Marzocchi ROCO v Fox DHX 5.0

dave_s
dave_s Posts: 4,362
edited July 2007 in MTB general
Any views on how these 2 rear coil shocks compare ?

I'm picking up a frame tomorrow and originally ordered it with a Fox DHX 5.0 shock but the shop said they might have to offer the frame instead with a Marz ROCO shock.

I've looked at the reviews on mtbr.com and concensus seems to be that the ROCO shocks are extremely good but I just wondered if anyone else had tried both.
Dave S

Comments

  • Dean
    Dean Posts: 3,259
    Get a fox.
    Then if your feeling rich get it pushed.
  • dave_s
    dave_s Posts: 4,362
    So I'm guessing you've tried both ?

    I've only tried Vanilla R and Float R by Fox and know those are fine but have never tried Marzocchi rear shocks

    Hope this forum livens up a bit, the old one seemed to get more replies.
    Maybe everyone has been foxed by the site move and given up or find the site navigation a bit confusing compared to the MBUK one which was easy as
    Dave S
  • dave_s
    dave_s Posts: 4,362
    Ok, looks like no-one understands the forum yet or isn't replying to posts so I think I'll leave it a while before I post a new topic asking for advice on here.

    Just my luck that I'm getting the frame tomorrow and the new forum seems to have alienated 99% of the MBUK forum users.

    Doesn't seem that hard to use to me but I work in IT.
    I will say that it's not a good idea to put command buttons on a site if they don't work and there is no help on screen as to how to use them though (the URL button for instance).

    Other than lack of users, the site seems fine to me.
    Dave S
  • Drfabulous0
    Drfabulous0 Posts: 1,539
    I haven't tried the roco but I had a dhx 5.0 and it was awesome, I could tune the ride however I wanted once I got used to the boost valve. But I know that the Roco is a cheaper shock with less adjustability, if the shop is trying to supply you with this for the same price there is something amiss.
  • dave_s
    dave_s Posts: 4,362
    Yes I think there might be something going on.

    They said the Roco was more expensive on the phone but they were doing the frame + shock at the same price and I've checked in Leisure Lakes catalogue (not where I'm getting the frame from though) and the shock is £60 cheaper than the Fox DHX 5.0.

    So I'll be expecting a price cut if the frame doesn't come with the Fox DHX 5.0 shock I asked for when I ordered the frame 2 months ago.
    Dave S
  • rubber side up
    rubber side up Posts: 2,150
    Personally, i'd go for the dhx. i've heard they are the better choice of shock. And you can have it pushed if you want even more performance from it :)
    </center>www.mtb-bitz.co.uk - Bitz for you & your mountain bike. pinkbike
  • dave_s
    dave_s Posts: 4,362
    Will see what happens today but I think I'd rather take the frame without the shock and then buy a DHX 5.0 elsewhere than get ripped off to the tune of £60 even though the Roco shock does seem to get decent reviews on MTBR review forum (where the Roco RC is voted best rear shock overall)

    If I do get offered the frame with the £60 offset though for the price difference between the shocks I'd be tempted to try out the Roco
    Dave S
  • rob cole
    rob cole Posts: 706
    its simple

    the Roco is a fully active, speed sensitive shock without a platform valving system...its more like the "old school" Fox Vanilla RC in terms of ride performance, but with the benefits of a larger oil volume and shaft, as compared to the old RC

    the DHX is a platform valve shock, that has more tuneability and has both speed and height sensitive damping, this means the shock will allow the bike to sit up more in the corners and not blow through its travel (the damper knows where it is relative to its travel range)

    for freeride i would strongly recommend the DHX as the boost valve / pro pedal adjustment is actually very useful if you have to pedal anywhere or tackle any climbs to get to the top of your trails

    for chairlift assisted riding or 4X4 shuttling the Roco would be a great choice, it is going to feel more "active" out of the box, but the DHX is more proven, has more tuning potential and more suspension tuners with experience of getting the most out of it. in addition you can have your DHX "Pushed" which ironically will make it perform more like the Roco by the platform valve being removed

    I ride a DHX 5.0 coil shock and am very impressed by its performance, i've had Fox Vanilla RC, Fox Vanilla R, Swinger 4 coils and the DHX 5.0.

    I had a few runs on a Devinci Ollie with a prototype Roco back in 2005 at Whistler, and it felt like a Fox Vanilla RC
    check out my riding - www.robcole.co.uk Banshee Factory Team rider, Da Kine UK Team rider, www.freeborn.co.uk www.eshershore.com
  • dave_s
    dave_s Posts: 4,362
    thanks for that last post, very helpful

    I've got my frame now and have got the Roco shock on it at the moment.
    Transition are now shipping their frames which normally have Fox DHX 5.0 on them with Roco TST shocks instead.
    Although the Roco shock works out £30 more than the DHX 5.0 (because springs and bushes aren't included with Roco shocks that's why they're cheaper than Fox but then you have to buy the spring).
    Ride Central have agreed that I can test out the Roco for a couple of weeks and if I'm not happy with it, they'll swop it for a 2008 Fox DHX 5.0 when they're in stock so I'm going to give the Roco a go.
    The Roco came with a Fox spring and appears to have the adjustability I want but no propedal. I'm not much of a shock fiddler so if I can setup the Roco how I like it and it performs, I'll keep it, otherwise I'll get it swopped for a DHX 5.0

    Also, I used to absolutely love my old Fox Vanilla R shock on my Heckler 1, so would be happy enough if the Roco is like that
    Dave S
  • minimole
    minimole Posts: 2,185
    Dave, what frame have you got?
  • dave_s
    dave_s Posts: 4,362
    It's a Transition Bottlerocket frame.

    Not transferred the bits over from an old frame yet though

    Will probably try to do it over the weekend but I'm waiting for the mech hanger to come through in the post (they forgot to attach it to the frame)
    Dave S
  • minimole
    minimole Posts: 2,185
    Nice one.
    'Scuse me asking, but where did you get it from, and for how much?

    Ta, Duane :)
  • dave_s
    dave_s Posts: 4,362
    Got it from Ride Central (shop in Darlington) and it cost £860 which is the same price as if it had a Fox DHX 5.0 coil shock I ordered on it.
    As mentioned, they've given me the option of swopping the Roco TST shock which Transition fitted to the frame for the Fox shock if I really don't like the Roco shock.
    So it seems a fair deal given that the Roco shock is more expensive than the Fox shock and I didn't have to pay any extra
    Dave S