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):
Kitsuma Coil (shortest is 210)
Kitsuma Air (shortest is 210)
Air IL (shortest is 190) short travel
https://ridefox.com/products/fox-dhx2-factory (185-250)
https://ridefox.com/products/fox-float-x2-factory (185-250) (air shock)
https://www.sram.com/en/rockshox/models/rs-sdlc-ult-b1 (165-250) (tunable coil shock)
FOX DHX FACTORY (185-230)
Rear(~250)(Progressive??):
Kitsuma Coil (longest is 250)
Kitsuma Air (longest is 250)
Air IL (longest is 210) short travel
Coil IL (longest is 210) short travel. Progressive coil.
https://ridefox.com/products/fox-dhx2-factory (185-250)
https://ridefox.com/products/fox-float-x2-factory (185-250) (air shock)
https://www.sram.com/en/rockshox/models/rs-sdlc-ult-b1 (165-250) (tunable coil shock)
FOX DHX FACTORY (185-230)