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Why is an Obtainium spring better than a steel spring?
World Cup leaders choose Obtainium Springs for reasons that include weight savings, durability and better response.
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How much weight do I save with an Obtainium spring?
On the average you will save around 40% depending on what rate you are using.
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Should I be using an air shock or an over-coil shock?
Air shock performance is affected by ambient temperature and altitude. These same factors have little to no
effect upon an "Over Coil" shock. Coil over shock is the best kind of shock to use on
a down hill bike compared to an air shock.
On longer travel applications, i.e. your typical 6"-9"
travel bikes, the shock shaft travel rate is significantly faster than on shorter travel bikes. Given the same
bike speed and terrain, a longer shaft shock is doing more work and generating more heat. Coil over shocks/dampers
are more reliable and consistent in performance.
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Is there a difference from the other ti springs and Obtainium springs?
Absolutely! Our titanium in made in the USA. It’s the same titanium used in the
aerospace industry because it meets all aerospace standards. When we purchase our titanium a
certificate is provided which verifies the material's chemical properties and that it
meets the specific alloy's specifications. This is not always the case with lower grade or cheaper
material.
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Where are Obtainium springs made?
Every process is done here in the USA and every process is certified. Many of the processes are the same
used by the aerospace industry to insure a high quality of workmanship. Also we load test every spring to
insure the rate labeled on the spring is correct.
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Do I need to change the spring rate from the rate I’m using now?
No, if you are comfortable with the rate you are riding. You won’t need to change to a different rate with an Obtainium
spring. We hand test each spring to insure we have the correct rate labeled on the spring. If you aren’t sure what rate
you should be riding ask your local bike shop or visit www.tftuned.com and
use their spring calculator on the "tech area" page.
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Will an Obtainium spring fit on my damper (shock)?
Yes, in most cases an Obtainium ti spring will fit your damper with the aide of a set of Performance Adapters.
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What is a Performance Adapter?
Our popularity grew so fast and we needed to adapt our current springs to fit other brand name dampers. So we designed
the Performance Adapter. Not only does the Performance Adapter help the spring fit your damper properly it also is used
as a bearing. The adapter is made out of Delrin which is very slick and will allow the spring to rotate as it is being
compressed. If the spring can’t twist the spring can’t function properly.
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What is a Bearing System?
The Obtainium Bearing System allows the spring to function properly. As the spring is compressed it naturally
wants to rotate, the bearing system allows this to happen preventing binding and buckling. The system is easy
to install and maintain.
A Bearing System takes the place of Performance Adapters. Fits: Elka, Rock Shox, Fox, Cane Creek (without the
body sleeve) and Manitou.
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What is a Rock Shox Spacer?
When we first started this venture we designed the Obtainium spring to fit the 2.5 to 3.0 inch stroke shocks. We
started by designing a titanium spring around the Rock Shox Vivid which has an inside spring diameter of 1.5 inches
(38.1mm). Also to take in account is the pre-load nut threading. On the Vivid 3.0 inch stroke damper the 6 inch Obtainium
spring would be too short. So in order to accommodate this issue we came up with the Rock Shox Spacer. So if you have a
Vivid damper that the stroke length is 2.5 to 2.75 you "do not" need a Rock Shox Spacer. But if you have the
Vivid damper stroke length of 3.0 inch you will need the Rock Shox Spacer.
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What stroke lengths will an Obtainium spring 3.0 fit?
An Obtainium spring is approximately 6 inches long (152.4mm) and will fit most 2.5 to 3.0 stroke dampers (shocks). A
good way to determine if your damper will accept an Obtainium spring is to measure the free length of your current steel
spring without any load and if it is longer than 6 inches or 152.2 mm it will take an Obtainium spring.
Another issue that is common is if your damper (shock) reservoir may be too close to the damper body. To find out if your
damper will accept an Obtainium spring, measure your damper body from the center of the body to the closest edge of the
reservoir and multiply by 2. If the result is less than 2.280 inches you should be fine. The current outside diameter of
the Obtainium Ti Springs are 2.200 to 2.275 inch O.D. This should help you be sure your shock will take an Obtainium Spring.
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Will my shock specific adapter work on any shock?
No! Performance Adapters are engineered to fit a specific shock and may not be used on any other. Please, only use it on
the shock for which it is intended.
Attention All FOX shock users: you should remove the "Blue" adjustment knob from the reservoir
or it may be damaged by the Obtainium spring rubbing against it. This is easy to do. Just use a 2 mm Allen stock wrench
and loosen the 2 Allen screws holding the "Blue" knob on the reservoir. Also you may want to carry a 5/8" box
end wrench with you if you want to make adjustments while riding.
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Who is riding Obtainium springs now?
Sam Hill
Brendon Fairclough
Steve Smith
Richie Schley
MS Evil
Team Syndicate
Keep an eye on the riders at the World Cup Events. Many of them are riding with Obtainium.
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Where can I purchase an Obtainium spring?
At the moment there are only a few places that are selling Obtainium springs. But now that you are visiting our web
site you can have one in a few days. Just go to our products page and place your order right now.
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