We’re continuing our deep dive on suspension technology with EXT’s Franco Fratton, and this week, it’s all about dampers: how they’re built, how they work, how EXT goes about designing them, and more. And along the way, we debunk some common misconceptions about damper performance and design, too.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• How a damper is built (3:13)
• Orifice dampers (10:03)
• Oil displacement (16:33)
• Damper consistency (21:33)
• Hysteresis (30:48)
• Choosing targets for damper design (33:11)
• Critical damping (38:16)
• Rebound vs. compression damping rates (42:36)
• Mountain bikes vs. other off-road vehicles (47:31)
• Heat & dampers (53:46)
• “Living inside a damper” (1:05:14)
• Valve design (1:07:13)
• Shims vs. poppet valves vs. spool valves (1:14:11)

RELATED LINKS:

• Franco Fratton (Ep.110)
• A Very Deep Dive on Suspension, Pt.1 (Ep.140)
• Blister Summit 2023
• Become a Blister Member
• Blister Labs
• This Week’s Gear Giveaway
• Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide

OUR OTHER PODCASTS

• Off The Couch
• GEAR:30
• Blister Podcast
• CRAFTED

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