What does the "rates" mean?

[jrm03]

With my Elka triple rate recs being built right now, what does the "rates" really mean on shock descriptions. Progressive rate, quad rate, triple rate, dual rate???!!!!

[F-16Guy]

The spring rate is the amount of force required to compress the spring. A progressive rate spring is a single spring that gets progressively stiffer as it compresses. Dual and tripple rate shocks have two or three different springs with different rates. The main is typically the stiffest, the first small spring is a little softer, and the last spring (on tripple rate) is softest. You can add spacers to this kind of setup to make each spring start working sooner or later in the travel, making the shock spring rate more progressive or less progressive; that makes tuning the shock easier. With a single, progressive rate spring, you're pretty much stuck with how the spring was wound.

[400exrider707]

Good explanation.;)

[jrm03]

Thanks!!!