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My shock has a stroke of 65mm
a 2.3 = 58mm of travel
What is worse, having a spring more suitable to my weight, but not having travel to match my shock
Or a spring that is too light for me and will blow through all the travel far too easily (and I have the preload wound up to create the same installation length anyway)
I think your spring must have at least as much travel as your shock, but not less. So a 67.5-75mm RS spring might work (if it fits) on a shock with a 65mm stroke. But a 57-60mm spring would not. Having a slightly soft spring isn't the end of the world if it tides you over until you get the correct weight.
Do not run a spring that is too short. Bottoming out the coils is not good for anyone, and once you've done it once you likely wont want to do it again anyway! just get the correct spring?
Yep, bottoming out a spring can crack the preload collar and the spring retainer at the other end, a longer stroke is fine if it can fit, I've ran 2.75 in a 2.5 shock, only just fit though.
800! Jesus h 😀
800lbs is hardcore!
Agree with the comments above - I wouldn’t run a spring that’s too short.
If you're a heavy rider, can't get the lb spring you need, and you're insisting on a spring shock, maybe a linear spring and shim job by a tuning service is the way forwards?
Or its time for an air shock?
Definitely don't run a spring that's too short, it will bottom out on the coils and things will break.