The 2008 66 is a product of refinement rather than a brand new fork. There's a new 20mm QR axel, 38mm stanchions with a nickel coating, and travel adjustment for the top-of-the-line 66 ATA. There are three versions of the 66 for 2008, the 66 ATA, 66 RC3, and 66 RCV. All three forks have 180mm of travel and the 66 ATA can be adjusted between 140mm and 180mm to fine-tune bike geometry.
66 ATA Specs:
Travel: 140-180mm adjustable
Weight: 2690g / 5.93lbs
Adjustments: Rebound
Auto Hi-Lo
Compression Adjust
Air Travel Adjust
Positive and Negative Air
Progressive Air
Spring Type: Air
Stanchion: 38mm nickel-coated
Steerer Tube: Reinforced aluminum
Brakes: 8" post mount (9" max)
Axel: 20mm QR
Optional 1.5" steerer tube
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The ATA feature is going to stick around for a while, I think. The top of the line 66 is and "ATA" model. The ATA control looks much better on the 2008 models than this year's. I loved the ATA feature on the 07 forks. But I really didn't like the lever control for it at all.
And yes, these forks will be made in Taiwan - all but the internal cartridges, as I understand it. If there are concerns about Taiwan's manufacturing quality, I expect these forks will dispel them. Taiwan probably does the best high-volume manufacturing in the world right now. Unless you're talking about handmade products, then Taiwan is the best. Also, Marzocchi is going to have two engineers running shifts at the factory. I believe they said they'll be doing two week stints in Taiwan, supervising production. So it will still be a hands-on process. It's just that the work will be done in Taiwan instead of Bologna.
------------------------------ Photo-John Doesn't Care About 29ers
