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Old 16-06-2010
Apricot Slice Apricot Slice is offline
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Aberdeen
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Si Coe View Post
I assume you are refering to something like the platform damped shocks used on mountain bikes - which actually originated on real offroaders. These use variable pressure valves on the pistons to make the shock massively stiff (due to being over damped) to slow compression forces (such as those in cornering or accelerating) , but can be very soft and smooth for fast impacts (such as a bump).
Perfected it would allow you to set the car really soft for riding over bumps, without fear of it pitching and rolling into corners.

Basically the technology is simple enough that it could be fitted into an RC sized shock, but it wouldn't be possible to fit external adjustments (as on mtb shocks) and it would have to be a sealed unit (no oil changes) so ulitimately its not as good as we have now.
What I'm talking about is shock absorbers that work as they should.
Shock absorbers that allow the wheel to ride over the bumps and dips and maintain ride height and keep the tire in contact with the ground. Shocks that will bound rapidly without pack or over resistance to cope with the big bumps at speed without launching the car skyward.
So yes. like mountain bike shocks, racing car shocks etc.

If some sealed shocks appeared, as if by magic, on your car, (shocks that perform as their larger brothers do) it would be highly likely that they would out perform the competition in all situations anyway and negate adjustment.

External adjustment and sealed units pressurized with gas would not be manufacturable and be extremely complex. not to mention wildly expensive.

But however, there is a way of doing it cost effectively and maintaining the ease of use.
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