Marzocchi Rear Shocks

Breaking Down the Bomber CR and Bomber Air

Marzocchi rear shocks currently centre on two distinct models, and picking the right one comes down to how you actually ride rather than which spec sheet looks more impressive. The Bomber CR is a coil shock - CR standing for coil reservoir - and it's designed for riders who prioritise small-bump sensitivity and consistent feel over long, repeated descents. Coil springs don't heat-fade the way air cans can under sustained load, so if your idea of a good weekend involves bike park laps at somewhere like Revolution Bike Park or back-to-back enduro stages, the CR holds its character from run one to run ten. The damping stays predictable. The feel stays planted.

The Bomber Air works from a different starting point. Air springs give you progression - the more you compress them, the more resistance builds - which helps prevent harsh bottom-outs on big hits while keeping things supple at the top of the stroke. You can adjust the air pressure to suit your weight and riding style, and the volume spacers let you tune how progressive the ramp-up feels. It's a more versatile shock, well suited to trail and light enduro use where you're covering a mix of climbing and descending across a full day out. Both shocks are available in standard metric sizing and trunnion mount configurations, covering the vast majority of modern mountain bike frames. Check your frame's shock eye-to-eye measurement and stroke length carefully before ordering - getting this right matters more than most riders expect.

The Technology Behind the Simplicity

Marzocchi is owned by Fox Racing Shox, and that relationship is worth understanding. The internal damper architecture in Marzocchi shocks draws directly from Fox's development work - so the core hydraulics you're getting are genuinely proven, not a budget approximation. Marzocchi's own contribution is in how they've packaged and simplified that hardware for riders who'd rather be riding than tuning.

The standout feature on the Bomber Air is the Asymmetric Reservoir. Rather than the reservoir sitting symmetrically alongside the shock body, it's offset to one side. That sounds like a minor detail, but on smaller frames - particularly 14 - 16 inch trail bikes where water bottle clearance is already tight - it makes a real difference to frame compatibility and day-to-day practicality. Fewer compromises on your bottle cage. Cleaner frame routing. It's a considered design choice rather than a cosmetic one.

The compression adjustment on both shocks uses Marzocchi's Sweep Adjust system. This is a deliberately simplified low-speed compression dial with two or three distinct positions rather than a full range of numbered clicks. Open it for descents, firm it up for climbs, done. If you've ever fumbled with a more complex compression circuit mid-ride on a cold Welsh morning, you'll appreciate how straightforward this approach is. It doesn't give you the granular control that something like an Öhlins rear shock offers, but for most riders most of the time, Sweep Adjust is all you actually need. Rebound adjustment is handled via a standard red dial at the eyelet end - intuitive and consistent with most riders' existing experience.

Running a Marzocchi Shock Through a UK Winter

British riding conditions are hard on suspension. Peak District grit gets into everything, and the grinding paste that builds up around shock eyelets and seals across a wet winter can accelerate wear faster than most riders account for. Marzocchi shocks handle this reasonably well - the seal design is robust, and the simplified external construction means there are fewer external ports and dials to seize or corrode compared to more complex shocks. Still, a quick wipe-down of the shock body and eyelet bushings after muddy rides isn't optional; it's just maintenance.

If you're running the Bomber CR coil, keep an eye on your steel spring. Steel springs can surface-rust over a UK winter, particularly if the bike lives in a damp garage. A light coat of frame protection film or clear lacquer on the spring coils is a practical precaution many riders overlook until the rust is already there. Check your eyelet bushing wear every few months - worn bushings introduce lateral play that feels like vague, unpredictable handling and is often misdiagnosed as a damping issue. Replacements are cheap and the job is straightforward.

One genuine advantage of the Fox-derived internals is serviceability. Any competent UK suspension workshop that handles Fox rear shocks can service a Marzocchi shock without specialist tooling or proprietary knowledge. Annual lower leg services and periodic full rebuilds are well within the scope of most independent bike shops. Compare that to some niche brands where getting parts is a waiting game, and it's a meaningful real-world benefit. If you're weighing up alternatives, RockShox rear shocks and DVO rear shocks both have solid UK service networks too, but Marzocchi's Fox connection means parts availability is as straightforward as it gets.

Choosing the right spring rate for the Bomber CR is the one area where riders most often come unstuck. Don't guess. Your frame manufacturer's recommended spring rate calculator - which factors in your total rider weight including kit, your bike's suspension kinematics, and the shock's stroke length - is your starting point. Get that right before you start chasing damping adjustments.