Submitted by
Scott Keir
a Weekend Warrior
from Christchurch,New Zealand
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2006
Strengths: Light, good adjustability.
Weaknesses: None if used for purpose they were designed for.
Bottom Line:
This is for the 03/04 model(i was told they haven't changed much). The forks came with the bike and to start with i tried to use them for everything the bike was capable of but learnt pretty quickly that they are not to be used for "anything and everything"type riding. Now i only use them for not to rough XC racing and am getting some Maz EXR's for general riding around.
Submitted by
Oswald
a Cross Country Rider
from Belgium
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2003
Strengths: Very light, easy to adjust
Weaknesses: Flex
Bottom Line:
I was a little sceptical about the Sid, but it came with the bike, so I thought I'ld give it a try. It really flexes, especially in corners and under braking. But it doesn't really bother me. It's a lot plusher than I had expected. I have set it with 12mm of sag (12mm sag is XC setting according to manual, 9mm is race setting) It sucks up the bigger hits, and still absorbs small vibrations (could be the mix of 2.0 tires, 28 spoke front wheel, carbon bar and sid fork)
Conclusion: I really like the ride, but am concerned about maintenance and lifespan (since it's really light)
Strengths: Light, performs well for XC and looks good.
Weaknesses: Price
Bottom Line:
Alright 6 months later and I'm back to tell ya this fork is awesome. I weigh 175 lbs, and this fork performs the best in XC mode. I beat the hell out of it and all I noticed was the thing gets a little squeaky, not that a little liquid teflon couldn't fix though. I like this fork and I'm simply waiting for another good day to ride.
Bike Setup: Klein Attitude Race '00, Rolf, XT, King, Easton, Azonic, Panaracer, Control Tech, Sram
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Gerald
a Cross Country Rider
from Budd Lake, NJ
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2002
Strengths: light
Weaknesses: flexy
Bottom Line:
Welp, I really like the lightness of this fork. I bought it used from a friend who raced it 12 times. It is a little bit flexy when Im braking, but it isn't squirrely downhills. Overall, I like the fork. Of course it isn't super duper plush, it's an air fork, but it is good enough. It pays to get it overhauled once a year, and maintained in between. I find that the lightness really compliments the titanium ride, and the maneuverability over obstacles and when I'm tired is unmatched. If you are a heavy rider, forget it pal.
Submitted by
Neil Nasralla
a Cross Country Rider
from harpenden
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2002
Strengths: Lightness (rockshox SID race carbon 2002), ease of setup, on the fly adjustment whilst in the saddle and lockout. Fantastic fork with great looks and 2.3lbs!!!!!!!!
Bike Setup: Hope Minis, Hope XC hubs and headset, easton mokeylite bars, raceface stem, use seatpost and flite seat, rock lobster team titanium frame and XTR gears and cranks
Strengths: Light, Light, Light. Looks great and feels awesome.
Weaknesses: The price... But it's well worth it.
Bottom Line:
This fork rocks, I haven't gotten crazy with it yet cause I've only had it a month, so I'll write another review later. I like the fact that you can tune it to your weight. It's pricey but very worth it. I didn't however pay the 600 beans for it, so I'm really happy I got one brand new for half that. I ride a small Attitude race frame and with this shock jumping is truely amazing. I think I might have to go buy a parachute next.
Similar Products Used: Manitou SX-R another really good shock!!! Just heavier at 3.4lbs.
Bike Setup: Klein Attitude Race w/ XT drivtrain, Chris king headset, Sid Race, Rolf wheels etc. It's bangin' trust me.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
javier villalobos
a Weekend Warrior
from mexico city mexico
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2001
Strengths: light, and easy to adjust
Weaknesses: Manual sucks. When doing maintenance I overtorqued the Top caps and air shaft nut. Manual says that the first should have 60 in-lbs and the second should have 50 in-lbs. Too much, I got an overtorqued shaft nut, and damaged the tread. No more maintenance
Bottom Line:
Can somebody confirm if such torque values are correct? After maintenance I still hear a clicking noise when compresing the shock
Bike Setup: Fat City Yo Eddy, XT , Mavic, Thomsom post and stem
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
sam gaver
a Racer
from fred. maryland
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2001
Strengths: 2.5lbs no kidding sick light sick
Weaknesses: a little flimsy but its worth 2.5lbs
Bottom Line:
lots of flex even with xtr brakes braking power is reduced lever feels like a sponge response is sketchy but it worth the weight. i am a gram junky and i can sacrifice...plush as with all race level high end shox adjustability is minimal neg air is awesome for small stuff 63 mm travel goes fast but if you are true cross country(a dying breed) thats all you need to take the edge off. looks good and did i mention light!!!!
