can someone explain all the different shocks to me

[supercoop]

can someone explain all the different types of shocks to me as I don't really know what they all do such as dual rate, triple rezzie....lol I haven't got a clue. I am planning on getting some new front shocks next so I need to know what is what and which is the best ones for mx. I don't want to spend too much on them and I don't want the best but I want to notice a difference over stock.

 

thanks.....

[DUNEDEMON]

Dual rate = 2 different spring rates

Triple rate = 3 different spring rates

A resivour (sp?) is simple a way to sepertate the nitrogen and oil more effectively, plus give you added oil capacity, which promotes better cooling and less "fade", plus compression adjusters can be added to them easily. For great shocks call Todd @ TCS (909) 245-7484

[BenBB]

Dunedemon summed it up well, just thought I'd add a little more...

 

Anything will be an improvement over stock, on the front shocks. They are only preload adjustable and while mine held up pretty well to big hits, the little stuff beat me to death. Since they only have a single spring, it's at best a compromise between surviving a large impact and being smooth over ruts. Almost every aftermarket shock will have multiple springs, this allows a softer spring rate for little bumps and a stiffer spring rate to absorb big ones (correct me if I'm wrong Dunedemon, you know way more than I do about springs, heh). Dual rate means two springs, triple rate means three, and there are a couple out there that offer four springs; in general the more springs the more you're gonna pay, and for the average rider you probably won't ever be able to tell the difference.

 

I couldn't explain rezzy's or reservoirs better than Dunedemon, it's essentially a canister that allows for more shock oil and separates the gas from the oil. The canister mounts away from the shock to help keep the fluid cool so they perform better after prolonged use, the oil heats up with hard use and the compression/rebound damping is less effective.

 

There's three adjustments to a shock; preload, compression, and rebound. Preload controls how much the spring is compressed, this will affect ride height and how the shock reacts to impacts. Compression is how the shock, well compresses from an impact; the adjustment allows the shock to compress faster or slower, and with the springs it controls how hard or how soon the shock bottoms out. Rebound is the opposite of compression, it controls how fast the shock returns to fully extended after an impact, same as compression it works with the spring to re-extend the shock after it's compressed. In general, low-end shocks like stock have only preload adjustment, and high-end shocks will have all three (some even have high-speed and low-speed adjustments for compression and rebound).

 

The rear shock is an Ohlins and a pretty good unit in my opinion. It is fully adjustable and works well in most conditions. I think that unless it's blown, you won't see a significant improvement with an aftermarket rear shock. It will help of course, but again for the average rider it's not going to be a night-and-day difference like aftermarket front shocks.

 

When you're pricing shocks, get the best ones you can afford. At the high end of the price range you've got TCS, Custom Axis, Elka and PEP. In the middle there's Works, Ohlins, and Elka. Least expensive is Works, and while they cost less I think Works has the best shocks for the money. The biggest difference between them is the number of springs (dual rate, triple rate, quad rate), with or without rezzys, compression/rebound adjustment, construction (high-end units will have beefy 5/8" shafts opposed to 1/2" shafts, among other things), and options such as zero preload or SSD. There are also long-travel shocks available but will require long-travel a-arms.

 

I don't want to spend too much on them and I don't want the best but I want to notice a difference over stock.

 

I would recommend Works triple rates, with rezzys if you can afford them. You will notice a big difference and it won't cost you an arm and a leg, get them custom built by Works for YOUR weight & riding style (not generic off-the-shelf units). Of course if you got the bucks don't hold out, get the best ones you can because in my opinion upgrades on the front suspension are well worth it. Good luck.

[DUNEDEMON]

Well put Ben, good information there. I just wanted to add that in no way are the TCS shocks a the top of the $$ list, only slightly more than works, and well worth it IMO. On main thing about works that I dis like is that they only use about 4 different spring rate combinations, this makes it hard for them to really build a truly custom or rider matched set, TCS uses our springs only and can choose from about 100 different rate combinations. Get the most you are wiling to spend, and you'll be in good shape.