Initial Shock Selection Criteria

Air shock vs. coil shock

Length

Spring rate

Suspension frequency??

Diameter

Air shock	Coil shock
+Harder to bottom out	+Better performance with small bumps
+Lightweight	+Better traction
+Tunable	-Heavy
-More friction because worse small bump performance?	Better for rough terrains

Need to decide on what is important and weigh each pro/con.

I don’t think we have to worry about bottoming out, it’s more about the grip we maintain and least energy loss over small bumps and turns. Air shocks might have more energy loss due to heat as well, heat also might make it inconsistent.

Car shock bad.

10 best mountain bike rear shocks in 2025, tried and tested | BikeRadar

https://www.shockcraft.co.nz/technical-support/setup-suspension/air-spring-upgrades

So the air spring is about 20% firmer over small bumps (where you don't want it) but is almost half the firmness in the midstroke where you need support (like riding slowly down technical tracks). At the end the air spring ramps up quickly.12

TBHH if we just need a good enough shock 165mm/6.5in Mountain Bicycle Rear Air Shock for $90

125MM/150MM/165MM/190MM Simple Coil shock for $80 (adjustable and shi) (stiffer)

DNM Damping 3 System Mountain Bike Air Rear Shock might lose air pressure thoo

RCP2S Downhill Bicycle Metal Rear Suspension

Dual air chamber Bike Rear Shocks 150mm

DNM Damping 2 System Mountain Bike Rear Shock

190mm/200mm/210mm/220mm/240mm Coil Shock

Front(~150):

https://canecreek.com/product/kitsuma-coil/ (shortest is 210)

https://canecreek.com/product/kitsuma-air/ (shortest is 210)

https://canecreek.com/product/air-il-g2/ (shortest is 190) short travel

https://ridefox.com/products/fox-dhx2-factory (185-250)