Aftermarket Shocks: Difference between revisions

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==Glossary==

''Ball-check valve'': one of two common methods used to achieve damping in a shock. A ball-check valve is usually implemented as a steel ball pressed into an orifice by a spring. Oil is forced past the ball to achieve damping. See also shim-stack valve and damping.

'''Ball-check valve''': one of two common methods used to achieve damping in a shock. A ball-check valve is usually implemented as a steel ball pressed into an orifice by a spring. Oil is forced past the ball to achieve damping. See also shim-stack valve and damping.

''Compression damping'': a reduction in the shock's ability to compress freely. Compression damping enhances rideability on the leading edge of a bump. See also damping.

'''Compression damping''': a reduction in the shock's ability to compress freely. Compression damping enhances rideability on the leading edge of a bump. See also damping.

''Damping'': a reduction in the ability of a shock to move freely. This is typically done by forcing oil through some kind of a restriction. A spring without a shock absorber has no damping whatsoever.

'''Damping''': a reduction in the ability of a shock to move freely. This is typically done by forcing oil through some kind of a restriction. A spring without a shock absorber has no damping whatsoever.

''Emulsion-type shock'': a shock which provides no barrier between the oil and gas (usually air or nitrogen) in the shock body. Emulsion shocks are typically not pressurized. Because of these two factors, the air and oil can mix (either via churning or cavitation), which reduces damping effectiveness. Contrast with the reservoir-type shock.

'''Emulsion-type shock''': a shock which provides no barrier between the oil and gas (usually air or nitrogen) in the shock body. Emulsion shocks are typically not pressurized. Because of these two factors, the air and oil can mix (either via churning or cavitation), which reduces damping effectiveness. Contrast with the reservoir-type shock.

The oil and gas mixture will separate after a short period of sitting, and these types of shocks are fine for the street. They just won't hold up under the constant stress of racing.

''Preload'': the amount a spring is pre-compressed by the suspension system. Spring preload compresses the spring by a set amount (this amount is usually adjustable, although the stock Ninja 250 shock lacks this adjustment), which corresponds to a certain amount of weight, as determined by the spring rate. See also spring rate.

'''Preload''': the amount a spring is pre-compressed by the suspension system. Spring preload compresses the spring by a set amount (this amount is usually adjustable, although the stock Ninja 250 shock lacks this adjustment), which corresponds to a certain amount of weight, as determined by the spring rate. See also spring rate.

''Progressive spring'': a spring which has been wound such that the spring rate is non-linear. Usually a progressive spring will start out very soft, and get stronger as it's further compressed. Most suspension professionals do not recommend progressive springs because they complicate suspension tuning, and can actually make suspension less responsive. See also spring rate.

'''Progressive spring''': a spring which has been wound such that the spring rate is non-linear. Usually a progressive spring will start out very soft, and get stronger as it's further compressed. Most suspension professionals do not recommend progressive springs because they complicate suspension tuning, and can actually make suspension less responsive. See also spring rate.

''Rebound damping'': a reduction in the shock's ability to expand after being compressed. This is a shock's main job. Rebound damping keeps your bike from bouncing up and down like a pogo stick. Adjustable rebound damping is usually desirable, and is more important to have than a compression damping adjustment. See also damping.

'''Rebound damping''': a reduction in the shock's ability to expand after being compressed. This is a shock's main job. Rebound damping keeps your bike from bouncing up and down like a pogo stick. Adjustable rebound damping is usually desirable, and is more important to have than a compression damping adjustment. See also damping.

''Reservoir-type shocks'': shocks which provide some kind of barrier, usually either a flexible rubber barrier or a metal piston, between the oil and gas (usually nitrogen) in a shock. Reservoir shocks are usually pressurized. Because of this pressure, the oil can't cavitate under heavy use, making them better suited to high-stress environments such as racing or offroad use. Contrast with the emulsion-type shock.

