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Air or sprung suspension?

Posted: 6 Jul 2014, 1:15pm
by graymee
Air forks and rear suspension units seem to be the way ahead but what are the advantages? If you had forks and rear sus units with the correct spring rating would they perform as well as air units? Ok, you can adjust the air spring rating to adjust for changes in the weight of you and/or your kit but what are the advantages/disadvantages?

I imaging springs are heavier but air will be costlier, what else?

Re: Air or sprung suspension?

Posted: 8 Jul 2014, 11:09am
by Spoke
graymee wrote:Air forks and rear suspension units seem to be the way ahead but what are the advantages? If you had forks and rear sus units with the correct spring rating would they perform as well as air units? Ok, you can adjust the air spring rating to adjust for changes in the weight of you and/or your kit but what are the advantages/disadvantages?

I imaging springs are heavier but air will be costlier, what else?


But can you find good quality XC coil spring forks and rear shocks any more?

Re: Air or sprung suspension?

Posted: 8 Jul 2014, 1:37pm
by simonineaston
graymee wrote:Air forks and rear suspension units seem to be the way ahead... what else?

not air...
not air...

Re: Air or sprung suspension?

Posted: 13 Jul 2014, 12:01am
by Vantage
Coil/oil shocks are better at dealing with little bumps, air is better for big hits.
You need tighter seals with air units so the air doesn't leak out but this can lead to 'sticky' travel.
If a leak develops with an air unit, you can be left without suspension. If a coil/oil unit leaks, you still have suspension but might not have any damping and you'll be pogo sticking all over the place.
This is what I remember from my days as a mountain biker anyway, a while ago.

Re: Air or sprung suspension?

Posted: 18 Jul 2014, 4:52pm
by Dave W
Isn't the main advantage weight or rather lack of it?
I think in the early days air shocks were more primitive than they are now. Coil/oil shocks were generally a bit plusher and more reliable than air back then.

Re: Air or sprung suspension?

Posted: 23 Aug 2014, 9:26am
by Pandaz
I use coil oil on all ny off road bikes, its by far and away the most comfortable and plush!