dial in just the right air pressure, it seems small adjustments in pressure have significant effects on feel. first impressions over the evolution series fox ctd, more adjustable,sits higher in its travel and far stiffer.:clap:

It was down to a 380 or Fox 40 Float for my M9. Went with the 40 due to the air spring adjustability. But the 380 sounds like a winner.

I am also interested in the CR 350. How would it compare to the 2014 Pike or the 2015 Fox 36? Anyone?

My bike started out with 340 Evo, then changed out to the 34 Factory. The Factory is better, but is still lacking even for hack rider like myself.

its too bad they don't make the 350 in a 26" format. i just took my 55 TA off my sight and put on the 2014 pike rct3. not quite as sweet on the down, but 1 lb savings on the front end?. I will take it.

its too bad they don't make the 350 in a 26" format. i just took my 55 TA off my sight and put on the 2014 pike rct3. not quite as sweet on the down, but 1 lb savings on the front end?. I will take it.

From what I understand the 350CR is lighter than the 55, not certain if it as light as the Pike, but should be close. I gather the Pike is pretty close to the performance of the 55, so the 350 CR should be equal to the Pike or the perhaps the new 36.

I am tempted to take a jump and try it out. It has been quite a few years since I was on a Marz fork.

As well the 350NCR is due out in September I believe… take the CR upgrade the stanchion coating, add a lockout feature and you have the NCR. I would consider this fork for sure.

my 55 TA is a sweeeeeet fork, just a bit heavy…marz makes great stuff..im waiting on a roco lo to put on my sight..the piggy back wouldn't fit on my small frame..

I'm putting the 55 back on my six so i have a bike to ride at CGP…:)

i bet that 350 will be nice…

my 55 TA is a sweeeeeet fork, just a bit heavy…marz makes great stuff..im waiting on a roco lo to put on my sight..the piggy back wouldn't fit on my small frame..

I'm putting the 55 back on my six so i have a bike to ride at CGP…:)

i bet that 350 will be nice…

I loved the 55 TA on my Enduro Evo. Actually very comparable to the Pike I'm running on the new Trance SX, although the Pike has slightly better small bump and mid-stroke control, and is quite significantly lighter.

Had I not got such a good deal on the Pike, the 350cr was top of my shopping list for sure.

I loved the 55 TA on my Enduro Evo. Actually very comparable to the Pike I'm running on the new Trance SX, although the Pike has slightly better small bump and mid-stroke control, and is quite significantly lighter.

Had I not got such a good deal on the Pike, the 350cr was top of my shopping list for sure.

Hey Pemby

The fork I am looking at is also for a Trance SX. I did ride the 34 Talas Evo for a couple of rides, but found a good deal on a Factory 34 Talas. The Factory Talas is an improvement over the Evo but still not great IMO.

I just received a DBinline shock and installed it tonight. Tomorrow will be the test ride. I am hoping for a substantial improvement from the Float CTD to the DBinline, but will likely now hate the Talas 34 even more.

That is why I was looking at the 350 CR. A Marzocchi guy compared the 350 CR to the 34 Float and the 350NCR to the Pike RCT3. So I am left wondering if the 350 CR will actually be that much of an upgrade from the Factory 34 Talas. Perhaps money will be better spent on a Pike or a 36 Talas RC2. As much as I don't really need the travel adjust it is handy for those steep grunt climbs. I guess also in play would be the Mattoc Pro from Manitou.

There is a strong chance I pull the trigger on a FLOAT 36 RC2 29 in the next few days. If it wasn't for the servicing and tech support from SWerx, I'd likely have left the Fox camp a few bits ago.

The BOS stuff is interesting, if I was building up a new 160mm+ All-Marketing bike I'd be taking a serious look at them, as well as the Fox 36 series. Both offer 20mm axle, and again SWerx support.

CG should be on the new DVO fork at the EWS, Im intersted in the final product. I know Fanatyko in Whis sells DVO, I assume they will be servicing them as well.