'''Reservoir-type shocks''': shocks which provide some kind of barrier, usually either a flexible rubber barrier or a metal piston, between the oil and gas (usually nitrogen) in a shock. Reservoir shocks are usually pressurized. Because of this pressure, the oil can't cavitate under heavy use, making them better suited to high-stress environments such as racing or offroad use. Contrast with the emulsion-type shock.

''Shim-stack valve'': one of two common methods used to achieve damping in a shock. A shim-stack valve is much what it sounds like: a stack of thin pieces of metal, precisely shaped and sized. It is held together by spring pressure, and oil is forced through it to achieve damping. Shim-stack valves are a more modern design than ball-check valves. Their primary advantages are greater flexibility in tuning, and easier tuning. Contrast with the ball-check valve.

'''Shim-stack valve''': one of two common methods used to achieve damping in a shock. A shim-stack valve is much what it sounds like: a stack of thin pieces of metal, precisely shaped and sized. It is held together by spring pressure, and oil is forced through it to achieve damping. Shim-stack valves are a more modern design than ball-check valves. Their primary advantages are greater flexibility in tuning, and easier tuning. Contrast with the ball-check valve.

''Spring rate'': the amount a given spring compresses for a given weight. Front fork springs are usually expressed in kilograms per millimeter. Rear shock springs are usually expressed in pounds per inch or kilograms per centimeter. For instance, a 450 lb/in spring will compress one inch when 450 lbs is applied to it, or two inches when 900 lbs is applied to it. Spring rates are usually linear unless they're explicitly stated to be progressive. See also progressive spring.

'''Spring rate''': the amount a given spring compresses for a given weight. Front fork springs are usually expressed in kilograms per millimeter. Rear shock springs are usually expressed in pounds per inch or kilograms per centimeter. For instance, a 450 lb/in spring will compress one inch when 450 lbs is applied to it, or two inches when 900 lbs is applied to it. Spring rates are usually linear unless they're explicitly stated to be progressive. See also progressive spring.

