The Problem
Shock absorbers perform two important functions and,
unfortunately, they are in direct conflict with each
other. We rely on shocks to stabilize our vehicles
during changes in direction and while accelerating
or braking (chassis motion). We also depend on shocks
to provide us with a comfortable ride and to allow
the suspension to respond to changes in terrain so
the tires can maintain traction (wheel motion).
The problem with traditional shock absorbers is that they cannot
distinguish between chassis motion or wheel motion, they can only
provide resistance based on relative motion between the chassis and
the wheel. The resulting compromise is that traditional shocks must
be tuned with a bias toward control and handling OR compliance and
traction. It seems to be universally accepted that 'stiff' shocks
equate to vehicle stability and handling performance, while 'soft'
shocks provide better ride quality and superior traction over irregular
road surfaces. As polar opposites (stiff vs. soft), the benefits of
one come at the direct expense of the desirable characteristics of
the other. This is a universal problem and all traditional velocity-sensitive
shock absorbers fall somewhere within the spectrum between these two
extremes. The effects of these compromises are MUCH more important
to off-road race vehicles, where long-travel suspension exaggerates
poor handling characteristics and the need for traction over rough
terrain is paramount.
The Solution
Don Richardson was not satisfied with these compromises.
He determined that the ideal shock absorber would respond
to chassis motion and wheel motion with two completely
different valving circuits. So Don founded RICOR in
1988 and set out to design a shock that would eliminate
the compromises plaguing traditional shock absorbers.
The solution Don ultimately arrived at employed a motion-sensing
valve to determine whether movement is coming from the chassis or
the wheel, as opposed to merely reacting to the relative movements
between the two like traditional shock absorbers. The second part
of his ingenious design was to use the position of the motion-sensing
valve to open and close different fluid circuits that could each be
tuned independently to provide EXACTLY the right amount of resistance
to chassis motion AND wheel motion.
In a sense, RICOR has managed to put two different shocks with completely
different characteristics into one package. The primary circuit is
tuned to control chassis motion and the secondary circuit is tuned
to control wheel motion. The RIV Piston is able to recognize the difference
between these two types of input and select the appropriate response
instantaneously and automatically. As a result, RICOR shocks are able
to provide the optimum response to chassis motion AND wheel motion
without any of the compromises typically associated with traditional
shock absorbers.
The concept behind the RIV is easy enough to understand. It's fundamentally
sound from an engineering perspective, but it's taken 20 years and
over 11 million dollars to see this idea executed to it's full potential.
RICOR's patented RIV Piston is the end result of twenty years spent
refining this technology.
(Now Available
at Racer Offroad)
Hydraulic Manipulation
RICOR had to be able to ensure that the RIV would be
'smart enough' that it couldn't be 'tricked' into selecting
the wrong circuit at the wrong time before the system
could be considered viable in a competitive off-road
environment. The RIV Piston also had to be able to
transition seamlessly between the chassis and wheel
circuits because any benefits that variable-rate damping
may provide would be totally negated if the transitions
between those damping rates upset the handling characteristics
of the vehicle.
Those proved to be two very difficult problems to solve, but hydraulically
manipulating the RIV turned out to be the key to making the whole
system work reliably, instantaneously and automatically. The RIV is
hydraulically biased to select the chassis circuit over the wheel
circuit if it detects wheel and chassis motion occurring simultaneously.
This makes the RIV system virtually infallible even in the unlikely
event of any type of malfunction within the RIV piston assembly and
it also improves performance dramatically. Hydraulically manipulating
the RIV also proved to be an important element in making smooth transitions
between the chassis and wheel circuits.
Primary Rebound Circuit
In the default mode, all of the shock fluid flows through the the
external bypass tubes. We refer to this as the Primary Circuit or
the Chassis Circuit. This circuit is tuned to provide stability while
cornering, accelerating, braking and rebounding from chassis compression.
The primary circuit is also tuned without any regard for comfort or
compliance over rough terrain.
Secondary Rebound Circuit
When the RIV Piston senses wheel motion (as opposed
to chassis motion), the primary circuit is bypassed
and the secondary circuit, or the wheel circuit, is
activated. The secondary circuit is tuned to keep the
tires in contact with the ground and increase traction
while traveling over rough terrain. Just the opposite
of the primary circuit, the secondary circuit is tuned
without regard for handling or vehicle stability. However,
this is NOT uncontrolled wheel travel. The secondary
circuit is fully adjustable and can be custom-tuned
without affecting the handling performance of the primary
circuit in any way.
