First Ride | 2021 RockShox Sid, Lightweight XC Forks Just Got A Whole Lot Better
Tue 17th Mar, 2020 @ 2:00 pm
Hold up! We may only just be into 2020 but already we have 2021 products being announced! Today’s announcement comes from the team at RockShox who have updated their classic lightweight XC fork, the SID. Our head product tester Ewen has already managed to spend some time with this fork and his thoughts are below:
First Impressions
Last year I spent some time with the SID and was presently surprised at how capable it was despite 32mm stanchions and a chassis built for speed. With the Down Country thing becoming more of a, well, thing, it’s unsurprising that RockShox has dropped this little party fork into the cutlery draw.
I’ve had it up and running for a couple of weeks, and strapped it onto the front of my Rift Zone to give it a hard time. At a feather or two over 1500g it’s super light but has widened to 35mm it’s somehow chunky and robust looking.
My first impressions are simple and have answered my main questions. These questions are based on how stiff it could be, and how hard you can push it. Essentially this is a micro Pike, a Pike-let if you will. In terms of stiffness, it’s punching way above its weight and holds a line exceptionally well. I dropped 10mm from my Fox 34s onto these but the increase in stiffness and precision is well worth it.
The delivery of travel seems to be good although I have been running a little hard, so need to find the sweet spot to deliver max travel whilst maintaining a good ride height. Ride height is something that the SID appears to be doing well, with a certain reluctance to use it’s travel too quickly. That said, the Debonair spring and the SKF wiper seals keep the first part of travel super smooth.
The fork is designed for speed, precision and traction over all else it would seem. this is no armchair fork, if you’re not charging in every direction, then you won’t do this justice. Could the SID be the new standard in hard-hitting short travel forks? I would guess yes, but more time will tell. Full review coming in Aprils issue.
Full press release from Rockshox below:
Travel at the speed of SID
The world’s most winningest XC fork is charging back to the podium with new capabilities and two superfast new siblings. SID got swoll; we beefed it up to tackle more super-fun terrain. The new SID SL is light, slanky, and fast AF, crushing quick courses and fast tracks. Last but not least, the new SIDLuxe is a thoroughbred rear shock engineered to win races and compliment our SID forks. The SID family has something for every XC rider. Whatever the course, there’s a SID to get you there.
- CHARGER™ Race Day damper
- A new damper built for speed. Our lightest production damper. Ever. Performance packed with a rock-solid lockout to power up climbs and smash through sprint finishes.
- A new DEBONAIR™
- New DebonAir air spring is tuned specifically to meet the demands of XC and maintains a higher ride height for increased confidence and control.
- MAXIMA PLUSH Fluid
- Developed with the world’s fastest racers, on the world’s toughest circuits. Maxima Plush Fluid is designed to protect from suspension wear, reduce friction, and silence damper noise while maintaining a consistent feel in all temperatures.
- SKF wiper seals
- Everyone loves a good collaboration, which is why we’ve been working with SKF, the world’s highest-performance seal manufacturer, for over 5 years. Together we’ll provide ultra-low friction wiper seals, less fatigue, and unmatched suspension feel, all while keeping the dirt where it belongs—because no one wants dirt in there.
- TWISTLOC
- It’s tough to find space for a remote that looks good and lets the rider maintain full control. Enter TwistLoc. Twist to lock, push the button to unlock—on forks, rear shocks, or both in tandem. With a consistent grip size and light-touch action, TwistLoc maximizes efficiency while keeping your hand safely on the bar.
- Light. Speed. Performance.
- When you absolutely, positively need to go as fast as possible, SID SL is your weapon of choice. It’s a laser-focused fork perfect for crushing quick courses and fast tracks. And though it weighs next to nil, it stays satisfyingly active through every millimeter of travel. Give your fingertips a break with our TwistLoc™ remote that goes from open to lockout in a single effortless click. Everything is streamlined, efficient, and oh-so-very-fast.
NEW SID SL ULTIMATE
The lightest, fastest fork of 2020, full stop. With SID SL Ultimate, we added our new Charger Race Day damper, machined away every extra gram, and made premium style plays.
Specifications:
- Wheel size: 29″
- Travel: 100mm
- Damper: Charger Race Day
- offset: 44mm
- Upper tube: 32mm straight wall aluminum
- WEIGHT: 1326g
Features
- Entirely new 32mm chassis engineered to eliminate as much weight as possible, when every gram matters
- New Charger Race Day Damper—our lightest production damper with rock-solid lockout
- New DebonAir air spring is tuned specifically to meet the demands of XC and maintains a higher ride height for increased confidence and control
- New Ultra-low friction SKF wiper seals provide long lasting fork performance and improve overall suspension feel
- Maxima Plush damping fluid reduces friction and silences damper noise
- Machined/anodized crown
- Signature SID Blue and Ultimate High Gloss Black colorways
- Ultimate foil graphics package
- Remote options include TwistLoc remote
MSRP: $799-869 | €869-949* | £779-849* | *INCLUDES VAT
NEW SID SL SELECT
A race ready package, SID SL Select comes with the Charger RL damper, proven for the start line.