@@ Line 119: / Line 119: @@
 ==Glossary==
-''Ball-check valve'': one of two common methods used to achieve damping in a shock. A ball-check valve is usually implemented as a steel ball pressed into an orifice by a spring. Oil is forced past the ball to achieve damping. See also shim-stack valve and damping.
+'''Ball-check valve''': one of two common methods used to achieve damping in a shock. A ball-check valve is usually implemented as a steel ball pressed into an orifice by a spring. Oil is forced past the ball to achieve damping. See also shim-stack valve and damping.
-''Compression damping'': a reduction in the shock's ability to compress freely. Compression damping enhances rideability on the leading edge of a bump. See also damping.
+'''Compression damping''': a reduction in the shock's ability to compress freely. Compression damping enhances rideability on the leading edge of a bump. See also damping.
-''Damping'': a reduction in the ability of a shock to move freely. This is typically done by forcing oil through some kind of a restriction. A spring without a shock absorber has no damping whatsoever.
+'''Damping''': a reduction in the ability of a shock to move freely. This is typically done by forcing oil through some kind of a restriction. A spring without a shock absorber has no damping whatsoever.
-''Emulsion-type shock'': a shock which provides no barrier between the oil and gas (usually air or nitrogen) in the shock body. Emulsion shocks are typically not pressurized. Because of these two factors, the air and oil can mix (either via churning or cavitation), which reduces damping effectiveness. Contrast with the reservoir-type shock.
+'''Emulsion-type shock''': a shock which provides no barrier between the oil and gas (usually air or nitrogen) in the shock body. Emulsion shocks are typically not pressurized. Because of these two factors, the air and oil can mix (either via churning or cavitation), which reduces damping effectiveness. Contrast with the reservoir-type shock.
 The oil and gas mixture will separate after a short period of sitting, and these types of shocks are fine for the street. They just won't hold up under the constant stress of racing.
-''Preload'': the amount a spring is pre-compressed by the suspension system. Spring preload compresses the spring by a set amount (this amount is usually adjustable, although the stock Ninja 250 shock lacks this adjustment), which corresponds to a certain amount of weight, as determined by the spring rate. See also spring rate.
+'''Preload''': the amount a spring is pre-compressed by the suspension system. Spring preload compresses the spring by a set amount (this amount is usually adjustable, although the stock Ninja 250 shock lacks this adjustment), which corresponds to a certain amount of weight, as determined by the spring rate. See also spring rate.
-''Progressive spring'': a spring which has been wound such that the spring rate is non-linear. Usually a progressive spring will start out very soft, and get stronger as it's further compressed. Most suspension professionals do not recommend progressive springs because they complicate suspension tuning, and can actually make suspension less responsive. See also spring rate.
+'''Progressive spring''': a spring which has been wound such that the spring rate is non-linear. Usually a progressive spring will start out very soft, and get stronger as it's further compressed. Most suspension professionals do not recommend progressive springs because they complicate suspension tuning, and can actually make suspension less responsive. See also spring rate.
-''Rebound damping'': a reduction in the shock's ability to expand after being compressed. This is a shock's main job. Rebound damping keeps your bike from bouncing up and down like a pogo stick. Adjustable rebound damping is usually desirable, and is more important to have than a compression damping adjustment. See also damping.
+'''Rebound damping''': a reduction in the shock's ability to expand after being compressed. This is a shock's main job. Rebound damping keeps your bike from bouncing up and down like a pogo stick. Adjustable rebound damping is usually desirable, and is more important to have than a compression damping adjustment. See also damping.
-''Reservoir-type shocks'': shocks which provide some kind of barrier, usually either a flexible rubber barrier or a metal piston, between the oil and gas (usually nitrogen) in a shock. Reservoir shocks are usually pressurized. Because of this pressure, the oil can't cavitate under heavy use, making them better suited to high-stress environments such as racing or offroad use. Contrast with the emulsion-type shock.
+'''Reservoir-type shocks''': shocks which provide some kind of barrier, usually either a flexible rubber barrier or a metal piston, between the oil and gas (usually nitrogen) in a shock. Reservoir shocks are usually pressurized. Because of this pressure, the oil can't cavitate under heavy use, making them better suited to high-stress environments such as racing or offroad use. Contrast with the emulsion-type shock.
-''Shim-stack valve'': one of two common methods used to achieve damping in a shock. A shim-stack valve is much what it sounds like: a stack of thin pieces of metal, precisely shaped and sized. It is held together by spring pressure, and oil is forced through it to achieve damping. Shim-stack valves are a more modern design than ball-check valves. Their primary advantages are greater flexibility in tuning, and easier tuning. Contrast with the ball-check valve.
+'''Shim-stack valve''': one of two common methods used to achieve damping in a shock. A shim-stack valve is much what it sounds like: a stack of thin pieces of metal, precisely shaped and sized. It is held together by spring pressure, and oil is forced through it to achieve damping. Shim-stack valves are a more modern design than ball-check valves. Their primary advantages are greater flexibility in tuning, and easier tuning. Contrast with the ball-check valve.
-''Spring rate'': the amount a given spring compresses for a given weight. Front fork springs are usually expressed in kilograms per millimeter. Rear shock springs are usually expressed in pounds per inch or kilograms per centimeter. For instance, a 450 lb/in spring will compress one inch when 450 lbs is applied to it, or two inches when 900 lbs is applied to it. Spring rates are usually linear unless they're explicitly stated to be progressive. See also progressive spring.
+'''Spring rate''': the amount a given spring compresses for a given weight. Front fork springs are usually expressed in kilograms per millimeter. Rear shock springs are usually expressed in pounds per inch or kilograms per centimeter. For instance, a 450 lb/in spring will compress one inch when 450 lbs is applied to it, or two inches when 900 lbs is applied to it. Spring rates are usually linear unless they're explicitly stated to be progressive. See also progressive spring.