There is hardly a suspension fork on the mountain bike market that can look back on a longer and more successful history than the Rockshox SID. Products with the abbreviation SID (which stands for "Superlight Integrated Design") have always been aimed at racers looking for maximum performance with minimum weight. In addition to racing successes, the SID has also regularly impressed in BIKE tests. This was most recently demonstrated in the Suspension fork comparison test in BIKE 11/19. Our test verdict at the time: Super, both for the SID Ultimate with 100 millimetres of travel and for the longer-travel version with 120 millimetres.
With the 2021 model year, Rock Shox wants to build on its success and is significantly expanding its SID range. In addition to a super-lightweight SID SL with 100 millimetres of travel, there is also a 120 mm SID with thicker stanchions (35 millimetres). In addition, the Americans will be showing a shock for the first time in a long time, which will also run under the promising abbreviation "SID" - the Sidluxe Ultimate. Both suspension forks will go on sale on 17 March. BIKE has already been able to subject the new Rockshox suspension forks to an initial practical test and determine the first measured values in the BIKE test laboratory.
Rockshox SID runs on two tracks from 2020
In order to meet the requirements of the market, the SID will now be available in two versions with different castings. Instead of simply extending the travel of the 100 millimetre fork, the diameter of the stanchions for the 120 mm SID version has been increased by three millimetres to 35 millimetres. This makes the Rockshox one millimetre thicker than its Fox 34 Stepcast counterpart. With the increasing demand in the trail bike segment, 120 millimetre forks are also finding more and more buyers. Thanks to the update, the "Mini-Pike" is now also able to cope with these loads. The new SID will be available in an Ultimate and Select version for 979 euros with lockout on the fork crown. You can find a detailed article with all the details, background information and measured values for the SID 120 here new 120-millimetre version of the SID
SID SL: the lightest Rockshox SID ever
In addition to the new 120 mm SID, there will of course still be a 100 millimetre version with 32 mm stanchions. Never before has a 29-inch suspension fork been so light. The display of the laboratory scales stabilises at just 1326 grams (without handlebar remote control). This means that the new SID model saves a whole 166 grams compared to its predecessor. Considering that carbon is no longer used as a material for the fork crown and steerer tube in the new SIDs, this is a considerable saving. The price of 869 euros without handlebar remote is also far below that of the predecessor model (1200 euros). For 949 euros, the SL Ultimate comes with Twist- or Onloc. If the fun is still too expensive, the slightly heavier Select version of the SID is available from 649 euros, which is still very light at 1468 grams. Both models are available from today.
How Rockshox reduces the weight of the new SID fork
The abbreviation SL stands for "super light". And the name says it all. Rockshox has redesigned the entire fork on a white sheet. As a result, the Americans have saved a whole 166 grams compared to the previous model. The 32-millimetre stanchions have also been moved closer together to reduce weight. The cut-outs on the inside of the casting are reminiscent of the Stepcast construction from Fox. Everything seems to be designed to extract every last gram from the suspension fork. A trend that goes hand in hand with a loss of stiffness, one would assume. Quite the opposite! Our laboratory test even showed an improvement in the values. You can read the exact stiffness values in comparison and the first riding impressions in BIKE 5/20 from 7 April!
The damping cartridge has also been subjected to a strict diet. The new Charger Race Day cartridge from SID weighs just 81.7 grams, almost half the weight of its predecessor. The only disadvantage is that the cartridge can only hold half as much oil. However, less oil also means that the fork is more susceptible to heat build-up. The cheaper SL-Select version continues to rely on the Charger RL damping unit - also with full lockout.
The data for the Rockshox SID SL Ultimate
- Wheel size: 29"
- Suspension travel: 100 mm
- Cartridge: Charger Race Day
- Offset: 44 mm
- Standpipes: 32 mm aluminium
- Weight: 1326 grammes
- Price: 949 euros with lockout on the handlebars
The data for the Rockshox SID SL Select
- Wheel size: 29"
- Suspension travel: 100 mm
- Cartridge: Charger RL
- Offset: 44 mm
- Standpipes: 32 mm aluminium
- Weight: 1468 grammes
- Price: 729 euros with lockout on the handlebars
Retrofitting old Rockshox forks with a new damping cartridge?
There is good news for anyone who owns an older SID model with 100-120 millimetres of travel. The new Charger Race Day cartridge is backwards compatible with all SID forks up to 2017 and all Reba models up to 2018. The retrofit cartridge costs 280 euros and saves 110.5 grams compared to the old SID cartridge (192.2 grams with oil).
New Debon Air air spring
With the enlarged negative air chamber, the new SID fork should respond even more sensitively, especially in the initial range. By changing the position of the dimple, the air exchange between the positive and negative air chambers should be even easier when the fork is fully extended.
The lightest Rockxhox shock ever: Sidluxe Ultimate
The new SID family also includes a completely new shock, the Sidluxe, which weighs in at 227 grams. With this weight, the new Rockshox damper is clearly aimed at cross-country and marathon riders. The good piece is available in a variety of bike-specific versions in most common installation dimensions. A trunnion mount with up to 50 millimetres of travel is also available to the customer. As an alternative to the top model, Rockshox is also offering the Sidluxe as a Select+ version. Unfortunately, prices are not yet known. The shock will not be sold individually for the time being. Only selected bike manufacturers are equipping their bikes with the new Rockshox shock.
Max Fuchs
Editor
