Rock Shox SID – Ultimate or select?

So I think I’m fairly set on this for my new Stanton Sherpa, will be going with the 120 fork but not sure on the Select model or if the extra expense on the Ultimate is worth it?

Any real word reviews out there that could help sway me would be greatfully appreciated.

Thanks

Got the ultimate SL. Couldn’t tell you the difference, but it’s very light and supple. Doesn’t bomb through the stroke either. Good support. I love mine, even though it’s the 100mm version.

Ultimate SL is 32mm stanchions and 100mm only of travel around 1300+g iirc.

Ultimate is 35mm stanchions, 100/110/120mm options, race day damper, no rebound knob on the fork and around 1500+g

Select is 35 mm stanchions, 100/110/120mm.options, shiny red rebound knob on the fork for easy tweaks on the go, normal size Charger 2 damper. 1700+g

I think they all have the option of remote lock out or top of crown lock out.

I’ve the Select+ and I’ve no idea what the “+” gives me over the Select. No extermal adjustable compression on any of them, but it doesn’t hinder their performance.

There are www reports of some bushing play in them, mine are ok so far, check any that your buying if second hand or go brand new from UK for warranty back up.

Here you go:

The SID SL is the all-out cross-country racing fork in the lineup. 2020 saw radical updates to the platform in two SID forks, the SID and the SID SL.

SID SL is an out and out race fork. It gets 32mm stanchions, 100mm of travel, a 44mm offset, comes for 29ers only, and interestingly has an alloy steerer rather than carbon. Rockshox says they focused research on alloy crown/steerers first rather than carbon ones; potentially, they will follow on, we reckon. This fork weighs a claimed 1,326g.

The SID SL Ultimate tops the SID SL range with its DebonAir air spring, lightweight Charger Race Day damper and machined, and anodized crown. As with many other RockShox forks, it gets SKF wiper seals and Maxima Plush damper fluid. This fork is compatible with only 29″ wheels and only comes with 100mm of travel. It’s available in the Signature SID Blue colourway or Ultimate High Gloss Black and will set you back £849 with a remote and £779 without.

On high-end Specialized bikes, you’ll find the SID SL Ultimate with Spesh’s BRAIN tech. It gets special Position-Sensitive technology and the Inertia Valve that automatically opens up and locks out the suspension based on the bumps it senses.

Then there’s the SID SL Select+, an OEM fork that gets a DebonAir air spring, a Charger 2 RL damper and SKF wiper seals. There’s also Maxima Plush damping fluid, and just like the range-topping fork, it’s only available with 100mm of travel and for 29″ wheels.

The SID SL Select comes with a DebonAir air spring with a Charger RL damper, along with SKF wiper seals and Maxima Plush damper fluid. With a remote, it’ll cost £649, without, it’ll be £579.

Finally, the SID SL looks like another OEM fork, but this one gets a Rush damper with a DebonAir air spring. This fork gets the same seals and fluid as the rest of the range.

I’ve got the Select+ on my Transition Spur. Pretty much set and forget. It has a nice feel but isn’t quite as plush as the Fox 34 I have on my other bike. I’m quite happy with it though, but slightly paranoid that it has a tiny bit of bushing play on the damper side. LBS said SRAM will warranty it no problem if it gets worse.

The Race Day damper on the Ultimate is a canny bit of engineering. Same performance as the Charger 2 damper but 150-200g lighter. If I were buying new for an XC / light trail build then I’d probably stump up the extra cash and go for the Ultimate.

Despite the quality control issues re: busing play and some reported early damper failings, the price for such a nice riding fork is very competitive considering that the closest competitor (Fox 34 Stepcast) is £1,000+ aftermarket.

I’m after a set of SID SL Ultimate 100mm or Select, Crown adjust in black. Anywhere with stock?

@Clink CRC have 2 in stock @ £817 – edit = they’re blue!

I’ve got the SID Select (not sure if +) in 120 mm on my Sherpa and it works really well (did need some extra fluid – like many others found they seem to arrive a bit dry). I’m not sure I’d noticed the difference with the Ultimate, and I don’t really like the blue 😉 (the black wasn’t available at the time).

120 mm definitely helps it fill the ‘downcountry’ tag and it still climbs very well. Plus the 35 mm stanchions make it feel a bit like a Pike-lite. Whichever you go for (which really comes down to cost!) go 35 and 120 mm.

@Clink CRC have 2 in stock @ £817 – edit = they’re blue

Yeah ta. For a blue Chisel frame so I think SID blue might be too much!

My sid ultimate SL is on a chisel frame. Limited edition water theme. Went for high gloss black in the fork as the blue was too much with the water theme.

My sid ultimate SL is on a chisel frame. Limited edition water theme. Went for high gloss black in the fork as the blue was too much with the water theme.

You’re Chisel’s my inspiration!

Are they now Boost only or can you still get non-boost?

Boost only.