Less and More

Photo: Sterling Lorence

There is no denying the security, travel and beef of a double-crown fork. It just comes with, well, a lot more beef. Not to mention a diminished turning radius and extra weight. But Marzocchi is out to change all that; the new 66 RC is designed for double-crown security without the heft.

This single-crown fork boasts up to seven inches of travel, and unlike its competitors, uses a standard, steel one-and-one-eight-inch steerer tube. The 66 RC represents the leading edge of big-hit fork technology. It runs on coil springs and damping is performed by hydraulic cartridges with high speed compression valves, and the externally adjustable air preload prevents harsh bottom-outs. The 66 is almost exactly the same as the popular eight-inch travel, double-crown 888, but a pound lighter and much more maneuverable. "We designed this fork specifically for bike park and slopestyle riding where you don't need a huge fork but still something that's going to perform," said Bryson Martin, vice president of Marzocchi.

With the new 66 RC, riders can enjoy long travel without the costly upgrade to 1.5-inch head-tube frames or slamming their knees into the beefy, bulky double-crowns. This cutting-edge innovation is scheduled to hit shelves by September for $775. Stay tuned to bikemag.com while we put the 66 through a thorough thrashing.