Downcountry forks : FOX SC 34 2022 vs SID vs ?

louit32 · Mar 6, 2022

hi,
I own a fox 34sc 2019 and I'm going to buy a new fork.

The two main forks are the 34sc 2022 and the sid 35 ultimate 120mm.

I would like to know if any of you have tried both forks and which one you preferred.

For me , the fox seems to be better, I like the 3position remote option.

also , maybe a new sid is going to be released? (every 2 years?)

thanks.

ARider · Mar 6, 2022

I'd go Pike over both of those. I've got one @130mm and it's great.

I've had a new 34sc (nothing impressive) and would never even consider a SID due to bushing issues and inadequate damper. I bet RS is rushing a "new" SID with all the problems the current one has. It's a warranty nightmare for them.

LMN · Mar 6, 2022

How attached are you to having a light fork? Both the pike and standard 34 are a significant bump in fork performace and weight. If you can live with a bit more weight on the front those are the way to go. But if you can't the durability of the SID is horendous and shouldn't really be a purchase option.

Suns_PSD · Mar 6, 2022

I love my Manitou R7. It's rigid, well damped, reliable, and as I recall 1600 grams or so.
In a 120, it's my choice. If I wanted 130, I'd run the Pike.

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NuclearNachos · Mar 6, 2022

Around 1600-1650ish I believe. Haven't been out to ride due to mud and snow/ice, but so far my pro has been great. From what I remember of my old pike (2016) it seems pretty close to stiffness, damping and vtt are promising so far

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OneTrustMan · Mar 6, 2022

There was a test a while ago on Mtb News
5 XC Fork test

It's german, but maybe you find it still helpful. There are browser addons that can translate whole websites.
Not perfect of course but still usable

FrankS29 · Mar 7, 2022

DVO Sapphire will go down to 120 and my god, it is so much better than any Fox 34/34SC ever produced.

Yup, it has some extra weight, but sometimes you have to ask if you want something that just works really, really well, or do you want something that can only say it’s lightweight.

mikesee · Mar 7, 2022

FrankS29 said:
DVO Sapphire will go down to 120 and my god, it is so much better than any Fox 34/34SC ever produced.

How big of a tire will it fit?

Ghost021 · Mar 7, 2022

The bushing issues with the SID pushed me towards Fox. I ended up with the 2022 34SC and really like it. Super light and for a 120mm fork, it feels outstanding.

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UPSed · Jul 10, 2022

Mind if I ask your weight and what settings you have settled on? Also, how many volume spacers are you running if any? Still trying to dial mine in but have a feeling it's never going to feel like my 130mm Pike.

justin70 · Mar 7, 2022

If you're bigger I'd go with Pike

Laupe · Mar 7, 2022

As others have said, don't go with the SID, so many bushings problems with them

louit32 · Mar 7, 2022

Thank you for your answers. I have an epic sworks in brain model 2021, I think a 130mm would be too big. I will go to the sc34 instead of the sid.

JoePAz · Mar 7, 2022

the 2022 34SC is a really nice fork for XC / downcountry use. 120mm is a really good length and weight is light for the size. The regular 34 is good for 130, but starts adding weight. I swapped by 2018 Fox 32 SC for a 2022 34SC on my singlespeed and I really love it.

chemical_brother · Jul 4, 2022

JoePAz said:
the 2022 34SC is a really nice fork for XC / downcountry use. 120mm is a really good length and weight is light for the size. The regular 34 is good for 130, but starts adding weight. I swapped by 2018 Fox 32 SC for a 2022 34SC on my singlespeed and I really love it.

Do you know if the 2022 34SC will safely clear a 27.5x2.5 or 27.5x2.6 tire? I'm planning a single speed Chumba Sendero build.

MTB Engineer · Mar 7, 2022

I don’t particularly like the FIT4 in the 34SC Factory. It’s good in the small stuff but somehow uncontrolled in the rough. Mine also constantly leaks from the “floating” bottom of the bladder. I have a new body and bladder coming in, but given the choice I would take the GRIP over it any day!

Jayem · Mar 7, 2022

I have the older 34SC, it's insanely flexy fore-aft because Fox removed so much material from the crown. Similar RS products are not nearly so ridiculous. A short-travel Pike or regular 34 would be my recommendation.

