Sunday 8 March 2009

Egg Shocks verses Trampa Dampas


MBS Egg Shocks (Left) and Trampa Dampas (Right)

MBS Egg Shocks


From the website:

The MBS Eggshocks are the small plastic/rubber dampers that fit inside the springs on the board to dampen vibrations such as speed wobble. They do wear over time and are worth replacing after about a year of use. Also heavier riders or riders wanting higher speeds would be worth upgrading to stiffer shocks.

Yellow Eggshocks - Medium - set of 4 - Intended to add stability.
             For a stiffer ride than springs alone - Yellow for a GS feel. (GS??)
Orange Eggshocks - Hard - set of 4 - Intended to add stability.
             For a super-stiff ride - Orange for downhill and Big Air.
Red Eggshocks - Hard - set of 4 - Intended to add stability.
             For a super-stiff ride - RED for Speed and Big Air.

£10 per pack of 4 + p&p from ATBSports here!

Trampa Dampas


From the website:

The Trampa Dampa is a specifically designed elastomer which due to its special shape fits perfectly into the cap of most spring designed or Channel / Matrix truck.

The design incorporates 3 Balls which are stacked ontop of each other, sligtly larger in overall length and width than any other Egg shaped elastomer, the result gives a more progressive compression allowing confident high speed steering for the rider

Yellow 65shore Medium
Green >75 shore Hard
Blue 85 shore Super stiff

£10 each (pack of 4) + p&p from Trampa here!

Edit: Noticed that Red (80 shore) and White (90 shore) are now available

Definition of 'shore' here

Comparison

My original board came equip with yellow (medium) egg shocks. I was advised by Nathan of Team BAD (Bristol and District group) to upgrade to Trampa Dampas of which I bought a set of yellow (mediums). To prevent speed wobbles, I then changed to a set of green (hard) Trampa Dampas.

Trampa Dampas have the advantage of being longer than egg shocks that result in less cranking down of the springs required before damping starts when turning. This in turn puts less stress on the springs so I guess in theory the springs should last longer.  I imagine (though cannot back it up) that given the length of the dampas, there is less chance of them popping out accidentally.  I cannot understand why MBS made their egg shocks require so much cranking in order to become effective?  In reality, it takes me less time to set up and get riding much quicker.

For me the green Trampa Dampas run great in all types of mountain board disciplines, except for freestyle and big air in which I am openly rubbish.  I reckon its been a couple of years since original instillation and they still look absolutely fine, if a little grubby.

It should be noted that I weigh around 13-14 stone at present and lighter / heavier riders and riding style will have an effect on what damping system (if indeed used at all) is preferred.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

thanks for the review.. i will be looking to purchase a set for my viza dirtsurfer motorized mountain board. currently DesignExtreme says they are out of stock... i hope that is not the case...

Gil Munoz
California
USA
http://www.myspace.com/Mr_MunozII