Alternative to Rockshox SID in other brands ?

I now almost understand the Rockshox range, and think I am after SID in 100mm to smooth out the bumps on my backpacking bike that currently has on one rigid carbon forks.

My main interest is reasonably lightweight at lowish cost – any other models in the other brands that are comparable?

Scouring E bay etc. and 9mm qr would be fine as it would save me getting another wheel, but maybe I now need to move onto TA/Boost

Anything by Suntour worth looking at, or are they limited to entry level ?

9mm QR isn’t really a thing any more.

There are two quite different SiDs now, the lightest 32mm stanchioned version (Fox 32 stepcast is the main competitor there) and the 35mm stanchioned version (Fox 34 a similar offering).

Suntour mostly lower end, but they still make higher end stuff for other brands. Their own higher end stuff rarely shows up in the UK.

Don’t know if these would be out of your budget range but if you did go TA/Boost these are a decent price:

https://www.merlincycles.com/fox-32-rhythm-float-grip-boost-mtb-forks-29-280579.html

Many thanks both, whilst the Merlin link is a big saving it looks like the weight is 1.9 kg ?, hoping for something lighter or might find qr in the small ads etc if needed

I’ve got those fox 32’s on my Cotic Cascade and they’re bloody great. The bar mounted lock out is really useful.

I can’t say I’ve noticed the weight difference from the Salsa carbon rigid forks I previously had, and which I sold for more than the fox 32s cost!

Something like a Suntour Epicon would be cheaper than a SID, but a bit heavier. I have some on my commuter bike. I think they would be ideal for touring and light duty XC, but the more expensive RockShox and Fox forks have much better damping. They are still listed as available with 9 mm QR.

https://www.srsuntour.com/products/fork/SF24-EPIXON32-7997.html

Thanks… reading this thread has just cost me £250!!

I’d fancied a trying a set of 100mm forks on my Mason ISO (instead of the carbon fork), couldn’t pass on that deal.

1.9kg is light for a proper suspension fork imo.

I was looking at the Fox 32’s on Merlins as I run a rigid 29er (for a long time), but 1900g isn’t great. Nearly as much as the old 35mm 120mm revelations I have on another bike. I’m most tempted by a Reba, as it’s basically the Sid 32mm chassis with cheaper internals, but still respectable weight at 1600g or so. Lots more available 2nd had cheaply. If you don’t mind more basic damping then it’s a good alternative. Merlin have the 100mm versions for £350.

Other mid-range (price-wise) is the DT Swiss F232, which this 100mm version is going cheaper on biketart, and meant to be 1480g…https://www.biketart.com/products/dt-swiss-f-232-one-forks?variant=42485010596019

EDIT: as others have mentioned in other threads, i’m suspicious of SID reliability, which isn’t ideal for an expensive fork.

If I were looking at ebay, I’d be looking at Rebas. the RL ,RLT or RCT3. the old QR versions were pretty much identical to the SID of the same year and weighed in pretty light, and were really really easy to service. Just need to watch out for stanchion wear, but even then it’s not necessarily the death stroke.

It’s difficult to look past the Reba, barely heavier than a SID & I recently picked up a new set for just over £220 in 29″ 120mm travel – planning to lighten up a bike currently with Yari – I’ll run them for a year then look at the damper upgrade options.

EDIT: as others have mentioned in other threads, i’m suspicious of SID reliability, which isn’t ideal for an expensive fork.

I think this was just the V1 SID Ultimate (120mm travel, 35mm  stanchions).

Not seen any complaints about the 100mm/32mm SID SL, or the latest (very expensive and massively outside of the OP’s budget :yahoo: ) V2 model.

I think this was just the V1 SID Ultimate (120mm travel, 35mm  stanchions).

Phew, I got unused  V1 100mm ultimate. Couldn’t decide whether to use it or sell due to the bushing issues.

They don’t have much of a UK presence but I’ve always been impressed with DT Swiss forks. I’d be looking at them over the second tier Rockshox kit.

For 250 quid, you can’t go wrong with the Fox 32s. I’ve only had Rebas to compare, but they’re much better suspension imo. They look and feel very good and they’re supposed to be fairly durable and have a 100-hour service window.

Thanks everyone, a lot of experience here. Think I will look out for some second hand 9mm QR Rebas. Seems they are reasonably light, easy to maintain and I can continue to use my current QR front wheel

Probably a good call, nowt wrong with the old Rebas and you should be able to pick up some QR ones pretty cheaply I’d imagine.