surfjimc

Anyone use this fork? I tried to find some reviews of it but what I found was 3 and 4 years old. I assume the fork has been upgraded since then, but can't find any info. I'm big and I ride hard, but no large air or tricks. Just lots of trails which include some screaming single track down hills and lots of ruts and bumps.
This fork is coming on the bike I bought and the stuff I read had me a bit worried because all said it was light and flimsy. Any thoughts you have would be helpful.

Zan

I haven't had any experience with it, but at least I can tell you that the fork is designed for XC. If you're riding single track, it'll be fine. If you're doing downhill... obviously it wouldn't be the fork you want on the front.

Ted Danson

everyone has this fork. it must be good if its so popular

DevilsGT2

In the name of saving weight all the Sids (save the 2008's) come with skinny 28mm stanchion tubes, which means you'll notice a fair bit of flexing out on the trail. Other than that the fork will be adequate, a good upgrade in the future if you don't mind a bit more weight.

xcracer13

I raced a SID Race for a while. It tracks horribly over rough stuff and is like a noodle. The Reba is better and holds lines better. The 2008's fixed that problem with 32mm stanchions but unfortunately Rockshox is going to start fading out the Reba.

kenhill3

Someone correct me if I'm wrong. AFAIK, this is a very lightweight fork designed for racing, and not particularly for heavy riders. Flexible as another poster noted. Limited lifespan. I do not see this fork used by that many people, racing or otherwise.

Svr

Dual air spring in one leg and Pure damping in the other - no real changes to the Sid Race in that time.

I recently purchased one on closeout. My initial thoughts:

-I'm 170 lbs and ride with finesse, but I still find it a bit flexy.

-It's stupid-light. Under 3 lbs with an uncut steerer.

-It's high maintenance. Rock Shox reccomends changing the oil in the air spring side once a month.

-You must love to tinker. The Race has three air chambers. The ride can be altered from "totally awesome" to "complete suckage" and vice versa with a few strokes of the included pump.

-It requires a special tool (about $20) to change the travel and overhaul it.

-All in all, it's your typical balls-to-the-wall XC race fork.

-Overall, I like mine. It's not a do-it-all trail fork, but then it was never intended to be.

-Some people give it bad reviews, but that's kind of like buying a non street legal race car, then complaining that the roll cage takes up too much interior room, the windows don't roll up and there's no air conditioning.

ZeCanon

If you are 165lbs+, stay away. If you are under 165, ride lightly, or race and want a superlight fork, go for it.
I fall into the latter category. If I didn't race, I would never run a SID. Something like a reba would provide a much more pleasant ride. But when was the last time racing was 'pleasant'?

ghettocruiser

It's a noodle, but a real, real light noodle.

I had one for 5 years and 20,000 km and did almost no maintenance, and it worked great for most of this time period, summer and winter. I admit it was getting pretty nasty towards the end.

I'd wait for the 2008.

https://velonews.com/tech/report/articles/13557.0.html

rydaddy

The 2008 model should be a very nice improvement. Like others have said, the Reba is a great alternative. I have no regrets dropping down on my Reba Race.

xcracer13

Yeah, not a huge fan on the color that they chose for it though.

surfjimc

Thanks for all the info guys. It sounds like unless the 2008 model is a bit sturdier, it will quickly be for sale.

MudSplattered

I have one on my Santa Cruz Juliana and it's perfect...but I'm a girl who weighs in at 130 lbs. I ride a lot and on rough back country but not drops. Adjusting the 3 air chambers isn't hard, a pump here, a pump there. I have not had to do anything with the oil. I just had a thourough inspection of my Santa Cruz Juliana and there actually wasn't anything to do on it except slightly straigten out the rear derailluer. The fork checked out perfectly. I was told when my bike was being built it is not for drops.