Reservoir
shocks or shocks with reservoir are mainly designed for serious off-road use
in the most complicated and difficult applications. It is effective in
variable road conditions and provides comfort and hassle free ride. In this
type of shocks, external reservoir is used for housing extra needed air
space during a shocks compression cycle. But this is not air but nitrogen.
The reservoir also holds some extra fluid. However the design of reservoir
shocks or shocks with reservoir is different from the traditional shock
absorber. The complete body of the reservoir shock is completely submerged
in the shock oil. Every shock absorber in order to work properly, uses
little space for proper working. Some shocks have dead air at the top of the
valve body whereas some other use twin-tube model for the required
expansion.
The external reservoir in this type of shock absorber is utilized for
storing the extra needed dead air space. Using metal tube or the flexible
hose the reservoir is connected to the main shock body. When the shock is
compressed the extra oil is forced into the reservoir body through the
connecting tube. Modern reservoir shock absorber are designed in such a way
that oil and air is not allowed to mix. This reduces the incidence of
foaming thereby giving the shock absorber more consistency.
General Characteristics
Shocks with reservoir or reservoir shocks have some general Characteristics
which are as follows:
- The capacity of external reservoir is good.
- Reservoir hose is made of Stainless steel.
- Dissipates heat more effectively.
- Superior handling and performance due to large piston diameter.
- Valves are reacts quickly to changing surface conditions giving
maximum comfort and control.
- Valving of the shock absorber is engineered in such a way that it
performs well in all type of road conditions.
- Oil foaming, shock fade and performance loss is minimized due to the
pressure of Nitrogen.
Advantages of Reservoir Shocks
The advantages of reservoir shocks are:
- Easy to mount in a convenient place.
- Consist of High/Low speed compression that can be easily adjusted.
- Many reservoir shock can easily adjust the preload.
- The cooling property is excellent thereby providing constant shock
absorption and longer life. It these shock absorbers are generally of
light weight and use of high quality materials.
- Length is adjustable.
