It wasn’t long ago that all rear suspension shocks were coil. As technology has progressed, lighter weight and more easily-tuneable air shocks have taken over the market. The coil shock isn’t dead, however- technology on that side of the coin has progressed just as quickly, with todays coil suspension products being a fraction of the weight of their predecessors, and able to mimic many of the performance-boosting adjustments of their air-sprung peers.<\/p>\n
For the purposes of this article, we will assume that most readers are using an air-sprung rear shock. These are the industry standard currently, and certainly have their benefits. The choice to change to a coil shock isn’t ideal for everyone, and this article will help you decide if a coil shock is a worthy alteration to make to your bike.<\/p>\n
The primary benefit of a coil shock, what modern air shocks struggle to emulate, is the suppleness of the suspension, especially in the beginning part of the stroke. Coil shocks require less effort to start them moving, and that effort doesn’t ramp up as quickly as with air shocks- this means they require less dampening to provide better traction and bike control. The difference is small, but noticeable for a good rider. Coil shocks are also less prone to heating up on long descents; their performance isn’t altered on longer downhill runs, as are found on modern enduro courses.<\/p>\n
You simply can\u2019t beat the performance that you get from a coil shock. As good as air spring technology is, you still have a highly pressurized air system, which means extra seals and friction. Air springs are also affected by heat, humidity, altitude and so on, which cause variances in performance,”<\/p>\n
-PUSH Industries president Darren Murphy<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Modern shock manufacturers are making a wide range of coil shocks to complement their air-sprung offerings. Shocks like Cane Creek’s DB Coil CS\u00a0have lockout functionality similar to that of an air shock, making it more appropriate for trail or cross-country bikes. Rockshox new line of Super Deluxe Coil shocks<\/a> feature remote lockout options and extremely light weights to appeal to a wider audience. The coil shock appears to be experiencing a\u00a0renaissance.<\/p>\n