ide rate is related to change in vertical force on tire with suspension travel hence it is one of

the parameter in handling performance.

Here many interrelated rates are defined and later on discussed about mutual relation.
Spring rate - its the force per unit displacement of suspension spring.This may be linear or
non linear depending upon spring type.
Wheel rate - vertical force per unit vertical displacement at location of wheel center.It will
be less than spring rate due to displacement ratio between wheel and spring.
Tire rate - vertical force per unit vertical displacement of at it operating load.Here it should
be noted that tires vertical stiffness is also taken into account.
RIDE rate - vertical force per unit vertical displacement of tire ground contact point
relative to chassis.
The overall ride rate can be thought as the series combination of the suspension spring and
tires vertical stiffness hence for a infinite stiff tire both ride rate and wheel rate becomes
equal.