Thinking of doing the tarty kashima upgrade, but I really don’t like how the aircan looks. And thinking about it, I can’t see where there’s sliding contact in the can anyway? So, just wondering if it actually adds anything…

It is the internal surface of the can that is important, and the coating process does the whole can… They could paint over the coating on the outside i guess, but cyclists being cyclists wouldn’t want the extra weight or to lose the extra showey-offiness… I agree that they look cack though!

Surely the air can makes absolutely no difference as it just stores the air, the piston moves inside some shaft, not affected by the coating of the can itself.

The air seal runs on the inside of the can so it should make a difference.

edit: Neil S is right, the air seal runs on the inside of it:

Interesting… Did they go to SKF seals for the shocks too, or only the forks?

Ah, so it does- I was misremembering the innards. Cheers folks!

Yes does make a difference less static friction, so more sensitive/easier for the shock to start moving.

Air seals are the same as before the SKF seals are just on the forks at present.