(Now Available
at Racer Offroad)
The Bottom Line
RICOR shock absorbers are proven to significantly increase safety,
stability, traction, handling and ride-quality. The bottom line is
that RICOR shocks will make you FASTER. We're not defying the laws
of physics or marketing gimmicks, but this technology promises to
revolutionize every known form of motorsports. In fact, the same benefits
that offer race vehicles a competitive advantage can be realized in
any type of moving vehicle, from family sedans to motorhomes and heavy
trucks.
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Ricor Racing Shocks
Bypass Basics
It's easy to identify external bypass shocks by the
tubes that are located around the outside of the shock body, which
allow shock fluid to 'bypass' the piston. Positioning these bypass
tubes at different locations along the length of the shock body is
an effective way to change the damping characteristics as the shock
progresses through its stroke. This position-sensitivity allows bypass
shocks to smooth out the small bumps and variations in terrain without
blowing through the travel when the suspension has to absorber large
hits.
(Now Available
at Racer Offroad)
Shortcomings of Traditional Bypass Shocks
But there are still some problems and shortcomings with
traditional bypass shocks.
First of all, the bypass tubes on most off-road race
shocks simply can't flow enough fluid to effectively 'bypass' the
piston. As a result, the piston has to flow a significant percentage
of the fluid through the entire stroke and this compromises bottom-out
resistance (or alternately, makes for an unnecessarily harsh ride).
Secondly, and also because of the limited amount of
fluid the bypass tubes on most shocks are able to flow, the externally
adjustable bypass tubes can only be used to fine-tune the valving
on most traditional bypass shocks. Disassembling the shock and re-valving
the piston is still required in order to make more significant changes.
Third, the 'adjustable' needle and seat arrangement
used on traditional bypass tube assemblies is an ineffective way to
meter fluid-flow and represents another significant flow restriction.
Finally, traditional position-sensitive bypass shocks
still cannot distinguish between chassis and wheel motion, and in
that respect they are no better than any other velocity-sensitive
shock absorber.
Hi-Flow Bypass Tube Assemblies
The patented high-flow external bypass
tube assemblies used on RICOR's RIVAL bypass shocks
are superior to traditional bypass shocks in every
aspect of their design and construction. Simply put,
there is a new standard in bypass technology.
Most importantly, the external bypass
tube assemblies are capable of moving ALL of the fluid
that flows through the shock on the compression stroke.
The valving on the compression side of the piston is
only used to control the last stage of the compression
stroke, as the piston moves past the last bypass tube
and enters the bump-zone. As a result, the compression
side of the Piston can be valved much stiffer (making
them more resistant to bottoming-out) without affecting
the suspension through mid-stroke.
The external bypass tubes on RIVAL shocks
also handle all of the fluid-flow on the rebound stroke
when the RIV is closed (primary/chassis rebound circuit).
This means that RIVAL bypass shocks can be adjusted
externally, quickly and easily.
(Now Available
at Racer Offroad)
Machined Valve Blocks
 
Most shock manufacturers are bending
and welding the bypass tubes right to the shock body.
The bends in the tubing and the junctions where they
are welded to the shock body represent serious flow
restrictions. RICOR's RIVAL bypass shocks use patented
high-flow valve blocks are machined from blocks of
Chro-Moly steel and by virtue of their design, are
capable of moving much more fluid than any traditional
bent and welded bypass tube assemblies.
In addition to higher flow-rates, there
are several other advantages to using machined valve
blocks. The shape of the machined valve blocks and
the openings in the shock body also contribute to improved
fluid distribution by spreading the fluid around the
shock (radially) across a wider area. The shock bodies
are less susceptible to warping during the welding
process and the shape of the openings between the shock
body and the valve blocks also contributes to a longer
service-life for the piston wear-band.
Bypass Valving
RICOR's RIVAL bypass shocks use a patented
mechanism to meter fluid-flow through the bypass tube
assemblies that works in conjunction with the high-flow
bypass tubes and machined valve blocks to provide a
level of adjustability that traditional bypass tube
assemblies cannot match. RIVAL bypass shocks also use
clickers to adjust the bypass tubes instead of set-screws
and lock-nuts. One wrench, count your clicks and you're
done.
(Now Available
at Racer Offroad)
The Bottom Line
The high-flow bypass tubes, machined
valve blocks and superior bypass valving work together
to make RIVAL bypass shocks more effective and easier
to tune than any other bypass shock on the planet.
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