Suspension design matters, of course it does. The damper movement depends on your suspension link design and the speed you ride, our damper design with its inherent capacity can adapt better to different progressive link ratios. For example, we can use generally much shorter bump rubber stop that allows us to use the damper’s full stroke. So better bottom out control.

We can offer the correct damping characteristic for the specific bike application and rider weight, as well as the correct spring rate.

As you know we have manufactured special springs, thanks to a special project for the Works Honda WTCC car. That uses special high strength steel material can be as light as Titanium and is available with 25lb increments at a third of the price of titanium.

It is always good to know what you like and what you want to achieve, with the Storia because of this dedicate tuning and characteristic you will find it easier to adjust your suspension.

Just fit and try, you will be surprised by the incredible smoothness, the ride support and the traction improvement.

You should always test in both conditions, the grip level is going to be very different. I believe the Storia damper will help you to discover new grip levels in difficult conditions and find the best set–up with its high sensitivity.

It’s a very important part of ride performance and also works as a second spring in the suspension system that the damper cannot control, so the correct tyre pressure and consistent control will help to correctly tune your damper.

Often riders choose stiffer/harder damper settings because they are looking for quick response to help quick direction changes and cornering support, however stiffer damping generally reduces traction, straight line control, makes the ride unsafe, less forgiving and more unpredictable. With the Storia there will be no compromise between ride and handling.

If you know the track, four to six runs should be enough. Maybe!

A good feeling means confidence and improves riding speed, then you can work to find the right set–up and fine tune.

In many ways it’s just another damper, it goes up and it goes down, but the main differences here are in pressures, build quality and simplicity. In a time when many shocks are too complex, some choke, others simply not paired correctly, Franco saw an opportunity to achieve sensitivity, support with the right tune for the bike. We took a few bikes of excellent standard (Specialized Demo, Kona Process and Solid Strike) and were immediately impressed with the ride quality.

These dampers certainly offer improved grip, which in turn affects where you can place the bike, how much risk you can take and where your weight will go. For example, if in the terrain ahead you could obtain power from a downslope, but are scared that traction is at a premium you might simply avoid the situation and keep that front wheel aloft. However if you are confident of front wheel grip then you might just go ahead and nose in.

We are talking sensitivities here. But ultimately the damper will only be as good as the front – the all–important first point of contact. To get the best out of these dampers I believe it needs a similar action up front, unfortunately it’s currently half a job in that it really needs a fork to match. Ultimately it will be a fork working in unison with the rear, maybe that’s where these guys will really make a difference.

Franco, Dave (Garland, UK distributor and Danny Hart’s mechanic) and the team have the experience and the passion to transfer ideas into practice, to make your bike better. However it will also need the time/experience and rider knowledge to get the very best out of these fine units. These guys can only control so much of the process after all.

Available from April. Contact:

www.extremeshox.com

www.stendec-works.com