Titanium Spring Advantages?

[Jesse B]

I need to get a new spring for my Bullit's 5th element. I was wondering if it would be worth it to get a titanium one. They cost about $100 dollars more than steel. What are the advantages of titanium springs? People with ti spring experiance please enlighten me.

[Matt D]

Isn't it obvious? It saves a LOT of weight.

[Brian HCM#1]

Originally posted by Matt D
Isn't it obvious? It saves a LOT of weight. Thats about it, from what I hear steel is better.

[Jesse B]

I heard ti springs react faster, is this true? How are steel springs better?

[Dog Welder]

Structurally Ti holds its shape better than steel. Where as steel springs won't spring back as lively as when it was new that's a non issue with ti. If you've ever taking the spring off a shock you know that the spring can weigh almost twice as much as the actual damper...Ti springs can save about half a pound...half a pound for a hundred dollars is a pretty damn good investment. Now here's the down side...I just bought a Foex FXR with a curnutt and they said that Ti Springs are harder to make for heavier riders around 200+.

[ChrisKring]

Originally posted by Dog Welder
I just bought a Foex FXR with a curnutt and they said that Ti Springs are harder to make for heavier riders around 200+.

That's because the wire diameter on the Ti spring needs to be larger than on a steel spring for the same spring rate. Thus, as the wire diameter gets larger the solid height of the spring becomes larger. Take a 9.0" x 3.0" shock, the spring needs to compress 3". As the solid height becomes bigger, the spring length becomes longer. Obviously, it can only be so long and still fit on the shock body.

Make sense? I can explain more if anyone wants with some engineering mumbo jumbo.

[Jesse B]

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated. :)

Originally posted by Dog Welder
. . . Now here's the down side...I just bought a Foex FXR with a curnutt and they said that Ti Springs are harder to make for heavier riders around 200+.

I dont have to worry about that, as I weigh in at 140. :D Is that the only down side?

[LOOnatic]

Go to the www.go-ride.com website and take the RCS ti sprimg link. It totally describes the advantages of ti-spring.

Basically, ti has a more consistant spring rate over time b\c it holds it spring rate. A steel spring, becomes fatigued and loses it desired rate faster over time than compared to ti.
Ti also reacts quicker so in theory, it would track the ground better and with more suppleness.
It is moving weight so that 1.5 lb of dead weight is very desirable to eliminate.

[binary visions]

Everything here is correct, but I'd bet a dollar anyone riding a Ti spring will only notice one thing: the .5-.75lbs of weight saved. Ti does react quicker but I doubt you can notice it from the saddle.

There should only be one question: Is it worth $100 to you to drop almost a pound of weight?

[LOOnatic]

Good point.
I just had my Avy serviced and sprung for the Ti-spring so i'll know soon if i wasted some $$$ or not.

Not a lot of feedback around re: ti shock springs so i'll post what i think after some riding,jumping, drops.


Stay tuned!