Just finished my back testing. What is that you say? I took off the 418's and put the 412's back on and repeated the same test. For quantification purposes I made a 9 mile ride with the 418's went home replaced them with the 412's and repeated the exact same test with the same exact track.
The 418's are notably smoother on all bumps.
The 412's are still no slouch, they do by far better than the stock in terms of handling and absorbing really bad shock to the spine
Re-tested very large bone jarring bumps that with stock I would not be able to take them without putting my weight on the foot boards or it would send a shot up the spine. The 418's were superior in this area.
So what does it mean for me? I am keeping the 418's on my bike and I will have a set of 412's for sale! Still a great shock for the money.
The 418 like the 440 is re-buildable, better valving and fills the gap in the Heavy Duty Range that the 440 does not. The 418 is not as smooth as the 440 but pretty close.
I did this eval so those who are trying to decide can have a fair comparison. Though not scientific, I gave my honest assessment as if I was doing it for myself, which in fact I was.
Hope this helps some of you who are looking at this particular brand of shocks. Oh, as to the change in height I percieved? The 418's raised my bike up 1/2". They are stock length but the extra spring cpacity gives it a little more lift (more likely I compress it less than stock or 412's) editied 9/8/08
eddy