Specifications:
- Wheel size: 29″
- Travel: 100mm
- Damper: Charger RL
- offset: 44mm
- Upper tube: 32mm straight wall aluminum
- WEIGHT: 1468g
Features
- Entirely new 32mm chassis engineered to eliminate as much weight as possible, when every gram matters
- New DebonAir air spring is tuned specifically to meet the demands of XC and maintains a higher ride height for increased confidence and control
- New Ultra-low friction SKF wiper seals provide long lasting fork performance and improve overall suspension feel
- Proven Charger RL damper provides smooth performance and a rock-solid lockout
- Maxima Plush damping fluid reduces friction and silences damper noise
- Remote options include TwistLoc remote
MSRP: $599-669 | €649-729* | £579-649* | *INCLUDES VAT
SAVAGE SPEED.
You’re gonna go fast, and you’re gonna have fun. We’ve re-balanced SID, beefing up its strength to match its speed. It’s the perfect fork for a new generation of more capable XC bikes, keeping riders ready for whatever’s down course. Rock gardens? Sure. Jumps? Why not. Wherever XC riders want to go, SID is already there.
NEW SID ULTIMATE
Riding SID Ultimate means every detail is considered. Packed in an all new chassis, the new Charger Race Day damper is our lightest yet. Perfectly balanced for the speed needs of XC.
Specifications:
- Wheel size: 29″
- Travel: 120mm
- Damper: Charger Race Day
- offset: 44mm
- Upper tube: 35mm tapered wall aluminum
- WEIGHT: 1537g
Features
- Added boost of confidence.An entirely new 35mm chassis optimized to be satisfyingly stiff and eliminate as much weight
as possible - New Charger Race Day Damper—our lightest production damper with rock-solid lockout
- New DebonAir air spring is tuned specifically to meet the demands of XC and maintains a higher ride height for increased confidence and control
- New Ultra-low friction SKF wiper seals provide long lasting fork performance and improve overall suspension feel
- Maxima Plush damping fluid reduces friction and silences damper noise
- Machined/anodized crown
- New short fender combatibility. Includes RockShox branded 2-bolt short fender
- Signature SID Blue and Ultimate High Gloss Black colorways
- Ultimate foil graphics package
- Remote options include TwistLoc remote
MSRP: $899-969 | €979-1,059* | £869-949* | *INCLUDES VAT
NEW SID SELECT
SID Select uses the Charger RL damper, proven ready for a new generation of more capable XC bikes.
Specifications:
- Wheel size: 29″
- Travel: 120mm
- Damper: Charger RL
- offset: 44mm
- Upper tube: 35mm tapered wall aluminum
- WEIGHT: 1671g
Features
- Added boost of confidence. An entirely new 35mm chassis optimized to be satisfyingly stiff and eliminate as much weight
as possible - New DebonAir air spring is tuned specifically to meet the demands of XC and maintains a higher ride height for increased confidence and control
- New Ultra-low friction SKF wiper seals provide long lasting fork performance and improve overall suspension feel
- Proven Charger RL damper provides smooth performance and a rock-solid lockout
- Maxima Plush damping fluid reduces friction and silences damper noise
- New short fender combatibility. Includes RockShox branded 2-bolt short fender
- Remote options include TwistLoc remote
MSRP: $699-769 | €759-839* | £679-749* | *INCLUDES VAT
SHOCKINGLY FAST.
The SIDLuxe is a rear shock with one thing on its mind: speed. We designed it for racers, but anyone can ride it. It’s lighter than other rear shocks and pairs perfectly with SID and SID SL to give your bike a more balanced ride. Finally: a shock that can hang with the world’s fastest forks.
NEW SIDLUXE ULTIMATE
Riding SIDLuxe Ultimate means every detail is considered; performance packed with chiseled good looks, a Signature Blue colorway and premium foil graphics.
Specifications:
- Available as part of AM Rear Shock Program.
- WEIGHT: 227g
Features
- New XC-focused lightweight design delivering premium performance and efficiency
- Comfortable damping in open mode with low High Speed Compression
- A match made in heaven, designed to compliment the feel of SID/SID SL
- Maxima Plush damping fluid reduces friction and silences damper noise
- Ultimate foil graphics package
- Equipped with two decal options: Ultimate High Gloss Black and Signature SID Blue
