Newbie suspension theory question...

[Capnemo]

My limited understanding of suspensions is, that the springs absorb the bumps and the shocks prevent the continued pogo stick bouncing as the spring returns the energy.

So, can heavy duty shocks really be "stiff"? Seems to me they either dampen after the first bounce or they don't.

Or, do they provide significant resistance on the first "upstroke" that they assist the springs ??? In which case they can easily be too stiff. Or do they only provide this resistance on "square edge" obstacles or other fast acting bumps on initial absorption in which case they can be too stiff in certain situations???

Just curious.

 

[thezentree]

When a shock compresses or rebounds, it has to force oil through a number of orifices in the shock piston, which are metered by a stack of very thin washer-like discs. The geometry and number of orifices, and the particular stackup of discs is what typically determines the compression/rebound characteristics of the shock. So, even on the first stroke of the shock, it's got to push oil through the piston and the shock has to work. If the oil can't easily move through the piston on big hits, the shock will feel stiff.