The RockShox SID has been tackling cross-country race courses since it debuted way back in 1998. A lot has changed since then, and RockShox has continually updated the SID to keep up with the times and the changing demands of XC racing. In the SID lineup, the SID SL is the short-travel — 100 or 110 mm — option that prioritizes weight savings while providing the control and performance that racers need to ride faster. Given that seemingly around half of World Cup XC racers are riding SID forks, it’s safe to assume that the new SID SL has already been thoroughly put through its paces under the fastest riders in the world.
With 100 mm and 110 mm options, the SID SL is most likely to end up on lightweight hardtails or the shortest travel full suspension race bikes. Those are becoming less common as cross-country race courses continue to get rowdier and more riders are using 120 mm travel full suspension bikes with fork travel to match, but they certainly haven’t gone away. In that super-light short-travel realm, RockShox intends to be the top dog, claiming the SID SL Ultimate 110 mm 3P is the lightest 110 mm fork on the market.
New RockShox SID SL
When updating the SID SL, RockShox kept some of its winning formula but made some revisions and “cutting edge upgrades” to elevate its performance. These upgrades include more clearance for modern XC tires up to 2.4” wide, a new chassis with increased bushing overlap, a DebonAir+ air spring (used on the regular SID), and the new signature Electric Red colorway (for the Ultimate models only). The Flight Attendant model also gets some new features, including a fork-only update for hardtails and an upcoming firmware update to customize Auto Mode to disable Pedal or Lock positions.
RockShox kept the SID SL models at 100 mm and 110 mm of travel, and the 32 mm stanchions also remain the same. The Ultimate and Select+ models come with the Charger Race Day 2 Damper in both 2P (open/lock) and 3P (open/pedal/lock) versions that are compatible with the TwistLoc remote or the extra-fancy Flight Attendant electronically controlled system. The lineup includes five models and price tiers, including the SID SL Base, Select, Select+, Ultimate, and Flight Attendant. Pricing information wasn’t provided for all of the models, but you’re looking at $989 for the SID SL Ultimate or $1,499 for the Ultimate Flight Attendant version.
New RockShox Reba
In addition to the new higher-end SID SL models, RockShox has also updated its budget-friendly cross-country fork, the Reba. With the Reba, RockShox intends to provide “premium performance at an unbeatable price.” According to the brand, the new Reba features “an air spring inspired by SID, an XC-tuned Isolator damper, and a sleek 35 mm chassis.” The Reba Gold is the top of the Reba range with an approachable price of $549. It uses RockShox’s DebonAir spring, comes in 100, 110, 120, and 130 mm travel lengths, and is compatible with TwistLoc and OneLoc remotes.
RockShox also makes the Reba RL, which uses the brand’s Motion Control RL damper. Both the Reba Gold and Reba RL come in standard and ABS versions, with the latter coming with full fender and ABS mounts.
RockShox SID SL and Reba: Availability
The new SID SL and Reba forks were officially launched today and should be available soon through RockShox retail partners. You can learn more about them or find a dealer near you through the brand’s website.
