Hi folks, I would like some feedback in regards to rear shocks. I have restored a couple twin shock bikes, and I ride vintage trials. But I will be honest and say, I really don't know the difference between good shocks and bad, or what they should be doing, besides holding up the seat. Or I should say, I'm not a good enough rider to tell the difference when I try different ones.

What should a good pair of shocks do on a twin shock trials bike? What is the difference between a pair of rebuilt 70's shocks and a pair of $300.00 modern shocks, designed specifically for trials? I fully understand that you get what you pay for. But what am I looking for?

I'm not looking for what kind of shocks to buy, as much as I'm looking for how the shocks should react to certain trials situations. Spongy or stiff.

Edited March 14, 201016 yr by Gordo

Get a set of medium priced shocks from a reputable supplier, the right length, with a spring rate appropriate to your riding style and weight.

IMO

Hi folks, I would like some feedback in regards to rear shocks. I have restored a couple twin shock bikes, and I ride vintage trials. But I will be honest and say, I really don't know the difference between good shocks and bad, or what they should be doing, besides holding up the seat. Or I should say, I'm not a good enough rider to tell the difference when I try different ones.

What should a good pair of shocks do on a twin shock trials bike? What is the difference between a pair of rebuilt 70's shocks and a pair of $300.00 modern shocks, designed specifically for trials? I fully understand that you get what you pay for. But what am I looking for?

I'm not looking for what kind of shocks to buy, as much as I'm looking for how the shocks should react to certain trials situations. Spongy or stiff.

"I'm not a good enough rider to tell the difference when I try different ones"

Think youve answered your own question there.

Just buy a cheapo pair.

Have you ever thought of a rigid ??

Edited March 14, 201016 yr by Old trials fanatic

Good suspension will make the bike feel suple but not soft, it will soak up the impact of bumps but also keep the tyre on the ground thus helping to find grip.

I've just had the suspension tuned on my enduro bike to make it more like a trials bike. (I use it for Long Distance Trials and not for enduro's) I feel far more confident over the really tricky stuff now, but at speed it feels way too soft and even becomes unstable. Horses for courses.

Here's a picture of it driving up some gnarly roots, originally it bounced all over the place but since the revalve work it rides up here without any drama. (Sorry the picture is so bad, it was the best I could find that demonstrates what I was trying to say.)

I think the shocks are one of the most impopant bits on a bike. Certainly behind the forks and motor power........

As pete says horses for courses...I have

You should try to get a ride on a modern trials bike to feel how the rear suspension reacts,modern pretty much means any single shock bike,I picked up a old airmono fantic to complement my 240 and immeadiately felt the difference in the rear,I won't be able to duplicate it but i'LL have a idea what to shoot for.

Now this is the advice I was looking for. I don't want to buy cheap shocks. And yes, I will own a rigid bike one day. But for now I'm trying to get this one going.

Thanks folks, I have a TY350 and didn't think of comparing the ride to see what to look (feel) for. All great advice.

Apologize for stealing the thread..

Have any of you ordered or recieved a pair of Rock shocks lately?

Asking because I getting no response from John, are they still in business?

Cheers,

Apologize for stealing the thread..

Have any of you ordered or recieved a pair of Rock shocks lately?

Asking because I getting no response from John, are they still in business?

Cheers,

Got a pair 2 weeks ago.

Thanks for given me hope! Will try a third time :-) Rebuild by your self is the key, stronger than Magicals state of the art spring options.

How long lead time, order/delivey?

Do you know if the feature different "top eye" and "bottom eye" gives you the opportunity to specify odd eye to eye lenghts..not just std lenghts..?

Do you know how well Rock shocks definition of spring rate matches rates of Betor progressive?

cheers,

Thanks for given me hope! Will try a third time :-) Rebuild by your self is the key, stronger than Magicals state of the art spring options.

How long lead time, order/delivey?

Do you know if the feature different "top eye" and "bottom eye" gives you the opportunity to specify odd eye to eye lenghts..not just std lenghts..?

Do you know how well Rock shocks definition of spring rate matches rates of Betor progressive?

cheers,

Even with an off road show in the middle, delivery was about 7/8 days.

Dont know about top eye or Betor comparison.

Found John to be very helpful so drop him a line.

Ross

Thanks alot Ross,

Apologize for stealing the thread..

Have any of you ordered or recieved a pair of Rock shocks lately?

Asking because I getting no response from John, are they still in business?

Cheers,

I have always found John Bull to be super reliable,

it may be he is away in his camper,or on holiday .

The rockshock man is still in business,ordered some just last week they came yesterday.

I'm in the same boat with shock choices. I am looking at NJB dual rate Experts, Rock Shocks and Falcon shocks. I want something better than average that will perform well and hold up. I'm 230 lbs so that may or may not be an issue.