Been looking again at Andy's most excellent photo's of Sheffield, and noticed that Raga's bike doesn't look like it has the Ohlin shock fitted.

http://www.trialscentral.com/user_photos/a...es/image146.htm

I though that the Ohlin had a gold body and black spring, the shock on this bike looks more like the Sach colouring with the yellow spring. OK so Raga has access to all the factory bits and could quite easily have a yellow spring on the Ohlin, or have a tricked up Sachs.

What I'd really like to know is what is the difference in performance between the two shocks available to Joe Public.

Is the Ohlin really that much better than the Std one ? in what way is it better.

yes the ohlins is far better then the standard sach.

on my ohlins i have got a silver body rather then the gold. the silver one has more thread at the top which allows for a sach spring to be put on which is what the top lads do.

Still, the in what way better, is open for discussion.

Is it stiffer, than the sachs or does it have seperate circuits rebound and comp? Because that wld make a big difference.

And another question is: how do they service the sachs shock since i don't find a bleed hole?

I'd like to understand how the shock is better to....

Is there more adjustment to tailor it to you weight, riding style ?

Is it Smoother, more progressive, does it make sections as smooth as a main road, etc etc

I guess I'm trying to find out if its worth

At the Spainish World round Raga was not using the Ohlins shock but a standard looking sachs one but I guess it was valved to suit him i.e. not standard.

Or should I just spend my money on Boots and Tyres ??

Unless you are a truely top level rider...yup.

Ohlins bits are beautifully machined and run extremely close tolerances. Will the average guy notice a big difference?..not too likely. For what it's worth I run Ohlins fork and shock on my Enduro bike. Lovely, pain to work on (internally) but lovely when set up correctly.