Hexsense · Mar 7, 2022

I must be too insensitive to fork flex.
But I don't notice flex on my 34SC 2022. However, I notice the harshness of too high HSC setting of Fit4 damper for my 61kg body.
My Sid Ultimate has bushing that is a bit tight. I guess after so many bushing play/loose warranties, Sram makes the bushing tight again.
It costing some small bump compliance vs Fox. But on medium to large bump, it feel nicer than Fox just because it doesn't have that HSC spike.

Anyway, I'm going to test Manitou R7 Pro next. The package is traveling somewhere in the ocean, I guess.

Jayem · Mar 7, 2022

Hexsense said:
I must be too insensitive to fork flex.
But I don't notice flex on my 34SC 2022. However, I notice the harshness of too high HSC setting of Fit4 damper for my 61kg body.

This is one of the issues, excessive flex causes binding and harshness, the fork can't move up and down as much as it should, so it binds and transmits shcok, but the FIT4 damper tunes are just ridiculously harsh from Fox too. It's not the flexiest fork ever...it's just flexier than the equivalent RS fork in terms of size and usage.

freezeout · Jul 4, 2022

Anyone have opinions on the new 2023 Pike at 120 vs SID Ultimate?

My third set of SID lowers is on their way out and I’m thinking a 300g weight penalty might be worth it.

Bikeworks · Jul 5, 2022

jokulblue said:
Anyone have opinions on the new 2023 Pike at 120 vs SID Ultimate?

My third set of SID lowers is on their way out and I’m thinking a 300g weight penalty might be worth it.

Which SID, the 32mm or 35mm version? Can't speak for the Pike, but I went from the SID Ultimate in 32 with Race Day charger (100mm) to the 35mm (120mm) and it's been amazing. A lot stiffer, but maintaining all the small bump compliance I've come to expect. I'm a 220 pound clyde riding on an Epic Evo for reference.

PlanB · Jul 4, 2022

Just pulled the 120mm 2022 Fox Factory Stepcast off my new Top Fuel. I really, really wanted to like it, but it just feels too harsh on extended rough downhills. It just feels way overdamped and kinda spindly.

I’m also not sure it actually gets 120mm of travel. The exposed stanchion is 120mm from the dust wiper right to the bottom of the crown, but it never actually compresses that far. I have a previous generation of Stepcast 34 and it gets an honest 120mm of travel (compresses to about 1cm short of the crown). It might be in my head, but the front of the bike even feels low. I once had a Luftkappe in an older Stepcast 34 that sorta “sucked down” the fork. I think the new larger negative spring from Fox does the same thing.

It’s supple enough off the top and is definitely “supportive” but overall it’s a poor ride for my trails and this rider (Vancouver Island XC, 175lbs).

Gone back to a Pike Ultimate at 130mm.

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Mikey1212 · Jan 27, 2023

I found this thread while researching forks for my 120mm hardtail. I had a Pike Select and felt fine - but the sterrer was too short. Otherwise not much comparison. I could get a 34 Step Cast 120mm Performance for a good price at the moment. I would not want to sacrifice much in terms of comfort in comparison with the Pike. I weigh 174 pounds and my riding is "recreational" with flow trails, lots of climping and occasionally rooty / steep sections. Could the SC be righ for me? Or better go with a Pike as before?

Sid also looks nice but too much talk about busjing play. was that ever sorted?

Dkayak · Jan 27, 2023

Mikey1212 said:
Sid also looks nice but too much talk about busjing play. was that ever sorted?

Our two Top Fuels with the new SID Ultimate have been wonderful. My LBS tells me they haven't seen issues with others either. That doesn’t mean it’s not a risk, but to read forums you’d think 80% develop bushing play when it’s more likely less than say, 8%.

My sense is it’s very highly amplified on Internet forums, like just about everything. A while back I owned a car whose only known issue was transfer case failures. This crisis lit up the forum like mad, with owners selling cars they loved to avoid the risk (despite the OEM warranty ing the case for 100,000 miles). It’s surely gonna blow! Eventually someone posted a poll. It showed a 4% failure rate.

Mikey1212 · Jan 27, 2023

Haha, good point. Yeah, folks who have a problem with the fork surely post it. People without a problem are unlikely to post "hey a have a fork that works just fine" ....

Downcountry forks : FOX SC 34 2022 vs SID vs ?

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