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05/16/2008
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Gear Shots #11
Rocky Mountain Switch S3, Marzocchi 66RC fork, Marzocchi tires
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Words and photos by Stuart Kernaghan
Rocky Mountain Bicycles Switch S3
The Switch has been part of Rocky
Mountain's big-hit line for a number of years now, and it keeps getting
refined every year thanks to input from Rocky pros like Richie Schley, who spends
a fair bit of time on a Switch.
The Switch S3 is the top of the three-bike Switch collection for 2005, and
is built from Easton 7005 FS RAD DH taperwall aluminum. Rocky has equipped the
4.31 kg / 9.5 lb (18.0") frame with an impressive selection of high-end
parts, starting with a 170mm Marzocchi 66R fork on the front end and a Fox DHX
5.0 rear shock that provides 152mm of travel.
Good Canadian bikes need good Canadian components, and the S3 gets its fair
share. Race Face Diabolous bars, stem, cranks, bottom bracket, and seatpost
are all there. Shifting is taken care of by SRAM 7.0 triggers, a 9.0 rear derailleur
and Shimano LX front derailleur, and 8" Hayes HFX-9 brakes with the new
Hayes BFL levers will slow you down - if you actually want to reign it in.
The Switch S3 on a grey and rainy day on the Shore, about to head down TNT
Maxxis Minion DH 2.5" tires are a solid choice for rubber, and through-axles on each end are a nice step up for this year. Noticeably absent from the primo Switch for '05, however, is Saint componentry.
The Switch line uses what Rocky calls its Freeride 4 bar link suspension design, and is offered in three different sizes: 16.5", 18", and 19.5". The Shore Green colour is pretty cool in real life (but hard to get a good shot of on the Shore itself) and the water bottle mount is an unexpected treat on a freeride bike.
The 66RC, perfectly mated to a Chaparral |
Marzocchi 66RC fork
Long-travel single crown forks seem
to be where it's at this year, and the 66 line-up is Marzocchi's
foray into that market for 2005. There are three models of RC forks available
- the top-of-the-line RC; the mid-level, OEM-spec'd R; and the lower-end
VF.
You can choose between 150mm and 170mm of travel
at the time of purchase, although it's possible to increase or decrease
travel once you get the fork home. We're testing the 150mm version, which
weighs in at about 3,300g, or 7.25lbs, with an uncut steel steerer. As with all of Marzocchi's high-end forks, the
66RC comes with a boatload of features and adjustment options. This coil
spring fork uses an open bath damping system and High Speed Compression
Valve (HSCV) hydraulic cartridge.
The 66RC also has preload, compression, and rebound adjustments. The
external air preload is accessible through the top caps, which provide
30 positive clicks each of external compression and rebound adjustment.
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Marzocchi has made a big step up this year in stiffness for its long-travel
SC forks, thanks to the seriously beefy 35mm stanchions and the new dedicated
through-axle and 20mm drop-outs. Clearance on the M-arch has also been
increased, and there's plenty of room for 2.8+" tires (depending
on your rim choice).
One of the first things you'll notice about this fork is that it's tall.
Axle-to-crown for the 150mm model is listed on the Marzocchi site at 575mm,
and 595mm for the 170mm fork. Compare that to 575mm for a 170mm-travel
888RC or 538mm for a 150mm Z1. There are positives and negatives to a
tall front end, both of which we'll look at in the full review of the
fork. |
The view from the top - nicely labelled compression and
rebound adjustments. Pull off the black caps for
air preload. |
Marzocchi tires
Bet you never expected to see tires from Marzocchi, right? Well ... pay up, sucka! The Big M is cranking out its own brand of rubber, designed by Marzocchi VP / Whistler fanatic Bryson Martin and produced by Nokian. These babies are intended to be the perfect compliment to your Marzocchi fork.
Features of these front or rear tires include unidirectional knobs that
allow you to flip the tire around once it starts to wear, large side knobs
for hard cornering, and centre knobs that are spaced just right to ensure
the tires roll quickly.
There are two different casings available: a pinch-flat resistant 32
tpi double casing, dual compound version for downhilling and freeriding,
and a 22 tpi gumwall version for freeride and OE spec on bikes. The dual
compound tire has a 55/61 durometer - sticky on top and firmer underneath
- and the gumwall has a 61 durometer cap. Both use a carbon silica tread
compound.
Both tires are also available in a freeride/downhill size (2.6")
and an all-mountain size (2.3"). All models sport a wire bead and |
'M' is for funky rubber, "Designed by BM in BC" |
weights range from 1,080g for the 2.3" gumwall to 1,350g for the 2.6"
dual compound.
Previous Gear Shots
Gear Shots #10 -
Norco Six, Iron Horse 7Point7, and Norco Team DH
Gear Shots #9 - RockShox
Boxxer Ride, Camelbak Havoc, and Race Face Impact carbon gloves
Gear Shots #8 - e.thirteen DRS
replacement roller and Ridge Sports carbon gloves
Gear Shots #7 - Roach's TV Hydration
pack and Rally DH arm / leg armour
Gear Shots #6
- Light & Motion ARC Li-ion Light, Mace Swat Jacket, Cannondale Nebula
shorts
Gear Shots #5 - Maxxis Minion
DHF / DHR tires, Gravity Racing Components Shorty replacement levers, SixSixOne
Racebrace Pro ankle brace
Gear Shots #4 - Dangerboy CNC Replacement
Brake Levers, e.thirteen DRS Chainguide, Trek Energy Cell EXP 350 Dual
Gear Shots #3 - SRAM X-7 Triggers,
Chris King SteelSet, Shimano XT discs
Gear Shots #2 - Roach Rally Shorts,
NYC Freeride Stem, Pryme AL Full-face Helmet
Gear Shots #1 - Yakima RimRoc, SixSixOne
Wrist Wraps, Evil Bikes SRS Chainguide
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