Kindaslow

I am thinking about a suspension fork for this bike. I have been MTBing since the 80's and biking is my primary hobby, so I am looking for what could be the best. So, I am looking at the RS-1, the Pike, and Fox's best (my skills are decent given 30+ years and my finances are decent given empty nest). My bikes are usually XC bikes, but I ride them on everything but true DH. Even as a fully rigid, I have ridden it on many black diamond trails. I am just hoping to give my aging body slightly less jarring. I love it as a fully rigid, but I tend to take it places I would be better off taking the Epic, given I love riding SS.

Anyone ridden or owned any of these? Especially the RS-1.

Ronsonic 

A lot depends on the bike you're putting this on. If it's an older rigid it may or may not have a "suspension corrected" geometry. Usually, that just means that it's designed around a fork that approximates the length of a sprung fork. If you stick a 100mm fork on a bike designed with a rigid fork axle to crown height it will feel like you're doing a wheelie all the time. Oh, and it will handle goofy. The old 63mm forks would usually work well with those. What bike is it? Or, just take a tape measure, look at some axle-crown dimensions and see what's likely to work for you.

bikemig 

Why not buy a new mtb or pick up one used from CL? I'm a big fan of old bikes but technology has moved on especially for mountain bikes. Or what about a surly with really fat tires plush tires? I've been wanting to try one out for riding offroad for a while.

Kindaslow

This is a modern bike, built about 6 months ago. I really enjoy riding it just the way it is, but my body is complaining. So, even just 100mm of front suspension will probably do the trick. I have a great FS bike for the times I want gears, this is for when I want to enjoy SS.

I am also looking at the Rock Shox SID, if anyone has it???

Wingsprint

What bike is this going on (make, model and year)? Wheel size?

Kindaslow

2015 Specialized Crave SS Frame (nothing else from Crave). 29er

From talking with some folks and reading reviews, I am thinking either the SID or RS-1.

Wingsprint

I am not a fan of Fox forks and do not recommend them. Stick with Rockshox or Manitou.

In my very limited time riding a friends bike with an RS-1, I would say hands down a Pike, SID or Revelation would be a much better choice. I found the RS-1 to have very vague steering... it felt like a wet noodle- lots of torsional flex. Other downsides- It cost more, is less tunable and requires a proprietary hub.

Kindaslow

Thanks!

it is between the SID and RS-1. The downsides you mentioned in the second sentence are things I have been reading; however, most folks think it is stiff. Are you comparing it to an enduring fork or XC fork?

Wingsprint

Comparing to both... enduro and XC

The stiffness front to back might be good but side to side and steering flex was bad. Its had to describe but conventional forks feel much more planted and steering is way better.

RJM

I've thought what you are thinking, then I think the rigid SS is ideal for at least one local trail, the hilly gravel fire service roads we have, and just so much different on all the other trails that I talk myself out of changing the fork. I can see getting another hardtail SS to compliment the rigid; for me the rigid adds something to the riding. I have though about changing grips and handlebars to something a little more compliant though.

Between these two forks, I would go with the SidXX with a remote. The Sid is really the lighter fork and the remote makes it easy to lock out so you can have that rigid feel when you want it.

GeoKrpan

I love riding no suspension. My first was a 29er and now a 29Plus, the ultimate no suspension bike.

I can run regular 2.xx 29er tires, 29x3 Plus tires, and 26x4 Fatbike wheels/tires. Or, any combination thereof, like a 2.xx on the rear and a 29x3 on the front, or a 29x3 on the rear and a 26x4 on the front.

I also run a dirt drop which I feel allows me to ride much more smoothly over the rough bits than with a riser bar.

I am so done with suspension.