47 replies to this topic

[Tamworthbay]

Surely that's true for any hi-lo or the original trumpet for that matter? As the rubber is compressed the shape distorts, causing the contact patch to widen, much like a deflated tyre.
The hi-lo doesn't affect that, it's only the thing the rubber contacts against, like the road surface in the tyre analagy?

If there's some data on this I'd be interested to see it, or the difference between the contact areas on the genuine item and the machined variety.

It is the shape of the cone, where it seats, the hi lo has a radius, the machined type don't. How much difference it makes..........

[Dan]

As above the contact shoulder on the hi-Lo where the spring sits has a radius profile and is also very thick. So it increases the amount of contact with the rubber as the cone distorts at a specifically controlled rate, not just at a linear rate as those with a flat profile do. There probably is data about this somewhere at Mini Spares (probably not at Rip Speed any longer now Halfords own them sadly) since this is what is patented about the design.

[TimmyG]

So, a quick question from me - who's running Minispares Red Dots? I think they're my first choice for my Hornet, (with fully polybushed subframes and Gaz adjustable dampers).
Any thoughts?

I've got red dots on mine with KYB gas-a-just, replacing worn old cones and spax adjustables. Fitted KYB's first with old cones giving massive improvement in ride at no detriment to handling, in fact was better because it was actually absorbing bumps. With the spax if you backed them off till the ride was acceptable they got sloppy aswel......they're crap in my opinion. Anyway, fitted the red dots and that was another huge improvement, massive increase in traction so no more spinning the inside wheel under power on corners. Couldn't believe the difference i thought that was just a 'mini thing' but now has not far off 205 gti levels of drive out of corners and it doesn't get so upset by mid corner bumps. Brilliant!