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Fork for a HT: Fox vs SID vs Lefty

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have a HT (SS) I race occasionally. I’m currently running an ENVE rigid but would like to have a suspension fork for some of the races. 100-120mm range. 29/boost, and a big plus for 2.5” clearance.

I’m trying to decide among a Fox Step Cast 32, SID, and Lefty Ocho.

A rider I talked to at the last race had just installed a Lefty on his bike earlier this year and said it’s the stiffest fork (laterally) he’s had and 100% recommends it. If I go this route, I understand I’ll need a new front wheel as well.

Typical races I do are 12/24 hr races and 100 milers.

Thanks for any input.
 
#2 ·
Your weight geared up? I don't recommend the SC32 unless your very lightweight. I'm about 165 pounds geared up and happily raced a SC32 for years. Then I tried a SC34. The "omg this thing is flexy" SC32 is now on my Frankengravel/flip flop summer social drinking 29er.
 
#4 ·
Manitou R7?
Ample tire clearance, you can easily adjust travel from 100-110-120 to find your sweet spot (10min job).

Not in 1500g space but reliability and performance is great.
 
#5 ·
I'm running 34SC @ 100 on my XC hardtail these days, at 80kg I'll never go back to a 32mm fork. The difference in tracking through chunk is night and day, 34SC is smoother too because it's not flexing and binding. I've got 12k miles on 32SC and only about 5k on 34SC but it's well worth the weight penalty for me.
 
#6 ·
The new SID Ultimate that just dropped is going to be my next 120mm XC option once they release the Flight Attendant option for it. Love my SC34, but rode this 35mm SID platform last week and was like: “RS has it going on again”.
 
#8 ·
I can't speak for the Lefty.

But if you are going to go Fox or RS go with their 34 and 35mm options. The 32 is a good functional fork, but the small weight savings is not worth the flex and the lightest weight Sid is remarkably bad.
 
#9 ·
Can I steal this thread for second, so I don't open new one for nothing? :) Time for new wheel, which unfortunately means also time for new fork (old is still 15x100). Of course option is to go with Fox 34 120mm ("a bit" of upgrade of current 100mm 32), but when just checking prices, I can get Sid Ultimate 2P for almost half cheaper then Fox 34 FIT4 Factory. Now here's my question, as I honestly can't find this info anywhere. Fox has push to unlock, which fits with my Fox rear shock, and yes I would really like to keep remote lockout for both, also for fork. Does RS and Sid have such option too, or are they still on push to lock system? I normally do my homework and check myself, but for this info, it's either so top secret stuff noone dares to publish it, or it's clear for everyone except Fox, that push to lock is one and only standard? So any info regarding this would be highly appreciated. Thanks guys, and sorry for kidnapping this thread :)
 
#10 ·
primoz said:
Can I steal this thread for second, so I don't open new one for nothing? :) Time for new wheel, which unfortunately means also time for new fork (old is still 15x100). Of course option is to go with Fox 34 120mm ("a bit" of upgrade of current 100mm 32), but when just checking prices, I can get Sid Ultimate 2P for almost half cheaper then Fox 34 FIT4 Factory. Now here's my question, as I honestly can't find this info anywhere. Fox has push to unlock, which fits with my Fox rear shock, and yes I would really like to keep remote lockout for both, also for fork. Does RS and Sid have such option too, or are they still on push to lock system? I normally do my homework and check myself, but for this info, it's either so top secret stuff noone dares to publish it, or it's clear for everyone except Fox, that push to lock is one and only standard? So any info regarding this would be highly appreciated. Thanks guys, and sorry for kidnapping this thread :)
Click to expand...
Previous generation Fox was push to unlock. Current generation is push to lock. I am not sure if you can get push to unlock on the current generation or not. If you write to Fox, they will tell you though.
 
#11 ·
RexRacerX said:
Previous generation Fox was push to unlock. Current generation is push to lock. I am not sure if you can get push to unlock on the current generation or not. If you write to Fox, they will tell you though.
Click to expand...
Oh lovely... Let's change everything yet again... Is there any "standard" in bike industry that can stick around for more then 14 days? Luckily Fox forks I can get are still push to unlock so if I go with Fox, rear shock can stay same (push to unlock). So with Fox also back to push to lock, I assume Rock Shox have no option for push to unlock. Or maybe RS will switch to this now? :ROFLMAO:
 
#12 ·
jimPacNW said:
With the Lefty, do you still have to remove the brake caliper before you remove the wheel horizontally? That was true on the one I had, and that would be a 'deal breaker' for me.
Click to expand...
Yes. But it's super easy to do. There is a quick release. It's quick.

However, the fork starts feeling like crap very quickly. I have been told (but never tried) that service is reasonably difficult.

That said when it's fresh it is so so smooth and feels great.

It doesn't stay feeling good long enough for me though.

I haven't tried a new sid. The new 34c was solidly fine. Getting to the lower leg bolts for service was meh because of the stepcast design.

SID will be the next one I try (after Ohlins).
 
#13 ·
primoz said:
Oh lovely... Let's change everything yet again... Is there any "standard" in bike industry that can stick around for more then 14 days? Luckily Fox forks I can get are still push to unlock so if I go with Fox, rear shock can stay same (push to unlock). So with Fox also back to push to lock, I assume Rock Shox have no option for push to unlock. Or maybe RS will switch to this now? :ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
The RS-1 and Monarch XX combo used a single button push to unlock, which worked well for quite a while, - if we're talking about the same thing. Mine requires more frequent bleeds, now, probably well past due for a well service. I'm not really recommending that setup.

I've wondered what Cannondale would have now, if they had put as much effort into developing a better 'standard' fork, probably something quite competitive and well accepted.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
Hi all. Thanks for the responses.

To wrap it up. I ended up ordering a SID Ultimate (35mm). Hopefully it will work out. I’ve always envied SID’s since first laying eyes on one in the 90’s while I rocked an Indy XC.
I ordered the OneLoc as well.
 
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