Marzocchi Transfer Dropper Post
Size Tested: 31.6 diameter, 150 mm length
Blister’s Measured Weight (post only): 610 grams
MSRP:
- Post: $294
- Lever: $65
Mounted to: Ibis Ripley LS
Reviewer: 6’0”, 160 lbs
Test Locations: Colorado Trail & Poncha Springs, CO; Santa Fe, NM
Test Duration~ 3 Months
Intro
The Marzocchi Transfer Dropper Post sounds a bit like the Fox Transfer Post, right? Well, that’s because the Marzocchi Transfer is essentially a rebranded version of the trusty Fox Transfer Performance Series dropper post, which is also nearly identical to the Race Face Turbine R.
I hadn’t been on a Fox Transfer post prior to this review, so I was excited to get on Marzocchi’s Transfer post after what I had heard about the Fox Transfer’s reliability and ease of use. After three months of riding on it, here’s what I’ve found.
Options
The Marzocchi Transfer is available in external and internal cable-routing options; 100, 125, or 150 mm lengths; 30.9 or 31.6 diameters, and different lever options for 1x, 2x, and 3x drivetrains. This equates to lots of options for different types of bikes, different rider preferences, etc. Unlike the Fox Transfer post, which is available in black or with a Kashima coating, the Marzocchi Transfer strictly comes in black without the option for the Kashima coating.
Installation
Besides the fact that it’s black and looks just like a Fox Transfer post, my first impression regarding the Marzocchi Transfer was how easy it was to install. Since it’s a cable-actuated post, installation is simple and involves no bleeding which is a plus.
The Transfer’s cable routes through a small port at the bottom of the post with the nipple being the piece that keeps it secured in there. It is clamped in the lever and neatly tucked away.
While installing the Transfer was easy for me, some bikes could be more difficult if their internal routing is more complex (the Ibis Ripley LS I had the Transfer mounted to has pretty straightforward internal routing. Overall, I was very happy with how simple the Transfer’s installation process was — the less time it takes to install, the more time there is to ride it.
Internals
The Marzocchi Transfer is cable actuated and hydraulic based. The cable is actuated from the bottom of the post, and the inside of the post consists of a few main components.
The air and oil are inside are separated by an internal floating piston, which contains seals to prevent the oil and air from mixing together. This post also has a pressure-relief valve, something that not all other posts have, and this helps keep the post consistent even with the changing variables that come with mountain biking (e.g., temperature and elevation).
I would say another key component that has kept the Transfer post reliable so far is its spool valve which helps control oil flow. All of these small components help regulate the inside of the post — keeping air where it is supposed to be and oil where it is supposed to be, thus decreasing the chance of failure.
Cost
At $294 for the post and $65 for the lever, the total price of $359 for the Marzocchi Transfer is pretty average compared to the rest of the market, and a little on the cheaper side compared to some high-end posts like the Thomson Elite ($449+).
Lever
I think another key factor to a good dropper post is the lever quality. You can have the absolute best dropper post that works phenomenally, but if the lever sucks and you have trouble using it while you’re riding because the lever sucks, well that just… sucks. Marzocchi’s Transfer post has two available levers, both of which are the same as those available for the Fox Transfer.
I personally prefer a 1x shifter-style lever so that’s the version I tested (there’s another lever option if you run a front derailleur). Both of the Transfer’s levers have small little grooves on them to provide a small amount of grip and extra feeling when reaching for them.
The only issue I had with the Transfer’s shifter-style lever was its size. It’s a bit small compared to the RaceFace Turbine 1x lever and the Rockshox Reverb 1x lever. I didn’t see a significant upside to the Transfer’s lever being small, and would prefer if it was a bit bigger. It’s worth noting that the Race Face Turbine R post uses the same internals as the Marzocchi and Fox Transfer, but is available with a larger 1x shifter-style lever.
Overall, the Transfer’s lever is simple yet effective and I think it’ll be appreciated by those who prefer shifter-style levers. Just keep in mind that it’s a bit smaller than some of the other options out there.
Weight
The Transfer is pretty average in this respect. It’s comparable to a Rockshox Reverb, but a bit heavier than some options from KS, Thomson, and others. In other words, the Transfer isn’t noteworthy in it’s lack of, or excess of heft.
Durability
To me, this is the most important factor for a dropper post because, in many respects, most dropper posts are extremely similar. You have a lever, you push it, sit down, and the post lowers. Stand back up and push the button again, the post goes up. Repeat as many times as you want.
So what I mostly want is a dropper post that does what I just explained, except I want it to do that without having to get it serviced or replacing parts too often. The Marzocchi Transfer has been very reliable during the past three months that I’ve been using it.
I’ve taken it on many adventures where reliability and durability are key. I used this post while bikepack racing the Colorado Trail, doing 100-mile endurance races, ripping after-work laps, commuting to work, riding in the rain, and much more. After all that, the Transfer has continued to provide the same return speed and overall performance that it did on day one. And that’s without servicing anything on the post during that period.
Comparisons
I have ridden quite a few dropper posts and the Marzocchi Transfer is definitely one of my favorites. Its price is comparable to the other options, the Transfer has held up well (so far), its lever has a nice feel, and it’s easy to set up and to use. So what could be better or worse about other dropper posts? A few comparable posts I’ve ridden that come to mind are the RockShox Reverb, KS Lev, and Fox D.O.S.S post.
Rockshox Reverb
The Reverb was my favorite post before I got on the Transfer. The biggest downside to the Reverb is its maintenance, due to it being a fluid-based post rather than cable-based like the Transfer. As a result, I prefer the Transfer since it requires less maintenance and seems to be just as smooth as a freshly bled Reverb.
KS Lev
The KS Lev is another popular dropper post and one that I did enjoy, especially the 175 mm length (a size that’s not available for the Transfer). The Lev was smooth when it worked but I did not like the lever (not a shifter-style lever) or that fact that it started sagging on me after only a couple months of riding. That definitely puts the Transfer on top for me, considering that it’s still performing like new after three months — even with no maintenance. In addition, I much prefer the Transfer’s shifter-style lever.
Fox D.O.S.S.
The Fox D.O.S.S was not my favorite. The best thing about it is that it never seemed to stop working. But as far as operation and smoothness go, the Transfer post wins. Regarding durability, I’ll have to wait longer to see if the Transfer can last as long as the D.O.S.S. Overall, the Marzocchi Transfer post seems to have it all and I think it could definitely compete with any dropper post on the market.
Bottom Line
Dropper posts can be tricky to review because they really all do the same thing — go up and down. But I would say that the Marzocchi Transfer post does what it’s supposed to do and does it well. The durability, lever options, and ease of setup are three of the most important factors when it comes to choosing a dropper post. The Marzocchi Transfer does well on all three of these, and does all of this at a price that’s pretty average compared to the rest of the market. So if you want a well-priced, reliable dropper post, I highly recommend checking out the Marzocchi Transfer.