i went to their site and their top "elite" line of shocks are triple rate while they lower "racing" shocks are quad rates. arent quad rates better than triple rates or am i wrong?

 

quad rates are usually long travel shocks

 

so what is the btter shock?

 

I like the triple rate the best.

 

technically the quad rates should be the best, however if your doing freestyle, you don't need them, that's probably why they're in the racing category. quad rates also offer the most adjustability (as far as spacers are concerned). one other factor is the adjustability that they allow you. for example: a triple rate remot resevoir shock may cost you $600. however, add pre-load adjustability and it's now $700. then you add compression adjustability, now its $850. then you add rebound, $950. then (if i remember correctly) elka has come out with a slow, and high speed damping adjuster, instead of just the single compression, that would bring it to at least $1000. none of these numbers are exact, i'm jus sayin how their elite shocks might come with all the adjustability, while the racing may come with less adjustability.

 

i looked at Elka's website, the Elite shocks jus have that slow/high speed compression adjuster, otherwise they're no different from the race shocks.

 

The quad rate shocks are for long travel a arms. They're pretty impressive. I believe the elite line also has some kind of coating on the shock shaft. Forget what it is tho.

 

I've heard numerous complaints that the elites need to be rebuilt way too much, and the best bet is the triple rate dual adj. I'm starting to wonder if some of the features on the elkas are just sales gimmicks.

 

Very possible. I don't miss or need the the 2 different compression and rebound adjustments. 1 is good enough for me. The quad rates with the long travel is VERY worth it tho.