How Do Mountain Bike Air Shocks Work

The air shock is the primary suspension component of a bicycle. It is a cylindrical chamber usually filled with pressurized air, and it controls the height of the bicycle’s front end. When air pressure is decreased, the spring decompresses and allows the bike to sag; when air pressure is increased, the spring compresses and pushes up on the bike’s front end.

The basic design of an air shock has not changed in many decades. The main change has been in materials used for construction – from steel to aluminum to titanium – and in external appearance.

Air shocks are often fitted with remote controls that allow riders to adjust their suspension settings while riding or during a race.

How does a MTB rear air shock work?

Just like a fork, the rear shock has two key elements: a spring (either coil or air) and a damper. Remember, the spring gives your shock its squish and the damper controls how quickly that spring squishes (compression) and un-squishes (rebound).^[1]

How do air forks work on a mountain bike?

Air forks use an air chamber in the compression circuit to act as a spring. On both air and coil systems the rebound function is adjusted by limiting the flow of oil in the rebound circuit. or greater insight into the workings of a modern mountain bike suspension fork.^[2]

What is better coil or air shock?

Coil shocks are generally more sensitive (easier for it to compress and rebound) than their respective air shocks because there are fewer seals in the system, therefore there is less force required to get the shock moving. Because of this, coil shocks tend to provide more traction and a unique feel.^[3]

How much air should I put in my mountain bike shocks?

As a rough guideline, you should aim for a sag of about 20 % for the fork and 30 % for the rear shock. If yours is less than that, you can simply let some air out. If it’s more than that, you can add air with a shock pump. Recommended percentages or not: What matters most is that you feel comfortable on your bike.^[4]

Do MTB shocks lose air?

The only way you can lose air from the system is if the shock pump seal or shock valve pin is damaged. Hair, dirt or damage to the pump head seal will allow air to creep out between the valve and pump head and lose pressure.^[5]

Do air shocks need springs?

These new air shocks look very much like the coilover shocks used by desert racers and rockcrawlers, but without the coil springs around the outside of the shock body. What really makes folks scratch their head is that no other type of spring is used with air shocks-no coils, leaves, or airbags.^[6]

Do air forks need oil?

Rather than do what’s required with conventional forks (that is, bottom the fork out and then carefully measure oil heights), all you need to know with the AER is that there’s 200ml of oil in each leg. Pus the oil contained within the WP air fork’s outer chamber is purely for lubrication.^[7]

Do air forks lose air?

ALL AIR FORKS CAN LEAK AIR, WHICH MEANS THEY CAN COLLAPSE That depends on the fork’s design. If the fork relies on air pressure in an outer chamber (which puts pressure on the fork seal), then yes, it is possible for a damaged fork seal and/or chrome slider to lead to a partially or fully collapsed fork.^[8]

Why are air forks better?

Air forks allow you to set the exact spring rate Increasing the pressure makes the suspension stiffer. Letting air out makes it softer. You can easily set the exact spring rate by changing the PSI in the shock with a shock pump and gauge like this GIYO High Pressure Shock Pump.^[9]

Is a coil shock better for heavier riders?

Yes, coil shocks are better for heavy riders. They make it easy for your biking on bumpy or cracked roads. The coil shocks generally hit large jumps along with rock gardens too.^[10]

What psi should my air shocks be?

Keep in mind that air shocks are like tires: you shouldn’t operate the air shocks with no air in them. For a manual system, you should have a minimum of 20 PSI in the shocks.^[11]

Why is my suspension so stiff MTB?

Changes in air pressure, suspension design or riding style will determine how your rebound should be set. If your rebound is set too fast, you’ll feel like you’re riding a pogo stick. Meanwhile, a setting that is too slow won’t allow the suspension to recover, causing it to pack up and feel stiff.^[12]