Just got off the phone with Todd at CT Racing about his TCS shocks. He is very friendly and seemed happy to answer my questions. Even though I could tell he felt some were stupid, he still kindly answered.

Some info I got: Currently, the wait is just around 2 weeks. Dune set-up is basically MX set-up. No choice in spring color. $100 for a complete rebuild (I assumed for the front pair, but am not sure). He said raising the ride height did not change any of the shocks characteristics, just took away some from the cornering benefit you get by lowering your center of gravity. Also, he wasn't clear on the shocks ability to handle the rough stuff at low speed.

I would like TCS owners to respond, especially to my last two comments. Thanks!

 

My TCS's are set up for desert XC & I can tell you that My Warrior corners like on rails with way less body English than previously for the same speed. Using the same body position, I get thru corners must faster & with more control. As to the other question, I'm not clear on exactly what you mean by "ability to handle the rough stuff at low speed." If you mean by doing it in a soft & cushy manner, I'm afraid not..at least with the way I have set up my compression. You definitely would feel the rocks, stutter bumps, etc. but you'd maintain your line and not hop all over the real estate. When you get up to speed again everything smoothes out, and that's the way you want it..at least I do. Perhaps you ought to talk to Alan Knowles, the owner of CT Racing where I bought mine. He not only knows shocks, but is knowledgable on most other phases of bike or quad improvements.
Incidentally, I thought Todd was with TCS, not CTR, maybe my error.

 

My bike sits about 3" lower at the frame rails now that I have TCS fronts and rear. Mine are both dual rate / no-loads. I now live in Illinois and have no problem with clearance issues. I am however moving to the Phoenix area in November and will be taking a look at how my current set-up will work in the rocky southwest. It is a 100% improvement in cornering compared to stock. Along with putting a set of good rear tires on the bike,[ the Ohatsu radials flex to much at the sidewall and cause much of the "tippyness" ] this will make your bike handle like an R.
My shocks are, like hot_shoe said, not very cushy. But the faster you go the better the action is.
You might want to call Todd again and get your prices straight. He is not going to rebuild your front shocks for $100. If you are talking about your stock fronts, those are history. Put them on the shelf for emergency back-ups. A full rebuild of my Works triples last winter was right around $400. The rebuild of my stock rear was about the same. good luck .

 

Sorry I wasn't clear.

First, Todd is with TCS, but you get him by calling CTR. They are in the same building.

Second, I didn't mean they would rebuild your stockers for $100. I meant they would rebuild theirs when the time came for $100. Sorry for the confusion.

Again, I am concerned with the roughness of the ride at low speed. Just want to be sure before I plop down $750 on a mod I have never tried before. Thanks!

 

Todd runs TCS, he is located in the same building as Alan Knowles and CT Racing.

One of the first things I noticed about my shocks is how well they took some of the smaller, low speed stuff. Sure they may be a bit more harsh in some circumstances, but all in all, everyone who has ridden mine has noticed a major improvement in ride quality.

I would leave the ride height alone, your swingarm is still going to be your limiting factor on clearance by far. The benefits of the 3" lower ride height far outweigh any loss of frame clearance.

 

Forgive me...but I am trying to learn...

The Custom Axis, which are close to the new, higher price of the TCS, are non-adjustable. They also sell rebound adjustable, compression adjustable, and dual adjustable. What are the TCS? And would non-adjustable be fine since they are custom built?

Also, does anyone know if the non-adjustable Custom Axis have remote res.? Thanks!

 

Yes, the non-adj Axis have reservoirs.

On custom built shocks the adjustments are for fine tuning and setting to the individual riding conditions you will be encountering that day, not really a necessity, but nice.

The TCS fronts have 20 clicks of compression damping, ride height adjustment, and preload adjustment. No rebound.

 

I thought ride height and preload adjustment were essentially the same thing on this 0 preload type shock?

 

Actually they are independant of one another...

Preload - set to rider and machine weight - is adjustible via a snap ring and retainer on the shock body.

Ride hieght is set by the use of shims between the spring separator and the top spring retainer.

They are closely related and dependant on one another though.