Final Cane Creek Shock Selection

Open

Air selection because of weight savings (key deciding factor for most solar teams), more cost effective than coil shocks, more tunability than coils, and less components that we need to invest in in order to achieve the same amount of tunability for coil shocks. Coils would need us to set a spring rate definitively otherwise suffer having to do a lot of testing, trial and error, and replacement. Given how unpredictable our final car’s weight distribution and desired behavior will be, I think air springs’ give us some leeway for that by being extremely adjustable. Same for the cane creek tunable progression.

Due to the below criteria, with considerations for weight, cost, and tunability, short-travel air shocks are most likely what we are aiming for if cost is an issue. However, because of the DB (kitsumas) models being more affordable, it is probably more of a comparison between models.

Air ILs and DB kitsuma airs (gravity) are cheapest and also have the best range of our needed travel so far. The available dimensions will dictate which one we purchase, as well as if the mounting is standard rather than trunnion.) Cost is less of a deciding factor between gravity and short in my opinion since they are relatively similar.

• still need to evaluate the oil volume comparison

• define how important durability is (DB >)

Cane Creek Air Shock Types:

All for standard mounting

• Gravity - downhill prio- much more performance and grip optimizing, more travel (eh), heavier, thus more expensive (impact, speed, terrain etc.)

  • apparently more progressive spring curve

  • makes sense bc need to fight repeating impacts x bottoming out

  • more oil volume so better tuning with volume spacers, better heat dissipation for LONG descent

  • Kitsuma Air $699.99 230x57.5, 210x55

    • 585g

    • 3 pos climb switch - controlling compression and rebound behavior simultaneously

      • open climb LOCK (locking prob not super relevant for us)

    • downhill shocks so optimizing grip and hills/bumps - hard compression and high rebound controls

    • 4 damper tune

  • DB Kitsuma G1 Air $499.99 185 x 55 210 x 55, 230 x 65

    • 585g

    • Max 300psi

    • 3 pos climb switch - firm - but its exactly like locked

    • durability (from damper shaft and oil seal design differences)

    • largest volume air shock (so tunability options)

• Short travel - uphill - climbing efficiency, weight savings, versatility thus CHEAPER - also supposedly better for fine-tuning (idk ab that)

  • apparently more linear

  • lower air volume - supposed to help stay efficient without excessive sag

  • efficiency over bump absorption like gravity-firsts - rolling terrain?

  • < speed damping but still for smooth perform

  • Air IL $629.99 185 x 55 210 x 55

    • 385g

    • FITMENT possibilities highlighted

    • 2 pos climb switch - open, climb

    • when rear travel is already minimal

    • 30% more oil volume comp to inline shocks

    • Increased max psi pressure up to 350psi (Up from 300psi) 

    • 4 damper tune

• Air charged coil shock - dropping and rough terrain - speed impact

  • Tigon

    • 899.99