Marzocchi 053 adjustments

The 053 C2R shock is Marzocchi's flagship Enduro air shock it features high and low speed compression and rebound adjust plus a three way trail selector lever with adjustable gate. Here we show you what each function does.

053 C2R

Downhill setting: no platform, compression working purely on shims

Trail setting: Firmer compression for general riding

Climbing setting: Firm compression for climbing - this mode is adjustable see next.

Adjustable blow-off (gate setting): Wind fully in for maximum and out for minimum.
RED adjuster for rebound adjustment.

High speed compression ORANGE, low speed compression GOLD

The piggy back air valve can only be charged with the factory charging tool and does not need to be adjusted.

re-charging reservoir *not user adjustable* 

Simple set up:

1/ set sag - Enduro bikes 30-35%
2/ set rebound - as fast as possible while still remaining controlled.
3/ Set low speed compression - to dial out any un-wanted low speed movements or for a firmer ride.
4/ Set high speed compression - to make the bike more progressive on big hits.
5/ Gate adjust - this is down to your personal preference.

Find a quick loop with a drop, some roots and some interesting trail features, but it is important that it is repeatable. Repeat the loop and experiment with the settings paying attention to how the bike feel is changing on each loop. Make sure you have a shock pump with you and don't be afraid to change the settings, your bike will feel different on the trail to what it did in the car park.

Note: compression settings will vary depending on bike and suspension curve design. For example some bikes are very efficient peddlers so platform may not be needed at all. Some bikes have very progressive curves, so high speed may be minimal.

Making adjustments: Internally adjustable SSV damping

Internally adjustable damping was common throughout the Marzocchi range from 2002-2007 and featured in many models including the Z4, MXC, Z1 Wedge, Z1 Drop Off, Drop Off Triple, EXR and many more.

The adjusting tool can either be a brass 3mm hex key, a white plasitc M8 hex key or the multi-size Marzocchi tool YR5162,

top, 3mm, middle 8mm, bottom Marzoochi tool

The adjustable damper can be located inside one or both legs and by adjusting the rebound phase you can alter (hydraulically) the speed the fork will extend.

To adjust the internal rebound damping you will firstly need to expel the air from both legs and remove both top caps using a 21mm socket.

Using the adjustable tool, place tool into the centre of the stanchion and locate in the adjuster valve at the bottom (this is quite tricky, once located you will be able to push the tool right in to the fork).

To increase the damping (slower) rotate tool anti-clockwise, to decrease damping (faster) rotate tool clockwise.

this is a rod removed from the fork so you can better see the valve