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Suspension Revalving Calculator Comparison: ReStackor vs Motoklik vs ShimCalculator
Updated 2026 — Side-by-side comparison of motorcycle suspension tuning tools for motocross, enduro, and road racing.
Choosing the right suspension revalving tool can save you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars. This comparison covers the three main options available to workshop owners, race teams, and DIY tuners: ReStackor (desktop spreadsheet), Motoklik (hardware + app), and ShimCalculator (web-based calculator).
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | ReStackor | Motoklik | ShimCalculator |
|---|
| Price | ~$300 license | €647+ hardware | $49/mo or $290/yr (founders rate) |
| Platform | Excel spreadsheet | iOS/Android app + hardware | Web browser (any device) |
| Software install required | Yes (Excel/LibreOffice) | Yes (app store) | No — runs in browser |
| Hardware required | No | Yes (€647 sensor kit) | No |
| Recommended shim stacks | Manual calculation | Limited | 3 stacks auto-generated (rec + soft + stiff) |
| Suspension simulation | No | No | Yes — 12 track profiles + bottoming detection |
| Auto-tuning loop | No | No | Yes — iterates until validated |
| Printable build sheet | Manual formatting | Yes | Yes — print-ready report |
| Brands supported | All shim-stack | Motocross only | All shim-stack (WP, Showa, KYB, Ohlins, Sachs) |
| Disciplines | All | MX/SX only | MX, SX, Enduro, Desert, Road Race, Street, ADV, Touring |
| Cavitation analysis | Yes | No | Yes — fork + shock |
| Free trial | No | No | Yes — free preview with graphs |
| Learning curve | Steep (spreadsheet) | Moderate (hardware setup) | Low (web form) |
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ReStackor Alternative: Why ShimCalculator Wins
ReStackor is the industry standard for shim stack analysis — and for good reason. It uses 14,000 lines of FEA code to model stack deflection with genuine engineering depth. But it's a spreadsheet. In 2026, workshop owners need something faster.
Where ShimCalculator beats ReStackor:
- Web-native — no Excel macros, no software install, works on any device
- Auto-generates 3 recommended shim stacks (ReStackor makes you calculate manually)
- Built-in suspension simulation validates stacks against track data before you build
- Iterative tuning loop: calculate → simulate → adjust → re-simulate → validated output
- Printable build sheet ready for the workbench (ReStackor requires manual formatting)
- Free preview available (ReStackor is paid-only)
- Crossover stack support for enduro compression circuits
Where ReStackor beats ShimCalculator:
- • Deeper FEA-based stack deflection modelling (14,000 lines of physics code)
- • More granular control over port geometry, Cd coefficients, and flow calculations
- • Longer track record in professional suspension engineering
Bottom line: ReStackor is for deep engineering analysis. ShimCalculator is for fast, practical workshop revalving. Most shops need the latter.
Motoklik vs ShimCalculator: App + Hardware vs Web Software
Motoklik takes a different approach — a €647 hardware sensor kit that measures suspension travel, combined with an iOS/Android app. It's a great product for data logging, but it's not a revalving calculator.
Key differences:
- ShimCalculator: $49/mo software — no hardware to buy, break, or charge
- Motoklik: €647+ upfront hardware cost before you can use the software
- ShimCalculator covers all disciplines; Motoklik focuses on motocross only
- ShimCalculator generates recommended shim stacks; Motoklik shows you data but doesn't tell you what to change
- ShimCalculator includes cavitation analysis, gas pressure recommendations, and oil level guidance
DIY Revalve vs Professional Tuner: Cost Analysis
A professional suspension revalve costs $275–$500 per end. For a fork + shock that's $550–$1,000 per service. Most serious riders revalve 2-4 times per season.
| Professional revalve (fork + shock) | $550–$1,000 per service |
| Season cost (3 revalves) | $1,650–$3,000 |
| ShimCalculator annual subscription | $490/year (unlimited calculations) |
| ShimCalculator Founders (annual, locked-in) | $290/year |
Even if you still pay a tuner for the labour, having the calculator means you arrive with a plan — saving time and ensuring the result matches your riding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a shim stack calculator accurate?
Yes. ShimCalculator uses power-law damping models calibrated against Restackor engineering data, with separate fork/shock zeta values and Restackor-aligned rebound/compression ratios (fork 3.0-3.5:1, shock 2.0-2.5:1). Results are validated by quarter-car suspension simulation before being presented to you.
What is the best alternative to ReStackor?
ShimCalculator is a web-native alternative to ReStackor designed for workshop speed. It runs in your browser (no software install), includes real-time suspension simulation, auto-tuning, and produces printable build sheets. A free preview is available with no sign-up required.
Do I need a suspension dyno to use a shim stack calculator?
No. You can enter 3-point force-velocity data manually, use built-in defaults for your discipline, or upload a CSV from your dyno. The calculator works with data from Restackor, suspension dynos, or manual measurements.
Does ShimCalculator work with WP / KTM / Husqvarna suspension?
Yes. It works with any shim-stack damper — WP XACT, WP AER, WP PDS, Showa SFF-Air, Showa TAC, Kayaba SSS, Ohlins TTX, Sachs, and Marzocchi. Just enter your shim stack dimensions and valve seat diameter.
Can I learn suspension tuning with a calculator?
Absolutely. The free preview shows you force-velocity curves for your current setup against the ideal target — you can immediately see if your suspension is over-damped, under-damped, or close to optimal. The simulation engine shows you bottoming events and excessive forces. It's one of the fastest ways to build intuition for suspension tuning.
How much does a motorcycle suspension revalve cost?
Professional revalving typically costs $275–$500 per end ($550–$1,000 for fork + shock). With ShimCalculator at $49/month or $290/year (founders rate), you can calculate your own shim stacks and either build them yourself or provide your tuner with a starting point — saving time and money on every service.