The Best Bike Rear Shocks of 2021

Best Bike Rear Shocks Buying Guide & Reviews of 2020

Bike rear shocks are an integral part of any bike as they aid not only in providing comfort to the rider but also play a pivotal role in absorbing shocks and help you maintain control over the bike. Hence, it is imperative to have an efficient pair of bike rear shocks. But how do you know which one is a good bike rear shock? This is where our buying guide comes handy.

Types of Bike Rear Shocks

The rear shocks are divided into two types based on the mechanism of the spring used in the rear shocks, namely Air-Spring shock and Coil-Spring shocks.

Air-Spring Bike Rear Shock

Air-spring shocks come with a compressed air spring found inside the body of the shock. These shocks are quite expensive and were previously fitted only inexpensive bike models. However, in recent years, they come installed in the mid-range bikes as well and are used in mountain bike rear shock.

They are lightweight in nature and can be easily adjusted by increasing or decreasing the air pressure in the shock by means of a pump. The main drawback of the air spring shocks is that they have a short life and the spring stiffens in due course. The recent trends in automobile technology have been focused on addressing this issue, and we can hope that the air-spring shocks will have a much longer life.

Coil-Spring Bike Rear Shocks

Coil-spring shocks are made of steel or any other large metal spring that is situated outside the telescopic tubes of the shock body. Coil-spring shocks are comparatively cheaper and hence are most commonly featured in mid-range budget bikes. The coil-spring shocks are heavier than their counterparts but can be made lighter by using titanium springs instead of steel springs, which is quite expensive.

Adjusting coil-spring shock according to your weight is a tedious process wherein you have to remove the entire spring and replace it with a new one having a different compression rate. However, once fitted, they remain in the same state through all stages of compression, which is a huge advantage on roads with rough terrains. These are commonly used in dirt bike rear shock and pit bike rear shock.

Material

The springs used in bike rear shocks are made of either steel or titanium alloys. While there is no significant difference in performance, titanium springs are lightweight but come at a hefty price. Steel springs are heavy and inexpensive. Whether you opt for titanium or steel spring would largely depend on your budget.

Size

Size refers to the stroke and eye-to-eye length of the shock. The size of the shock you choose should be compatible with the frame of your bike. Small-sized shocks are commonly employed in lower and mid-range bikes as 50cc pit bike rear shock and 110cc pit bike rear shock. Both size and spring type are interdependent on each other to a certain extent. Marathon riding will require small air shocks, whereas roads with rough terrain and hard-hitting bikers will require long coil shocks.

Damping Mechanism

Damping mechanism refers to the rate at which the spring compresses and rebounds. Every shock will trigger a spring mechanism that compresses under force. An undamped shock is something in which the rebound is maximum and is uncontrollable. This will make the rider to lose control over the bike and might also lead to damage of the bike parts. Hence, it is always recommended to opt for a rear shock that has a high damping ratio, especially if you are riding on rough terrain.

Price

Price is probably the first thing that you need to look into before purchasing any item. The bike rear shocks come in a wide price range starting from $20 to 150$. You do not want to end up buying an expensive bike rear shock that does not fit your needs or offers more than what you need.

Conclusion

The main purpose of a bike rear shock is to keep your bike tire in contact with the road and this provides you control during the ride. Unquestionably, fitting a good bike rear shock will enrich your riding experience and you can start by considering the top ten bike rear shocks listed above.