Similar Products Used: there is nothing similar to this fork...in a category of its own. well ok the ultra fatty is up there too.
Bike Setup: on a cannondale limited polished frame killer v style...xtr carbon excessories total bike weight 20.5 lbs. 2*9 drive it so light you dont need a granny grear.
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Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Gananoque, Ont, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2001
Strengths: !!This review is for the rock shox sid SL 2001!! The fork is very light and has an awesome feel, a bit of flex, so what just ride it.. great XC fork. best i'v ever had so far.
Weaknesses: Well all I have to say is I have been using the fork for about 6 months.. and maybe put 500 to 600km on it if that and the bushings are toast? whats up with that?????
Bottom Line:
A Premium fork, probly the best out there for feel and plush-ness and performance to being so light.. but if you can afford to put new bushings in it after 30 rides then its the ultimate fork, thank god next year they are increasing the bushing size.. and can't wait to see the sid carbon and sid Ti. but i am moving over to White Brothers so hopefully i won't have to change forks after 6 months.!
Strengths: Super light, tracks good, holds air, and looks super cool
Weaknesses: Retail price ($620)
Bottom Line:
Awesome fork for XC racing. I weight 180 lbs and have no problems with it - I tuned per the manual. Tracks good, absorbs bumps well, and never leaks. The light weight is very noticible when you're on a long climb - definitely an energy saver. The fork is awesome for what it was designed for - XC racing. (Why would a downhill thrasher be worried about weight anyway. Doesn't a bowling ball fall faster than a feather?) If you want to go fast in an XC race get one!
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont CA , USA
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2001
Strengths: This is a review for the Sid SL set at 80 MM travel .Pretty damm plush , never leaks air , great lockout feature and very tunable .
Weaknesses: My only complaint is a fair amount of flex but hey this is a 2.9 lbs. fork .
Bottom Line:
This is a great cross country fork . Rock Shox has come a long way in the quality department - they used to suck so bad . This is the best 80 MM fork I have ever tried .
Tyronius you must be the biggest f@c#k wit ever you are a downhiller complaining about a fork that is made purely for hardcore XC racing.
Man you got no idea.
But anyway i ride for the specialized factory team in Australia and we use this fork and it is great, a little flexy but hey it's the lightest fork on the planet.
So if your a Hard Core cross country Rider or Racer you know youve gotta get this fork or hell you would'nt be reading this review.
Weaknesses: light, flexxxy, doesn't have much damping control, feels like poop, just plain lame
Bottom Line:
This fork feels like you're riding a wet noodle. Do not buy it, it sucks. If you want a light fork for XC go for the Marzocchi X-Fly. A teeny bit more weight but 100 times better performance. Or go for a ShiverDH, really good fork :)
Similar Products Used: XTR cable housing, works just as good
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Submitted by
Joe Sobrino
a Cross Country Rider
from Puerto Rico
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2001
Strengths: Super light weight, great feel, and very sensitive. Handles like a dream when used for what it was designed to do.
Weaknesses: none. the only problems you'll have with this fork are if you use it for other styles of riding than what it was intended for.
Bottom Line:
Most people I see complaining about this fork are usually using it for styles of riding for which it was not designed for. I'm sure many bought it thinking it was the top of the like race model and that should be good enough for anything. Wrong! Its light, and it has short travel to reduce bobing. Its meant for pure racing, not super plushness, heavy riders, or big jumpers. If your style of riding is anything other then buy a RS fork that is specifically designed for your style. That is after all why they make specific model forks for nearly every style of riding. As far as quality goes, mine has worked flawlessly. The chambers do not loose any pressure. I check them every 1-2 weeks and it is always right. Only rarely is it more than a few PSI's off when I check. Oh yeah, I'm a 165lbs rider if that helps.
Similar Products Used: Judy XC, Judy SL, SID 100 and some more...
Bike Setup: Litespeed Pishah, Full XTR and RaceFace stuff.
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Submitted by
Cyberslak
a Cross Country Rider
from Mayaguez, PR
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2001
Strengths: Light, Light, color
Weaknesses: setting up the air pressure at first
Bottom Line:
Great fork if you can set the air pressure right in both the negative and pos chambers. It's very light and looks extremely good. The ride when having the correct air pressure is unbelievable, you dont notice you are riding off road.
