Marzocchi Bomber Z2

I have mine at 140 and it's wonderful. I've heard good things about the DVO diamond and the Marzocchi Bomber Z2 as well. Make sure your frame and fork have clearance for up to 2.8" wide tires, and 29" wheels, unless you plan on only using 27.5" wheels.

This is what I’d say is the best durability/longevity to cheapness. Fork: Revelation,Yari,34/36 Rhythm, Bomber Z2. Drivetrain:Deore 10/11/12. Boost thru axle front and rear is a must.

For 2400 the dang thing has a a Z2 Bomber fork, Deore 12spd, Fox DSP rear shock, a dropper, and decent shimano brakes. I was in exactly your shoes and decided to go with this bike instead of the cheaper entry-level stance. I was coming from a Salsa Timberjack where I really wished I can go a little further and harder. It’s a short travel bike but it will be the perfect trail bike and I think it’s a great bike to get that can wear multiple hats.

* I've been riding rigid and I've never ridden with suspension before so I don't think I could feel the difference between a mid-range and $1,000 fork. I'm thinking the Bomber Z2 would be a good option, but would be open to spending a little more and getting something like a Pike Select or Fox 34 Performance.

I have a bomber z2 on my hard tail. I've also had a pike, a 36, and now a lyrik on my FS. The z2 is perfectly adequate, but nothing special. It gets the job done.

Maybe not the most 'sexy brand' but was in your situation a year ago and choose a short travel trail bike (Merida one twenty) with a bomber Z2. Awesome and playfull bike, still eyeballing hardtails though.. Also check the Bike components podsol hardcore hardtail frame.

I would definitely upgrade the fork first and foremost to a decent rockshox fork or maybe even a marzocchi bomber z2, and you've got yourself a really nice hardtail, while still not going over the 1500usd mark. It's got a modern, light and strong frame, excellent drivetrain for the price, decent shimano brakes, internal cable routing, and it's quite light.

Marin has the rift zone with slx groupset and 130mm marzocchi z2 bomber bith 29 and 27.5 versions. Imo santa cruz is the apple of the cycling industry, extremely good bikes but extremely high priced too,check one out if you want to and can find one available but there are extremely more bang for your buck bikes outhere. Hope this helped,imo with the budget you are willing to spend you can get some pretty sick enduro or trail bikes mostly depending in availability.